Written by

Brandon Law

Marathon Runner and Shoe Expert
The Pegasus is the oldest running shoe series. Every now again, there's a new Pegasus spinoff series designed to breathe new life into the franchise. This is a comparison of the new Pegasus Premium and the standard Pegasus 41.
Nike Pegasus Premium vs Nike Pegasus

The Pegasus Premium is the brand new, top-of-the-range Pegasus super trainer. It consists of Nike's most advanced technologies and it comes with a jaw-dropping $210 price tag.

The Pegasus 41 is the classic mid-range, neutral daily trainer in the Nike range. It's the entry level trainer in the Nike Pegasus family of trainers and it only costs $140.

This article will tell you which Pegasus trainer is the better one for you.

Similarity and differences: Pegasus Premium vs Pegasus 41

Brand
Expert score
Expert score
7/10
Expert score
7/10
Weight
11.5 oz
10 oz
Heel Drop
10 mm
10 mm
Verdict
The Nike Pegasus Premium is a short-distance trainer that offers a surprisingly springy and enjoyable ride. However, its substantial weight of 325 grams deviates from the expected feel of a super trainer, and leans more towards the comfort and style of a lifestyle sneaker. It’s too heavy for uptempo runs and too unstable for long runs; this makes it a very niche offering and a questionable investment for serious runners considering its high price.
The Nike Pegasus 41 is a comfortable fitting, bland daily trainer best suited to relaxed runs which are short or middle-distance. It has a firmer ride than most daily trainers due to its airbag setup and while it has a new ReactX midsole, it doesn’t feel significantly different to prior versions. It also doesn’t feel more energetic than its predecessors. Version 41 has an increase in stack height which makes it one of the heaviest versions in recent years.
Recommended for
Daily training
Daily training
Cushioning type
Balanced
Balanced
Cushioning amount
Highly cushioned
Medium cushioning
Flexibility
medium
flexible
Stability
not particularly stable
some stability
Sizing
true to size
true to size
Retail price
US$209.95
US$139.95

Sole unit: Pegasus Premium vs Pegasus 41

In the Pegasus Premium there are 2 different midsole foams: ReactX and ZoomX.

  • ReactX provides the stability and durability,
  • ZoomX provides the plush step-in feel and the high energy return,
  • sandwiched in between the 2 foams is a visible, full-length, Zoom Air unit. The Zoom Air bag compresses and decompresses with each foot strike and springs you forward.

In the Pegasus 41, there is only 1 midsole foam: ReactX. ReactX is a durable and cushioned midsole foam but it doesn’t have the high level of energy return of ZoomX.

There are 2 hidden Zoom Air units in the 41, 1 in the forefoot and 1 in the heel but they aren’t as noticeable as the Zoom Air unit in the Pegasus Premium.

The ride of the Pegasus Premium is a lot more engaging and bouncier than the ride of the Pegasus 41. The Pegasus 41 has a bland, workhorse ride without much character. The Premium is all about delivering a special, unique ride whereas the 41 is all about delivering a consistent, comfortable ride for getting your runs done.

When it comes to stability, the 41 is a lot more stable. Its midsole is thinner, so your feet sit closer to the ground. Its midsole also compresses less than the Premium so there is less lean bias.

The Premium is not as durable as the 41. Its long Zoom Air unit can easily be punctured and its ZoomX foam can easily be chipped or scraped. The all-ReactX midsole and hidden air units of the 41 are much tougher and will hold up for longer than the luxury Premium.

Both trainers have signature, Pegasus waffle-pattern outsoles. The Premium uses a softer outsole rubber than the 41 which results in better traction. It also has smaller, more aggressive outsole lugs that bite into the ground better. The 41’s outsole is harder-wearing and more durable than the Premium’s.

Upper unit: Pegasus Premium vs Pegasus 41

The upper of the Premium is made of a circular knit mesh which is very thin and breathable. It has reflective elements all around the upper, resulting in excellent low-light visibility. The Pegasus Premium fits true to size but has a narrow midfoot and toe-box making it unsuitable for wide footed runners. It’s not available in additional widths.

The Pegasus 41’s upper is made from a traditional engineered mesh which feels softer but not as breathable as the Premium. It has less reflective elements and is overall more comfortable than the Premium version. It has a more roomy, more accommodating fit than the Premium and it also comes in many additional widths.

Which one to buy: Pegasus Premium vs Pegasus 41

If you’re looking for a really fun, exciting ride, the Pegasus Premium is the better trainer for you. It has a bouncy, responsive ride that propels your forward. It is however much heavier and much more expensive than the Pegasus 41. It’s not as fast as the 41 and it doesn’t do long runs as well.

If you’re looking for an everyday, no-frills trainer for getting your runs done, get the cheaper, more versatile Pegasus 41. It’s much lighter and much more durable than the Premium. It has a more comfortable upper and it’s better suited to runners with wide feet.

Best price online: Pegasus Premium vs Pegasus 41


This expert review is written by

Brandon Law

Marathon Runner and Shoe Expert
Brandon is a South African who lives and trains in Malaysia. He is a marathon runner who eats, sleeps and dreams running shoes. While most people wear shoes to run, he runs to wear shoes.