I was excited to try the Nike Pegasus 41, a comfortable and reliable daily trainer. The Pegasus has gone through a lot of changes over its 41 versions. Ask any runner what their first running shoe was, and many will say it was the Pegasus. This year’s version has been updated with a firmer ride and the introduction of the new ReactX midsole. The Pegasus 41 also features an increased stack height, making it one of the heaviest versions in recent years.
Before writing the Nike Pegasus 41 Shoe Review, I had a few questions:
- Has the Nike Pegasus 41 changed? Yes, it’s a bigger update but no it doesn’t feel much different.
- Does the Nike Pegasus 41 fit true to size? Yes it does. Nike has a bad wrap for fitting narrow, but it really just has a narrow midfoot. The forefoot is pretty true to size.
Nike Pegasus 41 Quick Facts
- Weight: 10 oz (283 g)
- Cost: $140.00
- Heel Drop: 10 mm
Nike Pegasus 41 Upper and Fit
The Pegasus 41’s upper is comfortable. The spacious but not overly baggy design provides a plush feel, and the mesh is more breathable than in previous versions. Nike often gets a bad rap for being too narrow, but their running shoes usually aren’t. The Nike Pegasus 41 features a slimmer midfoot but a wider toebox so your toes can splay. My feet are on the wider side, and I’ve had no issues with them.
The best running shoes disappear on your feet, and for the most part, the Nike Pegasus 41 does just that. The foot lockdown is excellent, with reflectors for safety and a semi-gusseted tongue that stays in place. I don’t have any significant issues with it. It’s a basic, well-fitting upper. Honestly, what more do you need in a daily trainer?
I typically wear between a women’s size 10-11 wide and found the women’s size 11 to fit best. Never fear, if you have a wider foot, the Pegasus does come in wide.
Nike Pegasus 41 Ride
The Nike Pegasus 41 has gotten a fairly big update. One thing I never love about Nike is their inconsistency. You might love a version of the trainer, but when the shoe is updated, it’s completely different. You never know what the next version will be like, which can be frustrating. There have been several times this has happened with the Pegasus—I loved one version but didn’t enjoy the next.
The ReactX midsole in the Pegasus 41 offers a firmer ride compared to other daily trainers. Despite claims of increased responsiveness, it doesn’t feel much different from previous versions. The forefoot Zoom Air unit’s high air pressure contributes to a firm feel, making the ride less energetic and engaging. It doesn’t feel as peppy as many other versions and kind of falls flat for me.
Where does the Nike Pegasus 41 fit into my rotation? It’s always been a daily trainer for me, and the Nike Pegasus 41 is no different. Although now, with the firmer ride, I prefer it for shorter runs. I don’t necessarily love it for runs over an hour. It doesn’t feel as responsive as Nike has touted either. All in all, I’ll use it for daily runs that last about an hour.
Outsole
The waffle-rubber outsole of the Pegasus 41 provides outstanding traction. It grips well on various surfaces, even in wet conditions. I’ve used the Pegasus 41 in rainy conditions and on sandy trails with no issues of sliding around. The outsole design features protruding square pieces that wear down initially but continue to offer durability due to the hard rubber material. I usually get about 400 miles out of the Pegasus, and I suspect this version will be no different.
Nike Pegasus 41 Conclusion
The Nike Pegasus 41 is a decent daily trainer, but honestly, there are others that may feel more comfortable or handle a greater variety of runs. While it doesn’t offer groundbreaking performance, it provides comfort and durability for daily training and shorter runs.
Who Should Buy the Nike Pegasus 41?
- Runners seeking a firm-riding trainer for slow, steady runs.
- Those looking for a comfortable, long-lasting trainer.
- Fans of previous Pegasus versions.
Who Should Not Buy the Nike Pegasus 41?
- Runners desiring a trainer for picking up the pace/faster efforts
- Those looking for a versatile trainer capable of efficiently handling long-distance runs.
My Current Shoe Rotation:
Easy/Daily Runs: Topo Magnifly 5, Antepes Muscle Runners, New Balance 1080v13 Shoe Review , Newton Gravity 12, Nike Pegasus 41, ASICS Superblast
Speed Work: 361 Degrees Furious Future 1.5 Shoe Review Nike Tempo Next%, Reebok Float Ride Run fast Pro, Nike ZoomX Streakfly, Nike Alphafly 3
Long Runs: Topo Specter 2, 361 Degrees Eleos Shoe Review
Trail Running/Hiking: 361 Futura, Hoka Tecton X2 Shoe Review Speedland SL: PDX,
Races: 361 Degrees Furious Future 1.5 Shoe Review Hoka Cielo X1, New Balance Fuelcell 5280, Reebok Run fast Pro ,Nike Vaporfly 3 , ASICS Metaspeed Edge Paris
You Can See All Current Shoe Reviews Here.
Looking to learn more about running shoes? In my ebook, I talk about why you need a good running shoe, a shoe’s anatomy, neutral vs. stable, and even myths of running shoes.
Questions for you:
What was your first running shoe?
Have you ever run in the Pegasus?