Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 38
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By Tara Summerville Editor’s Conclusion
Just like me, the Air Zoom Pegasus has undergone quite a few style and performance updates since its inception in the early 1980s. As styles change and technology improves, so does the Pegasus. The Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 38 is one of the most anticipated trainers in the Nike lineup, and for a very good reason.
What I love about this shoe is that it is designed for a wide variety of runners, from beginners all the way up to intermediate. It boasts soft and supportive features that make it an ideal daily trainer and has improved upon some of the features that runners just didn’t like in previous iterations. It is sleek, modern, durable, and made to tackle just about anything. It blends responsive foam cushioning with air pockets that make you feel like you are running on a cloud without slowing you down.
Below, I wanted to take a deep dive into all of the features that make the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 38 well worth the hype.
What I love about this shoe is that it is designed for a wide variety of runners, from beginners all the way up to intermediate. It boasts soft and supportive features that make it an ideal daily trainer and has improved upon some of the features that runners just didn’t like in previous iterations. It is sleek, modern, durable, and made to tackle just about anything. It blends responsive foam cushioning with air pockets that make you feel like you are running on a cloud without slowing you down.
Below, I wanted to take a deep dive into all of the features that make the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 38 well worth the hype.
Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 38 Review Facts
Editor's Pros & Cons
Pros
Cushioned React foam and airbag midsole
The rubber outsole is incredibly durable
Great for beginners or intermediate runners
Ideal for long distances
Cons
Upper runs fairly hot
Heavier than expected
Not ideal for speed
Key Features
Key Features
MIDSOLE
The midsole of this design utilizes Nike’s React foam as well as strategic airbags to craft a soft and cushioned ride to help protect your knees and joints. What runners love most about this blend of materials that is it is highly cushioned and gives you immediate soft step-in feel that holds up as you put miles behind you. The full-length React foam provides ample cushioning from your toe box all the way to your heels.
This design also boasts a 10 mm drop for more cushioning as well as durability in the heel. If you are a heavy heel striker, you will really notice the extra padding found in the heel, and it also helps with general stabilization as well. You won’t be able to reach high speeds with this shoe, but it really shines when tackling long distances.
UPPER
While the upper is incredibly durable, it tends to run a little hot. It’s a great shoe for cooler weather but may prove to be a little too hot to wear in the hot summer months. The upper is composed of two layers of a durable mesh that is durable yet hot. However, the booty-like fit of the upper makes this shoe something that you are able to easily wear without socks to help keep your feet cooler on hot days.
What I love most about the upper of this design lies in the laces. The dynamic lacing system is one of the bigger changes to this updated model and helps to boost lockdown. The laces loop into elastic loops that help to contour to the unique shape of your foot to help secure the shoe in place while still offering a good deal of flexibility that won’t dig into the top of your foot. It’s a small change, but it makes a big difference.
OUTSOLE
One of the most notable features of this neutral running shoe is the hard-working rubber outsole, which to some is considered one of the most durable outsoles of any trainer out there. It is composed of strong and resilient rubber that shows little signs of wear and tear even after 100 miles.
It also has a waffle-like pattern on the inside of the foot for a little extra durability as well as agility. One of the downsides to this highly durable outsole is that it makes this neutral trainer just a little bit heavier than similar designs out there on the market. The extra weight isn’t a deal-breaker, but worth noting for runners that like their neutral trainers to be light and snappy.
PERFORMANCE
Overall, this option is a great daily trainer for all types of runners. If you are just starting out and want something that is responsive and supportive, this is a great choice. Additionally, if you are at an intermediate level, this shoe will perform quite well. While it may not be an ideal trainer for race day, it’s the perfect companion for those nice and easy tempo runs.
The overall design of this shoe is a real workhorse that can easily tackle long distances due to the highly durable (albeit heavy) outsole. I would recommend this shoe for long-distance runners, or just for those that like to get out for a nice and meditative tempo run. What I also appreciate about this neutral trainer is that it performs quite well at the gym. Whether you are running on the treadmill, engaging in CrossFit, or weight lifting, the neutral design of this shoe is able to adapt to whatever your workout looks like that day.
