Nike Zoom Pegasus 37 Multi Tester Review with 15 Comparisons including to women's version

Article by Jeff Beck, Peter Stuart, Michael Ellenberger, Don Reichelt and Sam Winebaum

Nike Zoom Pegasus 37 ($120)

Stats

Official: men’s 9.6 oz /  272g US9,  women’s 8.28 oz / 235g US8

  Samples: 9.73 oz / 276g men’s US9 10.5 oz / 296g men’s US10.5

                    12.5 11.32 oz / 321g men’s US 12.5

Stack Height: 18mm (forefoot) 28mm (heel), 10mm drop

Available Now. $120

Introduction

The 37th edition of the Pegasus sees the most significant changes in years with a new React foam midsole and a front only 10mm thick Zoom Air bag, the prior edition having a full length 4mm thick Zoom Air unit.

The articulated Zoom Air unit is tuned based on gender preferences with 20 psi for the men's and 15 psi for the women as testing showed women preferred a slightly softer, more flexible front cushion.

Overall, the Pegasus gains 2mm of stack height with its weight going from 8.9 oz / 252g  to 9.73 oz / 276g for a men's US9 (confirmed by size 9 sample). Available now, including in wide.

Update: Sam- I had to also test the women's version! I have now tested the men's versions, and in equivalent size the women's which has slightly softer React foam and a Zoom Air with lower PSI at 15 PSI. The women's upper is of the same material as the men's but is slightly thinner and more pliable. The women's in women's10.5 D width, equivalent in size and width to a men's 9 is lighter by 0.35 oz/ 8g.

Jeff: Camry. Big Mac. Pegasus. Some items are so ubiquitous you don’t need to be a family sedan, fast food burger, or running shoe enthusiast to know what we’re talking about. And the 37 iteration of the Pegasus may be the best - it certainly is the most dramatic overhaul we’ve seen in the line for years. Does dramatic overhaul mean good? In this case, for me, it certainly does.

Michael: It’s Pegasus season! There are two reviews I’ll most frequently be referencing here, the predecessors to the new Zoom Pegasus (and of course, I’ll be comparing them to the P37, in the relevant sections): the Zoom Pegasus 36, and the Nike Zoom Pegasus Turbo 2. If you combined these two shoes, you wouldn’t quite get the P37 - you need to find that React foam from somewhere - but there is a lot of shared DNA. And guess what? I really liked both the P36 and the Turbo 2. And guess what? The Pegasus 37 is great - but not quite more than the sum of its parts. 

Of course, please make sure to read our Comparisons section, where we have a ton of comparisons to the leading trainers out there today!

Pros:

Jeff: React midsole paired with Zoom Air forefoot is a vast improvement

Jeff: Good flexibility in midsole/outsole

Jeff: Upper holds the foot well and is breathable with an adequate toe box

Jeff: Midsole feels good at uptempo speeds as well as easy paces

Jeff/Sam: Outsole traction and durability seem top notch

Peter/Sam: Lacing is simple and efficient

Peter: I like the tongue shape

Michael/Sam/Peter: Upper is snug and well-designed, and, with tongue and lacing, feels almost race-ready

Michael/Sam: Bouncier midsole than the P36

Michael: Outsole traction and durability 

Don: Great midsole update 

Don/Sam: Tongue and lacing feels vastly improved 

Don: Really like the upper material

Sam: While still a faster paces trainer, the additional forefoot cushion extends its versatility and range.

Cons:

Jeff: Ideal for only 10 miles or less for me

Peter: Ride not inspiring

Peter: clumpy on longer runs

Sam: Wish Zoom Air bag was either thinner or lower pressure to improve slower pace feel, by “flattening” the air bag with less force required. Even at 165lbs would I like lower PSI women’s better?

Sam: Somewhat pointy very front toe has me between sizes,

Michael: Foot fatigue from the Zoom Air unit in the forefoot

Michael: Not convinced the weight gain was worth it

Don/Sam: Upper gets hot on sunny runs (combo of the color, bootie and not a ton of mesh ventilation) 

Sam: The women's version is what the men's should have been for most runners.

Tester Profiles

Jeff is the token slow runner of the RTR lineup as such his viewpoints on shoe and gear can differ from those who routinely finish marathons in three hours or less. Jeff runs 40 miles per week, both roads and desert trails in Phoenix, Arizona. He has a PR's of 4:07 marathon and 5K at 23:39. In December he raced his first 50 mile trail ultra. 

Michael is a 2019 graduate of Northwestern University Law School in Chicago, with an interest in patent and intellectual property law. Prior to law school, he competed collegiately at Washington University in St. Louis (10,000m PR of 30:21). He recently finished 2nd at the Chicago Half-Marathon in a PR of 67:43, and was the top Illinois finisher in the 2017 Boston Marathon (2:33:03, 82nd overall). He recently secured a 2:31 marathon PR at the Austin Marathon. 

Peter lives in Austin, Texas and has been a sub 3 hour marathoner as well as a 1:25 half marathoner in recent years

Don is a competitive ultra runner with races under his belt, including a 16:27 100-mile trail PR and a third place finish at the 2018 Badwater 135. He primarily runs the trails in Colorado but also holds a marathon PR of 2:45. 

Sam is the Editor and Founder of Road Trail Run. He is 63 with a 2018 3:40 Boston qualifier. Sam has been running for over 45 years and has a 2:28 marathon PR. These days he runs halves in the just sub 1:40 range training 30-40 miles per week mostly at moderate paces on the roads and trails of New Hampshire and Utah. He is 5'10" tall and weighs about 165 lbs.

First Impressions and Fit

Jeff: I have a confession. This is the first Pegasus I’ve logged miles in. Ever. Over the last decade I’ve tried on four or five different versions in my local running store, but never felt compelled to spend money on the shoe based on that experience. I get the appeal, it’s a middle of the road trainer that doesn’t do anything wrong - and for some folks that’s exactly what they want. But being a bigger runner, the previous Pegasi never had enough squish underneath, especially for the shoe’s weight. Luckily, that’s changed. Now we’ve got React underneath the foot (a great midsole material that Nike is starting to put in EVERYTHING) with a sizable Zoom Air pocket underneath the forefoot, and it didn’t take long for me to become enamored with it. I was cautious, having tried and hated the Vomero 14 that had a similar construction with a Zoom Air pocket, but this Pegasus brings enough to the table for me to think that most runners should consider trying it. Early reports of a tight toe box had me worried, but I was surprised how roomy I found it - and by roomy I mean completely adequate. Not a good or a bad aspect, just one of those things that...is. I went with my true to size 10.5, and they fit perfectly. 

