The Nike Pegasus 41 is a classic daily trainer that aims to balance comfort, durability, and adaptability for easy runs. It features Nike's ReactX foam and Air Zoom units for a stable experience underfoot with a slightly rockered sole shape for smooth transitions. The Pegasus 41 positions itself as a dependable option for runners of all experience levels seeking a solid, everyday running shoe.
Our Verdict
The Nike Pegasus 41 is a poor choice for marathon racing, mostly because of its limited cushioning and lack of energy return. These make it uncomfortable and inefficient for sustained long-distance efforts, relegating the shoe to shorter or more casual runs rather than competitive marathon events.
Very stable ride.
Heavy.
Midsole feels thin and harsh.
The Nike Pegasus 41 offers an acceptable, though not ideal experience for 5K and 10K races. Its exceptionally firm forefoot helps in theory, but this is paired with poor energy return and a heavy construction which compromise its overall performance. It's not bad for casual racers or training runs, but serious competitors should seek more specialized, lightweight racing options.
Firm forefoot foam.
Heavy.
The Nike Pegasus 41 provides poor energy return, particularly lacking in heel response, which affects runners who predominantly heel-strike. Although the forefoot performs slightly better, overall energy transfer is not strong enough to enhance propulsion significantly. This shoe feels uninspiring for runners looking to optimize performance or sustain higher intensities.
Not bouncy.
The Nike Pegasus 41's cushioning is sub-par, particularly in the forefoot. This is inadequate for runners who need significant protection or comfort, especially during longer or more intense runs. The heel cushioning is slightly better but still insufficient for sustained efforts, making the shoe a questionable choice for those prioritizing comfort.
Midsole feels thin and harsh.
The Nike Pegasus 41 has impressive lateral stability, making it a great choice for runners who prioritize a secure, confident feel underfoot. Its midsole is very firm, which, combined with a moderate stack height, offers excellent support. Runners looking for reliable stability will find the Pegasus 41 a trustworthy companion on varied running surfaces.
Wide heel base.
Foam is extra firm.
A bit narrower at the arch.
Performance Usages
Changelog
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Updated Nov 13, 2025:
We've updated the Popular Comparisons section following the release of the Nike Pegasus Plus and Nike Pegasus Premium.
- Updated Oct 28, 2025: We've converted this review to Test Bench 0.9, which adds a Forefoot Long Run Cushioning test to our performance section. Read more in our changelog.
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Updated Oct 20, 2025:
We've adjusted this review's writing to align with the new test bench, including updates to all usage scores, and test boxes for Cushioning, Firmness, and Energy Return.
- Updated Oct 20, 2025: We've converted this review to Test Bench 0.8.2, which updates our methodology for the impact force range used in our compression tests to improve their accuracy. This also affects all usage and performance usage boxes using those compression tests as score components.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the Nike Pegasus 41 in men's US size 9, as noted on the label. The color shown here is White/Pure Platinum/Summit. This model is available in a wide range of other colorways, including Ashen Slate/Armory, Summit White/Bright Crimson/Glacier, and Black/Anthracite/Black. The 'Nike By You' platform also gives you the option to create your own custom designs. Lastly, there's a waterproof GORE-TEX edition.
Wide versions are available for both men and women. There are also several special editions, such as the Electric, "Prequel," and Blueprint editions, along with sports team variants like the "NFL Dallas Cowboys," "Cincinnati Bengals," "North Carolina A&T," "Virginia," and "Michigan" editions. The "EasyOn" edition shares most features and materials, though its upper has a slightly different shape.
Nike also sells the Nike Pegasus Trail and other lifestyle, throwback, and sneaker variants with the Pegasus name, though these aren't road running shoes, and our results don't apply to those models.
Popular Running Shoe Comparisons
Launched originally in 1982, the Nike Pegasus has evolved gradually through slow and steady iterations, cementing its legacy as a reliable, classic daily trainer. The Nike Pegasus 41 remains true to this heritage, offering a super stable, consistent ride and strong overall value for everyday mileage. For most runners logging easy, uncomplicated miles, it provides all the essentials without unnecessary frills. However, the current market offers numerous alternatives that deliver a significantly more cushioned and enjoyable ride, such as the ASICS NOVABLAST 5 or the adidas Adizero Evo SL.
