Nike Pegasus Trail 5 Review
Published: June 25, 2024
Trail or Road, the Nike Pegasus Trail 5 Takes You Anywhere You Want to Go
Likes
- Soft, protective, and bouncy ReactX midsole
- Secure and stylish upper
- Top-tier road-to-trail option
Dislikes
- Could be more stable on technical terrain
- Dramatic heel-to-toe drop is not for everyone
What's New
The Nike Pegasus Trail Pegasus is back once again, and this daily trail trainer has been primed with an all-new ReactX midsole that injects a new level of speed into the model, but before we get ahead of ourselves, let us dive into all the updated technologies version 5 is rocking.
Starting with the upper, the Pegasus Trail 5 features a redesigned single-layer mesh that enhances breathability for more comfort on the run and reduces the risk of hot spots, blisters, and sweaty feet. The integration of Nike's Flywire technology into the lacing system ensures a secure fit around the midfoot, promising improved stability on uneven terrain. This design innovation also ensures that the wearer's feet remain comfortably locked in.
Now back to that exciting new midsole. The Pegasus Trail 5 introduces Nike's new ReactX foam, an evolution of the previous React foam we are all familiar with. This upgraded material delivers softer cushioning and increased responsiveness, making each step feel lighter and more energetic. Additionally, the midsole's updated rocker design promotes a smooth transition from heel to toe, enhancing running efficiency on varied surfaces and making version 5 even better for road-to-trail fun.
Another standout feature catching the attention of the running world is version 5's updated outsole. Nike has formulated a new All Terrain Compound (ATC) rubber that offers superior traction compared to previous versions. This reformulated rubber, combined with an optimized lug pattern, ensures excellent grip on trails and road surfaces in both wet and dry conditions, and ultimately reduces the risk of slips and falls.
The Nike Pegasus Trail 5 is ideal for runners who demand a shoe that performs flawlessly across different environments. Whether collecting daily mileage on city pavement, navigating rocky paths, or hiking steep trails, this shoe offers the comfort, support, and durability you need for your trail or road-to-trail endeavors. With its enhanced upper, revitalized midsole, and improved traction, the Pegasus Trail 5 is designed to meet the needs of versatile runners looking for a reliable and stylish trail companion.
The Bottom Line
The Nike Pegasus Trail 5 has garnered a range of feedback from our testers, highlighting its strengths and areas for improvement, but as you will quickly see, the Pegasus Trail 5 is a standout in the daily trail and road-to-trail categories.
First things first, let us explore the updated upper of this exciting new shoe. Our testers found that the engineered mesh was on the narrower side, which is not unique for a Nike shoe, but the Pegasus Trail 5 ultimately fits true to size. That said, runners with wider feet may not find their ideal fit in this shoe. Conversely, this design was particularly appreciated by our testers with narrower feet, finding the soft padding in the tongue and heel, combined with a low-profile toe box, to offer a snug, secure, and comfortable all-around fit. The Flywire lacing system provided a secure lockdown for many, although some noted that it could feel insufficient on more technical trails. However, the Pegasus Trail 5 is not designed for tough, technical terrain, so for best use, we recommend keeping the Pegasus Trail 5 on easier trails. Despite these fit difficulties on tough terrain, the Pegasus's heel cup structure prevented slippage, and the gusseted tongue kept debris out, making the upper comfortable and effective at keeping our testers irritation-free. We also cannot forget to mention this shoe's awesome aesthetic, as the testers praised its stylish look, which they found more than suitable for casual, all-day wear.
Unsurprisingly, the newly configured ReactX midsole emerged as a standout feature among our Running Warehouse testers. It offered a semi-firm yet protective feel that became more comfortable after a brief break-in period. The testers enjoyed the midsole's performance during faster-paced runs and longer distances thanks to its rocker geometry, which had no difficulty facilitating efficient forward motion. Again, some testers found the shoe less stable on technical terrain, experiencing outward tipping and rolling when navigating roots and rocks. Nonetheless, the midsole was praised for its protective squish and responsive rebound, making it a top road-to-trail option that our team could not recommend more highly for such efforts.
