Nike Pegasus 41 Review: A Familiar Everyday Trainer With Subtle—but Meaningful—Upgrades
GEAR & SHOE REVIEWS
The Nike Pegasus is a shoe many runners have grown up with—myself included—and the Pegasus 41 continues that long legacy with a blend of familiarity and modernization. As someone who tests a lot of shoes for my podcast and YouTube channel, I always approach a new Pegasus with both curiosity and caution. It’s a beloved daily trainer, but daily trainers are also the most crowded and competitive category in running shoes. So, does the 41 earn its spot?
After logging miles in the Florida heat, wearing it casually, comparing it directly to the Pegasus 40, and testing where it fits into a real-life rotation, here’s my honest, first-person breakdown.
Design & Build
Updated Engineered Mesh Upper
Nike redesigned the upper this year, giving the Pegasus 41 a more breathable engineered mesh. On foot, it definitely feels light and airy, though the tongue is noticeably plusher than before. Personally, I’m not a huge fan of added padding—especially in the Florida humidity—but I understand why Nike went this direction. Many everyday runners love that extra comfort.
ReactX Midsole + Dual Air Units
The biggest evolution in this model is the ReactX midsole foam paired with air units in the heel and forefoot. Compared to the Pegasus 40, the 41 feels softer, bouncier, and slightly more forgiving underfoot. Nike also increased the stack by 4 mm, which contributes to that extra softness. The 40 always felt a bit flat to me; the 41 brings back some of the liveliness runners were missing.
Waffle-Inspired Outsole
Durability has always been a Pegasus strength, and the outsole on the 41 continues that tradition. The waffle pattern provides solid traction and gave me confidence even on wet sidewalks.
Specs
Weight (women’s): 8.8 oz
Drop: 10 mm
Price: $140
Colors: 11 for women, 19 for men (Nike went all-in here!)
Widths: Standard and Extra Wide
How the Pegasus 41 Compares to the Pegasus 40
I’ve been running in both side-by-side, and here’s what stood out immediately:
Softer & Smoother Ride
The new ReactX foam + 4 mm higher stack height makes the 41 feel noticeably softer than the 40, which always leaned firm.
More Breathable Upper… with a Much Plushier Tongue
The upgraded upper works, but the tongue is almost too plush for me—especially in hot weather. Still, runners who want comfort first will likely appreciate the upgrade.
Slight Increase in Weight
Nothing dramatic, but yes—the 41 is heavier than the 40.
Higher Price Tag
The 41 rises to $140—reflecting the shoe industry trend we’ve been seeing across brands.
Fit & First Impressions
I’m normally a women’s 8.5 in all running shoes, including past Pegasus models. While the length of the 41 felt fine, the toe box felt a touch snug when I first slipped them on. Not uncomfortable—just “huggy.” If you prefer more space up front, you might consider going up half a size.
The good news?
No hot spots, no blisters, no rubbing once I started running. The fit settled in naturally.
Aesthetically, this might be one of the best-looking everyday trainers Nike has released in a while. I liked mine so much that I’ve already worn them casually with jeans.
Performance on the Run
Easy Runs
This is where the Pegasus 41 performs best. The cushioning is soft enough to keep legs happy, but not overly marshmallowy.
Long Runs
You can take it long, but I personally prefer more cushioning or a more specialized long-run shoe. The 41 can do it—it’s just not the best at it.
Tempo / Speed Work
Not the shoe for me here. The ReactX midsole is comfortable, but the shoe doesn’t respond sharply enough for faster efforts.
Race-Pace Workouts
Again, not my choice—too mainstream, too middle-ground.
And this brings me to the core of my experience…
Where It Fits in a Rotation
As someone who keeps a pretty structured shoe rotation—speed shoes, tempo shoes, long-run shoes, recovery shoes—the Pegasus 41 didn’t land in any single category perfectly. It’s “good” at many things, but not exceptional at any one thing.
But there’s a huge exception here:
If you’re someone who just wants one shoe for everything—or you’re an entry-level runner like my husband—this is exactly the kind of shoe that works. You can jog easy miles, sprinkle in some strides, go for a longer Sunday run, and wear it around town. It’s versatile, durable, and comfortable.
For runners who love the Pegasus line, the updates will likely feel like welcome refinements, not dramatic shifts.
Pros
Great price compared to many modern daily trainers
Extremely durable outsole
Attractive design and large color selection
Softer than the Pegasus 40
Works for a wide range of runners
Breathable upper
Cons
Plush tongue + plush heel might feel hot or bulky
Slightly heavier than its predecessor
Doesn’t stand out in speed or long-run categories for more advanced runners
Firmer runners might still find it too middle-of-the-road
Final Thoughts
After several miles and plenty of comparison, the Pegasus 41 remains exactly what the Pegasus has always been: a solid, dependable, middle-of-the-road daily trainer that serves the majority of runners really well. While it doesn’t replace any of my specialty shoes, it does earn a place in my closet for casual wear and occasional easy miles.
If you’re a Pegasus loyalist or an “I-just-want-one-shoe” runner, you’ll likely enjoy this upgrade. If you're hunting for something more specialized for speed or long runs, you may want to complement the Pegasus 41 with another shoe in your rotation.