Nike Pegasus 41 Review

Comfort and Fit

The Pegasus is a pretty comfortable shoe to wear, although it can feel a little snug. The upper materials are soft and plush, providing a comfortable fit for your feet. The upper actually feels a little thick due to the padding and material choices, but it contributes to the overall weight of the shoe, making the Pegasus 41 feel heavy. On the run, we had no issues with the tongue moving or our feet sliding, and we had no rubbing or blisters throughout.

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The Pegasus 41 fits true to size length-wise, although it runs a little narrow in the toe box. The tow box has a distinct taper, which can lead to cramped toes. Loosening the laces didn't help this issue. Through the midfoot, the fit is average, as is the heel. Runners with wider feet or those seeking all-day comfort may want to consider a shoe with a slightly larger toe box. Nike offers an Extra Wide fit that is worth trying if you otherwise like this shoe.

Cushioning

The Pegasus 41 features moderate cushioning at the heel, with a 38mm stack height. This cushion drops down to 25mm at the forefoot, resulting in a heel-to-toe drop of 13mm. We're accustomed to high-drop shoes feeling choppy as you roll through your footstrike, but thanks to the gentle rocker geometry, the Pegasus rolls very smoothly.

Cushioning at the back of the shoe is fine. It's more than enough to feel comfortable, though it isn't particularly energetic or soft. Compared to the front of the shoe, it feels downright plush. The forefoot cushioning is poor, feeling hard underfoot and translating little of that sensation into responsiveness. Nike added an “AirZoom” unit under the forefoot to provide “lighter-weight energy return.” However, it only makes an already firm forefoot harder, in our opinion.

Because of this, we believe the Pegasus is best suited for runners who land on their heels and prefer a shoe for slow running. The midsole isn't particularly responsive; runners who often dip down to 10K pace and faster on their easy runs will likely want something with a little more pop and a lot less weight. To be clear, the Pegasus is not a bad shoe, but it lacks the cushioning and performance other competitors offer (often for the same or less money).

Breathability

The Pegasus lets your feet breathe pretty well. The engineered mesh upper is a rare combination of a plush feel and good ventilation. While it doesn't take top marks for breathability, we don't think runners will have issues with a hot or sweaty fit in this shoe unless they live in particularly extreme climates. We had no issues on 80+ degree afternoons.

Traction

The Pegasus has above-average traction thanks to the waffle-inspired outsole. The majority of the outsole features rubber coverage, providing grip and durability. We felt confident taking the Pegasus out in rain, snow, or shine.

Should You Buy the Nike Pegasus 41?

We believe this update of the Pegasus retains the ethos of the shoe. It's simple, somewhat versatile, and reliable. We'd have no issues logging hundreds of miles in these shoes, but they wouldn't be our first choice for most runners. The lack of forefoot cushioning is a significant issue for many, and the foam choice falls short of the energy we expect in a modern running shoe at this price point.

What Other Running Shoes Should You Consider?