Peter: One run in, so true first impressions here. Meh. I loved the Pegs 34 and 35, liked the Pegasus 36 okay and am not yet sure how I feel about the 37. I went out and did 10 in them this morning. 

First impressions are: The upper is sublime. It’s a great, classic looking upper with some great details. The lacing system makes it easy to dial in fit and the tongue is asymmetrical. The mesh is breathable and fit is great and true-to-size. I haven’t been excited about React foam in previous models and I continue to be underwhelmed by it here. We will see how this shoe breaks in (previous pegs started to feel better after 10-20 miles to me). First run feel went from, ‘hmm, these are kind of bouncy--not bad’, to ‘these are a solid, if uninspiring trainer’ to well, these are no NB 1080 I hope my run ends soon. They’re not bad, just not inspiring on first run. 

Michael: Like Peter (and unlike Jeff), I’m a recent convert to the Pegasus - from my logs, it looks like I’ve run in every version (now including the Turbo variants) since 2013. I truthfully don’t remember the granulars on those early-30s Pegs, but I’m very familiar with the 35, 36, and now 37, along with the first and second Turbo cousins, so slipping on the new model - even though a lot has changed - still feels relatively familiar. The P37 is somewhat firm underfoot - not as firm as the P36, to be sure, but much more so than the Turbo 2. And they’re sort of heavy! I was surprised, given the aesthetic here (and the fact that it’s a new shoe in 2020) to find the Pegs nearly tipping 10 ounces. They don’t feel 10 ounces underfoot - I would assert that the Cumulus 22, which comes in a couple ticks lighter than the Pegasus, feels clunkier - but it’s just generally a step in the wrong direction, if you’ll excuse the pun.

Don: I’ve been a long time fan of the Pegasus line… up until the 36. I have done some of my biggest races primarily in the 34 and 35 (Badwater, Spartathlon, etc) because it was always a great long distance road shoe for me. Something dramatic changed in the 36 and I barely put any miles in it and I personally felt the Turbo 2 was too soft for me.  The 37, at least on paper, lit my fire again for the Peg line and I couldn’t wait to get some miles in on them. After the first few runs… it felt like an old friend I hadn’t seen in awhile, but maybe grew a beard or cut their hair. It’s different, but it’s back. In a crowded field of shoes in its class, it certainly doesn’t shine as brightly as it used to, but this is a solid shoe from Nike and feels like a shoe that is worthy of hundreds of miles. 

Sam: I have run in multiple recent Pegasus and didn’t care much for any of them except the Pegasus 36 Trail whose broader platform and more aggressive lugs softened the dated Cushlon and Air ride. Maybe I am too old and slow for a shoe I always felt was intended at its core for high school and college distance runners and other hardcores seeking a durable, responsive workhorse. 37 editions it seems like the formula was a winner and Joan Benoit Samuelson agrees as she chose the Peg over race shoes as she was coming back from an injury for the 2008 Olympic Marathon Trials!  

I was intrigued by the change to React, not my favorite foam as I find it, while light and resilient quite dull but clearly an improvement over Cushlon. I was also very intrigued by the giant Zoom Air upfront with its shades of Alpha Fly, although unseen here as it just below the insole and not near the outsole and exposed as in the Alpha Fly. The Peg 36 had a mere full length 4mm thick Zoom Air and here we have 10mm of Zoom Air with a 20 PSI pressure for men and 15 PSI for women.

I was sent a size 9, a half size up from my normal and the fit was generally great, if a bit long. I appreciated the touch of extra length as the toe box is pointy. I also tried a brief run in my true to size and noticed a yet more dialed fit. If your Peg 37 is for primarily faster running I say go true to size, if you want a touch more room go a half size up or consider the wide. The only time I really noticed the extra length was on steep uphills. The fit here is overall relatively snug due to the dense mesh and the internal arch strap, a fast locked down fit, but in no way a constrictive or uncomfortable one, Especially appreciated is the elimination of what I always found awkward Flywire cords. The wide iridescent lace eyelets in combination with internal arch strap or bootie and the dense not super pliable or soft mesh  provide a very easy to dial in lace up. 

Update: My women's size 10 in D width, equivalent to the men's 8.5 has a somewhat more relaxed fit due to its thinner more pliable mesh and fits me better than the men's at true to size. Still a dialed in fit but less suffocating and more breathable and better suited to daily training for me.

Upper

Jeff: The Pegasus 37 has a lightweight mesh construction that is somewhat translucent, showing the different layers underneath. Nike used a midfoot band system, instead of Flywire in the 36, and the result is a solid lockdown for my foot. The heel collar has decent lockdown on my foot without employing a runner’s loop, and the tongue has that perfect thickness that isn’t bulky yet still cushions the foot from the laces. The tongue is supported on each side by a pair of bands, and the top has the same notch we first saw in the Vaporfly. While the mesh construction isn’t super airy, it is very breathable, and gave me zero issues running in Phoenix (where we’ve already broken 100 and nearly hit 110). As I mentioned in the first impressions, the toebox is fine. Not great; no one will confuse this shoe for something from Altra or Topo, but it isn’t bad either. My longest run was a half marathon around my neighborhood, and at the end I didn’t have any hot spots or other upper related complaints. While the midsole is getting most of the hype (and deservedly so) the upper is arguably as good, if not better.

Peter: The upper of the Pegasus 37 is everything you’d want and expect from Nike. The materials are top-notch and the fit is sleek and stylish. The lacing system is an improvement from Flywire in that it is simple and just works. 