FIT
The overall fit of the previous iteration of this shoe ran into a few problems. Many runners found that the narrow forefoot and shallow heel counter caused the heel to slip which caused blisters, especially in those first few miles. The newest addition has worked to change all of that. The dynamic laces provide a more customized and comfortable fit, and the deeper heel counter stays locked in place as you run.
Overall, these shoes run true to size. If you are a size 10 in other Nike shoes, the same will be true for the Air Zoom Pegasus 38. If you have never worn Nike’s before, make sure that you take ample measurements of your feet and compare it to the sizing chart to ensure that you get the ideal fit for your foot.
STYLE
In true Nike fashion, these shoes walk that line between performance and art installation. From the Pegasus 1 all the way up to the Air Zoom Pegasus 38, Nike ensures that these shoes are both stylish, modern, and functional. What I love most about the style of this shoe is the unique color options offered. Whether you like solid white or shoes that look like a bag of Skittles, you are sure to find a design that works for your personal style.
Overall, this shoe boasts a solid and simple silhouette. The outsole is a little on the bulky side (due to ample cushioning), but the upper is slim and sleek. The heel collar is slightly flared, but not exaggerated like other Nike trainers, and provides modest cushioning in the heel as well as the tongue.
PRICE
The price of these shoes runs in the middle of the road. It’s not the most expensive pair of running shoes out there on the market, but it isn’t exactly considered to be budget-friendly. It’s slightly expensive for a neutral daily trainer, but nothing that will break the bank.
When considering the overall price of this shoe, it is also important to take durability into account. Sure, a budget-friendly trainer may save you a few bucks initially, but how many miles will that shoe last? What I find most impressive about this shoe is that the rubber outsole is built to last for hundreds of miles before it starts to show any signs of wear and tear. When you take durability and milage into consideration, this shoe is an incredible value overall.
The midsole of this design utilizes Nike’s React foam as well as strategic airbags to craft a soft and cushioned ride to help protect your knees and joints. What runners love most about this blend of materials that is it is highly cushioned and gives you immediate soft step-in feel that holds up as you put miles behind you. The full-length React foam provides ample cushioning from your toe box all the way to your heels.
This design also boasts a 10 mm drop for more cushioning as well as durability in the heel. If you are a heavy heel striker, you will really notice the extra padding found in the heel, and it also helps with general stabilization as well. You won’t be able to reach high speeds with this shoe, but it really shines when tackling long distances.
UPPER
While the upper is incredibly durable, it tends to run a little hot. It’s a great shoe for cooler weather but may prove to be a little too hot to wear in the hot summer months. The upper is composed of two layers of a durable mesh that is durable yet hot. However, the booty-like fit of the upper makes this shoe something that you are able to easily wear without socks to help keep your feet cooler on hot days.
What I love most about the upper of this design lies in the laces. The dynamic lacing system is one of the bigger changes to this updated model and helps to boost lockdown. The laces loop into elastic loops that help to contour to the unique shape of your foot to help secure the shoe in place while still offering a good deal of flexibility that won’t dig into the top of your foot. It’s a small change, but it makes a big difference.
OUTSOLE
One of the most notable features of this neutral running shoe is the hard-working rubber outsole, which to some is considered one of the most durable outsoles of any trainer out there. It is composed of strong and resilient rubber that shows little signs of wear and tear even after 100 miles.
It also has a waffle-like pattern on the inside of the foot for a little extra durability as well as agility. One of the downsides to this highly durable outsole is that it makes this neutral trainer just a little bit heavier than similar designs out there on the market. The extra weight isn’t a deal-breaker, but worth noting for runners that like their neutral trainers to be light and snappy.
PERFORMANCE
Overall, this option is a great daily trainer for all types of runners. If you are just starting out and want something that is responsive and supportive, this is a great choice. Additionally, if you are at an intermediate level, this shoe will perform quite well. While it may not be an ideal trainer for race day, it’s the perfect companion for those nice and easy tempo runs.
