The Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 36 Trail is a strong option in the category of lightweight, moderately cushioned trail shoes. From running fast for shorter efforts or a long day on the trail, the Pegasus 36 Trail works quite well, provided its lower-volume fit, higher drop, and firm cushioning align with your preferences.

I’ve had my Nike Pegasus 36 Trail GTX for a few months now, which is a good trial period and the English winter really put them to the test. First impressions One of the primary criticisms of the Pegasus Trail 3 was its weight; at 321 g for a US Men’s size 9, it was one of the heaviest shoes in the maximal category. While a shoe’s weight arguably shrinks in importance as the distance it’s intended for increases, there is definitely a ceiling when weight’s concerned, and the Pegasus Trail 3 was pressed up against it. As such, most of the changes to the latest iteration involve trimming grams where possible, and the Pegasus Trail 4 will likely benefit from those efforts immensely. For context, here’s how the shoe’s stated weight compares to the stated weights for some other similar models, including the Pegasus Trail 3. All weights are based on a US Men’s Size 9. Hey Tomas! Thanks for reading! So I don’t have any experience with the ATR 4 but Morgan had this to say (in the comments above) about the Hoka One One Torrent, hopefully there will be some parallels that may help you: When the Nike Pegasus 36 Trail GTX came on the market, they looked like the shoe I was looking for. The road shoe bit of the normal Nike Pegasus, with better grip and protection from the elements. In my experience, most running shoes can be worn for somewhere between 300-400 miles before being replaced. I tend to wear shoes to, or past the higher end of this range. With that rule in mind, these shoes are about halfway through their life (currently at around 200 miles in them). They are holding up very well and show very little signs of wear. The uppers have no signs of tearing, ripping, or wear near my big toe, which is where I normally first see signs of wear.The colours were not quite to my liking, but as I’m getting older I’m getting less conservative about having strangely coloured running shoes, so went for the bright orange sole. The Gore-Tex upper has no stitching due to the waterproofness, but Nike has made a good stab a making it look like a running shoe, but the flexibility and comfort of a standard running shoe does look compromised. Upper and lacing

As Nike’s trail line has matured, it’s continued to distinguish itself from the brand’s seemingly limitless selection of road shoes. One of the most felt effects of this bifurcation has been the way most Nike trail shoes fit. Models intended for off-road use are under different constraints than their road counterparts, generally requiring higher volumes and wider lasts. Nike’s early attempts at trail shoes were frequently criticized for being too narrow, likely a byproduct of the footwear manufacturing process at the time (i.e., I suspect Nike used the same if not similar last for the Pegasus 36 and the Pegasus 36 Trail). Within the last few years, I’ve noticed a concentrated effort from Nike to shed this reputation, and the Pegasus Trail 4’s fit benefits from it. The lacing system is different. The GTX version does not use the same Flywire Cable lacing system that I loved so much on the non-GTX shoes. The Flywire Cable system adds an extra layer of flex and stretch to the upper which is something this shoe would certainly benefit from. That being said, they’re by no means uncomfortable, in fact, they are very comfortable, just not as cozy as the Pegasus 36 Trail. One of the primary criticisms of the Pegasus Trail 3 was its weight; at 321 g for a US Men’s size 9, it was one of the heaviest shoes in the maximal category. While a shoe’s weight arguably shrinks in importance as the distance it’s intended for increases, there is definitely a ceiling when weight’s concerned, and the Pegasus Trail 3 was pressed up against it. As such, most of the changes to the latest iteration involve trimming grams where possible, and the Pegasus Trail 4 benefits from those efforts. For context, here’s how the shoe’s stated weight compares to the stated weights for some other similar models, including the Pegasus Trail 3. All weights are based on a US Men’s Size 9.

Value

The Nike Pegasus 36 Trail GTX have taken a bit of wearing in. This is partly to do with the upper, but also the cushioning that has to be a little stiffer and stronger to combat the terrain you are running over. Zoom Air units in the heel and forefoot provide the cushioning, as does the midsole foam. These shoes are not for the mountains, the deep mud or anything too technical. Nike describes them as trail shoes and that’s what they are. On grass, gravel and damp earth trails (with not much climbing) is where these shoes excel. For those who have some road to get from their door to the trail, the Nike Pegasus Trail GTX manage well on the tarmac and will keep your feet dry-ish, even on the wettest days. Make sure to tie them up correctly too. Others may prefer the Pegasus, which I have no quibble about. Both are excellent shoes that will help runners perform their best on basic trails while providing comfort.

The Pegasus Trail 4 really felt like it came alive once plopped on dirt though, revealing a bias toward trails that I was more than happy to indulge. As I’ve said, the Pegasus Trail 4’s plush React foam is a far cry from the pop of Nike’s ZoomX foam, but the shoe’s overall flexibility and road-forward geometry (i.e., 10 mm of drop) prevented the React midsole from coming across as sluggish. In fact, I sometimes think ZoomX foam can be too chaotic / unpredictable when stressed at fast paces, so I ended up quite liking the controlled, settled energy return React foam delivered when I decided to crank up the effort. No doubt this was also aided by the excellent gusseted tongue / Flywire Technology combo that contributed to the shoe’s secure yet accommodating fit. Cornering felt natural and managed, and my foot stayed engaged and steady while climbing / descending.The Pegasus has a 10mm drop vs. 4mm for the Kiger. This gives the Kigers an edge on more challenging terrain while the Pegasus offers more cushioning. Overall, the Pegasus is 30.5mm heel and 20.5mm forefoot while the Kigers are 27mm/23mm. If you have a wide foot, I highly encourage trying on the shoe before purchasing. And even if you have a narrow foot, I would recommend the same. As explained earlier, the Pegasus 36 Trail has a fairly narrow forefoot, even for those of us with narrow feet like myself. I like the snug fit, but the size I had was just a bit too tight and caused some pain. The shoes are made from Gore-tex, which is the byword for waterproofness. I have found that on a wet day, some patches of the upper looked to be wet and some parts didn’t, which has made me query the shoe’s resistance (see photo above). The shoes have not kept my feet bone dry, but they have kept them dry enough for an hour’s workout or run. Any longer and your feet will feel damp. The breathability of the shoe may have a part to play in this. The English winter has been properly filthy, so going through 10-foot wide puddles have been very normal. Cushioning

The drop is 10mm which makes it feel more like a road shoe. One of the other Nike trail shoes, the Nike Terra Kiger only has a 4mm drop, which may not be to a roadrunners liking. The weight is 288g approx for a Men’s Size 9, which is similar to the Terra Kiger, which are described as lightweight. Conclusion The GTX version has a fully waterproof membrane upper which is impermeable to water (you’ll see just how good it is later in this review).I recently tested and reviewed the Kiger 5s. I have found lots of similarities between the two models.