
The Nike Pegasus series, introduced in 1983, is now in its 41st edition.  Pegasus has been a go-to shoe for runners and one of the most versatile shoes in the market. I've used many daily trainers including several editions of Pegasus, with Peg 41 being my 4th pair after 35, 38, and 39. 

Not a rule, but generally Pegasus series saw major upgrades for every two editions.  Pegasus 40 is a minor upgrade to Pegasus 39.  So a major upgrade was due with Pegasus 41, and hence there was quite a bit of hype around its launch in the running world.  Indeed Nike has made significant changes with Pegasus 41. 

_Let's see if it lives up to the hype._

<ShoeCard shoeCode="002010041M"></ShoeCard>

### What makes up Pegasus 41?

These features summarize what Pegasus 41 it is all about

* **Breathable Upper:** A redesigned engineered mesh upper 
* **Grippy Outsole: **The signature waffle-inspired rubber outsole 
* **Comfortable Fit:** A plush collar, tongue, and sock liner create a secure fit that feels soft and supportive.
* **Responsive Midsole:** The all-new ReactX foam (first introduced in Infinity RN4) midsole is 13% more responsive than the previous React foam
* **Increased Stack height:** At 37mm, the midsole is 4mm higher than the previous edition
* **Sustainable Construction:** Nike has incorporated recycled materials into the Pegasus 41, using 70% recycled content to create a more environmentally conscious shoe.


__Midsole__

The midsole comprises new React X foam plus two Air Zoom units (front and rear). Nike claims the midsole is 13% more responsive, and I did notice a slight increase in responsiveness, although there was no significant bounce. The shoe has a 10mm drop.  Another major update in midsole is the much needed increase in the stack height.  At 37mm, it is about 4mm higher than the previous edition. 

<LightBox src="/images/nike-peg-41_3.jpg" caption="Midsole is of React X foam and has two airbags" alt="" ></LightBox>

__Upper__

The upper is highly breathable and light mesh. I ran in extreme heat and high humidity (93%) with no discomfort from sweat or wetness. The mesh feels similar to Puma Liberate Nitro's but offers better humidity management.

<LightBox src="/images/nike-peg-41_2.jpg" caption="Upper is soft and breathable" alt="" ></LightBox>

__Outsole__

Outsole uses the iconic waffle pattern, a design still thriving in Pegasus from the original. The rubber compound used is quite hard and durable. The outsole has a firm grip.

__Heel__

The midsole under the heel features a React Zoom Airbag.  The heel is well-padded around the ankle, providing good comfort and grip.  The heel counter is stiff enough and offers good stability, making it suitable for heel strikers. 

<LightBox src="/images/nike-peg-41_6.jpg" caption="Heel is stable and well padded" alt="" ></LightBox>


### Why did I consider this shoe?

Having used Pegasus trainers in the past, I wanted to experience the hype around the Peg 41. I bought them at full price with extra shipping charges, hoping they would make excellent daily trainers.

### Ride in Pegasus 41

I've run 100+ km in these shoes.  My runs include tempo runs, easy long runs, and runs in various weather conditions. It performed well in all kinds of runs. However, it lacks the springiness, making it less ideal for pacy runs. 

Compared to my other daily trainers like Saucony's Kinvara or Puma Liberate Nitro, both of which offer better bounce, the Peg 41 falls a bit short in this aspect.

The Pegasus 41 is a true daily trainer, handling grunt work efficiently. It is neutral with excellent grip, comfort, and lightness. 

<LightBox src="/images/nike-peg-41_4.jpg" caption="Pegasus 41 is a true daily trainer" alt="" ></LightBox>


**Fit and Comfort**

Highly comfortable for 20+ km runs, thanks to the React X foam and two Air Zoom units. The padded tongue and ankle support are excellent, and the laces stay in place. The slightly wider toe box compared to previous editions, and the new upper provides plenty of breathability. The weight is equally distributed, and it fits true to size (I wear a US 8.5 for women).  (In case anyone decides to gift me!) 

**Stability**

As a neutral shoe, it provides excellent support with its reasonably rigid heel counter, waffle-checkered outsole and comfortable outsole grip. 

**Road Grip**

It performs well in rain, on wet roads, and on trails, providing a reliable grip.

<LightBox src="/images/nike-peg-41_1.jpg" caption="Pegasus 41 performs well in rain, on wet roads, and on trails" alt="" ></LightBox>

**Aesthetics**

The Pegasus 41 is visually appealing and climate-conscious, made from recycled materials. It offers a variety of colors and a custom fit. Comfort, fit, and overall design are commendable.

