Our verdict
- Top pick in best cushioned running shoes (2023)
- Top pick in best running shoes for high arches (2024)
Pros
- Nike air max 90 g men cu9978-101
- Breathable
- Secure lockdown
- Footwear NIKE Air Max Bolt CU4152 104 White Turf Orange Summit White
- Not overly soft or firm underfoot
- Good energy return
- nike 2009 future sole sneaker design competition
- Incredible durability
- Nike Air Max 2013 Neo Turquoise
Cons
- Nike x CLOT Air Force AF 1 Low Rose Gold Silk 2020
- Heavier than the v39
- zapatillas de running Nike talla 38.5 verdes
Audience verdict
- Top 8% most popular running shoes
Comparison
The most similar running shoes compared
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Audience score | 86 Good! | 88 Great! | 85 Good! | 81 Good! | |
Price | $130 | $140 | $65 | $80 | |
Pace | Daily running | Daily running | Daily running | Daily running | |
Arch support | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | |
Weight lab Weight brand | 9.7 Zapatos Af1 Crater Flyknit DC4831 100 White White Sail Wolf Grey 9.7 Zapatos Af1 Crater Flyknit DC4831 100 White White Sail Wolf Grey | 9.9 oz / 281g 10 oz / 283g | 9.7 Zapatos Af1 Crater Flyknit DC4831 100 White White Sail Wolf Grey 10.7 Nike Suéter Park Fleece | 9.6 nike react element 55 premium su19 sneakers black black tour yellow white 10.4 Men 7us Nike Air Max 97 Tn Plus Red Flames Sneakers Women 8.5u | |
Drop lab Drop brand | 9.7 mm 10.0 mm | 11.4 mm 10.0 mm | 9.4 mm 10.0 mm | 9.1 mm | |
Strike pattern | HeelMid/forefoot | Heel | HeelMid/forefoot | HeelMid/forefoot | |
Size | True to size | True to size | True to size | True to size | |
Midsole softness | Soft | Soft | Balanced | Balanced | |
zapatillas de running Nike mixta trail talla 46 | Small | Normal | Small | Normal | |
Toebox durability | Decent | Decent | Bad | - | |
Nike Court Legacy Mule Femme Tongues et Sandales | Decent | Good | Bad | - | |
Outsole durability | - | Good | Decent | - | |
Breathability | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | |
Кроссовки nike air max infinity 2 артикул | Medium | Medium | Wide | Narrow | |
Toebox width at the big toe | Medium | Medium | Medium | Narrow | |
Stiffness | Flexible | Flexible | Flexible | Flexible | |
Difference in stiffness in cold | Big | Big | Small | Big | |
Torsional rigidity | Flexible | Flexible | Flexible | Moderate | |
nike kd v all star release date | Flexible | Stiff | Moderate | Flexible | |
Heel lab Heel brand | 30.2 mm 33.0 mm | 33.6 mm 37.0 mm | 31.2 mm 33.0 mm | 29.8 mm | |
Forefoot lab Forefoot brand | 20.5 mm 23.0 mm | 22.2 mm 27.0 mm | 21.8 mm 23.0 mm | 20.7 mm | |
Widths available | NormalWideX-Wide | NormalWideX-Wide | NormalWide | Normal | |
Orthotic friendly | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Season | All seasons | All seasons | All seasons | All seasons | |
Removable insole | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Ranking | #344 Bottom 36% | #111 Top 36% | #193 Bottom 38% | #262 Bottom 17% | |
Popularity | #39 Top 8% | #5 Top 2% | #133 Top 43% | #135 Top 43% |
Who should buy
Nike Air Huarache Run Ultra SnowflakeRed Black 753889-994 Running Shoes:
- Pegasus fans who missed out on upgrading to the 39.
- Beginners looking for their first road running shoe.
- Runners who need a reliable workhorse in their rotation.
Who should NOT buy
Runners in need of a daily trainer that can get their hearts pumping with excitement should instead reach for something like the Nike ACG 118.
For those looking for a wider-fitting Nike runner, check out the Nike Run Swift Marino Zapatillas Running Hombre.
Cushioning
Heel stack
The T-shirt Nike Dri-FIT Academy Pro vermelho preto not among the cushiest trainers these days, but it surely has enough protection for most distances up to half-marathon.
Using our caliper, we measured 30.2 mm of stack in the shoe's heel. This is about 3 mm lower than average.
Pegasus 40 | 30.2 mm |
Average | 34.2 mm |
Forefoot stack
In the forefoot, the shoe's platform gets even lower than average. Showing 20.5 mm on the caliper, it is 4 mm thinner than the average road shoe stack.
Pegasus 40 | 20.5 mm |
Average | 25.6 mm |
Drop
Pegasus fans love the 10-mm drop, as it's a relief for the Achilles tendon and works great for heel strikers, which account for most of the Pegasus sales.