Now how about that intriguing new All Terrain Compound (ATC) outsole? Though we can all agree that having seen other recent Nike trail models being outfitted with Vibram rubber had us hoping for a similar redesign with the Pegasus Trail, the new ATC rubber performed surprisingly well, delivering the perfect amount of traction and protection for a daily road-to-trail trainer. Furthermore, the diamond lug configuration delivered a trustworthy grip on the trail without compromising the shoe's smooth transitions on paved surfaces. Although there were concerns about the ATC rubber's performance on wet surfaces based on previous Nike trail models, our team had no issues with grip or durability.
To sum things up, the Nike Pegasus Trail 5 impressed our testers with its versatility, comfort, and style. It excels as a road-to-trail, daily trail training hybrid shoe, delivering a smooth ride on both surfaces. The ReactX foam midsole provides a comfortable and responsive experience, though there were some stability issues on more technical trails. The upper's secure fit and the outsole's adequate grip make the Pegasus Trail 5 a reliable choice for less technical trail running and road use, earning it high marks from our testing team. If you are a road-to-trail rockstar, then there is no doubt that the Pegasus Trail 5 will help you reach your next training goals.
Specifications & Fit
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 10.1 oz (size 9) | Women's: 8.6 oz (size 8) |
| Stack Height | 37 mm (Heel), 27.5 mm (Forefoot) | 9.5 mm Heel-Toe Offset |
| Terrain | Trail and road-to-trail |
| Stability | Neutral |
| Sizing | True to size; slightly narrow |
Our In-Depth Look
Upper
Grace: "Nike typically runs more on the narrow side, which is also the case with the Pegasus Trail 5, but it fits true to size lengthwise. The upper offers soft padding in the tongue and a good amount of padding in the heel with a low-profile toe box. The overall lockdown is great thanks to the Flywire lacing system. My foot is slightly on the narrow side, and I thought this shoe fit me perfectly. As I ran, the shoe disappeared on foot."
Loucas: "For me, the key feature of a trail shoe is a secure lockdown with just the right amount of space for my toes to splay. My next priorities are toe protection, instep plus ankle collar comfort, preventing the accumulation of fine debris, and breathability or drainage.
I was only able to achieve a 'good enough' lockdown. Even when cinching the laces tightly to fully engage the Flywire threads, my foot still shifted within the shoe a touch too often for me to truly trust the shoe on technical trails.
The heel cup structure is good (no slippage up and down), and while the toe box volume is a bit shallow, I did not experience any issues. I felt more than adequately protected by the wide outsole rubber piece that wraps up and around the forefoot to act as a toe bumper, which is crucial since the upper material is not otherwise reinforced.
This is a comfortable upper with a fully gusseted tongue that is perfectly padded, helping keep fine debris out of the shoe. For myself, the Pegasus Trail's midfoot lockdown was the main drawback, but there's a lot to like with the Pegasus Trail overall. As a bonus, this shoe is super stylish and even goes well with casual outfits depending on the colorway."
Risa: "I typically find Nikes to run on the narrow side, which pairs well with my narrow feet, and the Pegasus Trail 5 was no exception, delivering a comfortably secure fit. The upper was softer compared to other trail shoes I have tested, which I appreciated. While I did not take the shoe on super gnarly, technical trails, the upper was protective enough for my needs. I had no issues with breathability."
Midsole
Grace: "The ReactX midsole has a nice semi-firm yet protective feel like the previous version. The shoe did require a short break-in period to get that softer sensation I was hoping for, given my experience with the first model. After a couple of runs, the Pegasus Trail 5 was good to go, delivering a comfortably familiar underfoot feel.
