It’s a big day for Nike Pegasus fans. Along with the announcement of the latest version of the regular shoe, the Nike Pegasus 41, the Nike Pegasus Premium has been revealed. This is an all-new addition to the Pegasus line with a different midsole set-up to the Pegasus 41 that will be available in spring 2025.

The most eye-catching part of that midsole is the full-length, visible Air Zoom layer. Nike has used Air Zoom units in many versions of the standard Pegasus, including the Pegasus 41, but these have been small, flat pods concealed in the midsole. New tech has allowed the brand to create the sculpted Air Zoom layer in the Pegasus Premium, which curves in line with the foot.

There’s also a layer of Nike’s best foam in the midsole, the springy ZoomX used in the Nike Vaporfly and Alphafly racing shoes, plus some ReactX foam at the heel. The combination of the Air Zoom layer and two foams in the midsole should create a bouncy ride.

In comparison, the new Nike Pegasus 41 has a full ReactX foam midsole that contains a couple of Air Zoom pods, one under the heel and one under the forefoot. There’s no ZoomX foam in the Pegasus 41, and the Pegasus Premium will probably be the lighter shoe, too.

The Nike Pegasus Premium is not to be confused with the Premium version of the current Pegasus, which is very similar to the standard Nike Pegasus 40, just with exclusive upper designs that cost a little more.

The combination of materials and inclusion of ZoomX will have some, including myself, hoping that the Pegasus Premium might act as a long-awaited successor to the popular Nike Pegasus Turbo, which was surprisingly discontinued after just two generations. 

Nike did release the Pegasus Turbo Next Nature two years ago, but this used recycled ZoomX and didn’t match the ride of the original, which was one of the most versatile and enjoyable daily trainers at the time. If the Pegasus Premium can reproduce that, it could be one of the best running shoes available.

The upgrades in the midsole of the Pegasus Premium lead me to believe that it will cost more than the Pegasus 41, but Nike is yet to give the price for either of the new shoes, nor an exact release date. The Nike Pegasus Premium is set to launch in spring 2025, while the Pegasus 41 will come out in June.

The Nike Pegasus 41 is coming this June, and it looks to be one of the most significant updates to the popular shoe line in years, with a completely redesigned midsole. Nike is also launching a new version of the shoe—the Nike Pegasus Premium—to give runners more options than ever within the Pegasus franchise.

Nike has used its React foam as the main material in the midsole for the last few versions of the Pegasus, but is updating this to ReactX with the Pegasus 41. ReactX is softer and delivers 13% more energy return than standard React, and is also more environmentally friendly, reducing the carbon footprint of a pair of midsoles by 41%.

The Nike InfinityRN 4 was the first shoe to use ReactX foam in its midsole when it came out last year and while I found the new foam softer and bouncier, the InfinityRN 4 was a heavy shoe and I wasn’t a big fan overall. 

I’m hoping that the ReactX foam is integrated into the Pegasus without making the 41 substantially heavier than the Nike Pegasus 40. Along with the ReactX foam the Pegasus 41 has two Air Zoom units in the midsole, one under the heel and one under the forefoot, which should help keep the weight down and add more pop to the ride. 

Nike has also updated the upper on the Pegasus 41, which is designed to be lighter, more breathable and more comfortable than the one of the Pegasus 40, with an internal band wrapping around the midfoot to ensure a secure fit.

There is also an EasyOn version of the Pegasus 41, and a winter version that has a waterproof upper with a Gore-Tex liner. Nike is also launching the Pegasus Trail 5, and the Pegasus Premium, which uses a mix of Air Zoom, ReactX and ZoomX materials in its midsole.

The price of the Nike Pegasus 41 is still to be confirmed, along with an exact release date beyond the month of June.

The Nike Pegasus 39 was the first shoe I checked in the Nike US summer sale, because with the Nike Pegasus 40 having launched recently the older version was ripe for discounts, and Nike has not disappointed.

Several versions of the Pegasus 39 are reduced by various amounts before you even take into account the 20% discount from the summer sale, which you can apply by using the code SUMMER at checkout.

The men’s shoe has been knocked down to $77.97 in several colorways, and that ends up being just $62.38 once you use the code on your shopping cart. The news is more complicated on the women’s side because pretty much every color of the Pegasus 39 is available at a different discounted price. However, there is one smoke gray and olive color that is reduced to $76.97 before the discount code, which then drops to $61.58 when you use the code. 

As far as I can see, that’s the cheapest Pegasus 39, but I’m now somewhat stupefied from clicking between Pegasus 39 models so you might find an even better offer available.

Whatever discount you get, it’s an even better deal when you consider that the Pegasus 39 is almost exactly the same as the newer Pegasus 40. The new shoe has an updated upper, but I didn’t really notice any significant benefit to this during my testing and it actually makes the Pegasus 40 heavier than the Pegasus 39, so grabbing the older shoe certainly makes sense even before this substantial discount.

I rate the Pegasus 39 as one of the best running shoes available because it offers value and versatility. It’s not the most exciting shoe, but almost any runner will get on well with the Pegasus 39 and it works well for easy and fast runs alike.

You have to be a Nike member to get access to the summer sale code, but it’s quick, easy and free to sign up, so that should be no impediment to grabbing this deal on one of the most popular running shoes going.

Need further convincing before purchasing? My Nike Pegasus 39 review and Nike Pegasus 40 review may help you decide if it’s worth your money.

They say life begins at 40, but for most people it just carries on in largely the same way. You’re just a little more tired. With that in mind, greet the Nike Pegasus 40. It’s astonishing that the Pegasus line has reached its 40th version—that any shoe has such a long lineage, in fact—so to celebrate, Nike has made a shoe that’s similar to the Nike Pegasus 39!

That’s not such a terrible thing: the Pegasus 39 is one of the best running shoes available because of its comfort and versatility. However, because the Pegasus 40 is so similar to the Pegasus 39 except slightly more expensive and heavier, I’d pick up the previous version in a sale while it’s possible.

Nike Pegasus 40 Review: Price And Availability

The Nike Pegasus 40 launched in April 2023 and costs $130 in the US and £114.95 in the UK. That’s a small price increase on the Pegasus 39, which was $120/£109.95 at launch and is now often available in sales for less. Despite the rise, the Pegasus 40 is good value compared with the market at large—coming in cheaper than shoes like the Nike Invincible 3 ($180/£170).

Design And Fit

The Pegasus 40 mostly sticks to the design of the Pegasus 39. It has a durable React foam midsole with two Zoom cushioning units, one under the forefoot and one under the heel, to deliver a firm and stable ride.

The stack height of the Pegasus 40 is 33mm at the heel and 23mm at the forefoot for a 10mm drop. It’s well cushioned and comfortable, although not as stacked as some modern cushioned shoes like the Nike Invincible 3 and Asics Gel-Nimbus 25, which hit 40mm of cushioning at the heel.

There is rubber coverage on the outsole, which has a waffle tread pattern. The grip and durability of its outsole have been among the strong points of the Pegasus for several generations, and that remains the case with the Pegasus 40.

