REASONS TO BUY
Smooth transitions
Comfortable heel cushioning
Solid traction
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy
Narrow fit
Thin forefoot
Nike Pegasus 41 Review
A workhorse daily trainer that's best for heel strikers and folks jogging at slow, consistent paces
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
By Nathaniel Bailey ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ May 21, 2025
RELATED: The Best Running Shoes for Men
Our Verdict
The Nike Pegasus 41 is a popular shoe. And it's been around for a long time. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean it's one of the best daily trainers available, but for some runners, it might have the right combination of traits. This version adds a ReactX midsole foam that softens the heel, with AirZoom units in the forefoot and heel to provide increased energy return. The end result is a high-drop shoe that will work well for heel strikers, but is somewhat lacking in both forefoot cushioning and pace versatility. The waffle outsole remains great, providing confidence on lots of terrain, and the upper is comfy. It's a reliable shoe, although not a versatile one, but steady-paced heel-strike joggers may still love this shoe.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Nike Pegasus 41 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Overall | Best for Uptempo Training |  Best Under $100 | ||
| Price | $99.99 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers | $139.90 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | Check Price at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $135 List $134.95 at Amazon | $120 List $84.88 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | It’s reliable, if unimaginative, and a solid option for steady-paced runners who land on their heels | A versatile and comfortable option we think most runners will love | A nearly perfect blend of performance and comfort makes this shoe one of the best we’ve tested | A daily trainer that blends comfort and versatility at a reasonable price | Plush cushioning and a bit of pace in a budget shoe |
| Rating Categories | Nike Pegasus 41 | Asics Novablast 5 | Adidas Adizero Evo SL | Puma Velocity Nitro 3 | New Balance FuelCel... |
| Cushioning (35.0%) | |||||
| Upper Comfort (25.0%) | |||||
| Stability (20.0%) | |||||
| Responsiveness (10.0%) | |||||
| Weight (5.0%) | |||||
| Traction (5.0%) | |||||
| Specifications | Nike Pegasus 41 | Asics Novablast 5 | Adidas Adizero Evo SL | Puma Velocity Nitro 3 | New Balance FuelCel... |
| Sizes Available | 6-17 US, regular, extra wide | 6-15 US, regular & wide | 6.5-16 US, regular | 7 - 14 US, regular | 7-18 US, regular & wide |
| Style | Daily Trainer | Daily Trainer | Daily Trainer | Daily Trainer | Daily Trainer |
| Best Use | Versatile for variable paces | Relaxed running, versatile for variable paces | Versatile for variable paces | Relaxed running, versatile for variable paces | Relaxed running |
| Measured Heel Stack Height | 38 mm | 41 mm | 39 mm | 38 mm | 38 mm |
| Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop | 13 mm | 5 mm | 9 mm | 11 mm | 7 mm |
| Plate Type | None | None | None | None | Full-length plastic |
| Rocker Angle | 20.0 deg | 25.0 deg | 23.5 deg | 18.0 deg | 19.0 deg |
| Rocker Apex Location | 58.1% | 56.0% | 52.0% | 66.7% | 68.3% |
| Measured Weight | 11.03 oz | 9.50 oz | 8.73 oz | 10.07 oz | 10.52 oz |
| Upper | Engineered mesh | Engineered jacquard mesh | Engineered mesh | Engineered knit | Engineered mesh |
| Midsole | ReactX | FF Blast Max | Lightstrike Pro | Profoam | FuelCell |
| Outsole | Rubber | AHAR LO | Continental rubber | PumaGrip | Rubber |
| Heel Tab Type | Extended heel pull | Finger loop | None | None | None |
Our Analysis and Test Results
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.
The Pegasus 41 has had some upgrades that fans of this line are sure to appreciate.
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.
The Pegasus 41 has a 13 mm drop, which is pretty high for a modern running shoe.
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.
The Peg does not provide much forefoot protection. I found it especially noticeable when running at faster paces.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
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.
Here you can visualize how breathable the Pegasus is. It lets some smoke out, but not nearly as much as it could.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
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.
The Pegasus feels relatively nimble thanks to the narrower build. It's still a neutral shoe.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
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.
The Pegasus isn't designed for speed training and tempo changes.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
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.
The Pegasus likes running easy. Faster paces are not it's favorite.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
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.
When you pick up this shoe, you immediately notice the weight that is concentrated in the midsole and outsole.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
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.
The waffle outsole performs well, rain or shine (or dirt or ice).
Credit: Natalie Kafader
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?
The Puma Velocity Nitro 3 is similar, but offers far superior versatility, comfort, cushioning, and even better grip. It's also a cheaper shoe. The Asics Novablast 5 is one of the highest performing all-around daily trainers available, and is the same price as the Pegasus 41. For devoted Nike fans, the Nike Vomero 18 is a great option, with far superior cushioning, similar levels of responsiveness, and solid traction. The Nike Pegasus Plus offers a similar “old-school” geometry as the Pegasus 41, but with a far superior midsole foam and a more comfortable upper.
—Nathaniel Bailey
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