Article by Don Reichelt, Jeff Valliere, and Sam Winebaum
Editor's Note: We welcome Don Reichelt to the RoadTrailRun test team. Don is an accomplished ultra runner whose most recent exploits include a 3d place at the notorious extreme temperatures, big climb 2018 Badwater 135 miler. He more recently finished 4th at the Jemez 50 mile. Don trains over 100 miles per week on both road and trail in Colorado and works in the running industry at BibRave, a running race review site.
NIke Air Zoom Pegasus 36 Trail ($130)
Introduction
Sam: The Zoom Pegasus 36 Trail shares, name, basic look, Zoom Air plus Cushlon midsole with the road Pegasus 36 but under the hood and up top is a very different shoe with a different purpose. Whereas the Pegasus 36 is a firm, snug fast paces and "workouts" oriented shoe at this point, say compared to Nike's Epic React 2, or Vomero 14 , the Trail is a softer more heavily lugged and cushioned hybrid road trail shoe. It also differs from the more pure trail and speed oriented Terra Kiger 5.
It differs from the Pegasus 36 in having:
- Front and rear Zoom Air units for a more flexible easier going transition, whereas Peg 36 has a single full Zoom Air unit and a fairly stiff, firm and responsive transition and toe off.. if you can take it...
- 2mm wider on the ground platform for greater trail stability and a broader fit as well
- 1.5mm higher more trail focused lugs and 1mm more midsole foam both leading to a softer, more cushioned ride with its 30.5 mm heel / 20.5 forefoot stack
- a toe bumper and heel overlay for durability
- a dense but very well ventilated and roomier engineered mesh upper with a similar but slightly better padded and more comfortable tongue and lace up
- all of this adding up to a mere 0.4 oz more weight than Peg 36 at 9.3 oz / 264 g
It differs from the Terra Kiger 5 in having:
- 10mm drop vs. 4mm for the Kiger, with the Kiger's lower drop translating to a more stable, agile ride on more technical terrain and for the Trail a faster, more cushioned ride on smoother terrain and roads.
- 30.5mm heel / 20.5mm forefoot vs. 27mm heel / 23mm forefoot for the Kiger 5
- 0.3 oz lower weight for the Trail
- Dual Zoom Air units, whereas the Kiger has a rear Zoom Air and a front rock plate for protection and stability.
- fuller coverage but lower lugged outsole in a more continuous ground contact pattern.
Sam: Trail fits true to my size 8.5 with noticeably less over the top of instep pressure than a Pegasus 36, even one loosely laced. The fit is generous yet secure with higher toe box room than the Kiger 5 and about the same width, maybe a touch narrower. The upper mesh is soft and comfortable. The Flywire cords which secure the foot to the platform from laces to midsole really shine here doing their job without the "usual" low and aggressive bite over the top of the foot of the road Pegasus but as with road Peg don't lace them tight. The design is elegant in its simplicity and without all the usual prominent overlays found in many trail shoes.
Jeff: Very sleek looking in style, design and luminous green (yellow) color looks great (though will get dirty brown very quickly with trail dust/mud/dirt). The pointed heel, while I can’t detect a clear advantage, is fast and aero in looks and the heel collar is also tall and pointed, providing good hold and support. When first slipping them on, they feel very light and well cushioned/padded with a precise upper, yet with an accommodating fit. I noticed a bit of heel slippage at first, but quickly corrected by employing the extra lace hole. The tongue seems a bit thin, low and is slightly offset, but I like the look/feel of the booty like construction, which is somewhat reminiscent of Salomon Endofit.
Don: The unboxing of this shoe was quite the treat. I wasn’t sure I was going to love the green color when I saw it via photo… but it presents nicely in person. I immediately took note that it felt lighter than I was expecting. The step in experience is better than most trail shoes, you can absolutely tell it has a road heritage based on the immediacy of comfort when you put it on. It feels softer than other shoes in the Nike Trail line, but the fit is similar, minus a slightly more narrow toe box than the Kiger 5.
