Nike Pegasus 42 ($140)
Introduction
Ah the stalwart and legendary Peg, recognized to numerous generations of runners younger and previous and infrequently their first actual street coach. Since model 1 it has been characterised by a dependable and versatile trip, cheap value and sturdiness.
With Nike’s current transfer to “Icon”, “Plus” and Premium for his or her key traces of Vomero, Construction, and Pegasus, we beforehand noticed the all Zoom X Pegasus Plus and the Air plated ZoomX/ReactX max cushion Pegasus Premium.
What would the icon Pegasus 42 get was eagerly awaited as workhorse every day trainers in its stack top class (lower than 40mm) and value vary $140-$150 more and more are getting supercritical foam midsoles and infrequently increased stack at lighter weights.
Nicely, we get one thing new however we nonetheless get a real Pegasus as generations have recognized it.
What stays the identical:
Similar 10mm drop 37mm heel and 27mm forefoot stack top
Similar ReactX midsole foam midsole
Air Zoom continues to be within the combine
Inside just a few grams the identical weight.
Loads of rugged outsole protection
Similar $140 pricing
What has modified:
Following the lead of the Peg Premium, as a substitute of the current twin Air Zoom models, we see a full size curved Air Zoom unit that’s plate like for propulsion and response.
In a twist, the toe spring is elevated which permits successfully 3mm extra forefoot cushion whereas accentuating the roll off the entrance from the curved air plate
At lengthy “final”, the higher is on a brand new and roomier final
So whereas the bottom applied sciences of ReactX and Air Zoom carry ahead, but once more, it was clear to me that the trip and match are advanced and modernized. Sufficient to nonetheless compete in a crowded and evolving class. Let’s discover out
Professionals:
Dependable, sturdy, versatile workhorse of a every day coach. Clearly extra dynamic and barely extra forgiving trip, particularly off the entrance of the shoe, gone the 41’s agency entrance harshnessNonetheless a firmer extra responsive, steady using shoeExtra beneficiant match will accommodate extra runners in commonplace sizingNice worth at $140 and particularly for the highschool and school runner who depend on one coach
Cons:
Whereas the Air Zoom plate is the simplest implementation I can recall, it provides weight.over an all foam midsoleTime to maneuver on even on the $140 value level: ReactX is .a nice foam however is non supercritical, is much less vitality returning and heavier. Air Zoom has been round for about 50 years and whereas iconic..Rear deep outsole rubber results in a firmer extra jarring touchdown than very best for me.
Stats
Approx. Weight: males’s Weight 10.1 oz / 286g US9
Pattern Weights: males’s 10.1 oz / 286g US9 pattern (just a few grams heavier than 41
Stack Top: 37mm heel / 27 mm forefoot,10mm drop (unchanged)
Platform Width: 90mm heel / 63mm midfoot / 110mm forefoot (US8.5 pattern)
First Impressions, Match and Higher
The important thing change to the higher (and match) is a brand new extra anatomical final with extra entrance room, and that is clearly felt.
The higher is a skinny lined and pretty standard engineered mesh.
The toe field is unstructured above the toes with the general match now on a wider final.
The toe bumper shouldn’t be overly inflexible however extends notably far again to offer a cushty and sufficient construction to the entrance of the shoe.
My pattern is a US9. I requested as per my traditional a US8.5 however Nike despatched a US9. Whereas a US8.5 would have been nice they’re a bit brief in size so the US9 suits accurately though with skinny socks and if I had a decrease quantity foot than my slender to medium ones I’d dimension right down to your regular true to dimension.
The tongue is reasonably padded and smooth with a versatile plastic brand piece the place the lace up lies for a bit of additional safety.
The tongue attaches to a full internal lining which creates a gusset and extends all the best way to the entrance of the shoe. Breathability needs to be above common even with the internal lining because the decrease a part of the tongue and toe field has many perforations and the outer mesh is skinny
Lacing is straightforward and efficient with 2 holes up entrance then 2 leatherette ghillie loops after which a remaining 2 gap panel which additionally permits for a lace lock. A lace lock was not wanted even at a half dimension up for me because the ankle collars are reasonably, though not excessively stiff, so now we have strong lace as much as ankle connection to lock within the rear of the foot.
The inflexible and excessive heel counter after all has the excessive “elf” Nike extension on the achilles and is effectively padded. Heel maintain could be very strong and comfy.
All in all a nice becoming and performing higher for a $140 shoe with a bit easier going consolation than beforehand, but with strong lockdown and maintain entrance to again.
Midsole & Platform
The midsole and platform follows the traditional Peg method:
37mm heel / 27 mm forefoot , 10mm drop (the Peg 41 elevated in stack top 4mm)
React X foam as within the Peg 41
Air Zoom, however in a giant change now now not a solo entrance unit however a full size curved plate like unit.