The changes Nike has made to the Pegasus 40 are in the upper, mainly in the midfoot where the fit has been altered to make the shoe more snug and secure—with the visible Flywire cables on the Pegasus 39 nowhere to be seen. The collar and tongue of the shoe are still well padded, and there is an internal heel counter to add stability.

I had no problems with the fit of the Pegasus 40, though I don’t find it to be an improvement. The shoe fits me well in my normal running shoe size across US, UK and EU sizes.

While the changes to the shoe are slight they have created a small weight gain. The Pegasus 40 is 10.3oz/292g in a US men’s size 10, whereas the Pegasus 39 weighs 9.8oz/279g in the same size.

Nike Pegasus 40 vs Nike Pegasus 39

The latest version of the Pegasus is almost eerily similar to the Pegasus 39 on the run, largely because the midsole and outsole of the shoe are unchanged. You have the same React foam combined with two Zoom pods, and a thick rubber outsole that grips well and is durable.

Nike has made changes to the upper of the Pegasus 40 by using a midfoot band to create a snug fit, but for me these updates weren’t noticeable—and they have resulted in the Pegasus 40 being 0.6oz/13g heavier than the Pegasus 39 in my US size 10.

I’d opt for the older shoe while it’s still available, especially since its RRP is lower than the Pegasus 40’s, and the Pegasus 39 will now be discounted frequently so you’ll probably find it for less than $100/£100.

How I Tested This Shoe

I’ve run 30 miles in the Pegasus 40, across four runs, mostly at an easy pace but with one tempo section during my longest run of around 10 miles. I have also tested several past versions of the Nike Pegasus line, including every edition from the Pegasus 35 onwards.

Running Performance

The Pegasus 40 is not the most exciting running shoe to pull on, but it is a reliable option that can handle a variety of runs. In part, its appeal comes from its simplicity, and I don’t believe that many runners will hate the shoe, even if they don’t fall in love with it either.

Nike added the Zoom units to the midsole to create more pop than you get from the React foam alone, but for the most part the shoe feels dull underfoot. It’s stable, transitions from heel to toe snappily and is comfortable for runs of any distance. Yet, the Pegasus doesn’t have the bouncy feel of shoes with more impressive midsole foams such as Nike’s own ZoomX material, or the smooth ride of a rockered shoe like the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3.

The midsole of the Pegasus 40 still has appeal as a balanced platform that isn’t intrusive and allows you to get on with pretty much any kind of run, but it feels dated. I found the Pegasus 40 best for easy runs, and though it’s OK at tempo pace it gives less back than shoes with bouncier midsoles or rockers. It was comfortable for me over long distances, though there is less cushioning than you get from max-stack shoes, especially under the forefoot.

An area where the Pegasus 40 excels is grip. It’s a shoe I’m happy taking on light trails as well as wet roads because of the reliable outsole. It’s also a durable shoe thanks to the thick outsole and hardy React foam midsole.

Is The Nike Pegasus 40 Worth It?

When the Nike Pegasus 39 is no longer available the Pegasus 40 will warrant attention as a durable daily trainer to suit most runners. Beginners and one-shoe runners will find it suitable for all their training, while those with a running shoe rotation will be getting something that works as a daily trainer or a cushioned shoe for easy runs. However, for now the better-value  buy is the Pegasus 39, which is cheaper at RRP and often in sales, and delivers a similar experience. 

I also prefer the Puma Velocity Nitro 2 as a comfortable, versatile option that costs less than the Pegasus 40. The Velocity Nitro is not as stable, but has an even better outsole and uses midsole foams that make it more comfortable for easy runs, and more effective for fast ones.

Another good alternative is the Reebok Floatride Energy 5, which is considerably cheaper than the Pegasus 40 and ideal for the same kind of runs. The Pegasus 40 is more comfortable and has a better outsole, but the Floatride Energy 5 is lighter and more suitable for speed sessions.

You don’t get to the 40th generation of a shoe if you’re chopping and changing with each new edition, so it’s perhaps fitting that Nike has marked the 40th version of the Pegasus with nothing more than minor updates to the upper.

Across the 40 editions, the Pegasus has established a deserved reputation as a reliable and durable daily trainer that you can use for various types of runs. It’s always one of the best Nike running shoes available, and one of the most popular from any brand.

The Nike Pegasus 40 has more padding around the collar than the Nike Pegasus 39, and the mesh upper and midfoot band has been tweaked, though the midsole is the same and the ride should be similar. In my Nike Pegasus 39 review I rated it as one of the best running shoes available, so small updates are fine by me.

Nike made more significant changes to the design of the previous edition by making it lighter and updating the midsole, which is made from React cushioning with two Zoom Air pods—one under the heel and one under the forefoot. The pods add more pop to the ride, and the React cushioning is comfortable and long-lasting.

The Pegasus 40 retains the same excellent outsole as the Pegasus 39, too. This grips well on wet roads and light trails, and is also highly durable. With the new upper hopefully making the shoe even more comfortable, the Pegasus 40 looks set to be a great all-round running shoe, and while it’s not what you could call cheap—$130 in the US and £114.99 in the UK—it’s better value than many of its rivals.

If you’re in the US and a Nike member you can pick up the Pegasus 40 now on the Nike website or app, ahead of a full launch on the 13th April, while in the UK it appears to be available to all already.

Why did Nike discontinue the original Pegasus Turbo? It’s one of the great mysteries of recent times, right up there with who shot JR? The Turbo was a fantastic and popular all-rounder that was easily one of the best running shoes available, and after two generations Nike simply stopped making it. 

I still haven’t got over it, and many other runners feel the same, so I was delighted to see the Pegasus Turbo making a return in the form of the Pegasus Turbo Next Nature. It promised to be a similarly impressive daily trainer that is also made from at least 50% recycled materials (by weight). 

If the idea of a sustainable Pegasus Turbo sounds too good to be true then, unfortunately, you’re right. The Turbo Next Nature is not as good a shoe as the original. It’s still a good one – it’s just that it also falls short of the best all-round options like the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 and Hoka Mach 5.

Nike Pegasus Turbo Next Nature: Price And Availability

The Pegasus Turbo Next Nature is available now and costs $160 in the US and £144.95 in the UK. That’s actually cheaper than the Pegasus Turbo 2, which was $180/£160 in 2020. My sample for this review was provided by Sports Shoes.

Design And Fit

The Pegasus Turbo Next Nature has a Flyknit upper with a gusseted tongue and overlays that add more structure to the midfoot and heel. It’s a long shoe and I found it fitted best half a size down on my normal size, whereas the original Pegasus Turbo fitted me well in my normal size.

As with the original Pegasus Turbo the midsole features a mix of foams, but where the original used ZoomX and React, the Turbo Next Nature uses recycled ZoomX and Nike’s SR-02 carrier foam. The recycled ZoomX is made from scraps that are glued together. It is heavier and firmer than fresh ZoomX, but it’s soft enough that Nike deemed it necessary to use the SR-02 EVA foam to create a frame around the midsole for extra stability.