The lacing is made up of what seem to be rubberized eyelets that look more like pull-tabs. The laces go through them and then pull easily through. Unlike the flywire, the tabs do not attach to bands or wires--they are just attached to the upper. They do a fine job though, and keep the foot plenty locked down.  The Peg 37 took no time at all to dial in. 

The tongue is slightly asymmetric and does its job efficiently. The tongue is attached to the upper on both sides starting about 2 inches down from the top of the tongue. There is ample padding (but not obtrusive) in the heel and it holds the foot well despite the somewhat angular look. The back of the shoe is high, but doesn’t rub or otherwise irritate. It’s a top notch upper from looks to function. 

Michael: Before the first run, I always try to dial in the lacing fit a little by putting the shoe on and walking around to let my foot compress into the footbed (just a minute or two will do it) before lacing up. And believe me, once you’re laced into the P37, you’re going to feel like you’ve put on your best tailored suit. This thing fits like a glove, with a notched tongue that locks into place just so, and eyelets that I truthfully thought were going to be cumbersome (why change what works?) but actually keep pressure off the top of your foot. Nike has swapped out the Flywire-based loops for more individualized bands that are more integrated with the upper. I don’t know that I love the look of the individualized eyelets, but the design works extremely well in keeping my foot snug.

What else? The upper material itself is new from the P36; gone is the thin, close knit, almost sock-line material, replaced by a plastic-y, nearly translucent (though less noticeable in our dark blue colorway) mesh. Also gone is the Flywire, replaced by a wrap-around midfoot band. This in itself is perhaps the most useful addition to the whole upper; in both the size 9 and size 8.5 I tested (the 8.5 being my usual choice), the midfoot band kept my foot locked in both sizes, even when the larger size was too long in the toe. It’s a terrific addition and one that should make its way to all Nike trainers.

This isn’t the comparison section, but I’ll add - I think this is a definite improvement over the P36 upper (which itself was no slouch), but I still don’t think it’s quite as nifty as that of the Turbo 2. The Turbo 2 has the near-perfect blend of snug and stretch; this is quite comfortable but it doesn’t quite reach that sock-like level I’d want. 

Don: Nike (mostly) nailed it with this upper. I don’t need to rehash what the rest of the team said so I’ll keep this short: The fit is suburb and the lacing is so spot on that you’ll forget the shoes are on. It’s seriously one of the most spot-on fitting uppers I’ve tested in quite some time. The one minor demerit I’ll give it is for running just a little hot. This might be due to the dark color, but when the sun is out, you can feel it holding heat. 

Other than that, if you were happy with Nike for what they did with the upper on the Peg 36 (🙋‍♂️) then you’ll be equally as happy as what they did with the Peg 37. 

Sam: The guys have described the upper well. It works extremely well for its intended purpose of a speed oriented trainer. I would highlight that the bootie arch strap works seamlessly with lace up and the upper. No over snug apart from the rest lockdown with this arch strap.

While Nike says the upper is semi translucent at least in my dark blue pair no light shines through the mesh and that is after the thick arch band is pulled aside. Unless there is some special magic I have not yet noticed I would not call this upper particularly breathable.

Update women's version: the women's version upper is more pliable, more breathable and lighter.

Midsole

Jeff: Cushlon be gone, React is here. Well, React and its friend Zoom Air forefoot unit. The result is a much better cushioned shoe than the Pegasus has been (likely, I haven’t tried on all 36 predecessors to name a champ) with a nice cushioned ride. The forefoot unit is big enough I couldn’t feel where it started and ended (unlike the Vomero 14) and the result is a forefoot that feels thicker than it actually is. That said, ultimately the midsole is decently cushioned, and as one of the resident heavy runners of RTR, I could have used a little more before I could crown it the best daily trainer around. The protection holds up well for five to ten miles. I had a handful of runs in that distance, and I ended each one feeling great. Only when I went for 13.1 did I have a bad experience, and by mile 11 both my feet and my legs were unhappy with my choice of footwear. That isn’t to say some (or really, many) runners couldn’t wear them for a full marathon - I know many do every year. But as a 210 pound runner, the midsole could only do so much for my frame. That isn’t a deal killer, and the Peg 37 is going to remain a solid part of my rotation for the foreseeable future - just not on the weekend when I’m either running long or recovering from running long.

Peter: I haven’t liked the React foam yet--and the Pegasus 37 is no exception. There’s a lot going on here between the React foam and the Zoom Air--it’s hard to really pin down what’s not working about the midsole for me. The Zoom Air made itself known for a couple of miles here and there, but not consistently. The React foam feels kind of dead to me. The Peg 37 get stuck in a weird middle zone for me that is neither highly cushioned feeling nor snappy and fun. It feels heavier than its weight. Previous versions of the Peg have started to break in after a few miles, but after several runs, the 37’s are still feeling stiff and clumsy. 

Michael: There are two big implementations to address on the midsole: the substitution of React for outgoing Cushlon, and the new placement of the forefoot Zoom Air units. The former is a welcome change; I think React works beautifully in this shoe, and the ride is noticeably bouncier and more fun than with Cushlon (which I appreciated for its, well, relatively dullness and firm road feel). The latter is a bit more of an open question. You will definitely notice these Air units. Even runners unfamiliar with the makeup of the midsole will probably notice that “something is there,” especially on the first few runs. And in testing both a size 9 and an 8.5, I dealt with the break in period twice - it was actually more pronounced on the better-fitting 8.5, where my forefoot was more squarely locked-in right above the cushioning system. It creates a hotspot from such a firm presence underfoot, and I can’t say it really ever went away across 5 or 6 runs in the smaller size.

You may know by now (and if you don’t, please watch Sam’s initial thoughts on the Pegasus), that the men’s and women’s versions differ in the makeup of the midsole. So, here, I’ll take an opposite position from Jeff - I’m a lighter runner (about 130 lbs., I would guess.. if I owned a scale) and so maybe this new gendered Pegasus isn’t for me. Maybe the women’s model, with the lower air pressure (and, frankly, cooler colorways at launch) would be a better option. It’s hard to know. The biggest takeaway here is that the React foam is a terrific improvement - one that saves the midsole, really - and the reworked Air units may need further tinkering to be perfect.

