Nike Pegasus 41 Review

I've run in almost every version of the Pegasus that has come out in the past 15 years. The model has been around far longer than that, and has earned a reputation for being a reliable and simple daily trainer. The 41 is the best version to come along for a few years. It caters to heel strikers and slow-and-steady runners.

Side View Cut in Half

Cushioning

The Pegasus 41 uses a ReactX midsole to provide a more resilient ride. It has 38 mm of stack height at the heel, with a 13 mm drop. The drop is among the highest in our lineup, and it is noticeable, although not necessarily in the way you might think.

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Thanks to the addition of some rocker geometry, the shoe rolls smoothly from heel to toe. The drop becomes very noticeable as you reach the forefoot. There's 25 mm of foam under the forefoot, and a good portion of that is taken up by the AirZoom units rather than ReactX foam. Nike says the units help provide “lighter-weight energy return,” but in my experience, they really just make an already relatively firm forefoot feel firmer yet. There isn't that much protection in the forefoot, making it a far better choice for heel-strikers than those who land a bit farther forward.

The landings of the Pegasus feel pretty old-school. And while a simple ride can be great and absolutely has its place, there are a lot of modern shoes that offer a similar, old-school midsole geometry, but with far better cushioning. As a result, it's not a shoe I'd recommend for those logging lots of mileage, heading out on long runs, or wanting something that offers a lot of cushioning.

Upper Comfort

Nike did a great job with the upper of the Pegasus 41. It's comfortable and somewhat breathable, and I did not have any issues with rubbing, heel lift, or sliding. Some runners might find the forefoot volume to be a little low. I didn't feel cramped in this shoe, but the toe box did feel snug and runs a little narrow.

Stability

Thanks to the firm forefoot and narrower shape of the shoe, the Pegasus 41 offers a nimble feel underfoot. That results in confidence on uneven terrain and a planted feel. For runners who know they want some added support, the Pegasus is a very neutral shoe. While the heel does have slight sidewalls, there isn't much by way of guidance, and the narrow forefoot doesn't offer much lateral support.

Responsiveness

Similar to the cushioning, responsiveness is fine, but not great. This isn't a shoe you're going to want for uptempo running. Even though it isn't a plush shoe, it errs more on the comfort side of the comfort-performance spectrum. Nike claims the AirZoom units add energy return off the forefoot, but it really doesn't feel like it. The Pegasus 41 doesn't feel great at faster paces, and the limited amount of ReactX in the forefoot makes it feel more energetic in the heel than in the forefoot, which isn't great when you're trying to push off at faster paces.

Overall, the Pegasus 41 takes home a middling score in this department because it just doesn't have the uptempo versatility that we've come to expect from daily trainers.

Weight

The Pegasus 41 weighs in at 11.03 ounces in a US Men's 10.5. For such a narrow and relatively normal stack height shoe, it is packing a lot of weight. That also hurts it in the responsiveness department. Some of the weight comes from the upper materials, but I think a significant portion also comes from the waffle outsole rubber.

Traction

That outsole rubber provides solid traction. The Pegasus has one of the higher scores in our lineup in this category. It provided confidence on ice, snow, wet roads, and loose dirt.

Should You Buy the Nike Pegasus 41?

For devoted Pegasus fans, this update will be appreciated. If you're looking for your first running shoe, the Pegasus is geared toward slower-paced jogs and heel-strike strides.

What Other Running Shoes Should You Consider?