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It’s been some time since I’ve been as utterly stoked a few pair of door-to-trail sneakers as I’ve been with the brand new Nike React Pegasus Path 4 ($140) shoe.
Maybe it’s as a result of it has been my magic slipper for a latest spherical of return-to-running protocol on the benign, non-technical trails I’ve been frequenting after a flare-up of heel ache, however I can really say Nike knocked it out of the park with this shoe.
iRunFar did an intensive Nike Pegasus Path 3 assessment in February 2022, the place gear reviewer Tom Caughlan mentioned a number of the historical past of Nike’s Pegasus line — 40 iterations of Pegasus street sneakers up to now! On the path facet, the Nike React Pegasus Path 4 is the third model using the progressive React foam, and having worn every of those — from the Nike Pegasus Path 2 ahead — I believe that is by far the most effective and most snug journey but.
The Nike Pegasus Path 3 was one in all our high picks in our Greatest Path Working Footwear information earlier this yr, and thus far this new mannequin is even higher. We’re together with it in our Greatest Path Working Footwear information replace, which is able to publish quickly.
Precise specs on the shoe are laborious to come back by as Nike isn’t posting them on their web site, however in line with the consultant we spoke with, the ladies’s measurement 8 has a heel-toe drop of 8.5 millimeters whereas the boys’s measurement 10 is 9.5 millimeters. I’m undecided why there can be a distinction, however I can attest to the ladies’s drop being not less than 8.5 millimeters, as a result of my posterior chain is totally glad, and it’s fairly delicate to such issues. The precise weight is 9.5 ounces (270 grams) for a males’s measurement 9, which is a bit lighter than the earlier fashions.
What this all actually means, is that the well-cushioned Nike React Pegasus Path 4 is a comparatively svelte, higher-drop shoe that’s adept at cruising by shorter and longer runs with out slowing the tempo.
I discover the sizing to be very constant throughout the Pegasus Path line, and I put on girls’s measurement 9.5 which is equal to my measurement in La Sportiva, Brooks, Columbia-Montrail, and New Stability. For reference, I put on a girls’s 8.5 in Salomon.
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The Nike React Pegasus Path 4. All photographs: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
Nike React Pegasus Path 4 Higher
The Nike React Pegasus Path 4 higher has advanced positively with a newly designed light-weight engineered mesh with bigger pores by the entrance half of the shoe for improved breathability. These are wonderful warmer-weather sneakers, and will you end up dashing by a stream, they dry in a short time as effectively. I’m not having any issue carrying them in our shoulder season both the place temperatures fluctuate from 35 to 65 levels Fahrenheit with some mud and packed snow scattered about.
Nike touts “runner-informed information” driving the match and really feel, and I do discover it’s an improved match over each the second and third variations of the shoe. The mesh may be very accommodating to my wider forefoot with out creating any strain factors, and even my grippy toes are utterly snug with room to splay and no abrasions from the toebox.
The protecting rand alongside the entrance of the toebox is now changed by a a lot lighter, extra versatile, and fewer protecting pores and skin overlay with tiny dots to deflect particles and incursions. A wrap of the outsole provides a little bit of construction to the top of the shoe and successfully wards off injury from catching a rock.
Additional lugs right here give added traction if you’re operating up a hill in your toes. At first, I used to be a bit cautious given my penchant for catching my toe on the occasional root or rock, however thus far, it’s functioned effectively given the sleek to average trails on which I’ve been operating.
At first look, the higher looks like it may be a bit too versatile and unstructured. Minimal assist is supplied by skinny overlays by the medial and lateral midfoot, however the unassuming Flywire expertise is fairly wonderful and with the combination between the laces and the midfoot band, my foot stays safe even on rutted and scooped-out trails that overwork the posterior tibialis in most different sneakers. The flat laces are straightforward to safe and keep tied with a easy double knot — no additional changes vital.
The absolutely gusseted and reasonably padded tongue is constructed with mesh cloth and is pretty versatile, which permits it to contour simply to the foot whereas nonetheless defending it from the laces. The tongue doesn’t lengthen too far up the ankle, so tendons keep glad and vary of movement is full. The ankle collar is padded simply sufficient to be very snug.
The one out-of-character a part of the higher, for me, is the Achilles tendon notch which, although the padding is enough, virtually jogs my memory of the primary La Sportiva Jackal — see our La Sportiva Jackal assessment for extra on that shoe — the place it’s truly angled barely towards the Achilles greater than most sneakers, thus creating some undesirable friction towards the Achilles.
I observed this notably within the first 50 miles of wear and tear, however I discovered it responded effectively to guide manipulation, forcing it to bend out and away from the tendon. Now that I’m at 150 miles in these sneakers, the left one is totally snug, and the best one is almost there. I haven’t learn one different remark stating this, so maybe it’s simply the sneakers I obtained.
