| Type | Neutral, road |
|---|---|
| Sizes | UK5.5 - UK14 (M) / UK3 - UK9.5 (W) |
| Colour | White / Blue Tint / Laser Orange / Picante Red |
The shoe
Reliable, durable and comfortable, the Nike Pegasus is arguably one of the best Nike shoes money can buy – and, after 40 iterations, it's gained a huge cult following, often being cited as one of the most popular running trainers. In fact, we'd go as far as to say that the Nike Pegasus is a shoe that feels like a dependable, familiar old friend.
Designed for every kind of run – long and short, easy and hard – and every kind of runner, the Nike Pegasus 40 only features a couple of minimal updates. The saying, 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' comes to mind here. After all, why change a beloved staple if it already ticks so many boxes?
How is the Pegasus 40 different to the Pegasus 39?
Of course, when the same shoe has been tweaked and updated 40 times already, there's only so much you can change without completely redesigning the whole thing. The Pegasus 40 has a couple of – minor – tweaks: a new, redesigned mid-foot band (for a more secure fit "like the Peg is giving your arch a welcoming, gentle hug") and a redesigned single-layer mesh upper to offer more breathability and help to improve airflow in sweaty conditions.
According to Nike, this version of the Peg has "the same responsiveness and neutral support as previous iterations but features improved comfort in sensitive areas of your foot (like the arch and toes)".
"We wanted to make the inner confines of the shoe comfortable, breathable and forgiving in the toes, arch and heel, where your feet are most sensitive, with an engineered circular pattern that allows it to adapt to your foot."
What is the Pegasus 40 like to run in?
Springy is the first word that comes to mind to describe the Pegasus 40. And that's most likely down to the Nike React technology. The Pegasus 40 includes two Zoom Air units – at the forefoot and heel – which helps to give that responsive, energised (and, yes, springy) feel.
How does the Pegasus 40 fit?
When you step into the Pegasus 40 the cushioning feels like it moulds to your feet. But these aren't uber-cushioned shoes – not in comparison to some of the maximalist shoes currently on the market. So while they feel soft and inviting, the cushioning here also feels like it's been intentionally placed, hugging your foot securely in place.
These shoes fit true to size – no need to size up or down here.
RW verdict
A true staple, the Nike Pegasus 40 is a great all-rounder for both beginners starting out on their running journey and marathoners looking for a reliable workhorse. At £114.95 they aren't cheap, but in comparison to a lot of other decent neutral-support do-it-all road shoes, they're actually excellent value for money. The only problem with white (although, we at RW do love a white shoe) is that they get dirty very quickly – so best to save these for those sunshine runs.
