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 42 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 $145.
This article will tell you which Pegasus trainer is the better one for you.
In the Pegasus Premium there are 2 different midsole foams: ReactX and ZoomX.
In the Pegasus 42, 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.
Inside the midsole of the Pegasus 42 is large Zoom Air unit. The air bag provides an extra pop on toe off which makes the Pegasus very responsive. It’s a full-length air unit.
The ride of the Pegasus Premium is a lot more engaging and bouncier than the ride of the Pegasus 42. The Pegasus 42 has a bland, workhorse ride without much character. The Premium is all about delivering a special, unique ride whereas the 42 is all about delivering a consistent, comfortable ride for getting your runs done.
When it comes to stability, the 42 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 42. 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 unit of the 42 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 42 which results in better traction. It also has smaller, more aggressive outsole lugs that bite into the ground better. The 42’s outsole is harder-wearing and more durable than the Premium’s.
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 42’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.
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 42. It’s not as fast as the 42 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 42. 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.
