The Sneaker News Team Tests The Nike Pegasus 38 Running Shoe

Ahead of the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 38‘s official Nike Members-exclusive release date, NIKE, Inc. invited three members of the Sneaker News editorial team to its #MediaMiles program.

One week into the 12-week virtual running journey, we’ve logged a collective 43 miles in the Pegasus 38 (tracked by none other than the Nike Run Club (NRC) app), and have been quickly impressed. None of us consider ourselves elite athletes on par with Eliud Kipchoge (although we’re striving), but the latest installment in the Swoosh’s long-standing Pegasus line has not only met us at our individual footing, but also made the pursuit of “better” fun.

Before getting into testimonials, here are some highlights of our daily runner (available now!):

• Full-length Nike React foam works in-tandem with a plump Zoom Air unit in the forefoot for the same, gender-specific cushioning and responsiveness achieved in the Pegasus 37.
• The “workhorse with wings” reverts to a roomier toe box for a fit similar to models before the Pegasus 36.
• A sandwich mesh material delivers improved breathability; a new mid-foot webbing system enables a personalized fit for runners at all levels.
• The tongue has been separated into its own piece and features additional foam.

Sneaker News Testimonials:

John Kim, Editor-in-Chief
• During the pandemic, i’ve relied on running/jogging/long walks as a means to decompress and exercise. Throughout 2020 and most of 2021, I’ve stuck with the Pegasus 37 and the Zoom Tempo NEXT%; both have worked well for me while offering unique experiences. Based on a half-dozen runs totaling just under 22 miles in the Pegasus 38, the first 2 miles of each run are a breeze thanks to the React foam. For me, running for longer distances is a matter of will rather than endurance, so although I feel that the plate in the Tempo NEXT% might come in handy for longer runs, i’m excited to see how much farther the Pegasus 38 can take me and the benefits of the roomier toe-box will make itself useful as my feet swell. The 38’s thicker padding at the tongue also caused slight over-heating at first, but that was quickly alleviated when I switched to thinner socks.

It’s really easy to get charmed by a lot of the attractive innovations that we see ini the running category, but when considering the price and performance, the Pegasus 38 is truly what it’s billed to be and there’s a reason why it’s outlived pretty much any sneaker lineage ever. For running shoes, I have a huge preference for neons and bright colors (volt, infrared, etc) so the “Greedy” pair that just dropped will definitely be on my to-buy list.

Michael Le, Senior Editor
• I’m no runner by any means. I have asthma, only just quit smoking, and my commute consists of a short few steps from my bed to my desk. When I do run, though, I typically opt for HOKA — they suited my flat feet and complemented my gait the best. So going into it, I didn’t think the Pegasus 38 would be the right fit, but they were definitely a pleasant surprise.

Thanks to its soft mesh and roomy toe box, the Pegasus 38 has become a quick go-to. The last thing I want to think about during a run is my shoes, and the Pegasus is no nuisance. It’s lightweight without feeling cheap, cushioned where it needs to be, and the Zoom-Air-meets-React tech creates an inexplicably blissful stride. And while I can barely keep form for longer than a couple of minutes, it’s certainly no fault of the shoes.

Jovani Hernandez, Editor
• My running journey began in mid-June 2020 as an attempt to emotionally move forward by physically moving forward. Over the course of 89 runs (I took a hiatus once it started getting cold), I tried a few running sneakers, landing on a competitor’s model featuring a lightweight, but firm midsole compound. Although I felt fast in dozens of runs while wearing this shoe, I felt discomfort from the pair’s rigid cushioning on longer and recovery runs.

In comparison, I look forward to the last stretch of a 5K run thanks to the Pegasus 38. Its combination of Zoom Air and Nike React make for a sensation I’ve never experienced before. Additionally, the roomy toe box is an unsung hero after a week of running. Currently, the most I’ve run at once in the new shoes is 4 miles, but I felt dominant doing so. I’m excited to further experience the magic of the Pegasus 38 as I work towards running my third 10K ever.