The Nike Pegasus Path 5. All pictures: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
The Nike Pegasus Path 5 ($150), like its predecessors, is my magic slipper of types for every day, non-technical singletrack working. It could actually additionally deal with the occasional mile of pavement linking my door with the specified easy-moderate trails and never flare up my endless plantar fasciitis saga. It was with pleasure and a little bit of trepidation that I initially slid my finally-pain-free ft into this shoe some weeks in the past, hoping that Nike didn’t change the superior journey of the previous variations of this shoe. I’ve put 150 miles on these in very brief order, and I can confidently say that, for me, every side of the replace is an enchancment.
They’re svelte and agile and make me really feel speedy on easy, much less rocky trails, and now the cushioning is much more forgiving on these days once I’m decidedly not feeling speedy. They’re nonetheless not very best for tremendous rocky or rubbly trails, however with sensible foot placement, their upgraded traction will get you extra confidently from level A to level B on trails, even when the rock safety is missing.
This model is 10 to fifteen unnoticeable grams heavier than the earlier, with their precise weight being 10.2 ounces (289 grams) for a U.S. males’s 9. The 9.5-millimeter drop is correct up my alley, with Nike reporting a 37-millimeter full stack top on the heel and a 27.5-millimeter top on the toe. The three colorways for ladies and 4 for males are attention-grabbing and visually pleasing as they pay tribute to the GR 11 path that traverses the Pyrenees. I discovered them to run true to measurement.
The iRunFar crew has beforehand reviewed the Nike Pegasus Path 4. As this shoe has solely improved, we’ve chosen the Nike Pegasus Path 5 once more as one in all our prime decisions in our Greatest Path Working Sneakers information.
Store the Ladies’s Nike Pegasus Path 5Store the Males’s Nike Pegasus Path 5
Nike Pegasus Path 5 Higher
A lateral view of the Nike Pegasus Path 5.
The higher of the Nike Pegasus Path 5 has a number of simply identifiable adjustments, one in all which is that it’s barely wider with a bit extra quantity by the forefoot. My toes have remained chafe- and blister-free in these, whatever the situations. The higher is a single layer of engineered mesh and makes use of varied textures and gap sizes to maximise breathability and sturdiness in excessive friction zones, in addition to enhance the general construction. This, coupled with skinny overlays by the medial and lateral midfoot, offers higher safety from water, filth, and sand entry whereas having glorious warmth administration. I’ve observed a lot cleaner ft after windy, dusty runs with the occasional splash zone.
The shoe retains the Flywire expertise from prior variations that gives midfoot safety by the combination with the laces. It permits the shoe to stay nimble and agile from the second you tie them till you lastly unlace for the day. In case you like experimenting with varied heel-lock lacing methods, the shoe now includes a third lacing gap nearest the ankle. I haven’t used these additional holes, however I respect their availability. The gusseted tongue is extra substantial and affords higher safety from the laces. I discovered it to remain completely in place all through every run and didn’t discover it obtrusive on the anterior ankle, even on steep uphills or throughout quicker runs.
One other noticeable enchancment is within the ankle collar and Achilles notch space — particularly in case you’re somebody like me who had points with prior variations being very aggressive in opposition to the Achilles tendons throughout the first 50 miles of use. The shoe now has a heel counter with a pliability and construction that strikes the collar barely away from the Achilles as a substitute of angling instantly into it. The heel cup is safe, cosy, and well-fitting. The padding within the barely lower-cut ankle notch makes it extra comfy throughout.
As an alternative of the acquainted webbing loop off the rear of the shoe, Nike hooked up a D-shaped rope loop to make it simple to tug on the shoe. It’s additionally useful for hooking the footwear to your bag through the ever-trusty carabiner. It looks like a superfluous change, however slightly flare right here and there will be memorable.
The insole is just like the Pegasus Path 4 and stays extra substantial than that of many manufacturers. My ft crave slightly additional cushioning and arch help, and these insoles do the trick. They’re detachable however have a bit of additional stickiness holding them in place, which implies even in case you fully soak the shoe, the insole isn’t going wherever.
The toe bumper is slightly sturdier than prior variations and wraps a bit additional onto the entrance of the toe with two wings on both finish. It offers ample bumper safety however stays low sufficient on the entrance finish that it doesn’t compress the shoe onto the ideas of the toes. I’m slightly extra cautious round cactus in these footwear, however I haven’t had any run-ins with the sharp ends of issues but.
