Nike ACG Pegasus Trail trail running shoe review – opinion, price, comparison, who it is recommended for

Who the Nike ACG Pegasus Trail trail running shoe is recommended for

• Recommended if you are looking for one shoe for road runs and lighter trail runs.
• Recommended if you are just starting trail running and do not want an overly aggressive trail shoe.
• Recommended if you are looking for a comfortable, well-cushioned daily trainer with good stability.
• Recommended if you run slow or moderately paced runs up to half-marathon distance.
• Recommended if you want a running shoe that also works well for walking, hiking and everyday use.

Who the Nike ACG Pegasus Trail trail running shoe is NOT recommended for

• Not recommended if you are looking for a fast, uptempo running shoe for workouts or racing.
• Not recommended if you need a shoe for difficult, technical, rocky or muddy terrain.
• Not recommended if you are looking for a main running shoe for marathon distance or longer.
• Not recommended if you want a highly breathable, specifically summer-focused running shoe.

Nike ACG Pegasus Trail trail running shoe upper

The upper of the Nike ACG Pegasus Trail trail running shoe is made from an engineered mesh material with varying thickness and weave density, so it can hold the foot more securely where needed and ventilate well where possible. Its breathability is not outstanding, as with most trail running shoes, but it is not poor either. It dries quickly, which is useful if your feet get sweaty in warm weather or if you run in wet conditions.

It fits true to size in length, and the upper has a medium-width construction. There is more room in the toe area than in the previous version; it is both wider and higher. Around the laces, the midfoot section holds the foot very well and securely. A wide version is not available yet, but as was the case with the previous version, the Nike Pegasus Trail 5 trail running shoe, its release can be expected later, along with the waterproof Gore-Tex version.

The tongue of the shoe is thick, comfortable, protects well against debris and also spreads the pressure of the laces comfortably. It is gusseted on both sides, so it does not slide around while running; the loop on top of the tongue also helps with this, as the shoelace passes through it. The lace-eyelet layout is not traditional: the lace runs through a reinforced webbing system, which can be pulled tighter over the tongue and holds the foot more securely.

The heel collar is also heavily padded, like the tongue. It is reinforced, but not overly stiff, so it can adapt somewhat to the shape of the foot and holds the foot comfortably and securely. The heel collar also has a pull tab, which is useful for putting the shoe on more quickly.

The midsole does not wrap high up onto the upper, but it still holds the foot well and gives a neutral feel.

Nike ACG Pegasus Trail trail running shoe midsole

The midsole of the Nike ACG Pegasus Trail trail running shoe is made entirely from ReactX foam, which is a TPE-based material. It is not a supercritical foam, but it is springier than EVA foam; it has some life, feels more dynamic and has some bounce, but it is not too soft. The foam itself is 35 mm at the heel and 27 mm at the forefoot, but the full midsole stack height is 39 mm at the heel and 31 mm at the forefoot (this latter figure is what we usually list in the data section for every running shoe). The midsole has become 2 mm higher at the heel, and because the midsole drop has decreased by 1.5 mm (from 9.5 to 8 mm), the forefoot section has become 3.5 mm thicker, which is clearly noticeable: the midsole feels more dynamic and more protective.

I already mentioned at the upper that the front part has become wider compared with the previous version, and this is also true of the midsole: it is wider, so it has become more stable as well. Its torsional rigidity sits in the middle: it is not too stiff, but it has structure, which also helps its stability. There is no aggressive rocker either in the forefoot or at the heel, but it is curved enough to make transitions smooth and fluid. At the heel, it is sharper so that the full outsole can catch the ground quickly when running downhill, and there is enough curvature at the front to help you climb uphill.

ReactX foam is a well-balanced foam. It cannot be called too soft, but it is not hard either. It has some dynamism, but not an extreme amount, so it is best suited to slow or medium-paced runs. Its cushioning is good and it is high enough, but it does not offer anything extreme in this area either. It is perfect up to half-marathon distance, but experienced runners can also use it for longer distances.

Nike ACG Pegasus Trail trail running shoe outsole

The outsole of the Nike ACG Pegasus Trail trail running shoe is made entirely from Nike’s new ATC 2.0 (All Terrain Compound) rubber compound, which is softer than the previous version, but according to Nike, its abrasion resistance has not become poor. The previous version received a lot of criticism because its grip on wet surfaces was very weak. Since this is an ATC shoe, meaning a hybrid, it can be used both on asphalt and on lighter trails, so it has to meet many requirements at the same time. Softness is needed for grip, hardness is needed for durability; the previous version was durable, but its grip was not good, and this has now been changed. It has not become perfect, but its grip on wet surfaces has improved a lot.

Nike solves these two requirements, good grip and abrasion resistance, by using a different outsole pattern in areas exposed to greater wear than in areas where more grip is needed. On the outside of the forefoot and on the inside of the heel, where most runners wear down the outsole more, there are not the kind of lugs typical of trail running shoes, but rather a pattern more typical of road running shoes. On the rest of the outsole, however, there are multi-directional, branched 3.5 mm lugs to help the outsole bite better and grip more effectively.

