Nike Pegasus 38 Performance Review

Last year’s Nike Pegasus 37 was a disappointment due to the fit of its upper. The Nike Running design team heard our (and many others) feedback and came back with a completely redesigned upper. The Nike Pegasus 38 aims to solve all the issues with its predecessor and get the Pegasus line back to its typical dependability. In fact, the Nike Pegasus 38 made our list of the top Nike running shoes and the best cheap running shoes, currently on the market. It also made our Best for Beginners list.

Fit

For me, the heel slip made the Pegasus 37 feel like two different shoes. One up front and one in the back. For a midfoot striker like myself, it was an uneven ride that I never returned to once I finished testing them. But those days are long gone thanks to the Pegasus 38.

The upper is still engineered mesh but the fit is more forgiving. The Pegasus 38 is true to size lengthwise but still runs a touch narrow. Wide footers will want to try these on in store and may need to go up a half size depending on foot shape.

But as far as the fit’s comfort and feel, Nike gets an A+. The nylon laces straps go all the way down to the midsole and lock you in the way Nike’s Dynamic Fit system did in the early 2010s. And the nylon straps won’t dig into your feet because they’re protected by a gusseted tongue.

And though the upper is very traditional in terms of construction, it looks snazzy. The Peg is back!

Cushion

The cushion setup is the same as last year. Without the fit issues, it shines. The 10mm articulated forefoot Zoom Air bag is very bouncy and tuned with different PSI levels for Men and Women. It pairs nicely with the React in the rest of the midsole. The cushion setup with the better upper feels more like the Nike Vomero 14 (a beloved model) than the Pegasus 37. A nice combination of plush landings and forefoot bounce. This is a solid cushion setup at the $120 price point that’s great for running tons of miles on pavement.

Traction

Like the midsole and cushion, the outsole is the same as last year. And that’s a good thing. The rubber is thick and durable and will last a long time. I only had a few slight slips on mildewy sidewalk in rainy conditions. Otherwise, the outsole grips well and does its job in all situations.

Support

The Dynamic Fit-esque lacing system kept me glued to the footbed. You’ll sit inside the midsole at the heel and Nike included a very simple heel counter. The Peg is a narrower shoe in the heel but widens nicely at the forefoot for extra support. I always felt secure in them, another great improvement from last year.

Materials

Nike went simple here. Engineered mesh and some nylon. Simple but effective.

Overall

The Nike Pegasus 38 returns the Pegasus line to its usual position as a powerhouse running shoe. It’s a great everyday runner with a reasonable $120 price tag. The forefoot Zoom Air is really bouncy and the whole setup underfoot feels good. Durability will be great as well. If you’re a wide footer, try them on at your local running shoe spot. Everyone else can go true to size and enjoy a solid, workhorse (see what I did there?) of a shoe.

How to Buy the Nike Pegasus 38

The Nike Pegasus 38 is currently available for Nike members (free sign up) at Nike. You can also purchase the Nike Pegasus 38 Flyease or a limited edition mismatched version of the Pegasus 38.

Thanks to Nike for sending a pair to test. Nike was not given any editorial control of the review. This review is based on our weartesters’ experiences using the shoes for speed workouts, trail runs, treadmill training, long runs, casual wear, and more.