For less than a year now, I’ve been running in the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39, and I already feel like I’ve been on quite a journey with these shoes. Let me tell you all about it!
First, let’s dive into the technical aspects of the shoe. The midsole has Zoom Air units in the forefoot and heel, and React foam that’s ultra-durable. The upper is made of perforated mesh fabric and has Flywire lacing system with a drawstring. With a 28 mm stack height in the heel and 18 mm in the front, the shoe has a 10 mm drop, and it weighs 255 g/9 oz for men and 233 g/8.2 oz for women.
But what sets the Pegasus 39 apart from other running shoes is its unique history. This shoe feels like a reincarnation of the Pegasus 34, with modern materials and construction that make it better than ever. Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 33 and 34 had also two Zoom units. Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 38 and 37 had only one Zoom unit in the toe box area. Versions 35 and 36 had full-length Zoom Air units.
But enough about the technical details – let’s talk about how these shoes have performed for me on the road. The outsole has incredible grip, perfect for non-technical trails, and the rubber is super durable. In fact, these are the most long-lasting shoes I’ve ever owned, and I’ve been able to run nearly 2000 kilometers in them! I only recommend replacing them once they reach around 1500 kilometers. I have been running trails, including trail race 100K in Nike Pegasus for a while and I love how they performed. Of course it is not wet, slippery and technical mountain races, but still Santa Monica Mountains have pretty much rocks on the trails.
These shoes are great for a range of workouts, from slow long runs to intervals on the track. They’re also surprisingly light, lighter than previous model, which allows you to train in them comfortably. And, despite being stable and great for neutral pronators, they’re not just limited to those types of runners.
While there’s a lot to love about these shoes, I do have to mention a couple of issues I’ve noticed. The upper material ( first layer) has become a bit more plastic, and dirt and dust can get trapped between the layers, making them tough to clean. Additionally, after running about 1500 kilometers in them, the front Zoom Air unit started to swell and bulge, as you can see in the photo. Also in the new pair, I feel the front units from the very first run. Which in general is strange and in my opinion can create an imbalance, plus when you run on the forefoot, it turns out that the unit and foam do not work together well.
With my subscribers on the channel, we concluded that perhaps the company did not calculate how much foam is needed in one sneaker, which now has two zoom units. Gets that maybe there is too much foam, and when you land while running under load, the foam pushes the zoom units out.
I think Nike should fix this in the new version, but for now I think I will run in the 38 version, not the 39, as the feeling in the 39 version is very strange, despite the fact that the shoes are lighter, probably due to the addition of a zoom unit remove some of the foam, perhaps the foam should be softer. By the way, react foam appeared in version 37, those are the first version with react foam and two zoom units.
Overall, I’ve been on quite a journey with the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39, and while there have been a few bumps along the way, they’re still the most durable shoes I’ve ever owned, but for now I stick with 38 while I am waiting for Nike Zoom Air Pegasus 40.
Summary
- The Pegasus 39 has a comfortable and supportive fit, they are durable and stable shoes.
- The shoes are also quite versatile, able to handle a wide range of running workouts. Whether you’re doing a slow and steady long run or pushing the pace with intervals on the track, the Pegasus 39 can keep up with you.
- While the upper has been updated with more plastic-like material, it still feels lightweight and breathable. This can be especially important for runners who tend to get hot and sweaty during their workouts.
- In terms of style, the Pegasus 39 comes in a range of colorways that are sure to catch the eye. Whether you prefer bold and bright hues or something more subdued, there’s a version of this shoe to suit your taste. You can find them on sale very often less than $100.
- And do not forget you can return then in 60 days window if you do not like them.
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