Nike's daily trainer lineup has recently been reorganized around three core series: the Pegasus, which is the classic trainer; the Vomero, which is a more protective, cushioned trainer; and the Structure, which is a dedicated stability shoe. Each series will have a 'legacy' model: the current iterations are the Pegasus 41, the Nike Vomero 18, and Nike Structure 26, which is the basic version that features the series' core DNA. There will also be a Plus version, which has a full ZoomX midsole, and a Premium version, which will also include a wraparound AirZoom unit. Within the Pegasus series, both the Nike Pegasus Plus and Nike Pegasus Premium have been released.
If you're looking for more shoes, look at our recommendations for the best Nike running shoes.
For more options, check out our recommendations for the best running shoes.
The Nike Vomero 18 and the Nike Pegasus 41 are both daily trainers, but they serve different roles in Nike's lineup. The Vomero 18 is the more cushioned and protective option, featuring a taller stack and dual-density midsole that does a better job shielding your legs on short, easy runs—which is exactly what most people need from a daily trainer. While the Pegasus 41 does offer a bit more energy return, that added bounce is less relevant in practice for this category of shoe—you're not likely to pick either of these for speed work or intervals. In the end, the Vomero may be heavier, but it delivers better on the core promise of a daily trainer: comfort, protection, and durability.
The Nike Pegasus 41 and Nike Structure 26 are contemporary iterations of two of the swoosh's most long-running shoe series. Both have undergone numerous updates over the decades without changing their respective identities: the Pegasus a daily workhorse, and the Structure a dedicated stability trainer. Neither is built for speed, but rather for reliably plodding through miles upon miles. For runners with a neutral stride, looking for a no-fuss trainer that can endure the daily grind, the Pegasus 41 is a solid option. For runners whose form breaks down easily or who have known pronation issues, the Structure 26 is a safe choice.
The Nike Pegasus 41 and the Brooks Ghost 17 are two classic daily trainers built for runners who just expect their shoes to get them through the run without getting in the way. Neither is very heavily cushioned (although the Ghost 17 absorbs impact better) nor particularly springy(here the Pegasus 41 has an edge in energy return). The two shoes are nearly identical in terms of weight and stack height, but Nike's sizing runs shorter and narrower.
The Nike Vomero 17 is like a more premium, built-up Nike Pegasus 41. With more responsive ZoomX foam in its midsole, the Vomero provides more energy return and feels noticeably more cushioned, giving it a softer, plusher feel that makes it a better option for easier paces and longer runs.
We've recently started buying and testing running shoes with a very data-oriented approach. While we're just getting started, our methodology already has dozens of tests to help you make the right purchasing decision for your needs. Not only do we use high-end equipment to gather objective data, but we also order multiple sizes of the same shoes for team members to be able to log in miles. This real-world testing is done at various paces and conditions, and with different types of workouts, to cover all the bases. This allows us to verify our results and ensure they align with what you might feel with a specific pair.
Test Results
The Nike Pegasus 41 has average weight for a daily trainer, but many comparable models, like the Brooks Hyperion 2, feel noticeably lighter underfoot. That said, for typical daily training, this extra weight shouldn't significantly hinder performance.
With a very high heel-to-toe drop, the Nike Pegasus 41 particularly suits heel strikers by providing guidance through the footstrike.
The heel energy return is poor, providing minimal bounce or responsiveness upon impact. For heel strikers seeking a lively or energetic ride, this shoe feels somewhat dull, limiting its appeal to runners looking for snappier performance during tempo runs or interval training.
Although it outperforms the heel, the forefoot energy return still falls short of delivering meaningful bounce, which could leave forefoot runners wanting more dynamic feedback from their strides.
Heel cushioning is mediocre overall, and might feel insufficiently plush or protective during longer runs, particularly for runners who prefer a softer ride.
The forefoot cushioning is disappointing, feeling thin and minimally protective. Mid and forefoot strikers seeking a plush, comfortable landing will find this shoe too harsh or unforgiving, particularly over extended runs or faster-paced sessions, since the foam will bottom out underfoot.
The Nike Pegasus 41 is acceptably firm at the heel, providing stable and secure support. Runners who prioritize stability and predictability will appreciate this feature, but some alternatives like the Nike Vomero 18 are softer and less harsh.
The forefoot in the Nike Pegasus 41 is exceptionally firm, offering great support throughout the forefoot area, regardless of impact intensity. That said, it will feel excessively rigid for those desiring greater softness.