The Pegasus Trail 5 felt great when picking up the pace while also delivering enough protection for longer distances. The midsole has a nice rocker geometry that helps the shoe roll efficiently forward. I have used previous models of the Pegasus Trail for 50-mile and 100K races, and I would not hesitate to do the same with version 5. Even with a large midsole stack, I do not lose connection with the trail, and the forefoot has enough flex while still feeling stable underfoot."
Loucas: "If I kept this shoe only to roads and smooth trails, the ReactX foam midsole would be a 9 out of 10. Unfortunately, I prefer running on tough technical terrain, and the generous, resilient chunk of ReactX foam under my heel was too prone to outward tipping when faced with more challenging trail conditions. On uneven trails, I found myself rolling outward, and I struggled with the shoe's stability when navigating around roots and rocks. One of my favorite truths is that we are simultaneously loved and hated for the same attributes, and I found that true of this ReactX foam. It is wonderful as a road-to-trail option but did not work for someone like me who enjoys more technical trail runs. The positives are that the midsole foam has just the right amount of protective squish and responsive rebound with a dense enough foam to avoid bottoming out.
My first run out of the box was a 10-mile road run that included 5 miles of tempo pace, and the shoe handled it so well that I thought it was love at first sight. That is how I would prefer to remember this shoe and continue to use it, since I simply did not enjoy my trail experience due to having to be too cautious with every other step."
Risa: "The Pegasus Trail 5 features the new ReactX foam, which is also in the new Pegasus 41, another shoe I just tested. Overall, the midsole feels soft and protective, providing a comfortable, smooth ride on the road and less technical trails. I was expecting more energy return from the ReactX foam, especially given the bounciness of the Pegasus 41, but I still enjoyed the Pegasus Trail 5 overall. I mostly collect road miles but enjoy having a road-to-trail option within my rotation to mix things up and keep my routine from feeling too redundant. The Pegasus Trail 5 fits this niche in my rotation perfectly."
Outsole
Grace: "The Pegasus Trail 5's outsole is great for road-to-trail and light trail running terrain. It provided smooth transitions on the road and tacky grip on trails. The all-terrain rubber compound with diamond lugs perfectly grips each surface, striking the ideal balance between being too aggressive for the road and too minimal for fire roads or semi-technical trails. In the past, this model has struggled with wet surfaces, and though I have not had the opportunity to test this version in wet conditions, its level of outsole grip on the trail gives me optimism that the Pegasus Trail has improved in this capacity."
Loucas: "We should ensure we only judge shoes by their intended usage and not the universe of all possible uses. This is a daily trail, road-to-trail hybrid shoe. Nike did not design the Pegasus Trail as a technical trail shoe, so its modest all-terrain compound outsole with parallelogram lugs is exactly what it needs to be: comfortable and grippy on roads and smooth, single-track trails. Altogether, this outsole performed well for its intended purpose; no complaints here."
Risa: "As much as people like to hate on the Nike trail outsoles, I experienced no issue with grip while testing the Pegasus Trail 5. Even on wet, rocky terrain, I always felt confident. That said, if you want a trail running shoe for tackling lots of technical trails, like my co-testers, I suggest going with a more trail-specific (not road-to-trail) option."
Comparable Shoes
Nike Pegasus Trail 5 vs. Nike Terra Kiger 9
Risa: "The Terra Kiger is one of my favorite running shoes for daily trail runs. It is like the Pegasus Trail's nimble sibling. The Terra Kiger feels lighter on foot, but in actuality, the Terra Kiger is 8.3 oz compared to the Pegasus Trail's 8.7 oz weight. Given that the Pegasus Trail 5 is now outfitted with a responsive ReactX foam midsole and a higher stack than the Terra Kiger, I would opt for the Pegasus Trail 5 if I had to choose one do-it-all trail shoe."
