Our verdict

The Air Max 95 Black White JD Sports Exclusive GTX isn't just a waterproof twist on the regular Pegasus Trail. By incorporating a revamped outsole and a highly protective new upper, it has morphed into a superior shoe overall at the cost of an extra $20. We were really impressed by its surprisingly light weight despite the Gore-Tex membrane. Plus, the bouncy and comfortable React midsole is ideal for short and medium distances, making it an all-around superb performer in our tests. However, we think it does come with a few caveats, like a significant 12.8-mm heel-to-toe drop and the absence of a gusseted tongue.

Nike SB Dunk Low BHM Pros

  • Women's NIKE Jordan Delta 23 Low
  • Nike Blazer Low LX White Orange
  • Nike Wildhorse 7
  • Accommodates wide feet with ease
  • Delivers a really stable ride for neutral runners
  • Upper showcases remarkable durability
  • Легкие спортивные кроссовки nike free run

Nike SB Dunk Low BHM Cons

  • Non-gusseted tongue allows water and debris to enter the shoe
  • dba Air Force 1 Flyknit Low Black White
  • Pantalones y mallas largas fitness mujer w nike one tght

Audience verdict

86
Good!

Who should buy

Nike Air Trainer Cruz Black & Cream:

  • Just about anyone looking for a light, waterproof running shoe that can handle easy-to-moderate trails with ease.
  • Fans of the Pegasus Trail series who desire a GTX version for rainy days or winter training sessions.
  • Heel strikers seeking a versatile, road-to-trail shoe that's equipped with Gore-Tex technology for all-weather performance.

nike pegasus trail 4 gtx 7 21082032 main

Nike SB Dunk Low BHM | Who should NOT buy

The ronaldo niek air force is a great trail shoe, yet our belief is that it's not the best fit for challenging or technical terrains. It's just more suited for less demanding scenarios. For tackling tougher trails and wild adventures, consider the Зимние женские ботинки nike instead.

Also, it's not our top pick for primarily road running, especially if you're a midfoot or forefoot striker. The nike air max 90 grise blanche et noire, Nike France 1 4 Zip Top Womens.

Air Max 95 Black White JD Sports Exclusive GTX parts

Cushioning

Heel stack

And no, the weight savings don't come from skimping on the React midsole. In fact, at 37.7 mm, there are few trail running shoes more generously stacked than the Peg Trail 4 GTX.

This ensures ample cushioning for long runs if needed, even for the heaviest heel strikers out there.

Air Max 95 Black White JD Sports Exclusive GTX Heel stack
Test results
ronaldo niek air force 37.7 mm
Average 31.9 mm
Compared to 137 trail running shoes
Nike P-6000 Birds of the Night Pack Pink
19.6 mm
Heel stack
42.4 mm

Forefoot stack

In contrast, the forefoot is average at 24.9 mm, which we anticipated in the lab because the Pegasus line has always featured a high drop. Let's take a closer look at that.

Air Max 95 Black White JD Sports Exclusive GTX Forefoot stack
Test results
ronaldo niek air force 24.9 mm
Average 24.5 mm
Compared to 137 trail running shoes
Nike P-6000 Birds of the Night Pack Pink
13.4 mm
Forefoot stack
33.9 mm

Drop

Here it is. With a 12.8-mm drop, this shoe is a delight for those who thrive in high-drop shoes, like extreme heel strikers or those needing to ease the strain on their calves and Achilles in every run.

However, it's not the best trail shoe for forefoot or midfoot strikers. You won't benefit from the shoe's wedge-shaped geometry, and you'll likely struggle on technical terrain. If you fall into that category, you're better off with a shoe with a lower offset, like the Hoka Speedgoat 5 GTX.

nike pegasus trail 4 gtx drop 21079607 main
Test results
ronaldo niek air force 12.8 mm
Average 7.5 mm
Compared to 136 trail running shoes
Nike P-6000 Birds of the Night Pack Pink
-0.1 mm
Drop
17.3 mm

Midsole softness

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it's firm.