All in all, it’s a terrific higher that retains my ft exceptionally glad. The Achilles notch change was crucial from my perspective, however I additionally actually like the texture of the brand new mesh. There’s no cause to reinvent the wheel, however these enhancements actually carry the Pegasus Path 5 to a brand new stage.
Nike Pegasus Path 5 Midsole
A medial view of the Nike Pegasus Path 5.
The midsole of the Nike Pegasus Path 5 has been upgraded from the model’s React foam to ReactX foam. Nike claims this lowered the shoe’s carbon footprint by 43% whereas upgrading the journey. This midsole feels a bit softer underfoot however by no means boggy. I really feel the brand new foam is most noticeable because the mileage of a run ticks into the double digits or if I transition from singletrack to filth street or pavement.
Nike claims the sturdy ReactX foam offers 13% extra power return than the React foam. That is exhausting to guage for me, however I’ll say this shoe is extra comfy on runs within the 10- to 20-mile vary than prior variations and retains the agility and sense of propulsion for shorter runs. At 150 miles, they’re simply as comfy because the day I first put them on, with no indicators of midsole compression or waning responsiveness.
The rise of the midsole by the medial and lateral midfoot is just like the earlier shoe model, which supplies a way of help with out proscribing pure foot movement. Visually, the midsole now noticeably protrudes off the again of the higher for a goal I’m not fairly clear on. Nevertheless, my very practical facet loves it as a result of it acts as a platform in your different foot to assist take the shoe off. The heel-striker in me additionally finds it enhances the smoothness of the roll from heel to toe, particularly with quicker, flatter working or whereas pushing the tempo on descents.
General, the ReactX foam and refined design change are positives for general consolation, responsiveness, and cushioning, particularly on longer runs. The one factor that might make the midsole extra excellent is a skinny rock plate — right here’s to hoping!
Nike Pegasus Path 5 Outsole
The outsole of the Nike Pegasus Path 5.
Nike makes use of their new proprietary All Terrain Compound (ATC) rubber for the outsole of the Nike Pegasus Path 5 and widened the general footprint of the shoe by a number of millimeters. In case you ever felt like the bottom contact space of prior variations was a bit too slender, you’ll respect this replace. It fully resolves that sensation with out feeling outsized. This new rubber compound has a barely extra pliable and textured really feel, which makes it barely stickier on slabs and fewer stiff when filth roads and hard-packed singletrack are on the menu. It feels just like the shoe is healthier capable of work with the foot.
The upgraded traction sample now consists of rows of angled diamond-shaped lugs with small rectangular cutouts paralleling them between the rows to save lots of weight and cut back stiffness. Apparently, a big part of the midsole is now uncovered down the middle of the midfoot towards the heel. That is doubtless to enhance the pliability and roll of the shoe throughout the gait cycle, notably on smoother surfaces. I discovered these adjustments enhanced traction and journey when examined on sandy rock slabs, small ball-bearing rocks on steeper ascents and descents, and moist filth over roots or rocks.
The one draw back to the newly designed outsole is that on actually rocky, rubbly trails, the ft take a beating with no rock plate to push back the incursions. The shoe isn’t designed for mud and snow, however I used to be pleasantly shocked by how they shed mud when wanted. I’m so proud of the efficiency of this outsole, along with the remainder of the shoe, that I’ll be stocking up.
The outsoles of the Nike Pegasus Path 4 (prime) and Pegasus Path 5 (backside).
Nike Pegasus Path 5 General Impressions
A prime view of the Nike Pegasus Path 5.
If the brand new Nike Pegasus Path 5 signifies that this path shoe line will stay as dependable in its efficiency and luxury over many evolutions because the 40-plus variations of the model’s Pegasus street shoe have, I’ll be one glad runner. There are different footwear for the massive, technical mountain days and gnarly terrain, however for a every day run on mild-to-moderate terrain the place stress melts away and the run might or might not finish with a mile of pavement to the native coffeehouse, this stays my Cinderella shoe.
The ever-so-slightly wider and extra accommodating design, the resilient and sturdy ReactX foam cushioning, and the improved traction make it a simple alternative to slide into and head straight out the door.
Store the Ladies’s Nike Pegasus Path 5Store the Males’s Nike Pegasus Path 5
Name for Feedback
- Are you working within the Nike Pegasus Path 5? What do you assume?
- Have you ever run in prior variations of this mannequin? How does this fifth iteration examine to prior editions?
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