The use of recycled ZoomX has increased the weight of the shoe compared with the original. The Turbo Nature is 9.3oz/265g in a UK 8.5, whereas the Turbo 2 weighs 8oz/227g in a UK 9. The drop of the Turbo Next Nature is 10mm and it looks to have a higher stack than the Turbo 2, although Nike hasn’t given exact stats on this.

The outsole has good rubber coverage around the heel and forefoot, with an exposed foam section in the midfoot, and it uses a waffle pattern. So far the Next Nature has gripped well for me on wet and dry roads and some light trails, and also got me through an ill-advised detour along a muddy canal towpath without any mishaps.

How I Tested This Shoe

I’ve run 80km in the Pegasus Turbo Next Nature, using it for a mix of training runs including a track workout, some easy runs and a 15-mile run. I also used the Pegasus Turbo 1 and 2 extensively, racking up more than 400 miles in the original shoe.

Running Performance

Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and I am one of many runners who have probably overblown how good the Pegasus Turbo actually was since the shoe was discontinued. That said, even if my memories of the Turbo are rose-tinted, the Pegasus Turbo Next Nature falls short of the standards of that shoe. 

With the firmer ride of the recycled ZoomX midsole, it’s best to think of it as a different shoe altogether. The increase in weight also changes the feel, and those hoping for a Pegasus Turbo 3 will be disappointed. As I was, after one run.

However, since then I have grown increasingly fond of the Turbo Next Nature. The rocker is more pronounced than on the old Turbo and this makes the ride smoother and takes the edge off the firmer feel. It’s by no means harsh, and I found it comfortable during all my easy runs and the 15-mile run.

It can also move. I did a couple of progression runs where I went from easy pace to around 3min 40sec/km pace and the shoe felt good across that range. I also did a track workout running 10 x 800m reps in around 2min 40sec, which is about my half marathon pace, plus 10 x 200m reps, and over that long track workout the Next Nature felt quick and comfortable. 

During that workout I swapped in the Pegasus Turbo 2 for a couple of the 800m reps and it was lighter and softer underfoot, though I wouldn’t say the Turbo 2 was more bouncy or speedy. It’s hard to make too much of a direct comparison, though, because my Turbo 2 is knackered after the hundreds of miles both I and a friend I lent it to have done in it.

Is The Nike Pegasus Turbo Next Nature Worth It?

The Pegasus Turbo Next Nature is a good all-round running shoe, though the added weight means it loses some of its appeal as an option for fast sessions or races, for which the original Pegasus Turbo was great.

While the unfavourable comparisons with the old shoe will hurt it, it’s actually the current rivals that make the Next Nature hard to recommend. The Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 is lighter, faster and bouncier, and only a little more expensive at $170/£165. The Hoka Mach 5 is also lighter and softer, and cheaper at $140/£130. These shoes would rival the Pegasus Turbo, which was ahead of its time in bringing top foams from the best carbon racing shoes into daily trainers.

The sustainability credentials of the Next Nature help it – though it’s not a completely recycled or sustainably made shoe – and its good looks also mean it’s useful as a running shoe you can wear outside workouts. However, on pure performance it’s not the best you can get, though I do rate it as the best all-rounder in Nike’s range, edging out the Nike Pegasus 39 and earning a spot in our recommendations of the best Nike running shoes.

The Nike Pegasus Trail 3 was one of the best trail-running shoes, standing out as a road-to-trail cruiser that was equally at home on the asphalt as it was on light trails. However, it struggled to find grip in the wet and weighed 11.4oz/326g in my UK 9, which isn’t outlandishly high for a trail shoe but was hefty enough to reduce my enjoyment of the shoe at times.

Someone at Nike HQ agreed with that feedback because the updates to the Pegasus Trail 4 have made it a lighter shoe with an improved outsole. It’s still not the shoe you want on loose or wet trails, but it’s a comfortable and versatile road-to-trail option.

Nike React Pegasus Trail 4 Review: Price And Availability

The Nike Pegasus Trail 4 is available now and costs $140 in the US and £114.95 in the UK. That’s a $10 increase in price on the Pegasus Trail 3 in the US, but the price has stayed the same in the UK. My sample for this review was provided by Sports Shoes.

Design And Fit

The Pegasus Trail 4 has a mesh upper that doesn’t offer much in the way of protective overlays or even a toe bumper, which points to its purpose as a shoe for light trails rather than rugged terrain where you might be regularly bumping into roots and rocks.

Nike has used its Flywire system around the midfoot to help create a secure fit there, while padding around the collar helps to hold the heel in place. I found that it fit true to size with the perfect amount of room in the toe box, whereas the Pegasus Trail 3 was too roomy at the front and I could have gone half a size down in it.

The midsole is still made of Nike’s React foam, which delivers a dull but protective ride. It’s a well-cushioned shoe that is comfortable on the road, while the firmer feel of the foam means that it is still stable on uneven ground.

Compared with the wide, flat lugs on the outsole of the Pegasus Trail 3, the lugs on the 4 are smaller and there are more of them, especially on the forefoot. This should help the shoe bite into soft ground in particular, though it is still best suited to firmer trails.

The Pegasus Trail 4 weighs 10.3oz/294g (UK size 9), a significant drop in weight from the Pegasus Trail 3, which is 11.4oz.

How I Tested This Shoe

I tested the Pegasus Trail 4 on a range of terrain across four runs, all of which involved a mix of road and trail running. Close to home I’ve been on forest tracks, park trails and canal towpaths, and I also used it on fells in the Forest of Bowland in Lancashire. I have also tested the Pegasus Trail 3 and Pegasus 36 Trail (the original Pegasus Trail shoe, essentially the Pegasus Trail 1).

Running Performance

While the updates to the shoe looked great on paper, I was worried that the redesigned outsole might make it less comfortable on the road thanthe 3. Fortunately, these fears were unfounded. It remains a great shoe for road running, with the protective stack of the React cushioning deadening the impact and providing bounce.

The outsole now offers better grip off-road. Where the Pegasus Trail 3 would become unpredictable and a little dangerous on wet ground, the Pegasus Trail 4 does a better job of sticking to rocks and biting into mud. 

It’s still not a shoe that you would want to use for long stretches on technical or muddy terrain: on steep downhills with loose gravel underfoot I had to be careful not to wildly overshoot turns. But if you’re largely using the Pegasus Trail 4 on light trails, you don’t have to fear coming across short stretches of wet ground.

The reduced weight is also an improvement, making the shoe more enjoyable to wear when tackling long uphills or picking up the pace on flat sections. While I mostly stuck to easy runs, I did one progression effort finishing at around 3min 40sec/km on the road and it felt nimble and responsive underfoot in a similar way to the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39 road shoe.

Is The Nike Pegasus Trail 4 Worth It?

The Nike Pegasus Trail 4 is one of the best road-to-trail shoes available, exceptionally comfortable on the road while still having the grip required for long stretches on light trails. It’s an even more attractive option for those seeking a versatile shoe now it’s lighter and more reliable in the wet than its predecessor.

There are compelling alternatives, however. The Inov-8 Parkclaw G 280 is a road-to-trail shoe that offers better grip than the Nike across a range of terrain. I’ve yet to find trails that the Parkclaw can’t handle and it’s still surprisingly comfortable on the road, if not quite as cushioned as the Pegasus Trail 4. I rate the Inov-8 a little higher than the Nike overall, but it’s far more expensive at $180/£160.

