Nike Pegasus 42 running shoe review – opinion, price, comparison, who it is recommended for

Who the Nike Pegasus 42 running shoe is recommended for

1. Recommended if you want a versatile road running shoe for general training runs.
2. Recommended if you mainly do easy or moderately paced runs.
3. Recommended if a comfortable upper matters to you.
4. Recommended if you would also use it for walking or all-day wear.
5. Recommended if you are a beginner runner or a heavier runner looking for a stable, easy-to-use model.

Who the Nike Pegasus 42 running shoe is NOT recommended for

• Not recommended if you want a running shoe for faster workouts.
• Not recommended if you want more cushioning for long runs.
• Not recommended if you are looking for a lightweight running shoe.
• Not recommended if you expect a completely secure hold without using a narrower heel lock setup.

Nike Pegasus 42 running shoe upper

The Nike Pegasus 42 running shoe upper is made from a medium-thickness mesh with large and numerous ventilation holes, so while it is not thin, breathability is still decent. At first glance it looks very simple, but while running you realize this simple comfort was designed very deliberately. The upper is clearly optimized for comfort rather than performance, and that matches the character and purpose of the Pegasus.

Step-in comfort is excellent, with a secure hold but no tightness. One thing that stood out right away is that the internal support feels pleasantly high, higher than average, and your foot gets used to it quickly.

The upper fits true to size in length and has a medium width. The toe box is wider and taller than on the previous version, which is an improvement, but it is still a little narrower than average. Runners with wider feet should go for the wide version.

The tongue is thick and heavily padded, doing a very good job of softening lace pressure while wrapping the foot comfortably and securely for good foothold.

The heel collar is also heavily padded and structured, but not overly rigid, with a narrower cut. The sidewall of the heel collar curves down very deeply, so I found the sidewall too low, and I only felt it was secure when using the final eyelet, which was the only way I could achieve good lockdown.

The insole is very comfortable, thick enough, and not glued in, so you can easily replace it.

Nike Pegasus 42 running shoe midsole

The Nike Pegasus 42 running shoe midsole consists of two parts: a flexible, lively ReactX foam made from TPE material, and an Air Zoom unit that runs through the full length of the midsole. This is a major change compared to the previous version, where there were separate Air Zoom units in the heel and forefoot. However, it is very important to note 2 things about this new full-length Air Zoom unit:

1. It is not as thick as the separate Air Zoom units in the previous version, so you feel it less
2. It is not as thick as the full-length Air Zoom unit found in the Pegasus Premium midsole, which is also clearly visible from the outside

You feel this Air Zoom unit more like a plate that helps with toe-off than like a classic Air Zoom unit. However, there is one very positive aspect to making this Air Zoom unit thinner: the ReactX foam became 3 mm thicker, which was badly needed, especially in the forefoot of the midsole. The forefoot of the Nike Pegasus 42 running shoe midsole feels much livelier and more dynamic than in the previous version. This is further helped by the change in midsole geometry, with a more aggressive rocker that makes transitions quicker while running. Because Nike achieved the 3 mm increase in ReactX foam by making the Air Zoom unit thinner, the overall midsole stack height remains unchanged at 37 mm in the heel and 27 mm in the forefoot.

The midsole is wide enough for its height, so the shoe has good stability. The full-length Air Zoom unit improves this even more by adding some stiffness to the shoe. Torsional rigidity has noticeably increased compared to the previous version, which I think is a positive change while running.

The midsole works best for easy and moderately paced runs; it does not have enough snap for fast running. Cushioning is good, but a 37 mm midsole is no longer considered especially high by today’s standards, so if you are looking for a shoe for longer runs, the Vomero 18 may be a better option within the brand.

I also tried it for all-day wear and really liked it: soft enough, but not overly soft, and it does not feel stiff at all

Nike Pegasus 42 running shoe outsole

The Nike Pegasus 42 running shoe outsole is made from a firmer rubber compound, which gives it good wear resistance. Durability is further improved by the fact that the outsole is also thicker than average. At the same time, outsole coverage has been reduced, mainly in the heel, so the midsole is less protected there. Nike compensates for the potentially negative effect of the firmer rubber compound and reduced coverage on grip with the tread pattern. The small rubber lugs provide very good traction on dry ground, while wet-surface grip is average. One positive effect of the outsole being more segmented and covering a smaller part of the midsole is that it reduces weight and lowers the stiffness of the sole unit. Both changes were necessary, because the Air Zoom unit is both stiffer and heavier than ReactX foam would be in its place, so the two changes offset each other.

What is it like to run in the Nike Pegasus 42 running shoe?

Cushioning and midsole

The midsole of the Nike Pegasus 42 running shoe cannot be considered tall by today’s standards, but it provides enough cushioning up to the half marathon distance. Most of the midsole is made from ReactX foam, which is balanced, neither soft nor firm. It is not the most advanced or most dynamic foam, but it still has some life to it. Inside the midsole there is a thinner full-length Air Zoom unit, which adds less softness because it is a thinner Air Zoom. It works more like a plastic plate: it gives the midsole structure and support, and helps with toe-off.

