Introduction:

The Nike Pegasus range is a neutral running shoe aimed at the “average” runner. With this, the shoe is marketed as being able to handle long, slow runs, as well as speed work and race day.

My only prior experience with the Nike Pegasus range comes in the form of the predecessor, the Pegasus 34s. After completing my first marathon and 2 subsequent half marathons in them, they became my favourite shoe. So much so, that when I found a good deal on the latest model, I decided to take the plunge. I didn’t really need a new pair or running shoes at this point, but the price was right and everybody loves getting new running shoes, right?

I got the “Premium” model which has a slightly different design to the regular models. It has a smaller Swoosh logo, a leather tongue and golden wax laces with metal aglets. There was no specific reason for getting this model. It was simply on sale and cheaper than the regular version. I do kind of miss that big Nike tick on the side though!

The Pegasus 35 cost me £56 directly from the Nike website as they were on sale and I also had a 10% student discount code. Cashback is also available through Quidco for the Nike store.

Design:

I love trainers so I spent all day tracking my delivery on the DPD app! Pictures don’t actually do these justice, as the midsole looks white on pictures but is actually a darker shade of grey. The bit at the back looks a bit elf like, but I really like the design. The one negative for me is that the tongue is a bit longer than I like. Nike say that the longer tongue design is to aid with the putting on and removing of the shoe, but I’ve never encountered any difficulties in that regard. The longer tongue can rub a little against the leg, especially if you run in trainer socks.

The overall design of the Pegasus 35 is more appealing than the 34s, or at least, to me they look better. They look faster and better designed. The laces have moved up one eyelet so that the shoes are more flexible than the 34s.

When comparing to the Pegasus 34, the insole also feels slightly softer underfoot. If you tried the previous model and were put off by the firm forefoot cushioning, you may well enjoy the redesign of the Pegasus 35.

Sizing:

I have worn size 6 in all of my Nike running shoes so continued with a 6 for the Pegasus 35. Moving forward I may start sizing half a size up to a 6.5 just to give myself a little more room in the toe box. With that being said, I have experienced no issues with the fit of the Pegasus 35.

Running:

I completed my first 1.7 mile run in the Pegasus 35 and they felt comfortable. I’m not a fast runner but these feel like quick shoes. They are responsive and made me want to run a bit faster than usual. The sole feels springy when you land due to the air zoom pockets.

The reason for my short first run was down to the weather being abysmal. With that being said, my feet actually felt quite dry despite the really heavy rain and storm that I ran through. I’d like to try the Nike Shield version to see how they differ as they are supposed to be water repellent and have more reflective features, however the standard version felt fine in the wet.

My second run was not directly in the rain, however it had been raining earlier in the day. As such, the leaves on the pavement were wet. I did feel a little apprehensive and nervous of slipping, however the 35s held firm. The traction was much better than expected and I never felt like I was going to lose my footing or slide.

I completed a 5 mile loop and my legs felt fresh, despite the course being hilly in places. Usually, with a hilly run I get a little pain in my knees, however this was not the case. My knees felt strong and the shoes still felt springy even towards the end when I would usually be struggling.

All of my other runs in the Pegasus 35 (all were up to 6 miles) went fine, with the exception of one. I had almost completed my 6 mile run and was into the final mile when I started to feel discomfort around the arch of my foot. I’m not sure if my shoes were laced too tightly and as my foot started to get warm it became an issue or what else could have caused it. It’s something that I will keep an eye on but only occurred once.

Distances:

Just like the Pegasus 34, these are a very versatile pair of shoes. They feel comfortable and responsive regardless of the pace. With that being said, for me, they are a little too much shoe for the 5-10k distances. I prefer a lighter shoe for those distances and would keep the Pegasus 35 for 10 mile to full marathon distances.

Pace:

These are a very responsive pair of shoes which can handle the slower long runs to a 5 or 10k race. I find that the Pegasus 35 makes the slow and steady runs feel more fun. The shoes still “pop” off the ground thanks to the Zoom air pods underfoot. When you are ready to pick up the pace or hit a tempo session, the shoes will gladly oblige!

Rotation:

Typically, I have 3 pairs of shoes in my running rotation, plus another for cross training. The Pegasus 35 are a great “easy run” shoe – when you aren’t doing speed work but still want a shoe that feels fast rather than heavy. They have replaced the Pegasus 34 in my rotation, mainly because they feel softer underfoot, which is great towards the latter end of longer runs.

At the time of writing, my rotation was as follows:

• Nike Pegasus 35 – easy paced runs on the road, medium tempo runs, half marathon and marathon events
• Nike Zoom Elite 8 (pair 1) – treadmill, speed work (intervals and tempo runs)
• Nike Zoom Elite 8 (pair 2) – 5k and 10k events
• Nike Vomero 12 – long distance slow runs, trail runs, recovery runs after a tough session if running outside and feel I need more protection
• Nike Revolution 3 – cross-training
• Nike Pegasus 34 – walking

Conclusion:

Overall, I’m very happy with the Pegasus 35 model. They feel like an upgrade over the 34s, and I now no longer look forward to putting on the predecessor! The Pegasus 35s are definitely a model that I look forward to lacing up and heading outside in.

As I mentioned above, the Pegasus range is definitely versatile and a great choice for people who only want one pair of shoes to do it all. The ride feels smoother than the previous model. If you thought that the Pegasus 34 were too firm, then the 35 may be a better option.

Like the Pegasus 34, the 35 also lacks reflective elements, which I find a real shame. I use these a lot when training outdoors on the evenings and would feel better if they offered more visibility.

The Pegasus 35 sit between the Nike Zoom Elite range and the Nike Vomero range. They are less cushioned than the Vomero but have more cushioning than the more race orientated Zoom Elite range.

Depending on how you prefer your running shoe to feel underfoot (soft or firm), the Pegasus 35 will either be a great upgrade or a bit of a change if you were looking for a direct replacement to the 34. For me, they are an upgrade, however I still give them a 4.5 star to match the 34 as the reflective elements still haven’t really been improved upon unless you spend more for the “Shield” version.

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