Introduction
The Nike Pegasus has been the go-to every day training shoe for many runners. With its first release dating back to 1982, the Pegasus has become a firm favourite for many runners and remains a popular choice to this day.
Over the years the Pegasus has established itself as a reliable and versatile shoe that appeals to both beginners, and more advanced runners as well as walkers and hikers! Its price point also brings it in as one of the more affordable Nike running shoes while still offering a good quality balance of support, durability and speed. With several upgrades to the shoe, Pegasus fans will not be disappointed with the most recent 41 version.
Midsole
The Pegasus 41 version features a new full-length ReactX foam midsole, fore-foot and heel Air Zoom Units which appears for the first time in the Pegasus line.
The ReactX foam midsole surrounds fore-foot and heel Air Zoom units for an energised ride and provides a higher energy return. Nike reports that the “All-new ReactX foam midsole is 13% more responsive than previous React Technology”.
The heel drop remains like its predecessors at 10mm and the fit of the shoe also remains the same as the Pegasus 40. Despite being marginally heavier than the previous versions, coming in at 297g vs 266g, the shoe is noticeably more cushioned, feels more supportive and creates a really comfortable fit, and along with that upgraded foam midsole offers a nice bit of extra bounce and spring in my step compared to my experience with older versions.
Upper
With this latest version, Nike have made a few tweaks to the upper of the shoe. The latest version has an upgraded breathable engineered upper which helps to keep the feet cooler and is also lightweight making for a more comfortable fit.
There is also more padding in the tongue and collar lining which makes for a very comfortable fit. The extra comfort level is the one thing I noticed the moment I slipped my feet into this latest version. I have slightly wide feet and found the fit in the toe box was again very comfortable. There is definitely more of a padded feel in this version. The laces tie and lock into position easily -providing a good secure feel on the foot.
Outsole
The outsole contains the same signature waffle inspired rubber outsole for traction and flexibility.
Interesting fact: The original “waffle sneaker”, launched in 1973, was the brainchild of Bill Bowerman (co-founder of Nike). After seeing a waffle come out of his wife’s waffle machine the lightbulb moment hit him that the shape would potentially work to create a sole with better grip which was responsive and adapt to different running surfaces.
It also sparked the idea that shock can be absorbed by the outsole as well as the midsole. This invention certainly revolutionised the running shoe industry and is still inspiring the outsoles of today! The striking waffle design is seen in the Pegasus 41 and definitely gives good grip as well as its striking visual appearance.
Pegasus is a neutral fit shoe. However, the outsole has a nice wide footprint which offers fantastic stability to the shoe – coupled with the additional improvements on the cushioning, it offers great support to make it a really great every day running shoe that will be useful for both shorter every day runs and longer runs in comfort.
Verdict
The Nike Pegasus 41 is definitely an improvement for me in terms of the comfort and support of the shoe. When I slipped my feet into them the first time I immediately noticed much more of a “plush” and comfort feeling to them.
Although they are noted as a little heavier than previous versions, I personally found them more responsive when running, so I feel that the improvements they have made to the shoe by the addition of the ReactX foam over the full length have created greater improvements which outweigh the slightly heavier weight.
The shoe definitely feels more similar to a stability shoe with more support than previous versions and yet they feel very light and bouncy and generally a really nice “all around” every day training shoe.
The price point of just €130 in Elverys makes for a very reasonably priced shoe for what you are getting, and I genuinely feel that they are comparable in comfort and support to a lot of the models which are closer to the €200 price point.
This should definitely appeal to both beginner runners looking for a reliable starting shoe and more advanced runners with higher mileage who are looking for a solid day-to-day runner. I found them true to size and my regular Nike shoe size fitted me perfectly.
Apparel : Energetics Zip Top and Leggings
Reviewer : Hannah Nolan
Photographer : Sportsfile/Seb Daly
Brand : Nike Pegasus 41
Retail Price : €130
Available in Intersport Elverys Stores Nationwide and Online at https://www.elverys.ie/