Pros:
Jeff: Sleek and modern looking, Lightweight, Well cushioned, Comfortable, Responsive, Secure upper, Breathability, Traction, Runs very well on road
Don: Soft and featherlike on smooth, groomed trails. A fantastic option for runs that will take you from road to trail and back. Performs better than nearly all other trail shoes on the road. The upper is incredible.
Sam: A wonderfully supportive yet soft and breathable upper. Well cushioned, softer more easy going ride than either the road Pegasus 36 or Terra Kiger 5. Ideal road to trail ride and feel
Cons:
Jeff/Sam: Tongue is a bit thin and short (which can give a bit of lace bite if not careful, particularly on long downhills), Thin toe bumper.
Don: I’m concerned the soft upper won’t hold up well to harsh terrain. Toe bumper not made for rocks. Shoe in general is too soft for super rocky/technical trails.
Sam: On more technical terrain the shoe is not as torsionally rigid as I would like and front of the shoe is somewhat high feeling and unstable.
Watch our Video Review of the Zoom Pegasus 36 Trail
with comparisons to Pegasus 35 & 36 as well as Terra Kiger 5
Stats
Estimated Weight: 9.3 oz/ 264 g (US men’s 9)
Samples: men’s size 10: 10.25 oz./ 290 grams, men’s size 8.5: 9 oz / 255 g
Stack Height: 30.5mm heel / 20.5 mm forefoot, 10 mm drop
Available Now
Upper
Jeff V: The perforated mesh and synthetic upper of the Pegasus 36 Trail is sleek and clean looking with no excess material and is very well ventilated. I find fit to be slightly longer than most other size 10 shoes and this is consistent with the Kiger 5 as well, where I tested a 9.5 and they fit me closer to most of my size 10 shoes, so perhaps consider downsizing a half size, especially if you wear very thin socks and prefer a bit more precision for technical terrain. Either way, the excess room in the toe has not been a problem for me and if anything, has been welcome on longer runs.
The toe rand is thin and flexible, I think more for durability than actual protection, yet I would prefer more when running in rocky technical terrain, but if on more moderate, less rocky trails, then is for sure not an issue.
The Flywire lacing and integration of overlay around the eyelets do a fantastic job of securing the midfoot comfortably. Breathability is excellent and I find them airy on warm days. I don’t often get a chance to test drainage, but on a recent run while crossing a swollen creek on slippery logs, dipped a foot completely and noted that I really had no sloshing and they dried quickly.
The Pegasus 36 Trail is listed in the Nike description as “wider”, which I think is somewhat true, but is not wide by any means. For my low volume foot, I noticed a little bit of extra room (which also may be influenced by them running a touch long in fit) and I appreciate that room on long runs on warmer days when my foot swells, with little compromise in control/security, as mid foot fit is very good. That said however, I do find a bit of movement when running faster on steep downhills or sidehills, but otherwise this goes unnoticed.
The integrated tongue that is booty like and reminiscent of the Salomon Endofit is very comfortable and helps keep out debris and aids in midfoot security. The tongue, though moderately padded, I find to be a touch short and would like a bit more substance there, as I have a tendency to crank my laces tight and felt some lace bite, particularly on longer, steeper, faster downhill running.
The heel collar is moderately padded and runs really high in the back over the achilles. At first I worried that this might be bothersome, but find that it provides a very comfortable and secure fit, adding to control and stability.
Don: I love the simplicity of this upper. The mesh is extremely soft and breathable, with no issues at all with fit or rubbing. I found to fit to be in line with my Kiger 5, but maybe a hair more narrow. The upper allows for the narrow fit to not be an issue at all with my wider metatarsal arch. Overall, I’m extremely pleased with the upper on this shoe, but have concerns on how well it will hold up after a few hundred miles on Colorado trails. The Flywire does its job with no complaints, and the lacing system as a whole seems like a win for this shoe.