The Hoka Speedgoat 5 is another great option that’s suitable for pretty much any terrain and runs of any distance because of the big stack of cushioning and rocker design, which provides a smooth ride. I prefer the Pegasus Trail 4 to the Nike Terra Kiger 8 on all fronts, with the Pegasus being more comfortable and lighter, and the two shoes having a similar level of grip. It will take its place in our round-up of the best Nike running shoes.

With little to no fanfare, the Nike React Pegasus Trail 4 has launched in the UK and Europe. We rated the Pegasus Trail 3 as one of the best trail-running shoes because of how comfortable it was on both roads and light trails, and the new version looks built to deliver in the same way.

Nike members can order it for £114.95 from the Nike app, and it’s on sale for £115 at Pro:Direct Running and Sports Shoes. Those in most other European countries can also pick up the latest version of the popular road-to-trail running shoe at Top 4 Running, where it costs €129.99.

We’ve yet to see confirmation that the Pegasus Trail 4 is available in the US, but it’s likely to cost $130 in line with the Pegasus Trail 3, since the UK price is unchanged with the new version.

Some of the stand-out features we discovered while reviewing the Nike Pegasus Trail 3 were the comfortable ride delivered by the React from midsole and the fact that the outsole was well suited to both road and light trail running, making it a versatile option for runners who want one shoe to do both.

It was let down somewhat by the shoe’s weight and the fact the outsole struggled on wet ground. We don’t have info on the Pegasus Trail 4’s weight yet, but the outsole has a new lug pattern that will hopefully improve the grip of the shoe on the trails without reducing how comfortable it is on the road.

We’ll review the Nike Pegasus Trail 4 as soon as we can get our hands on a pair. One small mark against the new shoe already is that it doesn’t come in the amazing teal colourway you could get for the Pegasus Trail 3. The colours of the Pegasus Trail 4 available now are a light grey and yellow design for men, and “Arctic orange” or black designs for women.

More About Nike Running Shoes

• In our Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39 review we discovered updates have made the shoe lighter and more versatile than its predecessor
• See what we thought of Nike’s other recent trail shoe release in our Nike Air Zoom Terra Kiger 8 review
• Find out what we rate as the best Nike running shoes

Over the past two generations the Nike Pegasus changed from being a versatile shoe to more of a cushioned cruiser, adding weight and stack height. I liked the changes myself, but many long-term fans of the line found the Pegasus 37 and 38 were a step away from the line’s purpose – as a do-it-all daily trainer.

Nike’s changes to the Pegasus 39 make the shoe lighter and revamp the midsole to include two Air Zoom pods instead of one. The result is that the shoe feels more like the Pegasus 36 and is better-suited to fast running, while still being as comfortable as the 37 and 38. It’s in contention for the best all-rounder in our best Nike running shoes round-up, but doesn’t make the cut for the best running shoes.

Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39 Review: Price And Availability

The Nike Pegasus 39 is available in the UK now and costs £109.95. It is one of the cheaper options in Nike’s range, with other cushioned shoes like the Infinity Run 3 and Invincible costing £144.95 and £164.95 respectively.

Buy men’s from Sports Shoes | Buy women’s from Sports Shoes | £109.95

Design And Fit

The changes Nike has made to the Pegasus start with the upper, which has been stripped back (compared with the 38) to have fewer overlays and be more breathable. Instead of the lace loops used on the 38 there is Nike’s Flywire system, which holds the midfoot securely in place as you run.

There is still a generous amount of padding on the tongue and around the heel. This is still a shoe designed for comfort as much as anything else, but overall the upper is less noticeable when you run in the Pegasus 39, which is a good thing. I found that the fit was the same as on the 38, and was happy in my normal running shoe size.

The midsole remains primarily made of Nike’s React foam, but where the Pegasus had one Air Zoom unit encased in the foam under the forefoot, the 39 has two, with the second pod found under the heel. This has been added to increase the responsiveness of the ride.

These changes to the upper and midsole have seen the Pegasus drop from 310g for the Pegasus 38 to 279g for the 39 (in my UK 9), a substantial and welcome weight loss. 

That weight loss has also been achieved without reducing the rubber coverage on the shoe’s outsole, which is good because it’s one of the Pegasus 38’s strong points. The Pegasus 39 grips well in all conditions on the road, and is great to use on light trails as well.

How I Tested This Shoe

I have run just shy of 50km in the Pegasus 39, using it for a range of runs from a short, sharp track session up to a 22km long run. I have also tested the past five versions of the Pegasus extensively – here’s all our Nike Pegasus coverage if you want to dive down memory lane.

Running Performance

As someone who liked the Pegasus 37 and 38 as comfortable easy-run shoes, my main worry for the 39 was that the changes would make it feel less cushioned, and so I made my first run in the shoe an easy one. I’m pleased to report it is still a highly comfortable shoe, with the mainly-React midsole protecting my legs well from the impact of road running; it did not feel soft or squishy underfoot.

With my mind at ease, I used the Pegasus for general training runs at easy or steady paces, with the longest being a 90-minute long run covering around 22km. The shoe feels lighter on the foot than its predecessor, and that comes into play in long- or faster-paced runs when the lack of weight makes it easier to turn the legs over.

I didn’t notice much extra pop from the extra Air Zoom pod under the heel, though. The shoe still has a similar feel to the 38 for me, but the transition from heel to toe feels faster and more effortless with the weight being reduced.

To find out how it handled faster paces I used the Pegasus 39 for a short track session running a mile rep at around 10K-half marathon pace, plus sets of 3x300 and 2x200 sprints. I was surprised at how good it felt for the mile rep, and even though it did feel blocky and heavy when sprinting, the Pegasus 39 can handle this kind of speedwork fine if you are a one-shoe runner who doesn’t also have a speedier option to call on.

I found the Pegasus 39 to be more versatile and just as comfortable as the 38. It’s not a shoe with a dramatically bouncy or soft ride, and there are no modern twists like a plate in the midsole or a rocker design, but it’s a reliable option that works for a range of runs. 

As with its predecessor, the Pegasus 39 also works well as a road-to-trail shoe on light trails during the warmer months when there won’t be too much mud to contend with. The outsole offers excellent grip and the rubber used will stand up to many hundreds of kilometres on varied terrain. 

Is The Nike Pegasus 39 Worth It?

Whether you’re a long-term fan of the Pegasus line who didn’t like the past two versions, or a recent convert who did, I think you will enjoy the Pegasus 39. It retains the comfort of the recent editions while being snappier – and versatile in the style of older versions of the shoe.

At £109.95 it’s also good value, especially as the outsole rubber and React foam have proved to be durable in testing other Nike shoes over recent years. That price makes it the best-value option in Nike’s range ahead of the Infinity Run and Invincible, and also undercuts one main competitor in the Saucony Ride 15, another great daily trainer that costs £130.

There are cheaper options, though, including the excellent Puma Velocity Nitro 2, which has a livelier ride than the Pegasus 39 and costs £100. The Velocity Nitro 2 is my preferred pick, regardless of price, though the Pegasus 39’s firmer feel makes it more stable. 