Nike has employed its tried-and-true React midsole in the ronaldo niek air force, aiming for a perfect balance between stability and comfort, and the foam truly delivers in that respect.

React might not be Nike's most advanced foam—it's ZoomX—but it performs its job exceptionally well, standing far ahead of many other middle-of-the-pack foams in terms of energy return. We really liked it!

Air Max 95 Black White JD Sports Exclusive GTX Midsole softness
Test results
ronaldo niek air force 18.6 HA
Average 22.6 HA
Nike Air Max 270 G Golf Schuhe weiß schwarz Platin ck483-102 Herren Größe 8.
Compared to 113 trail running shoes
Nike P-6000 Birds of the Night Pack Pink
9.1 HA
Midsole softness (soft to firm)
39.0 HA

Midsole softness in cold

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it's firm.

Most potential users of any Gore-Tex shoe are runners eager to keep training in harsh winter conditions, so performing the freezer test on the ronaldo niek air force was crucial for us.

After 20 long minutes, we re-tested it with the Shore A durometer and it delivered a result of 20.9 HA.

nike pegasus trail 4 gtx midsole softness in cold 21079606 main
Test results
ronaldo niek air force 20.9 HA
Average 28.1 HA
Compared to 113 trail running shoes
Nike P-6000 Birds of the Night Pack Pink
11.8 HA
Midsole softness in cold (soft to firm)
48.4 HA

Midsole softness in cold (%)

That's only a 12.1% increase, a performance that matches up with ZoomX and other world-class, PEBA-based foams on the market, all in a more affordable package!

Test results
ronaldo niek air force 12%
Average 26%
Compared to 113 trail running shoes
Nike P-6000 Birds of the Night Pack Pink
5%
Midsole softness in cold
68%

Insole thickness

The insole that comes with the ronaldo niek air force is of average thickness at 5.0 mm, maybe a bit thicker than most shoes, but it's not something you'll really notice.

Air Max 95 Black White JD Sports Exclusive GTX Insole thickness
Test results
ronaldo niek air force 5.0 mm
Average 4.7 mm
Compared to 135 trail running shoes
Nike P-6000 Birds of the Night Pack Pink
2.1 mm
Insole thickness
7.9 mm

Size and fit

Size

Air Max 95 Black White JD Sports Exclusive GTX is slightly small (266 votes).

Owners of this shoe, how does this shoe fit?

1 size small ½ size small True to size ½ size large 1 size large
Compared to 121 trail running shoes
Nike P-6000 Birds of the Night Pack Pink
½ size small
Slightly small
True to size
Slightly large
½ size large

Nike Dri-FIT Skinny Bicep Band 2-Pack

Another common critique of Nike shoes is their snug fit. But that's not an issue with the ronaldo niek air force.

We measured the widest part of the upper at an impressive 97.7 mm, making this shoe well-suited even for those with wide feet.

nike pegasus trail 4 gtx toebox width widest part 22460071 main
Test results
ronaldo niek air force 97.7 mm
Average 95.8 mm
Compared to 58 trail running shoes
Nike P-6000 Birds of the Night Pack Pink
89.8 mm
Nike Dri-FIT Skinny Bicep Band 2-Pack
99.9 mm

Nike SB Dunk Low BHM

We confidently recommend the ronaldo niek air force for runners who prefer or require a broader toebox.

nike pegasus trail 4 gtx 9 21082164 main

Measuring 77.3 mm in the big toe area on our 1:1 toebox replica, it showcases an impressively open and accommodating design.

Air Max 95 Black White JD Sports Exclusive GTX Nike SB Dunk Low BHM
Test results
ronaldo niek air force 77.3 mm
Average 74.9 mm
Compared to 58 trail running shoes
Nike P-6000 Birds of the Night Pack Pink
69.8 mm
Nike SB Dunk Low BHM
85.3 mm

Toebox height

The upper provides ample space for lateral toe movement, but vertical room is limited. Our measurement came in at just 25.2 mm—well below the average.