### Review Summary

<ReviewSummaryCard shoeCode="002010041M"></ReviewSummaryCard>

<ProsCard
  title="PROS"
  pros={[
    "Breathable Upper: The redesigned engineered mesh upper is highly breathable, providing comfort even in extreme heat and high humidity.", 
    "Grippy Outsole: The signature waffle-inspired rubber outsole offers a firm and durable grip, performing well on wet roads and trails.", 
    "Comfortable Fit: The plush collar, tongue, and sock liner create a secure and soft fit, suitable for long runs.",
    "Responsive Midsole: The new ReactX foam is 13% more responsive than the previous React foam, providing a slightly increased responsiveness.",
    "Sustainable Construction: Made with 70% recycled content, the shoe is environmentally conscious.",
    "Good Stability: The rigid heel counter and well-padded heel provide good stability, especially for heel strikers.",
    "Visual Appeal: The shoe is visually appealing and available in a variety of colors, with an emphasis on climate-conscious design."
  ]}
/>

<ConsCard
  title="CONS"
  cons={[
    "Lacks Springiness: Despite the responsive midsole, the shoe lacks significant bounce, making it less ideal for pacy runs.",
    "Pricey: Compared to the earlier editions, the Peg 41’s price is on the higher side."
  ]}
/>


<InfoCard title="RECOMMENDATION">
The Nike Pegasus 41 is a versatile and reliable daily trainer with a breathable upper, durable grip, and comfortable fit. It's suitable for a variety of runs and various weather conditions, providing good stability and a visually appealing design. However, it may not be the best choice for runners seeking significant bounce and springiness for speed workouts.
</InfoCard>


Nike Pegasus 41 Review


The world of daily trainers has changed a lot in just four years. We're seeing a new generation of shoes that are lighter, faster, comfortable and more versatile than ever before. Choices of daily trainers are no longer limited to Pegasus, Ghost, Ride and Ultraboost.  One shoe that really stands out is the New Balance Rebel. Each edition redefined what we should expect from our everyday running shoes.New Balance shoes used to be hard to find in India, but that's changing. You can now find them in select stores and online, so there's no excuse not to try them out.

<ShoeCard shoeCode="009001004M"></ShoeCard>

I've been a big fan of the Rebel for a while now. Rebel v2 was the first shoe I tried from this new wave of daily trainers, and I was hooked. Now, with the Rebel v4, New Balance has raised the bar once again.  It is a daily trainer with uptempo focus.

So, what makes the Rebel v4 so special? Does it really do justice to all the hype around it?  Read it now.

## What makes up Rebel v4?

True to its name, the shoe looks like a Rebel. With its sharp midsole edges and pointed toe spring, the silhouette is unlike any of the previous versions — it's like a shoe from the future. While it borrows some design elements from the Adidas Adios lineup, it still manages to feel refreshingly new.  I like that it can be mistaken for SC Elite v4, while paying a cheaper price.

**Upper**

The upper is a lightweight mesh that provides excellent breathability and minimal padding to keep the weight low.  The upper mesh feels similar to the mesh found in Puma Liberate Nitro & Deviate Nitro Elite v1 & v2. The mesh is a big improvement on Rebel v2, and keeps its shape well.  Branded as “FantomFit '', the same upper is also used in New Balance's super-shoe SC Elite v4. The mesh is see-through thin in some areas, particularly in the toe box, enhancing ventilation during runs​​. That said, don’t expect any padding in the upper.

<div class="d-flex flex-row align-items-center justify-content-center">
<div class="col-12 col-md-8 px-1">
    <LightBox src="/images/nbrebel_5.jpg" caption="Upper is light and breathable" alt="" ></LightBox>
</div>
</div>


**Midsole**

The midsole of the Rebel V4 uses a new version of New Balance's FuelCell foam. This foam is a blend of PEBA (polyether block amide) and EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate), compared to the Nitrogen infused EVA, TPU blend used in previous editions. This new foam is what makes the shoe so special, more about it later in the review.

<div class="d-flex flex-row align-items-center justify-content-center">
<div class="col-12 col-md-8 px-1">
    <LightBox src="/images/nbrebel_1.jpg" caption="New Balance got the FuelCell foam right!" alt="" ></LightBox>
</div>
</div>

The shoe stack has been increased to 30mm now (from 27mm). But this is still low compared to other up-tempo trainers. It has a 6mm drop, making it ideal for midfoot strikers. Midsole on the Durometer feels extremely soft at 15-20 HA.  One of the softest that I have seen for a daily trainer.  The shoe weighs at 218 grams for UK 9.5, which is also one of the lowest for daily trainers with this stack height.

**Heel**

Heel has decent padding for such a light shoe. The midsole’s bevel extends beyond the heel, and the wider midsole below the heel gives it good stability.   The 30 mm midsole is not too high when compared to many other trainers, which also helps the stability. 

**Outsole**

The outsole rubber is not uniformly spread across the entire outsole. Instead, it is placed in critical areas such as the heel and forefoot, where the most wear typically occurs. A decision probably made to keep the weight in check. The rubber has an interesting polygon pattern that helps with traction.  

## Why did you consider the shoe?

Well, there are a few reasons. First off, having used the Rebel v2, I was eager to see how the Rebel v4 stacked up. I'm always on the lookout for a versatile shoe that can handle both daily training and speedwork, as I just started my next marathon training block.  The Rebel seemed to fit the bill. Plus, the initial impressions that I'd read in online forums were overwhelmingly positive. And let me be honest, the fact that it's made with PEBA foam definitely piqued my interest. Oh, and did I mention I found them on sale on Myntra? That sealed the deal.