Overall the most important thing I can say about any upper is that I had to force myself to think about it. The upper on a shoe is usually one of those pieces where if you’re thinking about it, it’s probably not for good reasons. The Peg Trail has an upper which just disappears onto your foot and allows you to fully lose yourself in the run. I had no issues with sliding or overall fit.
Sam: I do not have much to add to what Jeff have said about the upper. It will say that I ran them on a very humid New Hampshire day and the upper was breathable and absorbed almost no moisture. The upper here works as trail upper and for sure it also works as a road shoe upper. I distinctly prefer it to the Peg 36 road upper which I find quite constricting over the instep.
Midsole:
Jeff: The midsole consists of full length midsole foam and two Air Zoom pods, one in the forefoot and on in the heel to provide responsiveness and stability. I find cushioning to be excellent for most situations, but with no rock plate, I do notice sharper rocks and after several hours of running, am increasingly aware of trail surface underfoot and long for more protection and torsional rigidity. For moderate to less technical terrain, I think the Pegasus 36 Trail would be ideal for ultrarunning/racing, but for full days in technical terrain, would prefer a bit more underfoot, as the Pegasus can feel somewhat soft.
Response is good overall, reasonably quick on the uphill and faster on the downhill and flats with a quick and smooth transition, especially given the flexibility of the shoe.
Don: The midsole is where I have a little bit of a beef with this shoe. It’s where the “trail” label also seems to be a stretch. The air pods are soft and the ride is extremely soft. So soft, that rocky running can be a challenge. I honestly didn’t love this shoe on more technical mountain terrain and found the combination of the super soft ride and no rock plate to be an issue. But, I don’t think this is what this shoe is made for… so I decided against running on the technical trails and instead started running from my house to a few smoother trails… and boy did this shoe shine. The Zoom Air and Pegasus road heritage really came out on the road and the trail shoe showed its promise on the smoother dirt. I found I really enjoyed the soft midsole almost as much on the road as I did the trail. I know, blasphemy to say about a trail shoe!
Sam: I agree with Jeff and Don that this is a softer ride particularly the forefoot which I found that while well cushioned and flexible was not as stable upfront as I would like on rougher trails. With 1mm more foam than the Pegasus 36, plus the 1.5mm higher lug height, it has a clearly a softer feeling forefoot than the Pegasus 36 with the rear feeling about the same. When things get more technical, some extra torsional rigidity is needed here as it twists more easily than many road shoes and this contributes to some lowered confidence on more technical terrain for slow old me.
The extra 2mm of on the ground platform width front and back is better used at the rear of shoe in combination with the FlyWire cords. I bet a thin flexible rock plate as the Kiger 5 has would improve stability and protection and also give the shoe more road, firm ground snap. Things change on smooth trail where the midsole really shines in its great cushion and easy transitions. If your trails, forest paths, or gravel roads are mellow they shine.
Outsole:
Jeff: The 3mm lugs are low profile enough for quick running on a variety of surfaces without any give or added resistance, yet provide a good balance of overall traction on a wide variety of surfaces. Traction is excellent all around, wet or dry and even though the Pegasus 36 Trail is not necessarily designed to be an all mountain shoe, actually can hold its own in loose, rough off trail terrain in limited doses with a bit of care and expertise. However, the Pegasus 36 Trail really shines best on buffed out singletrack/doubletrack, dirt roads and even paved roads. Tread is not quite pronounced enough for mud, snow and loose surfaces underfoot.
Don: I found the lugs to be adequate over most rocks and other trail obstacles, with no issues with slippage running uphill or hard downhill. I did like having the full foot of tread versus the midfoot plate on the Kiger 5. These lugs really excelled on crushed rock path, smooth undulating terrain, and even wet/muddy conditions. The lugs on the heel really held up well for me on hard downhills and I never questions their grip on rocks flying down the mountain.
Sam: The outsole provides great ground contact on trail and road for a smooth ride and feel but a softer one. I had no issues with traction on my more moderate dry trails and except for a slight sensation lugs were in the mix underfoot the road performance of the outsole is excellent.