Don: Apparently we have a Goldilocks situation within our RTR family, because while it might have been not enough for Jeff, and too firm for Michael, The Zoom Air is just right for me! I’m about 165 pounds and felt the Zoom Air was tuned perfectly for what I was looking out of this shoe. The midsole of React foam also felt spot on and hit that sweet spot for what I was asking it to do: long, easy runs of any distance. 

I was a bit let down by the midsole when I tried adding any speed to it, so don’t get your hopes up for a speed demon, but the Peg 37 felt like an all day kind of shoe for me! 

Sam: The midsole is clearly the major update to the Pegasus 37 with React foam and a forefoot Zoom Air that is 10mm thick vs. 4 mm for the prior version. No question the forefoot is more cushioned and gone is the harsh yet also responsive feel of the prior version. The React foam at the heel is decently cushioned and stable. It would feel better yet with a wider platform at the rear as it is narrow and the outsole rubber firm on both sides of the rear. That rubber for sure stabilizes the narrow landing. I am not a huge fan of React but here it works as intended as a resilient responsive element in the mix. 

The front Zoom Air unit is the most noticed feature. At “rest”, if you will at slower paces or walking, there is a sense of the front of the foot being lifted up. After all the Zoom Air unit is top loaded so right below the sockliner as shown in the Nike schematic below,

It is only when you pick up the pace and load the air bag that it starts to “react” providing a welcome bounce while providing lots of cushion. As the bounce is not foam based but air based it is of a piece over the air bag, more like a firm encapsulated all of a piece “pillow”. This tells me, and as intended and its heritage, that the Pegasus 37 is best run faster when there is more load on the forefoot.

I found the midsole quite stiff with a flex point quite far back, behind the Zoom Air despite the airbag being segmented. And the stiffness was more noticed at slower paces than faster.  I wonder as Michael did if the lower PSI more flexible women’s air unit might be more to my liking.   

Update women's version: The women's midsole while of the same React foam and with a Zoom Air forefoot bag is tuned noticeably differently. The React foam is somewhat softer to touch and this is felt on the run. The heel is more forgiving, the rebound more noticeable. The Zoom Air bag with lower 15 PSI is not sensed as protruding even at slower paces ( I weigh about 165 lbs / 74 kg) as it is in the men's. The forefoot feels a bit thinner but is more flexible and joins the rest of the geometry (decoupling groove and outsole) leading to smoother easier transitions at all paces. The feel is all Peg but now leans more to all around daily training than the firmer need to activate the Zoom Air feel of the men's.

Outsole

Jeff: The Pegasus 37 has a segmented outsole consisting of two different types of rubber, and their tried-and-true waffle mixed with their Rubber Crash Rail along the lateral side. The result is great traction and flexibility that leaves little to be desired. As a supinator, I spend most of the gait cycle along the lateral side, so I’m seeing more wear in the rails than in the waffle portion, but there’s plenty of rubber leaving me to believe that even with an unbalanced wear pattern these shoes will last three hundred plus miles for most runners. The only oddity I have noticed is increased wear on the midsole in the crease between the main waffle pod and forward waffle pod. I’m currently closing in on 30 miles on the shoe and right now it’s only an aesthetic gripe, but I don’t know if 200 miles from now it will be more consequential. Also, I spend a fair amount of my miles on groomed dirt paths around my area, and the lateral rails keep picking up a number of tiny rocks. Still not the end of the world, but a minor annoyance.

Peter: Waffles with a guide rail and plenty of rubber coverage. No issues with the outsole. 

Michael: I’ve written in the past about how I - a primarily urban runner, now spending even more time on a treadmill due to the COVID-19 restrictions - never really notice a good or bad outsole, especially in the summer. There are exceptions - the Zoom Fly models, some of my favorite trainers ever, come to mind for their poor wet-weather performance - but as a whole, most outsoles are within some degree of normal.

No more. I have developed a new test that will help me test outsole performance for years to come, and it is The Running With a Dog in Wet Conditions Test. Indeed, we just recently adopted a husky-corgi mix, Waffles, who we think could become a good runner. But for now, she’s a very good sniffer, and running with her is constant lateral, jerky motions - just the kind of motions that require a shoe with grip! Well, I’m happy to report that in several runs and run/walks with Waffles, the Pegasus 37 is as good as you’d expect it to be on wet pavement and grass (that is to say, very good). The tread is thick, and the shoe has no issues with lateral (or usual) strides whatsoever. Even at a faster clip, I had no hesitation around corners or downhills. This shoe will stick to the ground, and it’ll do so for a long time.

Don: I ran on a mix of paved paths, gravel roads, and smooth dirt trails. Not once did I have issues with the outsole. The waffle pattern is updated from the 36, and actually has more blown rubber than its predecessor. Can’t tell you if that’s a good or bad thing… but it’s a thing! 

Sam: Lots of durable rubber and grip here in an almost full coverage which also helps stabilize that narrow rear landing and has adequate decoupling until you hit the stiffer air unit. The tread and air unit and its protection make the Peg 37 an almost ideal road to trail, dirt road easy trail shoe for me and most of my testing was a mix of pavement and hard packed smooth dirt and road baseThis said The outsole midsole is quite stiff in the area below the Zoom Air unit behind the single flex grooves above. To give the shoe a bit more flex Nike included some small holes through the outsole, an attempt at a fix?  I assume they want you to land squarely on the Zoom Air unit to get maximum rebound but.. at slower paces, especially, the lack of flex and decoupling in that area tends to “force” the air unit up against the foot. I think the ride would be improved with more flex and decoupling in this area.

Sam: I noted no differences between the men's and women's outsoles.

Ride

Jeff: Smooth, firm, and bouncy. The Pegasus 37’s ride doesn’t have a super pronounced rocker geometry, and it doesn’t have an ultra plush midsole, but it does have a nicely cushioned feel that has a little give under foot and a very nice toe off. Fast or slow miles, the shoe is very smooth - no surprise given the amount of R&D Nike has at their disposal. While I tend to favor a thicker and/or softer midsole, I have found myself enjoying the Pegasus more than I thought I would. While it can’t quite hang with the carbon plated super shoes we are starting to get inundated with, it is so versatile that it still has plenty of pop to last during your tempo runs or even intervals while not being a rough easy trainer too.