Nike Pegasus Trail 5 vs. HOKA Challenger 7
Grace: "The Nike Pegasus Trail 5 and HOKA Challenger 7 are road-to-trail running shoes designed for comfort and versatility. Both shoes are practically identical in weight and have the same amount of midsole cushioning in the heel at 37 mm. That said, the Nike Pegasus Trail 5 has a 9.5-mm heel-to-toe drop, whereas the HOKA Challenger 7 has a 5-mm drop. This means the Challenger has more protection under the forefoot. On the other hand, the Pegasus Trail 5 delivers more of a connected-to-the-ground feel.
The rocker geometries in both shoes contribute to an efficient ride, but the Nike ReactX foam in the Pegasus Trail 5 has a bit more pop to the midsole, making this shoe more versatile when wanting to pick up the pace. The do-it-all road-to-trail outsoles offer impressive traction and excellent durability, but I have found that the Pegasus Trail 5 takes the edge in the durability department.
The Nike Pegasus Trail 5 and HOKA Challenger 7 both blend protective cushioning with versatile grip for road-to-trail adventures. Due to the Pegasus Trail 5's slightly denser midsole foam and more aggressive rocker geometry, it will be a better option for the runner looking to pick up the pace during their daily training or long runs."
Loucas: "The Pegasus Trail 5 is a medium-stacked daily trainer for road-to-trail usage. Of the many highly stacked road-to-trail trainers, the HOKA Challenger offers identical heel stack height to the Pegasus Trail 5, but with an additional 4 mm under the forefoot thanks to the HOKA's more level offset. Both models rock a similar price point and weight, but the Pegasus Trail 5 is the bouncier, more responsive of the two, feeling more capable when it's time to pick up the pace."
Individual Thoughts
GraceOverall Score: 8/10
I have been a big fan of the Nike Pegasus Trail series ever since I tried the Pegasus Trail 2 in 2020 and have since run in each version, with the Pegasus Trail 3 being one of my top trail shoes of all time. The Nike Pegasus Trail 5 update did not disappoint. I appreciated the more prominent rocker geometry that seemed to be lacking in the previous Pegasus Trail 4. The outsole is also improved, and I didn't have any issue with grip or durability. What I like so much about the Nike Pegasus Trail series is its versatility and comfortable design. I love using this shoe on the roads and being able to venture onto the trails with the shoe feeling specifically designed for each surface.
LoucasOverall Score: 7/10
Overall, while I found the Pegasus Trail 5 to be a bit too loose and unstable to truly enjoy on my favorite local trails, which are typically pretty technical, I am fully confident there are plenty of runners who will thoroughly relish its roomy fit and highly enjoyable bounce on roads and smooth, highly-runnable trails, which is precisely what the Pegasus Trail is designed for. I look forward to continuing to use it for pavement and the stretches of grass, pine straw, clay, and dirt along the borders of sidewalks and roads.
RisaOverall Score: 9/10
I really enjoyed my time in the Nike Pegasus Trail 5. As someone who typically runs on the roads, I think the Pegasus Trail 5 is a great shoe for someone getting started on trails because of its comfort. Several trail shoes I've tested in the past are stiffer with a firmer underfoot feel. I know that can be helpful for stability, but I found the Pegasus Trail 5 more fun to run in. It is a road-to-trail shoe, so there are better options out there for technical terrain. However, I will admit I was surprised when I did not have any issues with my grip going over rocky and wet terrain in Yosemite National Park. My feet were a little tired by the end of the day, but the Pegasus Trail 5 kept me comfortable for a half-day hike in the park. I loved it for jogs on the trail, and this is a shoe that I will definitely keep in my rotation.
Nike Men's Pegasus Trail
Inspired by its road counterpart, the Nike Pegasus Trail is an everyday running shoe designed to seamlessly transition from the road to the trail.
Nike Women's Pegasus Trail
Inspired by its road counterpart, the Nike Pegasus Trail is an everyday running shoe designed to seamlessly transition from the road to the trail.