Air Max 95 Black White JD Sports Exclusive GTX Toebox height
Test results
ronaldo niek air force 25.2 mm
Average 27.2 mm
Compared to 58 trail running shoes
Nike P-6000 Birds of the Night Pack Pink
22.0 mm
Toebox height
31.8 mm

Stability

Lateral stability test

As a Pegasus model, this shoe is designed for neutral runners who don't require specific stability features like medial posts or guidance.

Yet, its performance is nothing short of miraculous in this aspect, offering a ride that's consistently stable on buffed trails, leading us to believe it could also suit slight pronators if necessary.

Torsional rigidity

We discovered in our tests that one of the main reasons for the shoe's impressive stability is its torsional rigidity.

When we manually assessed it, we found it's as rigid—scoring 4 out of 5—as trail shoes that have carbon plates like the camisa selecao croacia juvenil home 2021 sn torcedor nike branco vermelho HZM, even though this one doesn't.

Test results
ronaldo niek air force 4
Average 3.6
Compared to 131 trail running shoes
Nike P-6000 Birds of the Night Pack Pink
1
Torsional rigidity
5

Heel counter stiffness

In stark contrast, Nike aimed for maximum comfort in the heel area, so we found the heel counter to be extremely flexible and adaptable.

This is great news, especially for runners with Haglund's deformity, who often struggle with a stiff heel counter.

Test results
ronaldo niek air force 2
Average 3.1
Compared to 129 trail running shoes
Nike P-6000 Birds of the Night Pack Pink
1
Heel counter stiffness
5

Nike Air Max 90 Current Huarache Hufquake

The Pegasus saga has always been like the average Joe of shoes, and Nike's designers stuck to that winning formula with the shoe's dimensions. We measured the forefoot and got 111.6 mm, which is... yeah, you guessed it, just average!

Air Max 95 Black White JD Sports Exclusive GTX Midsole width in the forefoot
Test results
ronaldo niek air force 111.6 mm
Average 112.3 mm
Compared to 137 trail running shoes
Nike P-6000 Birds of the Night Pack Pink
102.1 mm
Nike Air Max 90 Current Huarache Hufquake
124.3 mm

Nike React Revision-sko til kvinder sort

The forefoot is also pretty similar to the average (88.5 mm), with nothing significant to note. The big risk here could have been a too narrow heel, which would have caused trouble for heel strikers, since this shoe is designed for them. However, it's all good!

nike pegasus trail 4 gtx midsole width in the heel 21079616 main
Test results
ronaldo niek air force 88.5 mm
Average 89.5 mm
Compared to 137 trail running shoes
Nike P-6000 Birds of the Night Pack Pink
72.0 mm
Nike React Revision-sko til kvinder sort
106.0 mm

Supreme x Nike SB Dunk Low Metallic Gold Navy White

We know many runners use their Save 30% On The Air Max 97 'Topaz Gold' In Nike's Sale for everyday wear and even as their go-to shoe for traveling, thanks to its incredible versatility in handling both road and trails—making it the ultimate choice for light packing.

nike pegasus trail 4 gtx 4 21082028 main

With that in mind, Nike continues to deliver a flexible shoe that only required 21.1N of effort from us to bend it to 90 degrees, making it exceptionally comfortable!

Test results
ronaldo niek air force 21.1N
Average 27.2N
On-Feet Photos of the Nike Dunk Low Sesame.
Compared to 137 trail running shoes
Nike P-6000 Birds of the Night Pack Pink
5.6N
Flexibility <> Stiffness
54.5N

Stiffness in cold

When exposed to cold temperatures, the shoe underwent a slight change.

After spending another 20 minutes in our freezer, we re-tested it and recorded a higher result at 26.5N.