Another terrific value option is the Reebok Floatride Energy 4, which is £75. It’s a versatile daily trainer with a similar ride feel to the Pegasus 39, while being lighter as well as considerably cheaper.

When Nike launched the original Pegasus Turbo in 2018 it immediately became a fixture in our best running shoe round-up as the top all-round option, with its winning blend of speed and comfort.

The Nike Pegasus Turbo 2 followed in 2019 and then suddenly the line ended. Nike didn’t release a Pegasus Turbo 3 and runners were left looking around for a shoe that offered a similarly versatile ride they could use for training and racing (that shoe was the Saucony Endorphin Speed, if you’re wondering).

Now the line has been resurrected in the form of the Nike Pegasus Turbo Nature. The Nature in the name speaks to the fact the shoe has a midsole made from at least 55% recycled ZoomX foam, and the upper is made from 100% recycled Flyknit yarns that are dyed using a new process that uses less water. Overall the shoe is made with at least 50% recycled material by weight.

It’s a double-whammy of good news then, in that one of the best Nike running shoes is coming back and now it’s less harmful to the environment. The midsole has the same rough-hewn look as the ZoomX foam on the Alphafly NEXT% Nature, which spotlights the reuse of materials, while the Flyknit upper has the signature go-faster stripe down the middle seen on the original Pegasus Turbo.

Details on the shoe are otherwise sparse. We don’t yet know its price or launch date, and whether the use of recycled materials will affect performance – though we do know the Alphafly NEXT% Nature was more expensive and a little heavier than the standard version of the shoe.

We will get answers to all of the above as soon as possible, as well as reviewing the Pegasus Turbo Nature when we can get hold of a sample. The original shoe used two foams in the midsole: the top layer was Nike’s bouncy and lightweight ZoomX foam and the bottom was its more durable React material. This created a cushioned but speedy ride in a shoe that lasted longer than the Vaporfly and Alphafly racing shoes, which have just ZoomX in the midsole. Hopefully the new shoe will be just as impressive.

This shoe knows how to make a first impression. It’s one of the best-looking road or trail shoes I’ve come across, especially in the teal colourway, and the sizeable stack of React cushioning in the midsole makes it feel comfortable from your first steps.

Nike uses the same React foam in the Pegasus road shoe, and it is durable and reasonably bouncy, while still firm enough not to create an unstable platform. In the road Pegasus there is also a firmer Air Zoom unit in the forefoot, but this is missing on the Pegasus Trail, which has a full React midsole.

There are, of course, other differences to the road shoe, especially on the outsole of the Pegasus Trail, which has lugs to provide more traction on uneven ground. That said, the wide, shallow lugs are designed to handle road running too. The Pegasus Trail 3 is built as a road-to-trail shoe that should be used on lighter, harder off-road tracks rather than in deep mud or on highly technical mountain paths.

There’s also a toe-bumper to fend off stray rocks and roots, and extra support around the midfoot to increase the lateral stability of the shoe.

I’ve used the Pegasus Trail 3 for runs on a variety of surfaces, from roads and canal towpaths, to forest trails and even a couple of trips into the fells of the Forest of Bowden in Lancashire, though admittedly this was during a heatwave so the terrain was mostly dry and hard.

Overall I’ve enjoyed running in the shoe. It’s very comfortable and transitions between road and light trail as well as any other shoe I’ve used. In fact it feels like a road shoe on the road, thanks to the plentiful cushioning and shallow-lugged outsole.

That outsole coped well with most of the terrains I ran on, too. In the summer, it is pretty versatile, reliably finding grip on climbs and descents when the ground is dry, and it can even plough through the odd muddy patch.

However, it did struggle with wet and slippery rocks, to the point that I’d approach even slightly slick inclines with great caution after nearly slipping over on a couple of occasions. On the flat this was less of a concern, but this isn’t a shoe to take up mountains.

That’s not its purpose though, and I was actually a little surprised by how well it did handle the forest after some of the freakishly heavy downpours the UK has experienced this summer. If you mostly stick to flat ground or hard sun-baked trails where the rare puddle is easily avoided, the outsole of the Pegasus Trail 3 will suffice.

It’s undoubtedly at its best on easy and long efforts. It’s not very heavy for a trail shoe at 326g in my UK 9, but it’s not nimble enough for fast running even on flat and hard trails. Comfort is its key attribute and it’s a lovely shoe to cruise around in, and one that might work for long trail-running events on relatively tame terrain.

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• The Best Trail Running Shoes For 2021
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• The Best Nike Running Shoes For Every Type Of Runner

The upper of the shoe felt breathable and it didn’t get hot even when running for 90 minutes in 30°C heat. The toe box is roomy and although I had no problems in my usual size I could have probably gone half a size down. That said, the roomier toe box is good for ensuring your toes don’t get beaten up when running downhill.

Stick to roads and light trails, and the Pegasus Trail 3 is a really enjoyable shoe to run in, and a versatile option for taking on trips where you need a shoe to cover both bases. However, there are other versatile shoes that do have more grip on slick ground, like the Saucony Peregrine 11 or Salomon Sense Ride 4. Lighter shoes like the Hoka Torrent 2 also offer grip across a range of terrains while being faster and still comfortable. None of those shoes look as good as the Pegasus Trail 3, but looks aren’t everything.

Buy men’s from Nike | Buy women’s from Nike | £114.95

Nike made considerable changes to its Pegasus line of shoes with last year’s 37th edition so the smart money was on the 38th seeing relatively modest changes. The smart money was right, because the Pegasus 38 updates the upper while keeping the midsole and outsole the same.

Fortunately, the Pegasus 37 was and still is a great-value running shoe. It offers a solid, reasonably versatile ride for £105 and lasts forever. The several hundred miles I put into the shoe barely made an impression on the outsole or midsole.

The changes made with the Pegasus 38 haven’t really harmed any of that, although it is a heavier shoe as a result of the extra padding in the upper. My UK size 9 weighs 310g, compared with the 287g of the 37, but this was an increase I didn’t really feel on the run.

The toe box has been made a little roomier, along with more padding around the tongue and collar and a thicker all-round feel. It makes the Pegasus 38 feel a little more comfortable and more in line with more expensive cruisers like the Brooks Glycerin line, but also means your feet can get a little hot when running in the summer.

I don’t dislike the changes to the upper, but they certainly aren’t enough to convince me that the 38 is a major upgrade on the 37, which had a perfectly fine mesh upper.

The underfoot feel is the same, with the sizeable stack of Nike’s React foam providing a comfortable but not excessively soft ride, with enough responsiveness to make the Pegasus a solid shoe for faster training runs as well as all your easy efforts.

It’s still not an out-and-out quick shoe, and older editions of the Pegasus were a touch more suitable for speedwork, but the 37 and 38 are more comfortable for cruising through your base training and they still have the chops for tempo runs. Beginner runners will also find the shoe a great all-rounder, especially when training for first stabs at long-distance events like half marathons and marathons.