Ride:
Jeff: As described in the midsole section, the ride is smooth and reasonably quick, providing excellent ground feel without feeling thin or minimal on moderate to smoother terrain. Ride does suffer though in rocky, technical terrain due to the lack of torsional rigidity and softness in the forefoot.
Don: The ride is soft and flexible with just a wee bit of pop on harder smooth surfaces.
Sam: The ride on smooth hard packed trail is excellent. My limited miles on more technical terrain had me not as confident as I would like to be. On road, I wish for a touch more pop and response off the front. It is hard to make a do anything ride and Nike has gotten very close here leaning the shoe towards road and easier trail terrain and there is nothing wrong with that as the Kiger 5 can take up the slack and serve very well on the more technical given its lower drop and rock plate.
Conclusions and RecommendationsRide(30%), Fit (30%), Value (10%), Style (5%), Traction,15% Rock Protection( 10%)
Don: Like a good Swiss Army Knife, The Pegasus 36 Trail can do a little bit of anything. There might be a better tool for each specific job, but a good Swiss Army Knife has enough good tools to be extremely useful in most situations. The Peg Trail is my new favorite Swiss Army Knife of running. I can run from my door to the trails and know that a few miles of road running will lead to endless miles of Colorado trails.
Where does this shoe really shines for me? It allows me to now travel with only one pair of shoes versus needing to bring multiple pairs. I generally prefer to run trails, but when I travel sometimes trail running isn’t an option and you’ve got a throw down some urban miles. I recently took this shoe to Philadelphia, and it held up incredibly well on a hard road tempo effort on day one, and then a longer trail run on day two. I don’t have or know of another shoe which could have pulled that trick off!
The three groups of people I think the Pegasus Trail is PERFECT for are:
- Entry level trail runners looking to get your first taste of off road running but you’re not quite yet ready to run up and down a mountain.
- Door to Trail runners looking to run to the trailhead rather than driving.
- Travelers looking to save space in their bag. Because the Peg Trail performs quite well on both road and trail, most runners will find this one shoe covers all their travel running needs.
Don’s Score: 8.6/10
Ride: 9, Fit: 9, Value: 8, Style: 9, Traction: 8.5, Rock Protection: 7
Don: Points off for issues running technical terrain due to the softness and no rock plate. Also points off for coming in at the same price point as the Terra Kiger 5… which is by far a better trail shoe if you’re only looking to run on trails and seems like it will hold up longer than the Pegasus 36 Trail, especially the upper.
Sam: The Pegasus 36 Trail provides a lot of cushion, traction and versatility at a relatively low 9.3 oz. Heck many road daily trainers weigh more and the Peg Trail can also do trails! I agree with Don that it is an ideal shoe for travel and those runs from pavement into the foothills, forest, or park. I wish for a touch more torsional rigidity, front stability and rock protection to improve its rougher terrain versatility... and maybe even road performance as a result The fit and style are outstanding.
Sam's Score: 8.9/10
Ride 8.5, Fit 9.5, Value 9, Style 9.5, Traction 9, Rock Protection 8
Jeff: I have to say I am quite impressed with the Pegasus 36 Trail. It is the most versatile trail shoe in the Nike Trail line, offering a very nice blend of comfort, cushion, control, traction and speed to satisfy a wide variety of runners and usages. I think it would make for a great long distance trainer/racer for runners looking for performance and speed over longer distances.
For shorter, faster efforts, I think the Kiger 5 is more responsive and race ready, but is not quite as suited for all day comfort and cushion as the Pegasus 36 Trail. The “door to trail” description is being used more and more, which I sometimes see as a description for a real middle ground shoe, but performance on road here is outstanding and it can for sure hold its own for shorter sections of technical terrain without too much slowing down. That said, some might find the Zoom Air units, particularly in the forefoot to be a bit soft and tippy in rocky or off camber technical terrain, which can cause a bit of hesitancy and decrease in control.
