The Nike Pegasus 42 is a classic daily trainer and the definition of a workhorse shoe. The biggest update to the 42nd edition of Nike's oldest and best-selling running shoe line is inside the midsole, which now features a full-length Air Zoom unit rather than the two individual capsules in the Nike Pegasus 41. The change makes the midsole more accommodating to different landing patterns than the 41, as you don't have to land just right to get the benefit (or risk discomfort) of the Air Zoom units. The outsole has also been reworked, with the classic waffle pattern replaced by a slightly sparser, but more complex arrangement of rubber that's meant to improve grip. But despite the changes, the ride still feels very much like a classic Pegasus; flat, but straightforward. It's not a fast or flashy shoe, but it is dependable; the Pegasus 42 is here for a long time, not a good time.
Our Verdict
The Nike Pegasus 42 is a middling shoe for running a marathon. It's sturdy and stable enough to go the distance, but it doesn't have the cushioning to protect your legs from that much pounding, nor does it give enough energy back to make your stride feel efficient and fluid.
Energy return is lagging.
The shoe is quite heavy.
The Nike Pegasus 42 is a passable choice of shoe for racing a 5K or 10K. It's not going to do much to make you faster, as it returns energy rather poorly, and it's built to be sturdy rather than nimble. The stiff forefoot provides a solid base that stays firm through toe-off, but it's not especially lively.
Firm forefoot.
Energy return is lagging.
The shoe is quite heavy.
The Nike Pegasus 42 has disappointing responsiveness. Despite Nike's claim that the 42nd version has 15% more energy return than the 41st, our tests found no significant change in forefoot energy return and a less than 1% increase in heel energy return. The geometry of the Pegasus 42 is rather flat, without much of a rocker to aid forward momentum.
Energy return is lagging.
Midsole is fairly flat, with minimal rocker.
The Nike Pegasus 42 has mediocre cushioning. The heel does a reasonable job of absorbing impact, so heel strikers will get adequate protection, but the midsole is very thin under the forefoot and struggles to hold up under heavy force.
Adequate cushioning under the heel.
Forefoot can feel quite harsh.
The Nike Pegasus 42 has great lateral stability. The relatively low stack height keeps the ride grounded, and the firm forefoot provides a solid foundation for pushing off. The platform is flared enough under the heel to provide a very solid base for landing.
Firm forefoot.
Good stack height to width ratio.
The Nike Pegasus 42 has an accommodating fit, and most runners can stick to their usual size. The forefoot tapers toward the toe, which could feel cramped if you have tall toes. The length is true to size, though, and the shoe is also available in Wide versions for both men and women.
Length is true to size.
Lots of room through arch to ball of the foot.
Performance Usages
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the Nike Pegasus 21 in men's US size 9, as noted on the label for our pair. The colorway shown here is Volt Tint/Sapphire/Lime Blast/Black Spruce, and the shoe is available in other colorways depending on your region. Wide versions of the shoe are available for both men and women.
Nike tunes the Air Zoom unit in the midsole to different PSI levels for the men's and women's versions, and also adjusts the tuning based on shoe size. As such, the performance may vary somewhat for different size and gender variants.
Popular Running Shoe Comparisons
The Nike Pegasus 42 is a classic daily trainer, or rather, THE classic daily trainer. Lots of running shoes have come and gone since the first Pegasus was launched in 1982, and although the 42nd version has come a long way since that original suede shoe, the Pegasus line has maintained its identity as a no-nonsense workhorse that can go for hundreds of miles. Among the old school of daily trainers like the ASICS GEL-CUMULUS 28 or Mizuno Wave Rider 29, the Pegasus 42 is comparatively lively and responsive, but the broader market has evolved, and there are now plenty of daily trainers like the ASICS NOVABLAST 5 and PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 that have more bounce and cushioning.
The Pegasus 42 is still a core pillar of Nike's daily trainer lineup, alongside the Nike Vomero 18, a more cushioned daily trainer, and the Nike Structure 26, a stability trainer with guidance features to correct overpronation. Each of these shoes also has a Plus version, which features Nike's more premium ZoomX foam; the Nike Pegasus Plus is a lighter, bouncier version of the Pegasus, without the AirZoom unit. The Vomero and Pegasus also have Premium versions, which put everything but the kitchen sink into the midsole: the Nike Pegasus Premium is a cluttered mash-up of the normal Pegasus and the Plus, with a layer of ZoomX on top of a full Air Zoom unit and ReactX foam.
If you're a dedicated Nike fan, check out our guide to the best running shoes from Nike. To see what's out there in the broader market, check out our recommendations for the best running shoes overall. If comfort is your priority, you can see our picks for the most comfortable running shoes.
The Nike Vomero 18 and Nike Pegasus 42 are two core pillars of Nike's daily trainer lineup, each delivering a slightly different ride. The Pegasus is the classic daily trainer, with a firm and stable ride. It has a fairly flat geometry, and doesn't feel particularly lively. The Vomero 18 is the more premium, cushioned daily trainer, with a dual density midsole that absorbs impact much better over long distances. The Pegasus 42 is fine for shorter runs or for runners who want a more grounded ride, while the Vomero 18 is better suited to longer runs, or runners who want more cushioning even if it adds a bit of weight to the shoe.
The Nike Pegasus 42 is the trusty steed in Nike's lineup, while the Nike Vomero Plus is a fun, flamboyant new addition. Where the Pegasus 42 offers a stable, reliable ride, the Vomero Plus is lively and bouncy. If you just want a reliable workhorse shoe that will last a long time, the Pegasus is a solid option. If you're looking for something to spice up your workouts, and you plan on doing longer runs, the Vomero Plus is a more enjoyable ride.
The Nike Pegasus 42 and Nike Pegasus Plus share a name and some basic design features, but are actually quite different shoes. The Pegasus 42 is the classic daily trainer, with a sturdy midsole, composed of a ZoomAir unit on top of dense ReactX foam. The Pegasus Plus is lighter and lower stacked, but with a midsole made of livelier ZoomX foam. The Pegasus 42 is better for runners who want a firmer, more protected feel, while the Pegasus Plus is the more nimble shoe.
The Nike Pegasus 42 and Nike Pegasus Premium are two sibling shoes that took different paths in life. The Pegasus 42 is the dependable, slightly boring one that delivers a familiar, consistent ride, built on sturdy ReactX foam and a full ZoomAir unit. The Pegasus Premium is going through an experimental phase, with a wild, triple-density midsole that takes everything already in the Pegasus 42 and adds a layer of bouncy ZoomX foam. The extra layers make the Pegasus Premium better cushioned, but less stable.
We buy and test 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 so team members can log in miles. This real-world testing is conducted at various paces and conditions, across 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
