Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 34 Running Shoe Review

The ultimate all-purpose trainer keeps on getting better

nike_pegasus
(Image: © PR)

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You know a shoe range is doing something right when it’s been around for more than 30 years. With small tweaks with each year, Nike has ensured the Pegasus has remained a fantastic all-round option for runners since the first edition was launched in 1983.

The Pegasus 34 maintains this fine tradition. It’s a responsive, comfortable running shoe that is fit for pretty much all your training and racing needs.

The most obvious change from the 33 is that the Flywire cables that secure the foot in place are now mostly hidden within the Flymesh upper. The upper also has improved breathability thanks to a more open mesh on the front of the shoe. The changes are minimal, but they improve the look and comfort of the Pegasus.

The sole remains the same as on the 33 and is made up of foam cushioning combined with two Zoom Air units – basically mini airbags – in the heel and forefoot. The resultant ride is responsive and quite firm, and great for pretty much every kind of running. You might fancy a softer, more cushioned ride for really easy runs, and for speedy track sessions you may prefer a firmer, lighter shoe, but in truth the Pegasus performs well for those runs and everything in between.

It’s hardly a heavyweight at 285g (men’s size 9), and it’s certainly responsive and stiff enough to not feel clumsy when picking up the pace on faster runs. At the same time there’s enough cushioning to bounce through easy runs in comfort.

The Pegasus’s all-rounder status extends to its looks, with all of the colourways on offer falling firmly in the streetwear camp.

All in all it’s a pretty faultless shoe. If you’re a casual runner it’ll do you for every kind of run and race, and even obsessive pavement-pounders will be able to use the Pegasus 34 for most of their running, needing to switch to a more lightweight option only for race day and the track.

The changes from the previous iteration are pretty minor, so unless you’re a huge fan of the new look of the upper, there’s little reason to upgrade from the Pegasus 33. If you haven’t already got a pair of Pegs, this is a great version to make your first.

£99.95, buy on nike.com

Nick Harris-Fry
Senior writer

Nick Harris-Fry is a journalist who has been covering health and fitness since 2015. Nick is an avid runner, covering 70-110km a week, which gives him ample opportunity to test a wide range of running shoes and running gear. He is also the chief tester for fitness trackers and running watches, treadmills and exercise bikes, and workout headphones.