Jeff’s Score: 8.7/10
Ride: 9, Fit: 9, Value: 9, Style: 9.5, Traction: 8, Rock Protection: 7.5
Comparisons
Air Zoom Terra Kiger 5 (RTR Review)
Don: The Kiger 5 feels to me like a faster, more responsive shoe. The Peg Trail doesn’t come close for me to the trail feel of the Kiger. But the Kiger is hot garbage on the road… making the Peg Trail the winner in that battle! I wear a 12.5 in each of these shoes.
Jeff: (Size 9.5 for Kiger and 10 for Pegasus) Kiger 5, though slightly heavier, feels lighter and more responsive, but does not offer the all day comfort of the Pegasus 36 Trail, nor does it have the road or door to trail versatility. The Kiger 5 is a bit firmer, which is apparent in technical terrain, especially at faster speeds.
Sam: Real simple. Kiger is outstanding for pure trail running and Peg 36 Trail, as intended and performing, for a mix of road and more moderate trails.
Salomon S/Lab Ultra 2 (RTR Review)
Jeff: The S/Lab Ultra 2 is somewhat heavier and has a more precise upper and better traction. Response and ride are similar, but the Pegasus has a bit more plush cushioning for longer distances (though rock protection is not quite as good).
Hoka One One Torrent (RTR Review)
Jeff: Torrent is lighter and faster, has superior traction and better protection, though less cushion. The Torrent upper, while not problematic, is less precise.
Don: The Upper on the Nike Pegasus is light years better than the upper on the Torrent. Torrent is more firm on the ride, but also climbs and descends much better than the Pegasus. I have a 12.5 in each the Torrent and The Peg Trail.
Sam: Concur with Jeff and Don. I have taken Torrent places where I would dare take Peg Trail but when the terrain is smoother and more moderate, including some road, Peg Trail is the better choice.
Hoka One One Challenger ATR 5 (RTR Review)
The Challenger ATR 5 has a more firm and slightly more responsive midsole, comparable traction, weigh the same, yet the upper of the Challenger ATR 5 is less secure, which is quite noticeable in technical terrain. Both shoes excel on more moderate to smoother trails. The Pegasus makes for a better door to trail shoe and the overall fit/comfort of the Pegasus is superior.
Hoka One One Challenger ATR 5 (RTR Review)
Saucony Mad River TR (RTR Review)
Jeff: Close in weight and similar low profile tread for excellent door to trail use without much compromise on either end, the Pegasus does better on roads, where the Mad River is better on trails with more protection and better traction.
Brooks Cascadia 14 (RTR Review)
Jeff: Close in stats, I find response to be comparable and fit of the Cascadia to be more relaxed. I would not consider either shoe a dedicated speedster, but both run reasonably fast over long distances with great cushion and comfort. The Cascadia is a touch heavier, but does offer more protection, traction and durability, though is not as good on roads.
Salomon Sense Ride 2 (RTR Review)
Sam: For me a very appropriate comparison as both are the road to trail offerings from their respective brands. I scored the Sense Ride 9.3, the Peg 36 Trail 8.9. The Sense Ride 2 has a slightly snugger lower profile upper. Both great, but nod to Peg Trail in that department. Underfoot, the Sense Ride's Energy Cell+ Opal Vibe midsole is slightly firmer, definitely more stable, and has a clear advantage in reducing tibial vibration and heel shock. It flexes about the same, with the Sense Ride flex point further forward so it also more torsionally rigid (a good thing on trail and for road response) ,has a thinner feeling forefoot that is better protected and for me more agile and is more stable and responsive on both road and trail.
Read reviewers' full run bios here.
The product reviewed was provided at no cost. The opinions herein are the authors'.
Comments and Questions Welcome Below!
Please let us know mileage, paces, race distances, and current preferred shoes
25 comments:
Review is spot on, but I would add:
Peg trail heel cup holds your heel lower on the heel bone than most shoes, kind of feels less secure, but it just takes time to get used to. Zero pressure on the Achilles. Kiger 5 is enveloping your heel more and is stiffer and higher. The Kiger forefoot is definitely wider upfront and less pointy in shape. Less pressure on the instep from the Pegs.