## Ride Experience

I've clocked over 80 kilometers in these shoes, and I can confidently say they're fun to run in. The shoe has decent bounce, even at slower speeds, and you can definitely feel the responsiveness of that FuelCell foam. It's not as soft as previous editions, so if you're looking for a super plush ride, this might not be your pick. But it helps that you don’t feel it is sinking below the foot. 


<div class="d-flex flex-row align-items-center justify-content-center">
<div class="col-12 col-md-8 px-1">
    <LightBox src="/images/nbrebel_3.jpg" caption="Rocker is quite aggressive" alt="" ></LightBox>
</div>
</div>

The aggressive rocker is the first thing you'll notice. It takes a bit of getting used to, but it really helps with that smooth foot transition. It's a versatile shoe that's great for easy runs, long runs, and tempo runs. Every workout that I have thrown at it worked great. It's really a do-it-all kind of shoe. However, it is not ideal for short sprints, as the ground feel isn't as pronounced and it's harder to get that explosive push-off. Overall, it's just a really fun shoe. It's light, it's fast, and it makes running enjoyable.

**Comfort and Fit**

The shoe is extremely comfortable and feels incredibly light and fast on foot. However, the aggressive rocker design can cause your toes to curl up, especially if you have a high toe girth like I do. Unfortunately this was further exacerbated by the limited sizing options available on Myntra when I bought the shoe (more options available now). I usually wear a UK 10, but they only had half sizes, so I went with a 9.5. This led to my big toe getting smashed and losing a toenail. Ouch! On the plus side, the heel padding is very comfortable and provides a nice cushion for your foot.

**Stability **

Despite the PEBA foam, which is generally known for being soft and bouncy, which actually doesn’t help much with stability. Most shoes add plates (Carbon or nylon) to add stability.  The stability of the Rebel v4 has been surprisingly great even without a carbon plate. NewBalance nailed the Eva and PEBA compound just right.  Unlike the v2, where my foot felt like it was sinking into the midsole, the v4 provides a more stable platform. This is likely due to a combination of factors, including the wider base and the firmer feel of the foam. Overall, I've been really impressed with how stable the shoe feels, even during tempo runs and workouts.

<div class="d-flex flex-row align-items-center justify-content-center">
<div class="col-12 col-md-8 px-1">
    <LightBox src="/images/nbrebel_4.jpg" caption="Stable Platform" alt="" ></LightBox>
</div>
</div>

**Road Grip**

The road grip is very good on tarred roads.  Even on roads with loose sand, and wet patches, the grip has been decent. The wider base helps with sharp turns as well.

**Aesthetics & Ergonomics**

The shoe's design is truly unique and futuristic. With its bold angles, sharp lines, and pointed toe spring, it looks like something straight out of a sci-fi movie. I personally love the aesthetic, it is dynamic, feels fast, and it definitely turns heads when I'm out on a run. 

#### Review Summary

<ReviewSummaryCard shoeCode="009001004M"></ReviewSummaryCard>

<ProsCard
  title="PROS"
  pros={[
    "Lightweight Design: Weighs only 218 grams for UK 9.5, ideal for daily training and uptempo runs",
    "Responsive FuelCell Foam: Blend of PEBA and EVA provides a responsive and bouncy ride",
    "Enhanced Breathability: Lightweight mesh upper offers excellent ventilation and keeps weight low",
    "Stable Platform: Wider base and firmer foam provide good stability without a carbon plate",
    "Versatile Performance: Suitable for easy runs, long runs, and tempo runs",
    "Good Traction: Strategically placed rubber with a polygon pattern enhances grip and durability",
    "Comfortable Heel Padding: Provides a smooth and stable ride with decent cushioning",
    "Futuristic Aesthetic: Modern, dynamic design with bold angles and sharp lines"
  ]}
/>
<ConsCard
  title="CONS"
  cons={[
    "Aggressive Rocker Design: Might cause discomfort for runners with high toe girth",
    "Limited Padding in Upper: Minimal padding may not suit runners who prefer more cushioned uppers",
    "Not Ideal for Short Sprints: Less pronounced ground feel makes explosive push-offs harder to achieve"
  ]}
/>


<InfoCard title="RECOMMENDATION">
The New Balance Rebel V4 is a versatile and lightweight daily trainer, weighing only 218 grams for a UK 9.5, with a responsive PEBA and EVA blend midsole that offers a bouncy and stable ride. Its minimalist upper provides excellent breathability, while the strategically placed rubber outsole enhances traction and durability. It excels in versatility, making it suitable for easy runs, long runs, and tempo workouts.  Finally it is a fun shoe to run in, and I can say it is probably is right at the top for the best daily trainers list.​
</InfoCard>

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Reviews

Nike Pegasus 41 Review

New Balance Rebel v4