Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 40 Review

This version of the Pegasus brought some upper updates — and we think they were well done. The upper is extremely comfortable, and the lockdown is excellent, perfect for daily running. We don't think this is the best choice for a daily trainer, but it is solid. There's something to be said for a shoe that doesn't have any fancy technology and just gets the job done.

Performance Comparison

Cushioning and Landing Comfort

The Pegasus has never been a highly cushioned shoe, and this iteration is no different. The React foam measures at 33mm in the rear and 22mm in the forefoot. This shoe also utilizes AirZoom pods in the forefoot and the heel that provide a bit of additional bounce, but it's nothing groundbreaking or exciting. Impacts are firm but dampened.

We didn't have any issues running up to about 14 miles in this shoe, but our legs were significantly more fatigued at the end than they tend to be in other, more "modern" shoes with more cushioning. While you can absolutely use the Pegasus 40 for long runs (or maybe a marathon), we think there are more comfortable options that will keep you fresh for longer.

The firmer cushioning feels fine at around threshold paces and doesn't feel unnatural during strides. It just isn't exciting in the way that other shoes are; there isn't any bounce to the foam and the energy return feels dull. This is a good shoe, but it definitely feels old school.

Responsiveness

Firmer foam makes this shoe a bit more responsive when we went to put power down. It doesn't feel like the shoe is helping us, though, and there isn't any rocker geometry to promote a snappy toe-off. Overall, we find the Pegasus 40 slightly better than average in terms of responsiveness. It can't come close to competing with our favorite daily trainers on workout days, but it can still handle those quicker paces.

Stability

The lower stack height and firmer foam of this shoe make for good lateral stability. We found it to be agile and confident on uneven terrain at a variety of paces. This shoe feels planted, and the good grip adds to that sensation. But this is still a neutral daily trainer, and we wouldn't recommend it for runners seeking motion support. However, because of the firmness of the foam, we think it does a good job of limiting some excess medial movement.

Upper Comfort

The upper on the Pegasus 40 is comfortable without being over-the-top. In keeping with the rest of the shoe, it does fine. We found it to be very breathable with excellent lockdown. There is ample toe room for most runners, something that can be an issue with Nike shoes.

The tongue is lightly padded and gusseted. It's very comfortable and works well with the lacing system. The heel cup isn't excessively stiff while still providing good retention. We didn't experience any rubbing or hotspots while wearing this shoe. There really isn't much more to say other than it just works.

Weight

The Pegasus is a daily trainer, and its weight reflects that. Weighing in at 10.65 ounces for a men's 10.5 US, it doesn't feel light, but the low-to-the-ground stack also does a good job of hiding the mass of the shoe. The upper has a decent amount of weight, but we're not sure we'd be willing to sacrifice comfort for a version that is a half-ounce lighter.

Should You Buy the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 40?

This is a solid daily trainer. It's nothing special; the ride is boring, and it feels average. But there isn't anything wrong with average. The Pegasus is reliable for stacking miles. It won't let you down on daily runs and can handle long runs and workouts too. While we think there are better shoes that do the same thing, this isn't a bad choice.

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