Peter: I’m the contrarian here I guess. I’m with you guys on firm, but not particularly bouncy or fun for me. Or cushioned. I mean they’re fine, but they’re not fun. I feel like I have to work to keep pushing the Peg 37’s through my gait cycle. There wasn’t really any time in any of my runs that I felt free and forgot about the shoes. They’re not bad--and I do think they’ll be better for heavier runners. They don’t have the soft, snappy fun of the Pegasus Turbo and they sure don’t have the cushy - ‘I can run forever’- of the NB 1080 V X (which is the same weight). 

Michael: I would echo Jeff in “firm, and bouncy.” I don’t know that I would call the ride particularly “smooth,” and my hesitation comes (of course) from those Zoom Air units. Here’s my conundrum: I can already tell that this is a shoe that I’m going to put a lot of summer miles on. It’s a really fun ride - like I said, that React is a great upgrade - and the durability and well-constructed make it a no brainer. I can’t wait to pull it on in those humid mornings - hopefully ones where we can run with friends again - and hit the roads. But the Pegasus 37 is unfortunately far from the perfect ride, and I can’t help but wish that maybe they had worked in some Zoom X, rather than Zoom Air, into the mix. 

It’s true - this shoe can be run in fast (I’ve done a couple light progression runs and hard strides without issue - in fact, I quite like it at a faster clip!) and slow, but especially at more conversational paces, I do notice those Air Zoom units, even after several runs in the Pegs. What’s more, that feeling comes across not only as “oh, there is a new material here,” but also as a pseudo-hotspot under my forefoot. It gets better - run one was almost uncomfortable, and run 5 was more of a passing notice - but it’s still there, and when I know Nike can make something as terrific as the Turbo 2, I can’t help but feel just a little disappointed in the ride of the P37.

Don: I’ll double down on both firm, smooth, and bouncy. I’ll stop short of calling it fun, but honestly to me that’s a good thing. I want a shoe that does its thing for hours at a time (like more than 24 sometimes…) without drawing too much attention to itself. 

I’ll cut to the chase, this was just a damn good ride for me. It’s not going to wow you or amaze your friends with bells and whistles, but it’s going to give you a reliable run day after day, where everything works the way it should so you can worry about the important things; like what flavor of gel you want to use. 

It’s also worth mentioning how well I feel the Peg 37 felt on gravel and dirt roads. I run this type of surface quite a bit, and finding a road shoe that transitions to smoother off road terrain this nicely is sometimes a challenge. The Peg felt equally smooth and secure on dirt as it did on the road, and the upper continued to shine by holding my foot securely in place even over the lumps and bumps of the non-paved terrain. While it’s certainly not a rock plate, the Zoom Air pocket does provide a nice little cushion for stepping on the occasional rock or two while off road. 

Sam: The ride is quite unique due to its variable feel depending on pace from the giant air unit. It’s a very solid feel, not particularly plush with a narrow but stable heel landing and a forefoot that feels high and very well cushioned at slower paces and much more dynamic with rebound from the air unit as the pace picks up.

I agree with Don that the Peg 37 is in its element when you mix pavement and smooth dirt. Back to part of its heritage as the college and high school athlete’s ideal XC training shoe? React is for me actually a really fine hard dirt and trail midsole as its dense stable feel shines there when combined with the great outsole. 

Update: The women's version ride is smooth, smooth, smooth with great ground feel and cushion. A slightly softer React and less pressure in the Zoom Air bag make for a different personality ride while still a characteristic Peg: a narrower stable landing and a lively thinner yet firmer forefoot take off. The 10m thick lower PSI front air bag provides plenty of cushion, more than say in a Vomero 14 or a Peg 36 (with its 4mm air bag) while having a more consistent, smoother toe off feel than any of the foregoing, While the Peg 37 for men's has somewhat sharp contrasts at different paces the women's is all super smooth regardless of pace.

Conclusions and Recommendations

Jeff: I’m very impressed, and the Pegasus 37 is a very easy shoe to recommend to most, if not all runners. If you are the type of runner who uses one shoe for everything, this likely fits the bill. If you have more pairs than there are days in the month, then you can certainly find a spot for this shoe as well. It has a fun-to-run quality that is hard to quantify other than this - after a couple of runs I told Sam that this shoe makes me resent rest days and I don’t know a higher compliment I can give. At $120, you’ll be hard pressed to find a full priced shoe in that price range that is so versatile and good. This isn’t a jack of all trades master of none, more like near-master of everything. Now to see if Pegasus diehards are as enthusiastic...

Jeff’s Score 9.5 / 10

Ride: 9 (50%) Fit: 10 (30%) Value: 10 (15%) Style: 10 (5%)

Michael: The Zoom Pegasus 37 has flaws, to be sure, but it’s still an excellent trainer. It’s a testament to Nike’s recent offerings (and the running world in general over the past 24 months) that such a solid option may fall short of its peers, but I don’t want to mince words: runners who purchase the Pegasus 37 will not be displeased. And I expect there will be many of them, since the Pegasus draws, year-over-year, devoted fans, and the new upgrades here to the upper and midsole should draw in some converts. I just wish Nike had found a way to integrate the Zoom Air units in a less noticeable (and therefore more comfortable) way.

As I noted throughout the review, this shoe is ultimately a bit paradoxical. It’s flawed, but I do love it. The cushioning is imperfect, but it’s a shoe I want to take to 500 miles. It’s heavier than last year’s model, and yet it feels nimble enough for tempo runs. It’s a quite good buy at $120 (a threshold I hope Nike never exceeds with the Pegasus line), even when there are several competitive shoes at that price point. 

Apple products, pundits have observed, follow a tick-tock model: first, you get a revolutionary new gadget (“tick”), and the next year a refined, cleaned-up, S-model (“tock”). The Pegasus 37, by that logic, is a tick. The Peg 36 was an extremely polished last-generation Pegasus. The P37 is new, it’s exciting, and it’s imperfect - but it’s a look into the future, and one I’m excited to see improved with the Pegasus 37S, err, 38.

