The Pegasus has been a staple in Nike’s lineup of running shoes for several decades, finding favor among plenty of runners since its introduction in 1983. At least, it’s been a staple for folks who do their running on city pavements, as trail versions of the shoe have been more sporadic in recent years. Fortunately, that changes this year with the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 36 Trail.
That’s right, trail runners can now enjoy the same solid lockdown and ultra-responsive cushioning the Pegasus is known for, all while getting the added grip and durable reinforcement footwear needs to make it viable in the trail. And yes, it’s a crossover trainer, too, which should make it as suitable for your runs around the city, as it does on off-road terrain.
The Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 36 Trail sports the same shape, fit, and feel as the road-going model, ensuring it provides the same supportive fit and springy response as the standard version of the trainer. Yes, it looks just as good, too, with the trail version wearing the exact same silhouette, so it should go just as well with the rest of your running outfit. It does, however, use a different upper, employing a mix of perforated mesh and synthetic overlays in favor of the road version’s engineered mesh, allowing it to offer better protection against the rocks and debris you’re likely to brush against when running in the trail. Truth be told, it looks even better than the standard Pegasus 36, which makes this a more attractive pickup even if you plan to do most of your running on concrete roads. Seriously, look at the darn thing.
Flywire cables provide additional lockdown support, allowing it to provide an even more comfortable fit, regardless of your foot shape, all while allowing the upper to use fewer materials to reduce the shoe’s overall weight. It also has eyelet overlays that integrate with a traditional lacing system to help you adjust the fit and lockdown. Suffice to say, it’s got everything necessary to provide that firm and secure fit.
The Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 36 Trail uses a full-length Zoom Air midsole foam to provide a plush and resilient cushion, with additional Zoom Air foam units in the heel and forefoot providing runners with better stability and responsiveness when running on uneven paths. The outsole, of course, is wildly different from the road-going model, with this trail version getting one cut in BRS 1000 carbon rubber to deliver better durability. It has multi-directional lugs that can deliver traction on a wide variety of surfaces, ensuring it provides the necessary grip, whether you’re running on dirt, sand, or paved city roads, all while adding just a touch of cushioning to keep things comfortable. Durable blown rubber in the forefoot further reinforces it for better grip, while a rubber crash rail on the lateral side provides extra cushioning for smoother transitions and enhanced flexibility.
The Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 36 Trail will come out June 13, priced at $130.