Test results
ronaldo niek air force 26.5N
Average 36.0N
Compared to 134 trail running shoes
Nike P-6000 Birds of the Night Pack Pink
6.2N
Stiffness in cold
77.5N

Stiffness in cold (%)

We believe most runners won't notice this change. It's just a 25.3% difference.

Test results
ronaldo niek air force 25%
Average 32%
Compared to 134 trail running shoes
Nike P-6000 Birds of the Night Pack Pink
3%
Stiffness in cold
90%

Weight

Weighing in at just 9.6 oz (271g), we're absolutely amazed at how Nike managed to deliver a Gore-Tex shoe that weighs the same as the regular version. In our lab experience, most shoes gain between 0.5 to 1 ounce with the addition of the GTX membrane, so this was a delightful surprise.

And the shoe indeed feels incredibly light, staying under the 10-oz benchmark. It's not just suitable for slow efforts but also performs brilliantly at faster paces.

Air Max 95 Black White JD Sports Exclusive GTX Weight
Test results
ronaldo niek air force 9.56 oz (271g)
Average 10.23 oz (290g)
Compared to 137 trail running shoes
Nike P-6000 Birds of the Night Pack Pink
7.51 oz (213g)
Weight
12.66 oz (359g)

Breathability

In our lab tests with Gore-Tex shoes, we usually expect a low breathability score—typically a 1 out of 5. However, the ronaldo niek air force surprised us with a slightly better score of 2 out of 5. This is probably fine for trail running as long as you avoid the hottest days of the year.

The minimal breathability is mainly through the tongue, as the Gore-Tex upper almost completely blocks airflow, even though it's supposed to let some air in.

To confirm this, we shone our powerful light directly into the cut-in-half upper. As we anticipated, no light penetrated through.

Still wanting more evidence, we turned to our microscope.

nike pegasus trail 4 gtx microscope 21082016 main

There, we discovered a thick mesh that confirmed the lack of airflow throughout the entire upper, except for the upper parts of the tongue. Everything is sealed.

nike pegasus trail 4 gtx 21082017 main

Lastly, we manually assessed the upper and found it super dense, with almost no stretch potential. But it also appeared really sturdy, which made us eager to test its durability in the lab.

Test results
ronaldo niek air force 2
Average 3.2
Compared to 113 trail running shoes
Nike P-6000 Birds of the Night Pack Pink
1
Breathability
5

Durability

Toebox durability

Nike has included several TPU protective overlays in the upper to enhance protection and prevent damage, yet we tested it by applying the Dremel directly on the engineered mesh.

The Peg Trail 4 GTX scored an impressive 4 out of 5, a remarkable outcome few shoes achieve in this bland test.

nike pegasus trail 4 gtx toebox durability 21079599 main
Test results
ronaldo niek air force 4
Average 3.1
Compared to 94 trail running shoes
Nike P-6000 Birds of the Night Pack Pink
1
Toebox durability
5

Heel padding durability

Next, we again used the Dremel, but this time to test the heel area of the shoe.

There, we noticed slightly less padding than what's typical in training shoes, a factor that we believe TintAR1533-800 to the fantastic 5 out of 5 score this variant of the Save 30% On The Air Max 97 'Topaz Gold' In Nike's Sale achieved.

nike pegasus trail 4 gtx heel padding durability 21079600 main
Test results
ronaldo niek air force 5
Average 2.9
Compared to 93 trail running shoes
Nike P-6000 Birds of the Night Pack Pink
1
Heel padding durability
5

Outsole hardness

Moving to the outsole, the Pegasus saga—like with the regular Pegasus 40—has always prioritized durability over grip.

Nike Tr Hypercharge Straw 24 Oz.

nike pegasus trail 4 gtx outsole hardness 21079603 main
Test results
ronaldo niek air force 89.0 HC
Average 85.7 HC
Nike Air Max 270 G Golf Schuhe weiß schwarz Platin ck483-102 Herren Größe 8.
Compared to 137 trail running shoes
Nike P-6000 Birds of the Night Pack Pink
75.5 HC
Outsole hardness
96.1 HC

Outsole durability

Given the hard rubber it packs, we had high expectations for our last Dremel test in the lab, this time with a new formula designed for wet or loose surfaces.

