The Nike Pegasus Path 5. All pictures: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
The Nike Pegasus Path 5 ($150), like its predecessors, is my magic slipper of types for each day, non-technical singletrack working. It could additionally deal with the occasional mile of pavement linking my door with the specified easy-moderate trails and never flare up my endless plantar fasciitis saga. It was with pleasure and a little bit of trepidation that I initially slid my finally-pain-free ft into this shoe some weeks in the past, hoping that Nike didn’t change the superior journey of the previous variations of this shoe. I’ve put 150 miles on these in very quick order, and I can confidently say that, for me, every facet of the replace is an enchancment.
They’re svelte and agile and make me really feel speedy on easy, much less rocky trails, and now the cushioning is much more forgiving on these days once I’m decidedly not feeling speedy. They’re nonetheless not splendid for tremendous rocky or rubbly trails, however with sensible foot placement, their upgraded traction will get you extra confidently from level A to level B on trails, even when the rock safety is missing.
This model is 10 to fifteen unnoticeable grams heavier than the earlier, with their precise weight being 10.2 ounces (289 grams) for a U.S. males’s 9. The 9.5-millimeter drop is true up my alley, with Nike reporting a 37-millimeter full stack peak on the heel and a 27.5-millimeter peak on the toe. The three colorways for ladies and 4 for males are fascinating and visually pleasing as they pay tribute to the GR 11 path that traverses the Pyrenees. I discovered them to run true to measurement.
The iRunFar staff has beforehand reviewed the Nike Pegasus Path 4. As this shoe has solely improved, we’ve chosen the Nike Pegasus Path 5 once more as one in all our prime selections in our Finest Path Working Footwear information.
Store the Girls’s Nike Pegasus Path 5Store the Males’s Nike Pegasus Path 5
Nike Pegasus Path 5 Higher
A lateral view of the Nike Pegasus Path 5.
The higher of the Nike Pegasus Path 5 has a couple of simply identifiable adjustments, one in all which is that it’s barely wider with a bit extra quantity by way of the forefoot. My toes have remained chafe- and blister-free in these, whatever the circumstances. The higher is a single layer of engineered mesh and makes use of numerous textures and gap sizes to maximise breathability and sturdiness in excessive friction zones, in addition to enhance the general construction. This, coupled with skinny overlays by way of the medial and lateral midfoot, offers higher safety from water, dust, and sand entry whereas having glorious warmth administration. I’ve seen a lot cleaner ft after windy, dusty runs with the occasional splash zone.
The shoe retains the Flywire know-how from prior variations that gives midfoot safety by way of the mixing with the laces. It permits the shoe to stay nimble and agile from the second you tie them till you lastly unlace for the day. If you happen to like experimenting with numerous heel-lock lacing methods, the shoe now incorporates a third lacing gap nearest the ankle. I haven’t used these further holes, however I recognize their availability. The gusseted tongue is extra substantial and provides higher safety from the laces. I discovered it to remain completely in place all through every run and didn’t discover it obtrusive on the anterior ankle, even on steep uphills or throughout sooner runs.
One other noticeable enchancment is within the ankle collar and Achilles notch space — particularly if you happen to’re somebody like me who had points with prior variations being very aggressive in opposition to the Achilles tendons in the course of the first 50 miles of use. The shoe now has a heel counter with a pliability and construction that strikes the collar barely away from the Achilles as an alternative of angling straight into it. The heel cup is safe, cosy, and well-fitting. The padding within the barely lower-cut ankle notch makes it extra comfy throughout.
As a substitute of the acquainted webbing loop off the rear of the shoe, Nike hooked up a D-shaped rope loop to make it simple to tug on the shoe. It’s additionally helpful for hooking the sneakers to your bag by way of the ever-trusty carabiner. It looks as if a superfluous change, however a bit of flare right here and there might be memorable.
The insole is much like the Pegasus Path 4 and stays extra substantial than that of many manufacturers. My ft crave a bit of further cushioning and arch assist, and these insoles do the trick. They’re detachable however have a bit of additional stickiness holding them in place, which implies even if you happen to fully soak the shoe, the insole isn’t going wherever.
The toe bumper is a bit of sturdier than prior variations and wraps a bit additional onto the entrance of the toe with two wings on both finish. It offers ample bumper safety however stays low sufficient on the entrance finish that it doesn’t compress the shoe onto the ideas of the toes. I’m a bit of extra cautious round cactus in these sneakers, however I haven’t had any run-ins with the sharp ends of issues but.