Michael’s Score: 8.8/10

Peter: Well, different strokes for different folks. I’m just not finding a way to feel in harmony with the Pegasus 37’s. There are other Pegs that I have loved  (Hello 35), but this isn’t one of them. There are other shoes out there that are in the same category that I would reach for well before I’d reach for the Pegasus 37. They’re fine, as I said, but not fun for me. Thinking about it more I realize that the Pegasus models I really liked all came before the new generation of foams. React just doesn’t hold a candle to FuelCell or Hyperburst for me. 

Peter’s Score 8/10 

There’s nothing wrong with them, but I don’t love them and would run in other things first. 

Don: I apparently have a love/hate relationship with the Nike Pegasus line these days. I loved the 34 and 35 (the best Peg ever), hated the 36 and was “meh” on the Turbo 2. But just when I think I’m over the Pegasus, they come out with the 37 and totally win me back! The upper is nearly perfect and the ride is smooth and on point for what you’ll want out of an every day training shoe. 

The only issue I had was the potential for overheating on a hot and sunny day, so maybe opt for a lighter color if you live somewhere with a hot climate. 

Don’s Score - 9.2/10

Sam: The Pegasus 37 takes the model in a new direction while maintaining its place and heritage as a solid and secure firmer daily trainer for hard miles and workouts. It should prove very durable and is a good value.

React while not my favorite foam, is an improvement here. The giant forefoot Zoom Air unit provides a distinct if not quite perfected new approach to forefoot cushion and rebound inspired by the Alphafly. The upper is secure, simple and effective. It is my favorite Pegasus of the last several which were mired in outdated harsher rides which quite frankly I never looked forward to.

The Pegasus 37 is a strong option for runners who want a single workhorse trainer focused on durability, shorter harder runs including workouts/intervals who prefer a somewhat firmer but no longer as harsh even punishing (for me) previous Peg. The new Zoom Air unit clearly not only takes the edge off but is more dynamic in rebound than previous lower profile units. This said, being top loaded, at slower paces and maybe also for lighter runners, it takes downward forces (weight and/or pace) to make it shine and if you don’t load it can have an unusual but not totally unpleasant feel of height at the ball of the foot from the air unit.

I wonder if the Zoom Air’s pressure, thickness or maybe both could be slightly reduced and its segmentation improved to give the Peg better flex to make the air unit less noticeable and thus the ride more pleasant, seamless and versatile at a wider range of paces.

I found the ideal Peg 37 run terrain was when pavement, dirt roads, and smooth trails were in the daily mix as the secure upper, solid denser React midsole, moderate protection plus rebound from the 10mm of Zoom Air, and great outsole provided a near ideal blend of characteristics.

Sam’s Score Men's Pegasus 37: 8.7/10

Ride: 8.5 (50%) Fit: 8.8 (30%) Value: 9 (15%) Style: 8.5 (5%)

Women's Version: Superior in all respects for me from slightly more relaxed fit, lower weight, to smoother and livelier ride. Unlike the men's, can much more easily be a single shoe in the quiver for me. Not sure why this version isn't the standard Peg for most except maybe heavier runners and fast forefoot landers.

Sam’s Score Women's Pegasus 37: 9.3/10

Ride: 9.3 (50%) Fit:9.5 (30%) Value:9 (15%) Style: 8.5 (5%)

13 Comparisons Index to all RTR reviews: HERE

Nike Zoom Pegasus 37 Women's vs Men's Versions

Video Comparison from the Run (7:53)

Sam: I did an A/B compare, one of each foot at equivalent sizes and D widths. The women's has a lighter less dense more breathable upper and weighs about 0.35 ounces/ 8g less has considerably less sense of the Zoom Air bag pushing up as it is lower pressure at 15 PSI and has a softer midsole. It is more flexible. Transitions and toe off are smoother. I see it as more versatile as a more conventional feeling all around daily trainer with state of the art midsole and upper. The women's version is my preference and could be for most men (if they can get sizes) unless you are heavier or prefer a firmer more responsive ride and can really drive down on the Zoom Air bag's higher pressure (forefoot landings and faster paces). In terms of sizing I translated my US8.5 to the women's 10 in D width. Fit is true to size and slightly more relaxed due to a  lighter upper than the men's. My narrower right foot has some minor heel slip in the women's. I could see sizing down a half or for those with really narrow feet going the B width at true to size.

 

Nike Zoom Pegasus 36 (RTR Review)

Peter: I found the Peg 35 to be the sweet spot of the Pegasus line. The waffle print looked cool on the ground, the upper was good, the ride was excellent. I liked the cushlon. It was a beautiful combination. I liked the 36, but didn’t run in it as much as the 35--too many other shoes in that category sort of crowded it out. The 37 is my least favorite of the Pegs. I’m not a huge fan of React foam and the ride leaves me underwhelmed. I’d go back to the 35 in a minute!

Don: I second the Peg 35 being the best version. The 36 was a trainwreck for me and I barely wore it for anything more than a lifestyle shoe (it looks good with jeans and a polo, no shame!) But the 37 I feel is a major step in the right direction and lightyears closer to the 35 than it is to the 36. If you were disenchanted was the 36… you might just find yourself loving the Peg again. 

Nike Pegasus Turbo 1 & 2  (RTR Review)

Jeff: All fit true-to-size. The Pegasus Turbo 1 seemed like a good proof of concept with poor execution, while the Peg Turbo 2 refined it in a number of ways. But up against the 37, the Turbo seems poorly named. On a left/right foot comparison, the 37 feels more dialed in and more at home at uptempo speeds, while the premium ZoomX foam in the Turbo has a more plush ride. The uppers are very similar, though the Turbo seems to have non stop tongue issues. And it’s hard to ignore the $60 difference in price (also known as 50% price increase), but even at a comparable price I’d give the slight edge to the 37. 

Peter: I loved the Peg Turbo and had huge fit issues with the Turbo 2. I find the Peg Turbo ride to be soft but fun to go fast in. The Peg 37 is firmer and less fun to run in. 