Stability and ride

Because the Nike Pegasus 42 does not have an overly tall midsole, but is average in width, its stability is good. Stability is further helped by the fact that ReactX is only moderately soft, while the Air Zoom unit also gives the foam some support and stiffness.

Upper and comfort

The upper of the Nike Pegasus 42 running shoe is clearly optimized for comfort. The tongue is heavily padded and holds the foot comfortably, there is a softer double-layer mesh at the front, and the inner layer behaves like an internal bootie. The heel collar is also heavily padded, so that part is comfortable as well.

Landing feel and traction

Because the Pegasus 42 running shoe has a higher-than-average drop at 10 mm, it primarily encourages heel striking. The midsole does not start to curve early either at the front or the rear, so a large surface area contacts the ground. Thanks to the curved geometry, transitions feel smooth and pleasant. The outsole is made from a firmer rubber compound, but the tread is deep and there are small rubber lugs on the outsole, so the shoe grips well on dry surfaces, while wet-surface grip is average.

Pace and dynamism

The Nike Pegasus 42 running shoe is not built for fast running. It has enough pop for the occasional faster section, but this is not the shoe in which you are going to break your personal records. You can take it on the occasional moderately paced run, but it is mainly intended for lower-intensity running.

Long run vs tempo vs training

The Nike Pegasus 42 running shoe is a versatile daily trainer that works well for general runs for most runners, but it is not the best choice for either longer runs or faster runs. Nike itself communicates this as well: for faster runs it recommends the Pegasus Plus running shoe, while for longer, more comfortable runs it recommends the Pegasus Premium running shoe or the Vomero.

Who the Nike Pegasus 42 running shoe is recommended for – and who it is not

If you are looking for an all-purpose running shoe for runs that are neither especially long nor especially fast, the Nike Pegasus 42 can be a good choice. It is excellent for all-day wear and also feels good for walking. It is a good option for beginner runners, and it can also be a good choice for heavier or overweight runners.

If you are looking for a shoe for your fast workouts, the Nike Pegasus 42 will not be a good choice, because it is less dynamic. If you want a running shoe for longer runs, the Pegasus 42 is also not the best option, because it does not offer especially high cushioning. If you are looking for a lightweight running shoe, the Pegasus 42 is not your shoe, because it is considered heavy within its category.

What changed compared to the previous version? Nike Pegasus 42 running shoe vs Pegasus 41.

A lot changed on the Pegasus 42 compared to the previous version. Unfortunately, it did not become lighter than the Pegasus 41 running shoe, even though many people expected that; in fact, it became slightly heavier.

The upper remains very comfortable, but for the delight of many runners the shoe also became wider and taller in the toe area.

The midsole received a full-length Air Zoom unit. In the previous version, there were separate but thicker Air Zoom units in the heel and the forefoot. Because the Air Zoom unit is thinner in the Pegasus 42, there is 3 mm more ReactX foam without increasing the overall stack height, which made the shoe softer and more dynamic. The midsole geometry also changed, becoming slightly more rockered in the forefoot, and transitions became quicker.

The outsole layout changed completely on the new Pegasus 42. It became more segmented and covers a smaller area of the midsole. Thanks to the reduced coverage, the outsole became lighter and stiffens the midsole less. Grip did not become worse, because the tread pattern was changed and it now has many small rubber lugs to bite into the ground well.

Alternatives to the Nike Pegasus 42 running shoe – comparison

If you are looking for a running shoe similar to the Nike Pegasus 42, the following alternatives are worth considering:

• Asics Gel-Cumulus 28: it has a slightly taller midsole and is also lighter, but similarly serves as a versatile all-purpose running shoe
• Adidas Supernova Rise 3: it has a similar midsole height, but a lower drop, is a little lighter, and is similarly a comfortable, versatile running shoe
• Brooks Ghost 18: it also has a 10 mm drop and a similar midsole height. It is a comfortable, versatile running shoe
• Mizuno Wave Rider 29: its midsole height and drop are very similar, but it has a somewhat more dynamic, bouncier midsole
• Puma Velocity Nitro 4: it has a similar midsole height, but is 50 grams lighter and is a somewhat more dynamic running shoe
• Saucony Ride 19: it has a wider platform, a similar midsole height, and is also a versatile, comfortable running shoe

Is there a difference between the men’s and women’s Nike Pegasus 42 running shoe?

Nike often builds women’s shoes on a different last than the men’s version of the same model. In the case of the Pegasus 42, there is no claim or information suggesting that. Structurally, the women’s Nike Pegasus 42 running shoe is the same as the men’s version. According to the official weight figures, the women’s Pegasus 42 weighs 243 grams in EU size 39, while the men’s version weighs 300 grams, but this difference may simply come from the size difference.