Featuring a Curved Air Zoom Unit! The Groundbreaking Nike Pegasus 42

Introduced in 1983 as a shoe for every runner, Nike's 'Pegasus' has been a long-standing bestseller, continually evolving with feedback from countless runners and earning their unwavering trust.

Favored by runners of all levels, from casual enthusiasts to elite athletes, it's acclaimed for its exceptional comfort and well-balanced blend of essential running features.

Now, after a nearly two-year wait, the 'Pegasus' is back with an update. So, what's the new 'Nike Pegasus 42 (NIKE PEGASUS 42)' all about?

A New Model Featuring a Brand-New Last (Foot Shape)

The 'Pegasus' is one of Nike's proudest bestsellers and a model that has constantly pushed the boundaries of innovation. Today, Nike's road running lineup is built on three pillars: the 'Vomero' for maximum cushioning, the 'Pegasus' for responsive cushioning, and the 'Structure' for supportive cushioning.

Each pillar includes not only an iconic model but also 'Plus' and 'Premium' versions. The 'Nike Pegasus Premium,' released last year, made waves with its full-length, visible Air Zoom unit, contoured to the shape of the foot. Building on that success, the flagship Pegasus model has now received its much-anticipated upgrade.

“The first thing to mention about the Pegasus 42 is its feel—specifically, the fit. We’ve introduced a new last (foot shape) that provides a slightly wider fit, particularly in the forefoot, and added a rocker curve at the toe. This rocker is a key feature of the Pegasus 42, creating a design that makes propulsion more noticeable.”

“However, the changes to the last are subtle. We made minimal adjustments from the midfoot to the heel to maintain consistency. We're confident that runners who loved the Pegasus 41 will appreciate the improvements without it feeling unfamiliar,” explains Elliot Heath, Senior Expert in Nike Race Running Footwear Product Management.

Now Featuring a Full-Length, Curved Air Zoom Unit

Its predecessor, the 'Pegasus 41,' featured a ReactX foam midsole with separate Air Zoom units in the forefoot and heel. In contrast, the 'Pegasus 42' keeps the ReactX foam but upgrades to a full-length, curved Air Zoom unit.

“The biggest innovation in the Pegasus 42 is the full-length Air Zoom unit that runs under the entire foot. We developed this new, curved Air Zoom unit to deliver more consistent propulsion and a smoother stride.”

“This Air Zoom unit has a somewhat firm, curved structure that creates a plate-like propulsive force. It’s not as rigid as a carbon plate, but it provides a similar forward-pushing sensation. We've also optimized the thickness and internal pressure of the Air Zoom unit for each specific size.”

“This ensures that all runners, regardless of their build, can experience the tailored performance of the Air Zoom unit. Smaller sizes feature a thinner unit with 15 psi of internal pressure, mid-range sizes use a thicker unit also at 15 psi, and larger sizes have a 20 psi unit to generate the greater propulsion required.”

The design of the curved Air Zoom unit leverages insights gained from the development of the 'Nike Pegasus Premium.'

“We first introduced a curved Air Zoom unit with the Pegasus Premium, and we incorporated the learnings from that project into the Pegasus 42's Air Zoom unit. The shapes are similar, but they are not the same.”

“Additionally, while the Pegasus Premium has its Air Zoom unit sandwiched within foam, the Pegasus 42 places it directly beneath the foot. These updates have resulted in an approximately 15% increase in energy return compared to the Pegasus 41, based on Nike's internal testing.”

Enhanced Cushioning in the Toe Area

The stack height is the same as its predecessor—37mm in the heel and 27mm in the forefoot—but the cushioning in the toe area has reportedly been improved.

"While the thickness at the official measurement points for stack height remains the same, we've enhanced the cushioning by adding foam to the toe area by redesigning its curve. The toe section is now 3mm thicker than the previous model.

Compared to the Vomero and Structure, the Pegasus has a thinner sole, but it still packs plenty of cushioning. It’s the perfect shoe for runners who crave a more connected-to-the-ground feel and want to sense the surface as they run."

When you actually slip on the "Pegasus 42," you'll immediately notice the roomier forefoot. That's not to say the fit is loose—the heel and midfoot are securely locked down.

Taking them for a run, you can feel the rocker curve in the toe area, which delivers a smooth toe-off sensation. Following last year's launch of the highly-cushioned "Vomero 18" and the stability-focused "Structure 26," the "Pegasus 42" gives the impression that it's been tuned slightly more for speed and propulsion. Still, it remains a foundational daily trainer at its core and is likely to be embraced by many runners as their go-to jogging shoe.