The curved full size Air Zoom unit is clearly the massive replace to the Peg 42. Whereas earlier than i discovered Air Zoom so as to add response to the softish React and ReactX foam, they tended to make Pegs fairly agency on the forefoot bordering on harshness with entrance foot fatigue rising deeper into runs with additionally a way the Air Zoom was not effectively built-in and all of a chunk with the midsole.
Right here the Air Zoom, both as a consequence of decrease strain or shaping, performs much better. And recall, the brand new geometry whereas retaining the 37/27 stack top by growing toe spring places 3mm simpler cushion on the ball of foot. Extra forefoot cushion is clearly felt as is a smoother toe off (if a bit skinny manner up entrance) and a few extra entrance rebound (vs fast sharp response earlier than) is felt.
Total the Peg 42 has a smoother flowing, extra forgiving using midsole however that is nonetheless a firmer old skool trip centered on response and stability reasonably than bounce or deep shock absorption, and significantly on the heel.
The query after all stays what may a Peg with ZoomX or a mix of Cushlon and Zoom X plus the brand new plate ship, along with lighter weight? The Pegasus Plus with all Zoom X and no Air was one in all my favourite non max cushion trainers of the previous couple of years and is due for a brand new model quickly.
Outsole
The outsole additionally sees vital modifications decreasing middle rear protection and going with 2 entrance decoupling grooves as a substitute of 1 as proven within the Peg 41 beneath.
Pegasus 41 outsole
The outer rear (and likewise the entrance)now has a narrower rim of thick and really agency rubber as a substitute of the prior broader protection. I discovered the brand new heel rubber fairly agency and barely jarring on heel landings at slower paces.
As a substitute of being interrupted on the medial midfoot, this rim is sort of steady there.
This new outsole probably helps steadiness out the added weight of the now full Air Zoom whereas on the identical time sustaining on the floor stability and delivering a pleasant effectively built-in response on the heel and up entrance. I do suppose total this perimeter rubber strategy is a bit overdone and agency.
The Peg 42 has a pleasant snappy flex level on the finish of the blue rubber in direction of the midfoot on the 2 brief gaps in outsole protection and likewise on the 2 entrance gaps with the world between them fairly inflexible. I’d say the two flex areas (midfoot and entrance at remaining toe off) are efficient and effectively positioned for quite a lot of paces and assist intensify the toe spring though the Peg feels greatest pushed to sooner paces.
The extra segmented blue forefoot rubber is softer to urgent than the black rubber as a consequence of its segmentation and it’s unclear if it’s a barely softer compound.
Sturdiness needs to be wonderful because the rubber surrounding the whole perimeter of the only real is thick, agency and in all the correct locations.
I ran some gravel street base within the Peg 42 and it was nice however I’d say the normal mild trails use of the Peg with their prior waffle soles and extra in depth protection could also be decreased with this new outsole however all roads moist or dry needs to be simply nice as is difficult packed street base gravel the place I examined.
Experience, Conclusions and Suggestions
The Pegasus 42 stays true to its lengthy working focus as a fairly priced throughout every day coach workhorse, and to its character as a firmer extra responsive reasonably than pleasant springy and bouncy coaching choice..
Whereas the 42 will get the brand new curved Air Zoom plate that’s efficient, a brand new extra beneficiant match and a brand new outsole design followers of prior Pegs will really feel utterly at dwelling right here and possibly extra comfortably so within the extra beneficiant higher. The Peg 42 evolves in a strong course true to its roots and iconic applied sciences however…
Direct opponents in the identical class and value factors have moved on to supercritical foam midsoles for lighter weight and extra vitality return (and enjoyable) with shoe weights 30-40g lighter on related stack heights. And the load and old skool firmer, much less energetic however responsive and steady trip of the Pegasus 42 is felt and for me a bit dated.
I want the Peg 42 had a supercritical foam midsole. it doesn’t must be ZoomX however might be one other sort (supercritical EVA/PEBA) equivalent to adidas did with Dreamstrike+ foam of their Supernova Rise 3 to lighten and put some enjoyable into what’s for 2026 an excessively “critical” using shoe. Or simply give it ZoomX as within the Pegasus Plus with or with out Air Zoom.
So far as Air it has been round for nearly 50 years and I truly ran within the first Air shoe the Tailwind and raced within the Air Mariah within the early 80’s. Each have been revolutionary of their time, and for a lot of many years, nevertheless it’s time to maneuver on or reimagine Air because the Pegasus begins to do as a plate however at lighter weights.
