By Brian Metzler

If you’re a brand new runner, a novice runner or even a veteran marathoner, you’ll appreciate running in the Nike Pegasus 41

The Nike Pegasus is probably the best-selling running shoe of all-time. There’s no way of really measuring that, but I’m sure Nike has the data to back it up. The original Pegasus debuted in 1983 as a modern everyday trainer that combined an EVA foam midsole and Nike’s innovative Air cushioning system. (The Air midsole concept debuted a few years earlier in a shoe called the Tailwind, but it took several years for Nike to perfect the manufacturing process. When the Pegasus debuted near the start of the second decade of the original running boom, it became a hot seller.) 

However, the Pegasus is also probably a shoe that’s gone through more changes over the years than any other shoe ever made. Although Nike has continued to make both small and radical changes to the Peg, the one thing that’s remained constant is that it’s always been a versatile everyday trainer for a wide range of runners. The new Pegasus 41 ($140), which debuted two weeks ago, fits that mold, too, even though it’s gone through some big modifications since the 40th anniversary shoe was released just a year ago. I’ve run about 150 miles in two different pairs of the Pegasus 41 so far (and I’ve run in the majority of the Pegasus models since the first one!) and I still find it to be one of the easiest shoes to recommend to both new runners and advanced runners alike. Even though it’s not exceptional in any one category – comfort, responsiveness, speed, etc. – it does most things very well. It’s not a bargain-priced shoe (and yes, it increased $10 this year) but you get a lot for the price.

What’s New: Like all Pegasus models through the years, the Pegasus 41 has undergone numerous changes. First and foremost, it has an updated cushioning package that now has a full-length layer of cushy injection-molded ReactX foam with Air Zoom units embedded in the forefoot and heel for added responsiveness. The stack heights have been increased from heel to toe by 4mm, so it now has a near-maximal 37mm/27mm profile with the same 10mm heel-toe offset of most previous versions. It doesn’t feel near-maximal, but the additional cushion can definitely be felt in every stride. The revised engineered mesh upper is more breathable (and comfortable) than the past several models, while the enhanced lacing system is now integrated into an internal midfoot band that helps provide a more comprehensive fit for various foot shapes.

Fit/Feel/Ride: The Pegasus 41 is a neutral-oriented shoe that has a classic Nike low-volume, true-to-size fit that’s snug in the heel and midfoot with only a little bit of wiggle room in the toe box. It has a cushy step-in feel with a softly padded tongue, heel collar and premium sockliner that combine with the new engineered mesh upper to round out a comfortable fit. It has new aesthetic design lines with a more sculpted midsole, but it still feels and rides like a lot of the Pegasus models of recent years.

The biggest aspect about the Pegasus 41 that’s been upgraded is the ride. The new ReactX foam midsole – enhanced with Air Zoom units and a new slightly rockered geometry provides a mildly responsive sensation with moderate energy return. It’s definitely not the bouncy or hyper-responsive feeling of some super trainers or racing super shoes available, but that’s not the point of this mid-level everyday trainer. However, it’s a considerable improvement over the last several models that offers a good blend of flexibility, agility and cushioning.

Why It’s Great: It’s great because it can be a do-everything shoe if you want it to be – making it an especially good choice if you’re trying to keep to a budget. If you’re a new runner or novice runner, you can use this shoe for almost anything you want to tackle – long runs, easy runs, and even some moderately up-tempo workouts. It’s a durable shoe with enough cushioning and comfort to be a workhorse trainer and long run shoe. But its combination of flexibility, a narrow footprint, and moderate responsiveness allow for higher cadence running. It’s very agile, fairly light – and it’s a shoe that runs lighter than its spec weight might indicate – and bouncy enough to have a quick-rebound sensation that allows it to run at faster paces when necessary. It won’t necessarily excel at fast repeats on the track, but I’ve found it to be an ideal shoe for variably paced fartlek workouts on the roads and moderately long runs at progressively faster paces. It’s not necessarily a shoe that will take you to the next level in your running – there are plenty of other models that can do that – but it is a good tool for moderate weekly mileage and consistent running. 

Specs

Weights: 8.8 oz. (women’s 8), 10.4 oz. (men’s 9)

Heel-Toe Offset: 10mm; 37mm (heel), 27mm (forefoot)

Why You’ll Love It: It’s a better version of itself. I’ve taken the Pegasus 41 out for several runs longer than 10 miles and have appreciated the improved comfort and cushioning, especially in the heel. While the Pegasus has always been a versatile shoe, I haven’t really liked many of the previous models for longer runs. Nike says the ReactX foam provides 13% more energy return, and that seems accurate based on my wear-testing. That said, I wouldn’t advise wearing it for a longer race (longer than a 10K), especially if a time-based goal is your priority. It will get you from start to finish, but you’d be better off with a more responsive shoe if you want to run a new PR.

Pro: It’s versatile to do anything you need it to do. Although it’s not a budget-minded shoe like the Brooks Launch 10 ($110), it’s still a good bang for the buck, no matter what level of runner you consider yourself to be.

Con: The forefoot cushioning and outsole rubber felt a bit flat and rigid, and lacked an energetic pop at the toe-off phase. Perhaps that’s my own reaction to running in so many high-energy carbon-plated shoes lately, but the Pegasus 41 takes some extra effort to ramp up to faster workout paces that require full forefoot extension.