With the Nike Pegasus 41 on the market, one of the most recurring questions we get on the RUNNEA forums is: Which shoe can we compare them with, or which are the rivals of the new Pegasus? And in order to find those running shoes the top-selling shoe of the American brand is going to face from now on, it is necessary to understand what changes have been made in this version. It has been 4 years (since the Nike Pegasus 36) where the changes had been quite subtle. Without taking any risks, without too many changes beyond details: new upper materials, new sole layout... Nothing that would mean a change in the concept of the model. A fast shoe, a mixed shoe we would say, for runners up to 80 kg, with low profiles (for what we now see in the market), with a firm but reactive cushioning and for short and medium distances. The Nike Pegasus 41 changes its physiognomy this time. For starters it gains in height, with a higher profile that reaches 37 mm in the heel area.
What kind of shoe is the Nike Pegasus 41 now?
A midsole that has grown, and a greater amount and volume of foam will provide a greater dose of cushioning. But the compound used has also changed and we are now using ReactX. This is a more reactive material than React: it offers 13% more energy return compared to standard React. But it is also more sustainable: it reduces the carbon footprint by 43% compared to the previous React.
In addition, ReactX stands out for its high vibration absorption capacity. There are not many materials on the market that can match this feature: the vibrations absorbed by the ReactX are not transmitted to the runner's muscle fibers, which will delay fatigue as the kilometers accumulate.
So the Nike Pegasus 41 is a more "rolling" shoe without losing dynamism. Does this concept sound familiar to you? In RUNNEA we have talked a lot in recent months about shoes that seek this same running experience. Models that provide very good cushioning, with high profiles, looking for comfort for all types of runs, but that at the same time respond when you need it.
The 4 main rivals of the Nike Pegasus 41
ASICS Novablast4
I would say this is the main rival that the Nike Pegasus 41 is going to run into. They are looking for the exact same thing. Reaching runners who want an all-around shoe without a carbon plate. Ample cushioning, responsive cushioning and plenty of running comfort. All this with a limited "but"; not penalizing those who want to run at fast paces but at the same time offer security and some support in the race.
And we don't think it's a coincidence that one of the star colors of this new version of the Pegasus is the electric green that looks quite similar to the one used in the launch of the ASICS Novablast 4
Adidas Supernova Rise
Its profile is not as high as in the Pegasus 41 or the Novablast 4 but the concept is exactly the same as in those 2 models. To look for a difference, Adidas has prioritized the combination of comfort and safety, but basically it is the same type of shoe. Dreamstrike+ midsole, a PEBA-based compound that offers optimal rebound with every step, while maintaining excellent cushioning. It is a foam that offers a very good feeling of propulsion without sacrificing the comfort needed to absorb impacts kilometer after kilometer.
The shoe is also very comfortable so you will be able to face medium and long distances without any problem. 10 mm drop and a weight under the 300 grams in a size 95 US.
Saucony Ride 17
The Saucony Ride 17 is a shoe that we love and that often goes unnoticed because of the media power of other brands. It incorporates the PWRRUN+ compound in the midsole, the same material used in the Saucony Triumph. This material, a pearlized TPU variant, offers increased energy return and a softer, more springy feel compared to standard EVA. The Ride 17's profiles also gain height to provide more cushioning and to be able to tackle almost any distance for runners up to about 85 kg.
The outsole of the shoe has also been redesigned compared to the previous version, ensuring good durability. The Saucony Ride 17 now features a wider and more stable base, improving stability and surface contact. Its 8 mm drop is the same as that of the Novablast 4.
Brooks Ghost 16
Brooks has always been synonymous with comfort and durability and these new Ghost 16 do not lose their essence. But as with the Nike Pegasus 41, it is modernized and adapted to the new times with a higher midsole and a new compound. In this case DNA Loft v3 with infused nitrogen. A more reactive compound that will respond when you need it and with a very remarkable shock absorption in the race. The drop of this shoe is the highest of all its rivals, 12 mm, which highlights it for runners who clearly land on the heel.
It is also the most protected shoe of all and the most stable. But don't be fooled by its look, it's a fairly light model, under 290 grams in a size 95 US and a shoe that will respond if you demand of it. Perfect for runners up to 85 kg and for all distances.
Other rivals of the Nike Pegasus 41
Although these 4 are the shoes that most resemble the Pegasus 41, practically every brand has in its catalog a shoe with similar characteristics and for the same type of runner. These are some of these models:
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