Nike Pegasus Trail 5 trail running shoes

The Nike Pegasus Trail 5 trail running shoe is a versatile, comfortable shoe that Nike has designed as a hybrid asphalt and trail running shoe. As intended, the Pegasus Trail 5 trail running shoe can actually be used for both trail and road runs, making it suitable for those who run on mixed terrain and asphalt and don’t want to buy separate road and trail running shoes. Accordingly, the shoe has its limitations, it may not be suitable for difficult, technical terrain, and it won’t be the shoe you’ll be breaking time records on asphalt, but it can really be used on both types of ground. There are a lot of changes in the new version and compared to the previous version, a lot has changed in the running experience in the new Nike Pegasus Trail 5 trail running shoe.

Nike Pegasus Trail 5 upper

The upper of the Nike Pegasus Trail 5 trail running shoe is made from a reinforced mesh material that, despite being thick and cushioned, has good breathability. Large ventilation holes placed at different points of the upper allow for good breathability. The upper is made with FlyWire technology, which means that the laces are attached to carbon fibres, and these very strong carbon fibres run under the midfoot, so that the upper holds the foot better and more securely. The upper is wide, so it can provide comfort for those with wide feet, but those with narrow feet will need to tighten the laces firmly to keep the foot secure on the ground. The tongue of the shoe is thick, wide and cushioned, which not only provides maximum comfort but also protects against debris. The heel collar is moderately stiff and heavily padded, so it keeps the foot very well supported.

Nike Pegasus Trail 5 midfoot

The Nike Pegasus Trail 5 trail running shoe midsole is made from ReactX foam, a change from the previous version which had a React foam midsole. The ReactX is more dynamic, softer, more fun, but less stable due to its softness. The use of softer, more dynamic foam is understandable, as this shoe is also intended by Nike for running on asphalt, but it is a compromise, as it means that the shoe loses important stability on the trail. The midfoot is high, 37mm at the heel and 27.5mm under the toes. The midfoot is clearly more dynamic and softer at the heel, while the toes are less so. If the shoe didn’t have such a big drop, and was a few millimetres higher at the toes, it would improve the dynamics of the shoe, and perhaps make it better on the ground. On lighter terrain, however, the midsole performs very well, has good dynamics and is durable enough to run marathons.

Nike Pegasus Trail 5 outsole

The Nike Pegasus Trail 5 trail running shoe outer sole is made from Nike’s proprietary ATC (All Terrain Compound) rubber compound. The outsole material has very good grip, even on wet rocky ground. The outsole covers a large part of the midsole, providing protection and some stiffening to the sole of the shoe. The rubber spikes are 3.5 mm thick and the rubber between the spikes is roughened to make it harder for wet mud to stick. Although the midsole is not ideal for running on more technical terrain, the grip of the outsole would make the shoe suitable for running on more technical terrain. The durability of the outsole is questionable, especially considering that Nike also intended this shoe for running on asphalt. Nike claims that the outsole’s wear resistance is good, but this depends heavily on the surface you run on. The rubber compound that the outsole is made from is medium hard so theoretically the wear is medium good, but the outsole of a trail running shoe tends to wear faster on asphalt.

Summary

Overall, the Nike Pegasus Trail 5 trail running shoe is a versatile, comfortable trail running shoe that’s best suited for easier terrain up to longer runs, but if the trail to the trailhead is asphalt, you can run on that in the shoe. The upper is well ventilated and comfortable, the midsole is dynamic and soft but less stable, the outsole has very good traction. Because of its versatility, the Nike Pegasus Trail 5 trail running shoe is a good value for money.