Sense Ride 2 I find narrow upfront and loose in the back, whereas the Kiger/Peg trails is exactly the opposite.
I disagree about the Peg trails wet grip, I found it to be below average. Nike should really think of using Vibram by now. Wildhorse 4 there were a flood of complaints about wet grip.
I wouldn't describe the Kiger 5 as "hot garbage" on road. It's still an excellent door-to-trail shoe vs. most trail shoes. I did run most of 100km road race using Kiger 5's and I was quite happy. Peg trails are indeed good on roads, although I do find them a touch soft and squishy. But for Ultras that may translate into less fatigue. The airbags are a bit noticeable underfoot too.
I was surprised at the listed stack heights since the Nike website doesn't list them. I found the Peg trails don't feel at all like a 30.5mm stack height shoe. They feel quite flexible, light and nimble.
Any comparison to the Wildhorse 5? I'm just wondering if the Wildhorse offers the same kind of cushioning, but in a beefier package? I'm thinking mountain Ultras.
Hi Bobcat,
Thanks for your fine input!
The stack heights came directly from the designer of the shoe at Nike. I asked him to calculate as best he could in the same way Running Warehouse does. I think the softness and nimble feel, at least on smooth terrain comes from the lugs and the dual air bag design all leading to a shoe which is not very torsionally rigid. As a result of softness and not much torsional rigidity I too find them somewhat squishy. I have not run Wildhorse 5 yet but we do have a review up. I will run them and compare. We found their outsole given its dense pattern not ideal for sloppier terrain.
Sam, Editor
Thanks for the feedback Bobcat. As to wet grip, they definitely do not match the sticky rubber of La Sportiva or Salomon Premium Wet Traction Contagrip, but I still felt reasonably confident on wet rock despite. I guess "excellent" for this class of shoe would be more fitting, but perhaps average for all trail shoes. Wet traction can sometimes be tough to fully assess, depending on terrain and season (though I try hard to seek out varied conditions).
Thanks for informative review.
How does this shoe compare with the Hoka Challenger ATR 5?
I think both you guys are in Colorado so mostly sandstone rock, to which this shoe is maybe more suited. Here in the Prealps it's mainly limestone, so kind of soapy when it gets wet. So far the Contragrip premium wet has been the best, although the formula seems to have changed over the years (S/LAB Ultra was not that great). Vibram a close second. Inov-8/Nike not great on limestone. Wet wood - now that's the biggest challenge!
Hi there !
Thanks for the review, I was clearly waiting for it as I am runner who is considering buying my first trail shoes, to start easy trail.
A door to trail shoes is exactly what I'm looking, and I am strongly hesitating between these and the sense ride 2. Which one perform better on both surface ?
Really Hard to choose though if your reviews are trully helpful... Which one would you recommend for a first door to trail shoes ?
thanks again you rock !
Hi Marduk,
A good comparison thanks for suggesting. From Jeff Valliere who has run both:
"The Challenger ATR 5 has a more firm and slightly more responsive midsole, comparable traction, weigh the same, yet the upper of the Challenger ATR 5 is less secure, which is quite noticeable in technical terrain. Both shoes excel on more moderate to smoother trails. The Pegasus makes for a better door to trail shoe and the overall fit/comfort of the Pegasus is superior. "
Also added to comparisons.
Sam, Editor
Hi Michel,
Not easy between Peg 36 Trail and Sense Ride 2. If your trail portions are more technical then I lean towards Sense Ride 2., its just more agile and fun to run when the terrain is rougher. It is not quite as soft on road as the Peg but more vibration free and snappy.
Sam, Editor
Hi Sam !
Thanks for the answer.
Actually my trail portions wouldn't be too technical, it's more forrest trail than mountains rocks, and can be muddy in the winter/autumns as it sometimes rains a lot where I live.