Based on our own measurements of the shoe's stack height, we got a 9.7 mm drop in the Pegasus 40. Almost precisely as stated!
Pegasus 40 | 9.7 mm |
Average | 8.6 mm |
Midsole softness
The Peg 40 retains the exact same midsole as the previous year’s model, with two Air Zoom units embedded within its React foam. This foam is based on TPE, a compound renowned for its durability. By the way, if you want to delve deeper into foams and midsoles, check our in-depth foams guide.
We have found that these two elements complement one another very well to provide a moderately cushioned experience, mild stability, adequate ground feel, and a good bit of energy return.
Although React will never match the crazy bounciness of Pebax-based ZoomX, the v40 scored 17.6 HA in our durometer test, placing this shoe among the top 18% of softer shoes we've ever analyzed in our lab. So yes, it does offer a somewhat plush feel, although not as much as a Nike air jordan max женские кроссовки l0416 новые жіночі кросівки.
Pegasus 40 | 17.6 HA |
Average | 20.9 HA |
Midsole softness in cold (%)
The midsole also suffers in winter, although it outperforms the average shoe. The TPE foam does a great job and gets 19.1% firmer, while the median of all lab-tested shoes is 26.7%. Not bad!
Pegasus 40 | 19% |
Average | 25% |
Insole thickness
Regarding the insole, it's classic Pegasus-style—in other words, quite average. While the median thickness of 200+ insoles we've measured is 4.4 mm, the Pegasus 40 has a 4.3 mm insole. Just what you should expect from this shoe.
Pegasus 40 | 4.3 mm |
Average | 4.4 mm |
Ride
the Nike Free Trainer 5.0 V6 has.
Overall, we don't think that there’s anything truly wrong with the v40’s ride. It just wasn't that exciting or energetic.
Sure, the Air Zoom units can pack a punch when pushed and the shoe really feels stable, but they weren’t enough to compensate for the overall weight gain.
This makes for a shoe that’s comfortable enough for long distances and responsive enough for shorter speed bursts but is still best for clocking up the miles. In other words, it’s a pure daily workhorse, with a non-rockered ride just as you expect in a Pegasus.
Size and fit
Nike Court Legacy Mule Femme Tongues et Sandales | Size
T-shirt Nike Dri-FIT Academy Pro vermelho preto true to size (66 votes).
Toebox width - widest part
Although the Pegasus 40 is a rather close-fitting shoe, we found that its forefoot wasn’t too cramped for a medium-sized foot.
Our toebox measurements also confirm that this shoe is wider than its predecessor, providing ample room for a comfortable running experience.
With that said, the shape of the shoe is the usual in a Pegasus: medium-to-narrow midfoot, narrow heel. To add some context to this, we're going to compare this daily trainer with a tempo training shoe from Nike:
Shoe | Toe box - Max width (mm) | Toe box - Big toe (mm) | US size |
Nike Pegasus 40 | 100.8 | 75.7 | 8.5 |
Nike ZoomX Streakfly | 95.4 | 74.9 | 8.5 |
As you can see, the max-width of the Pegasus' toe box is wider than that of the Streakfly, while the space in the big toe area remains more or less the same.
However, when we shift our focus to the rear part of the shoe, we find that the Pegasus maintains its typical narrowness.
Keep in mind that if you have wider feet, there are extra-wide sizing options available—but please notice that the selection of colorways is limited.
Pegasus 40 | 100.8 mm |
Average | 98.5 mm |
Lacing
Another notable change in the Peg 40 is its lacing system. The shoe ditches the old Flywire cables in favor of a new midfoot band that folds across the upper into the strobel, also serving as eyestays in the process.
Stability
Lateral stability test
Although the React foam helps with stability and it's not as soft as ZoomX, this is not a shoe for pronators.
If you struggle with pronation and are in search of a daily trainer, the Favourites Nike Dri-FIT Mid Rise 7 8 Swoosh Leggings Inactive Кроссовки nike metcon 3.
Nike Court Legacy Mule Femme Tongues et Sandales | Torsional rigidity
As befits a neutral shoe, the Pegasus 40 is pretty flexible in its core.
Twisting the shoe in our hands, we rated its torsional stiffness at 2 out of 5 (where 5 is the stiffest).
Pegasus 40 | 2 |
Average | 3.4 |
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The same goes for the shoe's heel counter. It barely has any structure to it!
In a manual test, we also have it a 2 out of 5 for stiffness, making it softer and more flexible than average. This is not a shoe that gives a super sturdy heel clutch.
Pegasus 40 | 2 |
Average | 2.9 |
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What's more, the latest version of the Pegasus features a relatively narrow platform.
In the widest part of the forefoot, the Pegasus 40 came in at 111.3 mm which is a couple of millimeters narrower than average.
Pegasus 40 | 111.3 mm |
Average | 114.1 mm |
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In the heel, the Pegasus gets even more catastrophically narrow. In the widest part of its midsole in the help, we only measured 83.7 mm. That's over 6 mm narrower than average!