The outsole does not cover the entire midsole, primarily because solid rubber is proportionally the heaviest part of a running shoe, so significant weight can be saved with partial coverage. Secondly, because there is a large groove-like channel in the rear and middle part of the midsole for torsional flexibility, covering it with outsole rubber would significantly stiffen the midsole, making it less comfortable and less flexible. But there is not only a longitudinal segmentation; there is also a smaller transverse cut-out in the outsole, which makes the shoe more flexible.

On light and moderately difficult terrain, the new ATC 2.0 outsole performs well. It also grips well on dry asphalt and is better on wet surfaces too. Nike promises 25% better abrasion resistance, which only time and longer-term use will be able to confirm or disprove.

What is it like to run in the Nike ACG Pegasus Trail trail running shoe?

Cushioning and midsole

The midsole of the Nike ACG Pegasus Trail trail running shoe is not excessively high, but its cushioning is good. It has some dynamism, but this is not the shoe in which you will break your personal bests or conquer your longest distances. The midsole is balanced: moderately soft and moderately firm.

Stability and ride

The midsole of the Nike ACG Pegasus Trail trail running shoe is slightly wider than average, and because it is not too high and not too soft, its stability is good compared with neutral running shoes. It does not have a strong rocker, but transitions are smooth and pleasant in it.

Upper and comfort

The upper of the Nike ACG Pegasus Trail trail running shoe is about comfort and protection, while providing proper support on trails as well. It holds the foot well, its breathability is not outstanding, but it dries quickly.

Ground contact and grip

It is difficult to make a good hybrid outsole, because it has to grip well in wet conditions too, which is usually best achieved with softer rubber compounds, but it also has to be durable on asphalt so it does not wear down quickly. Both properties of the Nike ACG Pegasus Trail trail running shoe’s outsole have improved, but understandably it does not solve either one perfectly.

Pace and dynamism

The ReactX midsole of the Nike ACG Pegasus Trail trail running shoe is not the most advanced or most dynamic midsole, but you can run the occasional faster section in it. Because of its moderately good dynamism, it is recommended more for medium-long runs, up to half-marathon distance, although experienced runners will not have a problem with it over longer distances either.

Long run vs pace vs training

The Nike ACG Pegasus Trail trail running shoe is a daily trainer. Neither its grip nor its dynamism is enough for racing. For longer runs, it is recommended only for experienced runners.

What has changed compared with the previous version? Nike ACG Pegasus Trail trail running shoe vs. Nike Pegasus Trail 5.

The Nike ACG Pegasus Trail trail running shoe has undergone significant changes compared with the previous version, the Nike Pegasus Trail 5 running shoe:

• The upper has become wider, mainly around the toe box, where they increased not only the width but also the height of the upper. The lacing system has changed; it is more similar to the Gore-Tex version of the previous model, with lace loops securing the eyelets, wrapping the foot better and holding it more securely. The heel collar has become more padded and softer.
• The midsole is made from the same ReactX foam, but it has become higher and wider, and its drop has been reduced, so it has more dynamism, better cushioning and improved stability.
• It received a completely new outsole, with a different layout and tread pattern, and it is made from a new rubber compound, thanks to which it has better grip, does not slide around as much on wet hard surfaces and, according to Nike’s promise, its abrasion resistance has also improved.

Alternatives to the Nike ACG Pegasus Trail trail running shoe – comparison

There are more and more hybrid running shoes, and this is an ideally versatile solution for many runners who run both on trails and on asphalt. The most similar alternatives to the Nike ACG Pegasus Trail are the following shoes:

• Hoka Challenger 8: lighter, has a higher midsole and a wider upper, but it is made for similar runs as the ACG Pegasus Trail
• Salomon Aero Glide 4 GRVL: a more dynamic, livelier running shoe with better cushioning, but weaker breathability and foot lockdown than the Nike ACG Pegasus Trail running shoe
• Craft Xplor 2: its midsole is softer and bouncier, its drop is lower and its midsole is wider. Its upper is also more forgiving and wider
• Brooks Ghost Max Trail: a firmer, more stable running shoe, but similar in weight, with a slightly lower midsole
• Mizuno Wave Rider 2 TT: similarly balanced, but it has a slightly higher midsole, a higher drop and a softer outsole

Is there a difference between the men’s and women’s Nike ACG Pegasus Trail trail running shoe?

There is no essential technological difference between the men’s and women’s Nike ACG Pegasus Trail. Both have the same ReactX midsole, 8 mm drop, ATC 2.0 outsole and a wider upper than the previous version. At the same time, Nike often builds women’s versions on a narrower last, and according to the official data, the women’s Nike ACG Pegasus Trail running shoe is lighter, although the official measurement is taken in a smaller size for both the women’s and men’s versions.