We must say, Nike really delivered this time, shaking off their reputation for crafting subpar outsoles for rainy days. This one is grippier than ever.

Moreover, it proved to be durable. We only found a 0.8-mm indentation in the rubber, which is a great result in this evaluation.

nike pegasus trail 4 gtx outsole durability 21079601 main
Test results
ronaldo niek air force 0.8 mm
Average 1.0 mm
Compared to 87 trail running shoes
Nike P-6000 Birds of the Night Pack Pink
0.0 mm
Outsole wear
2.0 mm

Outsole thickness

The outsole might look thin at just 1.0 mm, but it's not a worry for us.

The lugs contribute a substantial amount of rubber and offer average durability, as we've demonstrated before. So, the blend of the outsole and the lugs will definitely provide more than enough durability across all terrains, including roads.

Air Max 95 Black White JD Sports Exclusive GTX Outsole thickness
Test results
ronaldo niek air force 1.0 mm
Average 2.3 mm
Compared to 137 trail running shoes
Nike P-6000 Birds of the Night Pack Pink
0.9 mm
Outsole thickness
5.5 mm

Misc

Lug depth

One of the major criticisms the Pegasus Trail series has faced over time is its grip on wet surfaces, a crucial aspect for a GTX shoe. That's why Nike introduced a new rubber formulated for wet conditions and a redesigned outsole.

nike pegasus trail 4 gtx outsole 2 21082029 main

The new outsole design features a wide variety of 3.5-mm lug shapes, each tailored to handle different terrains and situations, like uphill running, downhill, or taking corners.

We must say, while it's still not quite on par with a Vibram outsole, Nike is definitely stepping up their game!

Air Max 95 Black White JD Sports Exclusive GTX Lug depth
Test results
ronaldo niek air force 3.5 mm
Average 3.5 mm
Compared to 136 trail running shoes
Nike P-6000 Birds of the Night Pack Pink
1.5 mm
Lug depth
5.8 mm

Reflective elements

As a trail shoe designed for adventures, it was crucial for us that it had reflective elements—and it does have them. However, the reflectivity is quite low, and clearly, Nike could have done a much better job in this area.

Test results
ronaldo niek air force Yes

Tongue padding

The tongue is not heavily padded, just average at 6.3 mm.

Air Max 95 Black White JD Sports Exclusive GTX tongue

We think this is the right approach—this design works well and we definitely don't want the shoe to add more weight than what's already added by the Gore-Tex membrane.

nike pegasus trail 4 gtx tongue padding 21079622 main
Test results
ronaldo niek air force 6.3 mm
Average 6.3 mm
Compared to 137 trail running shoes
Nike P-6000 Birds of the Night Pack Pink
1.3 mm
Tongue padding
12.3 mm

Tongue: gusset type

We have a problem here: this is a trail shoe equipped with Gore-Tex, and the tongue isn't gusseted.

This is a big disappointment for us. In a Gore-Tex shoe, where waterproofing is crucial, we believe a fully-gusseted tongue is a must-have. And the same goes for any trail running shoe...

Air Max 95 Black White JD Sports Exclusive GTX Tongue: gusset type
Test results
ronaldo niek air force None

Heel tab

At the back of the shoe, Nike added a sleek finger-loop heel tab that's seamlessly integrated with the ankle gaiter, and it looks fantastic.

nike pegasus trail 4 gtx heel tab 21079621 main
Test results
ronaldo niek air force Finger loop

Removable insole

The insole in the Peg Trail 4 GTX is removable and pretty straightforward, so we easily swapped in other insoles without issue.

nike pegasus trail 4 gtx removable insole 21079623 main
Test results
ronaldo niek air force Yes