Nike Debuts the Pegasus 42: A Powerful Workhorse and the Best Pegasus Ride to Date

Nike Running is introducing the best Pegasus ride to date: a powerful workhorse built for peak responsive cushioning performance that allows runners to push their limits and break new ground, stride after stride.

The Pegasus 42 advances a four-decade legacy of athlete-centered running innovation, delivering an all-around, intuitive and lightweight shoe that balances Air technology, maximum responsiveness and comfort.

With 15 percent greater energy return than its predecessor, the Pegasus 42 is powered by a curved, full-length Air Zoom unit, making it exciting to lace up for jogs, community runs, training sessions and more. The fine-tuned Air experience provides a propulsive feel reminiscent of Nike’s legendary road racing footwear but engineered for everyday runs. More than ever, each Air Zoom unit is designed for maximum responsiveness — creating a bouncy, powerful sensation never before felt in a Pegasus model.

“I grew up in a running specialty store and have seen the deep passion and love for the Pegasus franchise,” says Ethan Strand, Nike athlete and NCAA indoor 3,000-meter champion. “The Pegasus 42 is an exciting evolution –– one that feels familiar, but with an improved ride. When I take it for runs, I can feel the Air underfoot, which gives me more power in every stride.”

A modified last offers a more accommodating fit and improved forefoot cushioning, especially under the toes, where an innovative spring structure accommodates an additional 3mm of cushioning without adding to the stack height in the rest of the shoe.

A plush ReactX foam midsole maintains continuity from the Pegasus 41, and a modernized waffle outsole enables smooth transitions while delivering confident traction on a variety of surfaces.

All the while, a midfoot support system and fully molded sock liner promote a comfortable, secure fit, and a new lightweight, breathable upper seamlessly conforms to the foot.

The updated design aesthetic also features a sleek midsole; a speed dash treatment across the upper; refreshed Pegasus branding; and an array of striking colorways, from bold hues to timeless tones.

“We’ve taken what runners have always loved about the Pegasus franchise and turned it into the best version yet with the Pegasus 42,” says Elliott Heath, senior footwear expert, Nike Running. “This shoe provides a balance of consistent elements that look and feel connected to its legacy, coupled with new innovation to make it even more iconic, in a Nike-only way.”

The new silhouette anchors Nike’s Pegasus franchise, one of three distinct categories comprising the brand’s simplified road running footwear lineup, which is based on trusted icons and dedicated to what runners love most: cushioning.

As Nike’s longest tenured and best-selling running shoe franchise, first introduced in 1982, Pegasus reflects a legacy of responsive cushioning for all-day energy return. Vomero, meanwhile, offers maximum cushioning for ultimate comfort, and Structure provides supportive cushioning for a stable ride.

Nike’s lineup of complementary running silhouettes provides athletes with their preferred type of cushioning for whatever run they want to take. The lineup also makes it easier for runners to determine what footwear offers them the right mix of benefits, technology and price point, providing a more inviting and accessible experience — especially for runners gearing up for the first time or adding a new shoe to their rotation.

The introduction of the Pegasus 42 — and the innovation at the heart of Nike’s entire road running footwear lineup — reflects Nike’s history as the brand built by runners, for runners, and its continued commitment to creating the most technologically advanced products to help all athletes, from the elite to the everyday, reach their greatest potential.

The Nike Pegasus 42 will be available April 9 at nike.com and select retail partners.