The overall design of this shoe is a real workhorse that can easily tackle long distances due to the highly durable (albeit heavy) outsole. I would recommend this shoe for long-distance runners, or just for those that like to get out for a nice and meditative tempo run. What I also appreciate about this neutral trainer is that it performs quite well at the gym. Whether you are running on the treadmill, engaging in CrossFit, or weight lifting, the neutral design of this shoe is able to adapt to whatever your workout looks like that day.
FIT
The overall fit of the previous iteration of this shoe ran into a few problems. Many runners found that the narrow forefoot and shallow heel counter caused the heel to slip which caused blisters, especially in those first few miles. The newest addition has worked to change all of that. The dynamic laces provide a more customized and comfortable fit, and the deeper heel counter stays locked in place as you run.
Overall, these shoes run true to size. If you are a size 10 in other Nike shoes, the same will be true for the Air Zoom Pegasus 38. If you have never worn Nike’s before, make sure that you take ample measurements of your feet and compare it to the sizing chart to ensure that you get the ideal fit for your foot.
STYLE
In true Nike fashion, these shoes walk that line between performance and art installation. From the Pegasus 1 all the way up to the Air Zoom Pegasus 38, Nike ensures that these shoes are both stylish, modern, and functional. What I love most about the style of this shoe is the unique color options offered. Whether you like solid white or shoes that look like a bag of Skittles, you are sure to find a design that works for your personal style.
Overall, this shoe boasts a solid and simple silhouette. The outsole is a little on the bulky side (due to ample cushioning), but the upper is slim and sleek. The heel collar is slightly flared, but not exaggerated like other Nike trainers, and provides modest cushioning in the heel as well as the tongue.
PRICE
The price of these shoes runs in the middle of the road. It’s not the most expensive pair of running shoes out there on the market, but it isn’t exactly considered to be budget-friendly. It’s slightly expensive for a neutral daily trainer, but nothing that will break the bank.
When considering the overall price of this shoe, it is also important to take durability into account. Sure, a budget-friendly trainer may save you a few bucks initially, but how many miles will that shoe last? What I find most impressive about this shoe is that the rubber outsole is built to last for hundreds of miles before it starts to show any signs of wear and tear. When you take durability and milage into consideration, this shoe is an incredible value overall.
Comparisons to Previous Versions
Comparisons to Previous Versions
With 37 versions in the Pegasus’ past, this shoe has been around for quite some time. I could take a deep history lesson into the evolution of this shoe, but for the sake of time, I will simply compare it to the Air Zoom Pegasus 37. While many of the performance features remain the same between the two versions, there are a few quality-of-life updates worth mentioning.
The 37 was great, but runners found that it had a few issues that Nike addressed and implemented when they rolled out the 38. One of the biggest issues was that the upper just wasn’t all that comfortable. It had a shallow toe box that caused toes to jam at the end of the shoe and a slim and uncomfortable tongue. The newest model has a longer and wider toe box that allows your toes to naturally splay to prevent jamming and a super padded tongue for maximum comfort.
The 37 was great, but runners found that it had a few issues that Nike addressed and implemented when they rolled out the 38. One of the biggest issues was that the upper just wasn’t all that comfortable. It had a shallow toe box that caused toes to jam at the end of the shoe and a slim and uncomfortable tongue. The newest model has a longer and wider toe box that allows your toes to naturally splay to prevent jamming and a super padded tongue for maximum comfort.
Verdict
Verdict
Since its introduction in the early 1980s, the Nike Pegasus series remains one of Nike’s top-selling sneakers. I think that the reason this trainer is so insanely popular is due to its inclusivity. If you are just starting out on your running journey, this sneaker will give you ample support and versatility and can grow with you as you make progress. While it’s perfect for beginners, it’s also great for intermediate runners. Plus, the simple yet effective design is not only great for running, but it’s great while engaging in CrossFit or lifting weights at the gym.
Its insanely durable, stylish, and supportive design works in just about any circumstance. If you need a shoe that can dabble in just about anything (and looks great while doing it) the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 38 is a great option that will take it easy on your bank account.
Its insanely durable, stylish, and supportive design works in just about any circumstance. If you need a shoe that can dabble in just about anything (and looks great while doing it) the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 38 is a great option that will take it easy on your bank account.
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