I'm also looking for a pair that would be cushioned/protective, as I had knees issues and tendinites in the past.
Which would you recommend me between the pegs 36 trail and the sense ride 2 ?
Thanks for your help it's truly helpful.
Michel
Peg 36 trail is more cushioned, the sense ride is more protective.
But since you mentioned mud, why not try the Hoka Torrent? It's cushioned, protective and handles mud very very well. Plus you can get that shoe super cheap if you shop around.
hi, I was wondering if you could use the peg 36 trails for a daily roadrunner instead of the regular peg 36s. I find the peg 36s forefoot a bit too harsh an according to the review these have a bit more forefoot and are a bit softer.
Hi Edgar,
For sure you could use Peg Trail 36 as a daily road trainer but also consider in Nike the Epic React 2, or in NB 1080v9.
Sam, Editor
The shoe looks like a lot of fun mixing it up on road and trail. But the burning question I have to ask is... what is the exact model of Drymax socks the model in the photos is wearing? The color combo would really complete my running kit. I checked their website and could not find that exact pair.
Thanks MB
Those are my Drymax Jim Walmsley socks, they are awesome!
Thanks for the thorough review! How do they compare to the sense ride in terms of arch support? I know they're neutral shoes (just like the sense ride), but the ride have a relatively high arch which suites me well.
Hi Anonymous,
I find Peg 36 has plenty of mid foot support including arch, The Flywire and low snug top of foot playing a big role. I will say Sense Ride is more comfortable there and about but not quite as supported, suiting me better.
Sam, Editor
Fantastic review. Love the in-depth detail you guys give in every one!
How would this shoe hold up for a 100k race? I'm a pretty light guy (140lbs) and race road marathons in NB 1400s and daily train in Beacons. Looking for a trail shoe for upcoming ultra race. Have tried Sense Ride 1 with minimal success, have enjoyed the Hoka Torrent for 40K and less, and found the Speedgoat too tight in the toe box.
Any advice is welcomed!!
Thanks Steven. Personal preference I think. My longest run in these was 5.5 hours on mostly mellow, but some rocky technical sections of trail and lots of climbing/descending. At the end, I was kind of wishing I had worn either the Cascadia 14, EVO Mafate 2 or maybe even the Hoka Challenger ATR 5. My feet felt a bit swollen and constricted by the end (though will confess that this was my first run in them and over tightened a bit), but in the end I think I would have been better off with a bit more cushion, security and stability.
Also meant to add that I weigh ~145 lbs. (142 on that 5.5 hour run).
Thanks Jeff, will certainly look into some of those!
https://ibb.co/zHCtzJG
I developed a problem with my Peg Trails after only about 50km. The foam in the heel has collapsed causing the shoe to tilt inwards. I am not a pronator. I sent the shoes back to Nike for a full refund. Anyone else notice a similar problem? Is the Cushlon foam just not that durable?
Hi Bobcat,
Sorry to hear
How far back at the heel? Not mid foot right? What kind of trails have you taken them on?
Sam, Editor
Hi Sam,
It's right next to the heel, you can see the crease line in the foam in the picture.
(I am not sure I can embed pictures in the comments?)
Was running just mellow forest trails - these are just my soft high drop recovery trail shoes. Kiger's for real trails (which are holding up well after 600+ km).
Best
Quick question. I'm a Midfoot/forefoot striker. Given that the Pegasus Trail has 2mm less stack height in the forefoot compared to the Kiger, would that mean the Kiger would feel more cushioned on runs than the Pegasus Trail since that is where my foot is striking the ground? I'm just wondering whether the advantage of the Pegasus is in the cushion of the heel? Just curious. Thanks
The Pegasus actually feels softer in the forefoot because of the airbag. The downside is that the airbag lowers the ground feel. As a forefoot/mid striker, I would recommend the Kiger rather. More responsive, better ground feel, lower drop. It has enough cushion even for Ultras if you are light.
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