The Nike Pegasus is a do-it-all neutral running shoe which is massively popular. Whether you are a beginner or a professional, the Nike Pegasus has something for everyone. The Ultraboost is a comfortable and plush daily trainer. It's best suited to easy-paced, long or recovery runs. The Ultraboost has been adopted by casual-wear consumers due to its supreme comfort and high cushioning. Which one of these shoes is for you?
The Pegasus midsole consists of ReactX foam with forefoot and heel Zoom Air bags on top of it. It rides on the firmer side so the Pegasus is great for short tempo runs but it also has enough foot protection for long runs.
The Ultraboost’s midsole is made of e-TPU foam which is soft and has bounce. The Ultra Boost’s e-TPU midsole is highly resistant to temperature so it won’t firm up in cold weather or get mushy in warm weather.
The Pegasus has a low stack height and a firm midsole, making it very stable. The Ultraboost has a high stack height and a soft midsole, making it not as stable as the Pegasus. Both shoes are of the neutral category.
Ride transitions of the Pegasus and the Ultraboost are smooth due to their midsoles being made from single chunks of foam. Both shoes have full-contact outsoles which improve ride transitions.
The outsole of the Pegasus has plenty of hard-wearing thick rubber. The Ultraboost’s outsole is also full contact and thick but made from Continental rubber and crystal rubber which is even more durable than the Pegasus’s outsole.
When it comes to durability, both shoes are durable: the Ultraboost’s e-TPU midsole won’t won’t lose much cushioning over the life of the shoe, neither will the ReactX foam of the Pegasus.
The Pegasus upper has an accommodating midfoot and forefoot but Nike does sell multiple widths. It’s made from engineered mesh and has a heel counter that flares out and doesn’t bother the Achilles. It has a padded tongue which is sleeved so no tongue slide occurs.
The Ultraboost has a Primeknit+ upper which is breathable and soft. It only comes in one width. It has a smooth, sock-like fit with a comfortable but loose heel counter. The midfoot lockdown isn’t as good as the Pegasus. The Ultraboost’s upper can be described as a relaxed fit and are no last row eyelets to do a lacing heel lock.
The Nike Pegasus is a no-frills, nothing fancy, dependable and consistent all-rounder which has a softer ride than earlier Pegasus versions. It has a super durable outsole and an excellent upper which provides a secure lockdown without irritation.
The Ultraboost is an uber-soft, bouncy riding shoe which has plenty of foot protection for those long, slow or recovery runs. It has a relaxed-fitting upper which is more lifestyle than performance friendly.
If you crave a super soft shoe, don’t mind going slowly and you have the extra cash, get the Ultraboost. If you want a faster shoe which is firmer and more performance-oriented, get the Pegasus.