Another aspect of the shoe I really like is the outsole, which provides enough grip for trail running in anything other than very muddy conditions. I was able to use the Pegasus 37 for most of spring, summer and autumn on forest trails, whereas most road shoes struggle to handle the trails in anything other than summer. The Pegasus 38 retains the same outsole, which is durable as well as providing that impressive traction.

See related 

• The Best Nike Running Shoes For Every Type Of Runner
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Like its predecessor, the Pegasus 38 is a very accomplished all-round running shoe. It’s a great-value option for experienced runners looking for a workhorse to handle their base training and beginners looking for an all-rounder. However, because of the limited changes, I’d strongly suggest looking for a deal on the lighter 37 rather than paying full whack for the 38, unless you’re really keen on the extra comfort of the redesigned upper.

However, the biggest change between the launch of the Pegasus 37 and 38 is in the competition. Most notably, Puma has launched a range of great running shoes in 2021 and the Puma Velocity Nitro is the pick of the bunch. It’s £100 and does pretty much everything the Pegasus does, but slightly better. The shoe is lighter, the midsole is a little softer and springier so the shoe performs better when running at speed, and the PUMAGRIP outsole grips like a vice.

The Velocity Nitro is my top pick around the £100 mark, but there is also the Brooks Launch 8 for £100, which is lighter still and has a firmer ride than both the Puma and the Pegasus. The Launch is a bit of a throwback, with no fancy tech or exciting foams used, but it gets the job done and can often be found well below £100 price in sales.

While the Pegasus 38 is a very good shoe, the changes means it’s not drastically better than its predecessor, especially with the 37 likely to be reduced in price, and unless you’re all-in on the swoosh I recommend the Puma Velocity Nitro over both.

Buy men’s from Nike | Buy women’s from Nike | £104.95

The Nike Pegasus 37 is one of the most popular and enduring shoe lines in the world, as well as one of the best Nike running shoes, so of course there have been many changes to its design over its 37 years.

However, in the past few years it has started to feel a little stale. More importantly, the Pegasus began to fall behind the best running shoes from Nike and other brands.

In response, Nike has made significant updates for the 37th shoe in the Pegasus line, changing the main midsole foam to its React cushioning and increasing the size of the Air Zoom bag under the forefoot to create a more responsive, bouncy feel. These changes have hit the spot to the extent that the new Pegasus is once again one of the best all-round shoes out there – and at £104.95, it’s more affordable than the competition.

The Pegasus line is designed to handle all your running from easy efforts to racing and the 37 does a great job on that front. While committed runners will also want a faster, lighter shoe for speed sessions and races, if you’re someone who only has one running shoe on the go at a time, the 37 will work for everything.

I’ve logged around 80km in the shoe so far, including two 24km long runs, a tempo 10K and a few short, easy runs, and I’ve been impressed with the feel of the Pegasus 37 on all of them. I’ve enjoyed using Nike’s other shoes with React in the midsole, like the Epic React and Infinity Run, and the Pegasus 37 delivers a similar cushioned but quick ride.

That ride is improved by the Air Zoom bag in the forefoot, which livens up each stride and provides a bit more pop in your toe-off that you don’t get from shoes with just React foam.

The Pegasus 37 was particularly fun to run far in, especially at an easy to steady pace. It’s not excessively soft or plush – just a comfortable shoe. It would make a great half marathon or marathon shoe for most runners, though naturally falls well short of the performance of a dedicated racer like Nike’s Alphafly or the Saucony Endorphin Pro.

The Pegasus 37 can certainly handle the speedy stuff in your training, though. If you’re hitting the track or doing intervals regularly then a separate shoe for dedicated speed work would be beneficial, but the Pegasus 37 is good for tempo efforts and long progression runs finishing at a decent lick.

I found it better on that front than the Pegasus 36, even though it’s heavier. My UK size 9 Pegasus 37 weighs 287g compared with 271g for the 36, but the 37 definitely feels lighter when running thanks to the responsive cushioning underfoot.

The upper is a standard mesh job which I found comfortable and secure, and it’s breathable too. The shoe was true to size, with no rubbing around the toe box or slippage at the heel. 

There’s a lot of rubber on the outsole of the shoe, which no doubt increases its weight but also means it’s likely to be durable and can cope with a variety of terrain. I found it a great shoe to use on light trails in the forest near me, during the summer at least.

Unusually, there’s a significant difference between the men’s and women’s version: the Air Zoom bag in the front is filled to a pressure of around 20PSI for the men’s shoe and 15PSI for the women’s. According to Nike, this is because female testers generally prefer a softer ride. The shoes don’t differ too much in other ways, aside from the colours available, so if you’re a man who prefers a softer ride or a woman who likes a firmer shoe, it might be best to switch to the shoe designed for the other sex. I only tested the men’s Pegasus 37, so can’t speak to the difference first-hand.

There are better all-round running shoes than the Pegasus 37 available, but they are a lot more expensive. The Nike Pegasus Turbo 2 is a little lighter and quicker, while still comfortable, and the New Balance FuelCell TC has a carbon plate and a big wedge of bouncy cushioning in the midsole that makes it superb for speedy and easy runs alike.

Both of those shoes cost more than £150, though, and I’d expect the Pegasus 37 to be the most durable of the three too. If I were looking for one shoe to use for everything and had a budget of around £100, I’d definitely pick the Pegasus 37.

Buy from Sports Shoes | £104.95

While committed runners assemble a rotation of running shoes to use for different training purposes, most will just have one shoe in their wardrobe to use for the sport. That means it needs to be a shoe that’s built to handle the rigours of training, with enough cushioning to make those long miles feel comfortable, but still lightweight and responsive enough for fast sessions and races.

There are many shoes that fit the bill, but none so well as the Nike Pegasus Turbo 2. It weighs just 220g (men’s UK 9) but has enough cushioning to let you log long and easy runs comfortably. The foam in the midsole is a combination of layers of Nike’s ZoomX and React materials, with the former in particular standing out with the soft but springy ride it offers.

That ZoomX foam is the same stuff that features in the best Nike running shoes including the Vaporfly and Alphafly racing shoes (the ones that flirted with a World Athletics ban). In the Vaporfly a carbon plate is used to stabilise the soft foam and help propel you to PBs. In the Pegasus Turbo 2 the firmer React foam plays that role, while also increasing the durability of the shoe. The Vaporfly should be saved for race day to prolong its life, but the Turbo 2 is a shoe you’ll reach for every time you’re about to head out. 

I used the Pegasus Turbo 2 for all kinds of runs while testing it for this review, and I logged over 800km in the first edition of the shoe, which has the same combination of midsole foams underfoot. While some might find it a little softer than they’d like for a true all-rounder shoe, it’s absolutely perfect for me, with the comfortable but responsive ride working well for all training and the odd race as well, though I still opt for the Vaporfly when pace is a priority.

The main change between the two generations of the Turbo is the upper. The original had a fairly well padded tongue and collar, and a roomier toe box. The new shoe has pared all that back to reduce the weight and make the Turbo 2 feel a little speedier on the foot. I prefer the sparser feel of the new upper during faster training runs, but the padding on the original was welcome on easy runs.