The Pegasus 42 will proceed to be a very good worth and selection for its core audiences of highschool and school runners, freshmen, and Nike followers. It is usually a good selection for any funds centered runner who desires a single sturdy throughout shoe and prefers a direct, firmer responsive extra old skool trip with respectable stability
Sam’s Rating: 8.79 /10
Experience (50%): 8.4 Match (30%): 9.3 Worth (15%): 9 Type (5%): 9
😊😊 1/2
4 Comparisons
Pegasus 42
Weight: 10.1 oz / 286g US9
Stack Top: 37mm heel / 27 mm forefoot,10mm drop (unchanged)
Platform Width: 90mm heel / 63mm midfoot / 110mm forefoot (US8.5 pattern)
Puma Velocity Nitro 4 (RTR Assessment)
males’s 8.65 oz / 245g US9
36 mm heel / 26 mm forefoot
80 mm heel / 65 mm midfoot / 100 mm forefoot
The Velocity Nitro is 41g lighter on a 1mm decrease stack top with the identical 10mm drop and a narrower platform. It’s helped to get to its weight with a prime layer of supercritical Nitro foam with beneath for stability and response a firmer EVA layer. Each footwear have related rides with the Puma a contact extra pleasant and springy with its narrower heel and forefoot landings making it a bit extra agile with the load distinction is clearly felt. The Puma has the same firmer extra responsive trip. Its higher is significantly snugger and extra efficiency oriented however true to dimension. Wider increased quantity ft might be happier within the Peg 42 higher.
Nike Pegasus Plus (RTR Assessment)
Approx. Weight: males’s 8.6 oz / 244g US9
80 mm heel / 65 mm midfoot / 100 mm forefoot
Stack Top: males’s 35 mm heel / 25 mm forefoot ( 10 mm drop)
Platform Width: 85 mm heel / 65 mm midfoot / 110 mm forefoot
The now previous and costlier Plus model is 42 grams lighter on a 2mm decrease platform. It is all ZoomX midsole, lighter weight and total extra energetic trip made it a favourite of mine and definitely I desire it over the Peg 42. Its higher, as with the Puma, is extra efficiency oriented and decrease quantity than the Peg 42.
The subsequent Peg Plus could come quickly and now we have no particulars as of but but when Nike took its identical ZoomX midsole foam, possibly with a lightweight EVA beneath or stout plate like outsole, added a pair millimeters or so of stack top and priced it at $140-$150 and referred to as it the Peg 43 I’m fairly positive it could be a winner.
adidas Supernova Rise 3 (RTR Assessment)
Approx. Weight 9.2 oz / 261g US9
Stack Top: 37 mm heel / 29 mm forefoot
Platform Width 90mm heel /79mm midfoot /115mm forefoot
One other direct competitor the Supernova Rise 3 has a PEBA mix midsole which is dense and really protecting with much less shock transmitted than the Peg 42. Lighter by 25g, it’s a bit much less agile feeling than the Peg 42 however significantly extra leg pleasant with longer runs definitely extra possible than within the Peg 42 for me. The suits are related as is the $140 pricing
Saucony Azura (RTR Assessment)
Barely costlier at $150, and 25g lighter, the brand new Azura has a supercritical expanded PEBA beads midsole and a lightweight however very sturdy new college CPU outsole that additionally helps create a “plate on the floor” sensation. The trip is energetic, nice and quick at a wider vary of paces though the Peg could have an edge in stability, response and higher consolation however is relatively tough and firmer trip. Azura is clearly a extra versatile and enjoyable to run every day coach.
All RTR evaluations: HERE
Newest Critiques-Chronological Order HERE
The Nike Pegasus 42 will launch early April 2026
Tester Profile
Sam is the Editor and Founding father of Street Path Run. Hex is in his 60’s with 2025 Sam’s 54th yr of working roads and trails. He has a many years previous 2:28 marathon PR. Today he runs halves within the simply sub 1:43 vary. if he will get very, very fortunate. Sam trains 30-40 miles per week principally at average paces on the roads and trails of New Hampshire and Park Metropolis, Utah be it on the run, mountain climbing or on nordic skis. Sam is 5’9” /175cm and 160 lbs/ 73kg if he’s not having fun with too many nice New England IPA’s.
Thanks for studying our overview!
Procuring at our companions beneath is way appreciated and helps assist RoadTrailRun
Samples have been supplied at no cost for overview functions. No compensation was supplied by manufacturers for writing this text. RoadTrail Run does have affiliate partnerships and should earn fee on merchandise bought by way of procuring hyperlinks on this article. These partnerships don’t affect our editorial content material. The opinions herein are completely the authors’.
Feedback and Questions Welcome Under! Please tell us mileage, paces, race distances, and present most well-liked footwear
FREE 2 Day Transport EASY No Sweat Returns
Europe solely: use RTR code RTR5ALL for 5% off all merchandise, even sale merchandise
FLEET FEET
ROADRUNNERSPORTS
TOP4RUNNING EUROPE
Use RTR code RTRTOP4 for 5% off all merchandise, even sale merchandise
SPORTSSHOES.COM UK/EU
Use our code RTR235 for five% off all merchandise
MARATHON SPORTS BOSTON
WATCH OUR YOUTUBE REVIEWS ON THE ROADTRAILRUN CHANNEL
Google “roadtrailrun Shoe Title” and you may be fairly positive to search out nearly any run shoe and every kind of run and hike gear during the last 10 plus years
RoadTrailRun Official Retailer Customized Fractel Caps and Bucket Hats
Cap:$35 Bucket:$39
Free US Economic system Transport!
Please Like and Observe RoadTrailRun