Michael: Agreed on TTS across the board (with the Pegasus Turbo 2 running the shortest of the 3). As to the choice, even with the upcharge, I think the Turbo 2 is a better buy. It’s such a fun, bouncy ride, with equal durability and a slightly more streamlined upper than the P37. I would not recommend the first-generation Turbo over the new Pegasus (not that it’s being sold), but, as capable a shoe as the P37 is, I think the Turbo 2 is just better.

Sam: Going to lean towards the Peg 37 in these match ups. While lighter Turbo is considerably more expensive and neither version agreed with me much, kind of sharp edged. Now a Peg with at least some Zoom X and the Zoom Air that would be interesting,,

Nike Zoon Pegasus 36 Trail (RTR Review)

Don: Fit is similar between Peg 36 Trail and the Peg 37. The Trail is much softer and much more forgiving. I found the Peg Trail to be more of a hybrid type shoe for me and I found that I enjoyed the Peg 37 on the same types of trails. It’s a firmer, but save for technical trail, you’d be okay taking the 37 on some groomed stuff and might just find you like it better there than the Peg Trail, like me! 

Nike React Infinity  (RTR Review)

Jeff: Both shoes fit true-to-size. The React Infinity took a little bit for me to like (and some surgery with a leather punch to add lace holes to cure the heel slip problem) but I’ve come around on it’s comfortable ride and extra wide forefoot. Ultimately I’d put these shoes in two very different categories, and I think they’d make better partners as part of a 1-2 punch than going against each other. If you used the 37 for faster or shorter days and the Infinity for longer or recovery runs, you’d have a solid lineup. But if I had to pick only one? Probably the React Infinity for the added cushioning.

Sam: The React Infinity has a broader more forgiving platform. As with the Peg 37 it has an “unusual” feature in its case long harder plastic side rails just above the midsole which hampered transitions for me. I give the nod to the Peg 37 but take those rails away and I would prefer the Infinity React

Nike React Miler (Initial RTR Review)

Sam: Heavier and more cushioned with toned down side rails, the Miler would make a nice recovery type shoe pairing with the Peg,

Nike Zoom Vomero 14 (RTR Review)

Sam: Vomero has a thinner forefoot which is less cushioned and for me is far more agile at faster paces with a more stable rear of the shoe so a study in contrasts whereas Peg 37 while decently stable at the rear is narrower and somewhat firmer in feel. Upfront the Peg 37 is more cushioned and has more rebound from the big air unit. If I had to choose I prefer the faster forefoot of the V14 at faster paces even as the heel area is a bit heavy and off balance at slower paces,

ASICS Novablast (RTR Review)

Michael: The NovaBlast is ASICS’s hottest new trainer - an absolute step in the right direction for the brand (and for neutral daily trainers, period). Ultimately, this actually is a really close call. The Peg wins for upper, without question - the lockdown on the ASICS just isn’t there to the extent it is on the Nike. In the midsole, the ASICS is a squishier ride - I prefer the firmer ride of the Nike, overall, but both are solid in their own regard. I would expect the Nike to exceed the ASICS in durability, soo…. We really have a toss-up! And it’ll just come down to this: want firmer? Take the Nike. Want squish? Take the ASICS. Both are robust enough for pure recovery or up-tempo running. True do-it-alls, one a brand new offering, the other a long-running dynasty. 

ASICS Cumulus 22 (RTR Review)

Michael: The Cumulus 22 was impressive, considering its predecessor, but a little… boring. The flashy new Pegasus is anything but. Both are firm rides, but the Peg is undeniably more exciting underfoot, and gives considerably more feedback when running faster. I’d take the Pegasus every day.

Sam: I agree with Michael adding that I do prefer the lighter less dense Cumulus 22 upper.

ASICS Glideride (RTR Review)

Jeff: Both fit true-to-size. An unlikely matchup, the ASICS has all kinds of tricks up its sleeve with a very pronounced rocker, a firm plastic plate, and a pretty high stack height to the Peg 37’s plain Jane construction. Two ways to go about it, but the result is two great shoes. The Glideride has an edge in cushioning and protection, and I really like it’s pronounced geometry - but I get that it isn’t for everyone. The Glideride is worth considering if you like that kind of shoe, the Pegasus 37 is worth considering for everyone.

Michael: I like Jeff’s analysis - sort of two ways to skin a cat here. I prefer what Nike has done, mostly, but what ASICS has brought - with a plated midfoot bearing a pronounced rocker - is a really fun option, too. The GlideRide will work for someone who wants a stiff transition or really wants to work on getting onto their midfoot. The Nike, with a more relaxed geometry, won’t help heel strikers get forward, but the bounce from the React material keep the shoe lively enough. The Nike wins in the margins, for me (better fit and more comfortable upper) but again - two solid choices.

Sam: I prefer the rocker ride of the Glideride and its more cushioned midsole. Smoother and more versatile all around but for the Peg’s superior dirt capabilities.

New Balance 1080v10 (RTR Review)

Jeff: Both fit true-to-size. New Balance’s big daily trainer is the best it has ever been, and there are a few things it does better than the 37. The upper is softer, and has more stretch, and the midsole is a little more plush. The 37 upper is more breathable, and feels better at uptempo speeds. If I had to take one shoe to do it all, I’d favor the 1080 for the extra protection, but as a part of a lineup, give me the $30 cheaper Pegasus 37 all day long.

Peter: The NB 1080 V10 is the shoe that takes the Pegasus out of my lineup. The NB does everything I’d want the Peg to do and just does it better. It’s more fun, it’s softer, yet snappier, it’s the same weight and it’s a great fitting upper. The 1080 may be my favorite all around trainer. Period. Running back to back with the Peg (which admittedly looks sleeker), I don’t know why I’d take the Peg 37 out for a spin. 

New Balance FuelCell Propel (RTR Review)

Peter: Both of these are strong daily trainers. Once again I enjoy the Fuel Cell midsole more than the React. I find the Peg a little firmer and a little less forgiving over long miles than the Propel.