Nike hasn’t done a lot to overhaul the Pegasus Turbo with the latest version, and given how much I loved the original, that’s all right in my book. The only major fault I can find with the shoe is its hefty £160 price. Running shoes might be getting pricier, but still, £160 is a lot.

If you like a firm ride and fear the Pegasus Turbo 2 will be too soft for you, other all-round options like the On Cloudflow or Adidas Boston 8 might be better picks. If you’re just offended at the Pegasus Turbo 2’s high price, the Hoka One One Rincon is a cheaper well-cushioned option I enjoyed doing all kinds of running in, while the Brooks Launch 6 offers brilliant value as an all-round shoe under £100.

Buy mens’ from Sports Shoes | Buy women’s from Sports Shoes | £159.95

One of the reasons the Pegasus has been such a popular running shoe for such a long time – we’re now over halfway through the fourth decade of annual updates to the line – is that Nike doesn’t tend to do an awful lot with each new release. After all, why overhaul a shoe that’s proved so popular?

Evolution rather than revolution remains very much the order of the day with the 36th edition of the Pegasus, the only noticeable changes to the shoe being in the upper and tongue. They’re good changes – the overly long and padded tongue on the 35 was not comfortable, so the smaller tongue here is welcome – but they’re minor changes all the same.

Underfoot, the Pegasus 36 offers the same Zoom Air cushioning as its predecessor, and the ride is firm but still fairly cushioned, right in the Goldilocks zone for a running shoe. The Pegasus 36 is suitable for a wide variety of training and racing, and if you’re new to running and have no idea what you like in a shoe, it’s a solid pick that’s unlikely to disappoint.

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For a long time, however, the Pegasus was more than that – it was the best all-rounder shoe out there. That’s no longer the case, partly because of Nike’s conservative approach in updating the shoe.

There are now lighter, faster and more comfortable all-round running shoes, and the best of them all is made by Nike itself. The Pegasus Turbo uses a mix of Nike’s React and ZoomX foams in the midsole to provide and softer, bouncier ride than the standard Pegasus, and it’s much lighter as well. Nike’s also releasing a second edition of the Turbo on 11th July.

The Pegasus Turbo is more expensive than the Pegasus at £159.95 compared with £104.95, but other brands do offer all-round running shoes that I rate higher than the 36 at nearer the £100 mark. The Saucony Ride ISO 2 is £120 and has a livelier ride than the 36, and the Brooks Launch 6 is lighter, faster and £95.

Like the 35, I found the Pegasus 36 struggled at faster paces. On tempo runs and during strides the shoe was a little clumsy and lacking the responsiveness of the Pegasus Turbo or Ride ISO 2. I’ve probably been spoilt by the Pegasus Turbo, which is also softer and more fun to use for easy runs.

All the positive features of a Pegasus shoe are present in the 36. It’s reasonably cheap, works for all kinds of running, looks good, and seems as durable as its predecessors. It is, however, just not as fun or fast to run in as other all-round shoes that use more responsive midsoles. It will probably remain as popular as ever partly because it hasn’t really changed much from the predecessor but given the innovation going on elsewhere in running shoes, much of which is spearheaded by Nike, the Pegasus is just a little, well, boring.

Buy mens from Nike | Buy women’s from Nike | £104.95

Nike has launched a new version of its popular Pegasus 35 running shoe that uses the company’s FlyEase tech so you can put it on without having to tie laces. While tying laces is second nature for most people, many others with conditions like cerebral palsy can’t do it with ease, so the new edition of the shoe will make help to make running more accessible than ever.

The FlyEase tech involves a curved zip around the back of the heel. Once it’s undone, the whole heel can be opened up so you can slide your foot into the shoe like a clog. Then you zip the opening up again and hook it on the shoe, the fit of which is also secured by a series of bungee cables running over the top of the foot, which you can tighten by pulling a cord at the heel.

Team GB sprinter Sophie Hahn, the current T38 Paralympic, World, Commonwealth and European Champion over 100m, has been testing the shoes. Hahn, who has cerebral palsy, says the FlyEase tech makes her training easier.

See related

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"I know this is quite embarrassing, but I’ve only just learnt to tie my shoelaces, and sometimes it’s a struggle with spikes and shoes,” says Hahn. “I’ve pretty much overcome that but it’s not perfect. It’s why I’m super-excited about the Nike FlyEase shoe, which will go such a long way in helping me overcome day-to-day challenges when I’m training.

“I can just turn up and not worry about tying or untying them – they’re so much easier to put on and take off! You also know that when you run, they aren’t going to come undone. There’s no need to keep bending down tying them up.”

Nike has used the FlyEase technology in other shoes, including the LeBron Soldier basketball shoe, but this is the first time it’s appeared on a Pegasus running shoe. The Pegasus is popular with runners because of its versatility – it’s a great daily trainer but also light and fast enough for tempo runs and races.

The Nike Pegasus 35 FlyEase is available now on the Nike website and costs £104.95, the same price as the standard Pegasus 35. It also comes in wide and extra-wide editions, which are useful for people wearing a brace or an orthotic.

Buy men’s from Nike | Buy women’s from Nike | £104.95

Since its launch last year the Nike Vaporfly 4% has established itself as a game-changing running shoe, especially for those seeking to set a marathon PB. In fact, the only real problem with the Vaporfly is that it’s very hard to come by, selling out in the blink of an eye on the few occasions it has been made available.

There are a few reasons for the Vaporfly’s success but one of the main ones is the ZoomX foam in the midsole which is soft, responsive and very light – everything you could want when running fast for a long period. Until now ZoomX has only been used in the Vaporfly 4% and Vaporfly Elite shoes (the latter being even more tricky to come by for the amateur athlete), but the new Pegasus Turbo shoe will bring the material to a much wider audience.

The story behind the Pegasus Turbo is that Nike’s elite athletes wanted a shoe that felt like the Vaporfly 4% for their training, but ditched the carbon plate in the sole which made the shoe a little too firm for easy efforts. The Turbo is therefore pegged as an everyday trainer by Nike, but after a few runs in the Pegasus Turbo I can say with little hesitation that what might make for an easy day trainer for the likes of Eliud Kipchoge makes for a great all-rounder trainer/racer for everyone else.

The ZoomX foam in the midsole and the featherweight upper both contribute to the lightness of the Pegasus Turbo – 238g (men’s size 9) compared to the standard Pegasus 35’s 281g. But the numbers do little to explain how light it really feels on the foot. It’s a shoe that makes you want to run all day, because it somehow doesn’t feel taxing to keep picking up your feet.

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Despite its lightweight frame, comfort is central to how enjoyable the Turbo is to run in. I used it for three days on the trot straight after a weekend when my feet had been completely wrecked by walking 100km (an absurd charity event, never do it) and I was dreading how running might feel. The stack of ZoomX and React cushioning on the Turbo dispelled all concerns within the first few steps. It’s bouncy, soft and even somewhat plush, not at all what you’d expect from such a light shoe.

