Nike Pegasus 40 - Women's Review

The body of the updated Nike Pegasus is nearly universal in its comfort. With ample cushion, this is a great shoe for daily runs when you want to focus on getting out the door and not fiddling with your gear.

Performance Comparison

Cushioning and Landing Comfort

The Pegasus 40 has solid underfoot cushioning, which provides a nice crash pad for your feet as you run. The interior packs out after a few runs, which increases comfort as the shoe conforms to your unique foot shape. But, while comfortable, the underfoot cushion can feel a bit mushy if you are accustomed to running in shoes with a stiffer platform. This is especially true in the forefoot, as the rear has a bit more structure.

Since we recommend the Pegasus as a daily trainer, the underfoot comfort is welcomed and appreciated. After all, if you are pounding pavement day in and day out, you'll want some protection to dampen the impact on your joints. The slight give of the forefoot cushion as you run might prevent the Pegasus from becoming your peppy race day shoe, but all things considered, this will still allow you to lay down serious miles in comfort.

Responsiveness

The Pegasus rides like it is built for comfort and not for speed, which takes away from its responsiveness a bit. Nike included two Air Zoom units within the sole of the Pegasus. Air Zoom units are basically like little pockets of stretched fibers that create energy return. This technology aside, when laid out against its competition, the Pegasus lacks the responsive energy return of many of its competitors. But if you want combined comfort and responsiveness in a shoe that is appropriate for daily wear, the Pegasus might just suit your fancy.

Stability

This is the metric where we have seen the Pegasus make huge strides in recent years. While still not a shoe intended for those looking for strong support, the rigidity of the heel cup has come a long way. The slight stiffness of the collar, combined with its Achilles-cradling taper, makes for a shoe that remains somewhat strong during long runs. The double overlayed mesh of the upper is strong enough to prevent feet from splaying over the edges of the platform, but not strong enough to feel like true lateral support. The updated lacing system, which has a reinforced cutout pattern instead of an eyelet lacing system, helps secure the shoe's upper for added stability. Overpronators, beware: the Pegasus is not a shoe for true stability. But neutral runners looking for some security will feel right at home in this familiar-fitting kick.

Upper Comfort

The upper of the Pegasus 40 is comfortable enough to wear daily and stays comfortable on long runs. The upper mesh is lightweight and breathable, making this an appropriate choice for running on hot days. The tongue is comfortably plush, with enough space inside for a lightweight feel. The laterally-adhered tongue helps keep the lace bed exactly how you want it during your runs, so you won't have to stop and re-flatten the tongue on the go. The taper of the heel collar is comfortable and functional, helping create 360-degree comfort for your feet. A wide version of the Pegasus is available for purchase, but the toe box of the regular width is quite spacious, making this shoe a good choice for runners who like to allow their toes to splay.

Weight

At 8.01 ounces for a women's size 6.5 shoe, the Pegasus is not particularly light. This is part of the reason why this shoe is best applied as a daily trainer. It isn't light enough to be a speed shoe and isn't heavy or tech-filled enough to be a real workhorse. Its weight is average, which is kind of the whole vibe of the Pegasus.

Should You Buy the Nike Pegasus 40?

If a comfortable, daily trainer is what you're after, the Pegasus 40 is a solid choice that is available for slightly less money than some of our higher-scoring running shoes. It isn't our first choice recommendation for those who want a specialized shoe, but the Pegasus is likely going to be comfortable for the masses. It has a softness about it that makes you want to slip your feet into it while offering enough structure to be a serious contender in your lineup of long-distance kicks.

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