New Balance FuelCell TC (RTR Review)

Jeff: Both fit true-to-size. The TC is arguably the only carbon plated shoe in the market that isn’t billed as exclusively a racer, and while it brings a lot to the table, it also brings a $200 price tag that’s close to double the price of the Pegasus 37. However, if you can stomach the cost you get a roomy and comfortable upper (that holds the foot well) and a super plush yet responsive ride (thanks carbon plate!) that is butter smooth. Give me the TC, but if the budget is a concern the 37 isn’t too far behind in performance.

Michael: I didn’t test the FuelCell TC during our review period, but I picked it up on my own, and preliminary results are positive. It’s undeniably aggressive - maybe too aggressive as a daily trainer for most - but a quite fun ride. I agree with Jeff, the $200 price tag is a turn-off, and while the carbon plate is cool… it doesn’t make the TC a markedly better or more capable shoe than the Peg 37. Yes, if you’re buying a shoe for workouts and tempos, you should take the TC (if you can afford it). But if you’re looking for a daily trainer with some faster running capabilities, the Pegasus should suffice.

Peter: The FuelCell TC is a work of art and the Peg 37 is a decent trainer. TC all day long for me. It’s a great feeling shoe that hums at speed but is totally viable for easy long runs. No comparison really. 

Sam: Peter said it, The TC is a work of art and I would call the Peg a hard worker, Price aside, I distinctly prefer the TC. Not only does it keep the carbon plate from being a felt element in the mix, as the Zoom Air is in the Peg, but its cushion, smoothness, and propulsive feel is superior at all paces,

Saucony Ride ISO 2 (RTR Review)

Don: After the Peg line, the Ride line has been an old standby for me on my big days on the pavement. I feel the ISO 2 fits my forefoot just a little wider than the Peg 37 and overall has a little wider and more stable platform. This would be a hard tossup if I was forced to pick just one. Sizing length is identical. 

Saucony Endorphin Speed (RTR Review)

Michael: The Endorphin Speed might as well be the Endorphin Pro Lite - it’s more racer than trainer, as far as I know, and that comes with its pluses and minuses. For one thing, the upper is race-ready, with a really constricting midfoot that keeps you locked and loaded (and the cost of that trainer-level comfort). What’s more, the midfoot in the Speed is noticeably plated and aggressive - it’s genuinely a difficult shoe to run easy in. So what? I’d liken this to the TC Comparison, above - if you want a daily trainer that can handle some workouts, pick the Nike, not the Saucony. If you’re looking for a shoe that can absolutely rip, the Endorphin Speed is it.

Peter: The Speed and the Peg 37 actually share some ride similarities in terms of stiffness, but the Speed softens up over time and feels better at, um, speed. Overall I like the fit of the Saucony better too. 

Sam: The Speed is what the Peg 37 or for that matter Peg Turbo could be. While it is best at speed I find it at least as easy to run easy in as Peg 37 as its Speed Roll rocker helps you rock and there is more and softer cushion all around than the Peg with a more stable heel.

Saucony Endorphin Shift (RTR Review)

Michael: The Endorphin Shift has, somewhat surprisingly, turned into one of my favorites of 2020. It’s a bit of a chunky trainer - the profile is more Hoka than Nike, to be sure - but the SpeedRoll geometry genuinely helps it move forward and, well, punch above its weight class. It doesn't quite have the upside of the React-based Peg 37, but it’s no slouch, either. Runners who want a little more stability will appreciate the rear structure of the Shift, which is not so prevalent in the Pegasus. Choosing one…. I actually think the SpeedRoll in the Shift makes it a dynamic enough offering that I would choose it for most runs over the Nike. Both have solid durability, both have exceedingly good uppers, but I think the Saucony just has a bit of “it factor” that the new Pegasus can’t quite match.

Sam: If you are seeking an all around daily trainer the smooth rolling if a bit heavier Shift is a better choice. It’s rear stability is superior it has more cushion for sure and while it does not have the Air rebound the Speed Roll rocker makes slower paces just as easy as faster unlike the Peg’s somewhat in the way air unit at slower paces.

Saucony Triumph 17 (RTR Review)

Jeff: Both shoes fit true-to-size. My shoe of the year for 2019, the Triumph 17 is one of my favorite shoes of all time. The PWRRUN+ midsole is super protective and comfortable but still feels great at speed, and the upper is plush without being bulky. Head-to-head the extra cushioning in the Saucony is apparent, and is still my choice - but I could see more svelte runners appreciating the more streamlined Peg 37.

Sam: Sorry Jeff, I found the Triumph 17 while soft and protective just not as exciting as the Peg 37, especially at faster paces. The combination of excellent PWRUN+ and forefoot crystal rubber is not particularly responsive or snappy,  I would give the T17 the nod at more moderate and recovery paces.

Skechers Ride 8 (RTR Review)

Jeff: Both shoes fit-true-to size. Skechers updated the GoRun Ride 7 with Hyperbust when they brought out the 8, giving the platform a nicely cushioned and relatively lightweight shoe with good protection. But up against the 37 it feels very pedestrian, and the upper feels several generations behind as it retains much more heat and isn’t as comfortable. I think more runners need to take Skechers Performance seriously, but in this matchup, take the Peg 37.

Sam: I would agree Ride 8 is “pedestrian”. While also a fairly stiff shoe, the Ride’s flat front geometry when combined with its copious higher stack there leads to a dull stiff toe off in comparison to the Peg 37 and I agree with Jeff the Peg upper is superior in hold and comfort,

Skechers GoRun 7+ Hyper (RTR Review)

Michael: The GoRun 7+ Hyper is another top-notch trainer, laden with HyperBurst and a revised knit upper that fits better than any previous Skechers I’ve tried - racing or training. And as good as the Pegasus 37 is, the 7+ is a better shoe at basically every turn. HyperBurst is fun and light, and now that Skechers has locked in the upper, it’s basically the trainer to beat for 2020. Buy the Skechers!

Peter: What he said. My love of earlier Pegasus is partly because it predated all of these excellent shoes that are light and fun. The GoRun 7+ Hyper is an outstanding fun new school trainer. Putting it side-by-side with the Peg, I’m not sure why you’ choose the clunkier Peg. 

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