I slowly increased my speed through my first run in the Turbo and the ride never strayed from being comfortable and bouncy, but I was more surprised by how good they felt on the track the next day. I did a range of distances – one mile, 400m and 200m reps – and when going all-out on the shorter sprints in particular, the heel-to-toe transition and pop off the toe felt fast and smooth like a racing shoe, only without the firm feel of the ground beneath you that racers give.

I thought the Turbo would really excel on long runs and it didn’t disappoint. I took it out for a 90-minute session in the woods – it’s not an ideal trail shoe, but the hot summer had baked Epping Forest dry enough for road shoes – and maintaining a steady-to-fast pace throughout was very comfortable. With this shoe I found that, however hard the run felt, glancing down at my watch usually revealed I was running slightly faster than I thought.

The bounce in the stride is more noticeable over longer distances. The ZoomX foam feels similar to Adidas’s Boost foam, but the shoe is far lighter than a Boost shoe with equivalent amounts of cushioning like the UltraBoost, which only adds to the spring in your step.

As a result, it’s undoubtedly a good option for marathon or half marathon runners who want more cushioning than that found in a typical racer but don’t want the extra heft or overly soft feel that often comes with cushioning. That’s assuming you, like most people, don’t have a few pairs of the Vaporfly 4% stashed at the back of your wardrobe.

The upper is exceptional as well – so lightweight that it virtually disappears when you start running. I had no concerns about it being too snug or not tight enough to stop the foot slipping around, but it’s worth noting that it’s a roomier fit and if you do want it to be a bit snugger around the foot then maybe go half a size down.

I was disappointed by the Pegasus 35, which I found too firm to excel on easy runs and too hefty to fly through speedier sessions. In many ways, the Pegasus Turbo is exactly what I’d wished the Pegasus 35 was – a lightweight, comfortable but pacy daily trainer that will also be a great choice for longer races for most runners.

There’s only really two negatives to the shoe, as far as I can tell so far. One is the racing stripe, which is a colour called Hot Punch and just, well, not great. The other is the price – at £159.95 it’s a step away from the excellent value the Pegasus line has usually been known for (the Pegasus 35 is £104.95). It’s not completely out of step with high-end running shoes, and the long-lasting React foam on the sole in combination with the ZoomX should mean that the Turbo will be durable, but £160 is still a lot of moolah. That said, if you’re looking for an all-rounder trainer/racer and don’t mind pink racing stripes, it’s definitely the shoe I’d go for right now.

Buy from Nike | £159.95

Sometimes you immediately take to a running shoe and just know you’re going to love training in it. At other times you immediately take against one, but perhaps most often you warm to a running shoe after a few runs when it’s softened up slightly and moulded to your foot. And then sometimes you can run 100km in a shoe and still have no idea whether you like it or not. That last one is where I stand with Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 35.

For a long time – 35 years, in fact – the Pegasus has stood out as one of the best all-rounder running shoes available. Not too heavy, but reasonably cushioned and suitable for all types of training. The Pegasus 34 epitomised that billing, but the Pegasus 35 seems to have lost that in pursuit of being a faster, firmer shoe.

On paper the Pegasus 35 is an upgrade on past editions. It’s 14g lighter than the Pegasus 34 (281g vs 295g) and it boasts a new full length Zoom Air unit in the sole that mimics the positioning of the carbon plate in the Nike Vaporfly 4%. On the foot, however, the Pegasus 35 lacks charm.

That starts with the long tongue, which is a little too padded and intrusive. You shouldn’t really notice the tongue on a shoe for more than the first few seconds after putting it on, but with the 35 it was always there, being ever-so-slightly annoying.

However, it’s the ride of the Pegasus 35 that disappointed me more. It’s too firm for an all-rounder and, especially on easy runs, the transition from heel-to-toe feels a mite clunky. This could be personal preference – I prefer the ride of the cushioned Nike React and Saucony Ride ISO, both of which are all-rounders with softer rides – but the Pegasus 35 just didn’t feel smooth to run in.

The shoe did soften slightly after a few runs, but not that much. I thought the benefits of the firmer sole would be apparent when I took it out for tempo runs or intervals, but even then the shoe didn’t come to life. It isn’t slow, but didn’t give me anything back when I pushed the pace and felt slightly cumbersome when I went for all-out intervals.

See related 

• The Best Nike Running Shoes For Every Type Of Runner
• The Best Running Shoes

All of the above sounds terribly negative – but actually, on the whole, I didn’t hate running in the Pegasus 35, and that’s where the confusion arises. It never felt terrible, but I can’t say I ever reached for it with delight, at the prospect of either running fast in a lively shoe or easing off in a comfortable shoe. It’s still an all-rounder, but for me it rates as a three-star across the board, as opposed to past Pegasus shoes which felt great for everything.

Someone who prefers a firmer shoe for all training may feel differently, but for my money the best all-rounder trainer released this year remains the Saucony Ride ISO. And if you are committed to the Pegasus line then this is a good time to go looking for a deal on the 34 (reduced to £59 on runnersneed.com). Nike isn’t sitting on its hands though, with the Pegasus Turbo hitting stores in early August – this will have ZoomX foam in the midsole, which is the same stuff as in the Vaporfly 4% and Elite and promises a speedy and responsive yet cushioned ride for all your training. We’ll publish a review testing those claims soon.

£105, buy on runnersneed.com

You know a shoe range is doing something right when it’s been around for more than 30 years. With small tweaks with each year, Nike has ensured the Pegasus has remained a fantastic all-round option for runners since the first edition was launched in 1983.

The Pegasus 34 maintains this fine tradition. It’s a responsive, comfortable running shoe that is fit for pretty much all your training and racing needs.

The most obvious change from the 33 is that the Flywire cables that secure the foot in place are now mostly hidden within the Flymesh upper. The upper also has improved breathability thanks to a more open mesh on the front of the shoe. The changes are minimal, but they improve the look and comfort of the Pegasus.

The sole remains the same as on the 33 and is made up of foam cushioning combined with two Zoom Air units – basically mini airbags – in the heel and forefoot. The resultant ride is responsive and quite firm, and great for pretty much every kind of running. You might fancy a softer, more cushioned ride for really easy runs, and for speedy track sessions you may prefer a firmer, lighter shoe, but in truth the Pegasus performs well for those runs and everything in between.

It’s hardly a heavyweight at 285g (men’s size 9), and it’s certainly responsive and stiff enough to not feel clumsy when picking up the pace on faster runs. At the same time there’s enough cushioning to bounce through easy runs in comfort.

See related

• The Best Nike Running Shoes For Every Type Of Runner
• Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 35 Running Shoe Review
• Nike Zoom Pegasus Turbo Running Shoe Review
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The Pegasus’s all-rounder status extends to its looks, with all of the colourways on offer falling firmly in the streetwear camp.

All in all it’s a pretty faultless shoe. If you’re a casual runner it’ll do you for every kind of run and race, and even obsessive pavement-pounders will be able to use the Pegasus 34 for most of their running, needing to switch to a more lightweight option only for race day and the track.

The changes from the previous iteration are pretty minor, so unless you’re a huge fan of the new look of the upper, there’s little reason to upgrade from the Pegasus 33. If you haven’t already got a pair of Pegs, this is a great version to make your first.

£99.95, buy on nike.com