All in all, it’s a terrific higher that retains my ft exceptionally glad. The Achilles notch change was crucial from my perspective, however I additionally actually like the texture of the brand new mesh. There’s no purpose to reinvent the wheel, however these enhancements actually carry the Pegasus Path 5 to a brand new stage.
Nike Pegasus Path 5 Midsole
A medial view of the Nike Pegasus Path 5.
The midsole of the Nike Pegasus Path 5 has been upgraded from the model’s React foam to ReactX foam. Nike claims this decreased the shoe’s carbon footprint by 43% whereas upgrading the journey. This midsole feels a bit softer underfoot however by no means boggy. I really feel the brand new foam is most noticeable because the mileage of a run ticks into the double digits or if I transition from singletrack to dust highway or pavement.
Nike claims the sturdy ReactX foam offers 13% extra power return than the React foam. That is exhausting to evaluate for me, however I’ll say this shoe is extra comfy on runs within the 10- to 20-mile vary than prior variations and retains the agility and sense of propulsion for shorter runs. At 150 miles, they’re simply as comfy because the day I first put them on, with no indicators of midsole compression or waning responsiveness.
The rise of the midsole by way of the medial and lateral midfoot is much like the earlier shoe model, which supplies a way of assist with out limiting pure foot movement. Visually, the midsole now noticeably protrudes off the again of the higher for a goal I’m not fairly clear on. Nonetheless, my very purposeful facet loves it as a result of it acts as a platform in your different foot to assist take the shoe off. The heel-striker in me additionally finds it enhances the smoothness of the roll from heel to toe, particularly with sooner, flatter working or whereas pushing the tempo on descents.
Total, the ReactX foam and refined design change are positives for total consolation, responsiveness, and cushioning, particularly on longer runs. The one factor that might make the midsole extra good is a skinny rock plate — right here’s to hoping!
Nike Pegasus Path 5 Outsole
The outsole of the Nike Pegasus Path 5.
Nike makes use of their new proprietary All Terrain Compound (ATC) rubber for the outsole of the Nike Pegasus Path 5 and widened the general footprint of the shoe by a couple of millimeters. If you happen to ever felt like the bottom contact space of prior variations was a bit too slim, you’ll recognize this replace. It fully resolves that sensation with out feeling outsized. This new rubber compound has a barely extra pliable and textured really feel, which makes it barely stickier on slabs and fewer stiff when dust roads and hard-packed singletrack are on the menu. It feels just like the shoe is best in a position to work with the foot.
The upgraded traction sample now contains rows of angled diamond-shaped lugs with small rectangular cutouts paralleling them between the rows to save lots of weight and cut back stiffness. Curiously, a big part of the midsole is now uncovered down the middle of the midfoot towards the heel. That is possible to enhance the pliability and roll of the shoe in the course of the gait cycle, notably on smoother surfaces. I discovered these adjustments enhanced traction and journey when examined on sandy rock slabs, small ball-bearing rocks on steeper ascents and descents, and moist dust over roots or rocks.
The one draw back to the newly designed outsole is that on actually rocky, rubbly trails, the ft take a beating with no rock plate to thrust back the incursions. The shoe isn’t designed for mud and snow, however I used to be pleasantly shocked by how they shed mud when wanted. I’m so pleased with the efficiency of this outsole, at the side of the remainder of the shoe, that I’ll be stocking up.
The outsoles of the Nike Pegasus Path 4 (prime) and Pegasus Path 5 (backside).
Nike Pegasus Path 5 Total Impressions
A prime view of the Nike Pegasus Path 5.
If the brand new Nike Pegasus Path 5 signifies that this path shoe line will stay as dependable in its efficiency and luxury over many evolutions because the 40-plus variations of the model’s Pegasus highway shoe have, I’ll be one glad runner. There are different sneakers for the massive, technical mountain days and gnarly terrain, however for a each day run on mild-to-moderate terrain the place stress melts away and the run might or might not finish with a mile of pavement to the native coffeehouse, this stays my Cinderella shoe.
The ever-so-slightly wider and extra accommodating design, the resilient and sturdy ReactX foam cushioning, and the improved traction make it a straightforward selection to slide into and head straight out the door.
Store the Girls’s Nike Pegasus Path 5Store the Males’s Nike Pegasus Path 5
Name for Feedback
- Are you working within the Nike Pegasus Path 5? What do you suppose?
- Have you ever run in prior variations of this mannequin? How does this fifth iteration evaluate to prior editions?
Our Favourite Path Working Footwear
Take a look at our Finest Path Working Footwear article to find out about our present favourite path trainers!