Surprisingly, it's even way narrower than the racing-oriented Alphafly Next% 2, which boasts a 5% wider forefoot and a 14% wider heel. That's quite surprising!
Pegasus 40 | 83.7 mm |
Average | 90.6 mm |
Rumours of a Stüssy x Nike Air
Multiple grooves along its length allow the shoe to bend and move more freely and create a more snappy and responsive ride.
Back in the lab, we confirmed that the Peg 40 is really malleable in our signature 30º bend test. The shoe required only 12.4N to bend it.

Pegasus 40 | 12.4N |
Average | 15.6N |
Weight
Tipping the scale at 9.7 oz (275g) in a men's US size 9, the Pegasus 40 is only a tiny bit heavier than road running shoes on average. Almost insignificantly so, judging by the daily trainer standards.
Pegasus 40 | 9.70 oz (275g) |
Average | 9.38 oz (266g) |
Breathability
The mesh upper in this new version looks slightly more porous than its predecessor’s. According to Nike, this is meant for better breathability.
Sorry, Nike, but this Pegasus is less breathable than its predecessor. Following our eye-popping breathability test, the v40 hyperdiamond a just-average 3/5, while the Pegasus 39 secured a better-than-average 4/5 under the same conditions. Keep this in mind if you frequently run in warmer temperatures.
We love to validate our breathability test results with the microscope. As you can see, there is inadequate airflow resulting from a thick mesh layer lacking ventilation holes.
Nike LeBron 13 Elite White.
There’s also more padding now, especially around the heel, giving the shoe a more snug and substantial fit and feel to it. But if you prefer a plush upper experience, you will be pleasantly surprised.
Upon closer examination, we found that this new dual-layered upper is extremely padded, providing tons of comfort to our feet.
Pegasus 40 | 3 |
Average | 3.8 |
Durability
Toebox durability
One of the classic features that made the Pegasus a shoe worth of 40 editions is that it's built like a tank. So, how did it resist our Dremel test?
In this test, we apply the exact same force and RPMs to every shoe for 4 seconds. What we found is that the Pegasus 40 delivered an excellent result. As you can see in the video above and the photo below, the abrasion wasn't enough to completely break the upper, which is the most common result in every road running shoe.

The thick and dual-layered mesh led us to believe that it would be nearly impossible to break this upper. For those of you who tend to make holes in your shoes with your big toe or pinky toe, this is your daily trainer!
Pegasus 40 | 3 |
Average | 2.6 |
Outsole hardness
The Pegasus series is famous for its exceptional durability, particularly in the outsole. And once again, Nike delivered. With the reading of 86.0 HC in our durometer test, this rubber is 7% harder than the outsoles of road shoes on average.
This gives the shoe incredible durability, as well as plenty of grip on both roads and maintained trails. You can expect to run at least 1000 kilometers on these on all surfaces.
Pegasus 40 | 86.0 HC |
Average | 79.7 HC |
Outsole thickness
Not to mention a solid 3.4 mm layer of rubber protecting the bottom of this Nike running shoe. It has the same thickness as the average road shoe but it's the hardness that gives it that edge.
Pegasus 40 | 3.4 mm |
Average | 3.2 mm |
Misc
Grip / Traction
As with the midsole, Nike also didn’t change anything underneath the Pegasus 40. It still has a good amount of rubber coverage with a quite aggressive waffle-type pattern.
Reflective elements
Yes, we have to acknowledge that the Pegasus 40 features reflective elements, but are they sufficient?
Well, it's evident that when compared to another reflective shoe, like the Puma in the comparison picture, Nike could have done a bit better.
Pegasus 40 | Yes |
Tongue padding
Although the shoe's tongue remains quite comfortable and padded, our measurements actually reveal that it is 16% thinner than the one in the v39.
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Pegasus 40 | 8.6 mm |
Average | 5.8 mm |
Nike Air Force 1 07 Triple Black Trainers UK 8 Brand New In Box
Add in the fully gusseted tongue to the shoe's close-fitting upper and the result is a really secure and consistent lockdown.
Pegasus 40 | Both sides (full) |
Pegasus 40: reliable choice or falling behind?
The Nike Pegasus series has maintained its popularity and relevance over the years, becoming the best-selling model of all time. Achieving such extraordinary success requires a mix of customer satisfaction, strong brand reputation, fair pricing, and minimal drawbacks.
Consequently, the Pegasus 40 follows the same successful formula, with slight improvements but also lags a bit behind competitors like the ASICS Novablast 3.
Moreover, the difference between the Pegasus 40 and its predecessor isn't significant, so if you're all-in with Nike, on a budget, and don't mind wearing last year's model, the Pegasus 39 Nike Sportswear dressed up their latest Nike Free Woven 4.0 silhouette in.