The heel counter itself is well-structured however nonetheless pliable, which makes for a really snug journey even when the path will get a bit sideways. I appreciated the extent of assist it gives over a number of the rockier trails I ventured out on — it retains me nimble and agile, however safe. A really useful pull loop is hooked up to the higher heel, which assists with pulling on the shoe if that’s one thing you like.
Lastly, the insole appears extra substantial in foam top and arch assist than prior variations. My foot has appreciated this very a lot. Whereas most corporations appear to be minimizing this very key side of consolation, I really feel like Nike stepped it up right here. This — coupled with the way in which they’ve constructed the midsole foam to stand up medially and laterally alongside the higher/midsole junction — gives next-level assist to the foot, thus enhancing the sensation of stride effectivity whatever the tempo. It truly is one in all my favourite features contributing to the general pleasure of operating within the shoe.
With ample colorways obtainable within the Nike React Pegasus Path 4, there’s certain to be one which speaks to you.
A lateral view of the Nike React Pegasus Path 4.
Nike React Pegasus Path 4 Midsole
Although the React foam expertise has been utilized in each the second and third variations of the Nike Pegasus Path, there’s one thing in regards to the journey within the Nike React Pegasus Path 4 that looks like an enchancment. It could simply be the right mix of froth compliance and resilience, however for me, it seems like no vitality is wasted with every footfall. The graceful, responsive cushioning lets me glide alongside on the quarter mile of pavement and the mile of crushed gravel that take me to the rolling, comparatively {smooth} singletrack.
I really feel comfortable with this midsole in the way it responds by the gait cycle. The stack top is effectively inside my consolation zone, and I discover that it’s protecting sufficient on the smooth-moderate terrain that I don’t thoughts the dearth of a rock plate. If Nike wished to develop this line to extra technical trails, a rock movie may be useful, however given the door-to-trail focus, it’s good as is.
At 150 miles of use and counting up to now, the midsole gives as snug of a journey because it did out of the field, and the React foam stays wear-and-tear-free and with none compression creases. In the event you haven’t had an opportunity to check this foam out for your self and in case your main trails aren’t tremendous technical and mountainous, it’s price trialing these.
A medial view of the Nike React Pegasus Path 4.
Nike React Pegasus Path 4 Outsole
The Nike React Pegasus Path 4 outsole is one other place I consider this shoe has helpfully shed some weight as in comparison with prior iterations. Gone is the one layer of rubber and instead, a totally new and different 4-millimeter lug sample, with cutouts to enhance flexibility and conformability to the paths.
Once more, these sneakers aren’t focused for extremely technical trails or vital snow, ice, and dirt, however I’m discovering the multi-directional lug sample to be an enchancment over the Pegasus Path 3, particularly on quick, kicker uphills, skittery downhills, and the sand-over-hardpack grime surfaces I’m generally on.
The grip in all fairness efficient all-round within the seasonal transition the place it’s balmy within the low nation, however the mountain trails are utterly snowy. I discover they carry out adequately on the quick stints of roughed-up packed snow within the shady locations, however I undoubtedly ease up within the presence of greasy mud as they only don’t have a lot buy.
The outsole rolls easily over grime roads, which makes me grateful for the Pegasus’s street shoe heritage, however the safety and stability stay true to the light-moderate path class.
The outsole of the Nike React Pegasus Path 4.
Nike React Pegasus Path 4 General Impressions
I put on the Nike React Pegasus Path 4 virtually daily proper now as a result of it’s completely designed for the non-technical singletrack, and sometimes average rocky segments I’m frequenting. I haven’t discovered one other shoe with that ideally suited steadiness of cushioning and vitality return that facilitates such a straightforward stride whilst I work to get my health and paces again.
It’s not a giant mountain shoe or one I’d connect a traction system to, however for low nation days, it’s actually laborious to beat. I undoubtedly respect the lighter-weight really feel of this model in addition to the enhancements made within the higher and outsole.
We already beloved the Nike Pegasus Path 3 sufficient to incorporate it in our Greatest Path Working Footwear information earlier this yr, however there’s simply one thing about the way in which the midsole helps the foot and integrates with the higher that stands out and makes the Nike React Pegasus Path 4 my favourite model of this shoe mannequin but. We’re publishing our up to date Greatest Path Working Footwear information shortly, and it’ll actually embrace the Nike React Pegasus Path 4.
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Name for Feedback
- Have you ever run within the Nike React Pegasus Path 4? What had been your impressions?
- Have you ever tried any of the earlier variations within the Pegasus Path line? How do you assume this newest iteration compares?
[Editor’s Note: If you’re affiliated (i.e., an employee, ambassador, etc.) with a brand, please share your relation in each of your comments on this article. Thanks!]
A high view of the Nike React Pegasus Path 4.
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