The Nike Pegasus 38: Is It Worth Buying?

Nike is a well-known brand in the sneaker market and has successfully secured a place among its target audience. With continuous innovations and amazing lines of shoes, Nike has always fulfilled its goal of winning the hearts of millions of consumers worldwide. In Nike's Pegasus line of shoes, last year's 37th edition made huge changes, so the new version has many more improvements and excellent features. Despite the update, the midsole and outsole remain the same on the Nike Pegasus 38, and the Pegasus 37 is still an excellent running shoe at an affordable price.

The Nike Pegasus 38's updates haven't changed any of that, although its extra padding in the upper does make it heavier. Underfoot, the Pegasus feels the same. Its massive stack of Nike's React foam provides a smooth ride without being excessively soft and has enough responsiveness to provide a good base for training runs and everyday activities.

The toe box has been expanded, as well as the cushioning around the tongue, collar, and overall thickness. It makes the Pegasus 38 feel more comfortable and comparable to more costly cruisers like the Brooks Glycerin series. Still, it also means your feet might become overheated while running in the summer.

Nike: An Iconic Sneaker Brand

Nike is probably one of the first brands you think of when you think of sports apparel. Over the past 30 years, the company has been a market leader because of its innovative approach to athleticism and its alignment with huge stars like Michael Jordan. 

Since the 1960s, Nike has operated with a retail-first business model, where wholesale generates revenue. Wholesale still accounts for most of Nike's sales, and Nike Direct, their direct-to-consumer marketing initiative, generated an impressive $10 billion in sales in 2018.

Nike has even developed an app to strengthen its relationship with its customers. With the app, you'll have access to Nike Plus, a rewards program that offers exclusives and early access to new merchandise. The exclusivity starts with Nike experts, who you can consult for advice on your sport.

This guide will review the Nike Pegasus 38 sneaker and give you a detailed view of its features, benefits, and availability. This way, you can make an informed purchasing decision if you plan to buy it.

Nike Pegasus 38 Review

It is always helpful to get feedback about the items you want to purchase, as it ensures that you're investing in the right thing. Here are some of our top picks for the Nike Pegasus 38 sneaker.

Nike Men's Air Zoom Pegasus 38 Running Shoe

Recently, Nike Men's Air Zoom Pegasus 38 Running Shoe, the newest version of this classic Nike running shoe, was released.

Perfect Fit

The Air Zoom Pegasus 38 has breathable mesh uppers that feel comfortable but are also lightweight, giving it enough flexibility to race in. The upper is a classic for an all-around shoe that is neither too thick nor too thin but somewhere in the middle. A nicely-updated heel cup only adds to the appeal — this prevents slippage and does not allow you to lose your footing. You will most likely notice that the tongue on this Nike Pegasus 38 is now more cushioned and is positioned differently from the rest of the upper; this is in contrast to the Pegasus 37.

Customers seem satisfied with the amount of padding in the shoe overall.

Upper Issues Resolved

The Nike Pegasus 38 has fixed the last version's upper-level issues. Despite its softer feel, the new sandwich mesh is breathable and has a thick grip. Unlike the Pegasus 37, whose separate midfoot bands were very hard and distracting, the Soft Midfoot Webbing system distributes pressure to a broader area, making it feel much more comfortable.

A long tongue on the shoe protects your foot against lacing pressure, and it's attached to a sleeve inside the shoe, so there isn't any tongue slide. Furthermore, the tongue cushions the foot, causing it to move further back towards the heel cup, eliminating irritations caused by Pegasus 37's heel slippage. 

Photo source: Amazon.com

Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 38 Little/Big Kids' Running Shoe

Originally released in April 2021, the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 38 Little/Big Kids' Running Shoe costs $120. Nike usually releases special-edition versions of the Pegasus 38 shoe in various colors. They have something for every athlete, whether you want a black shoe for your next big race or the A.I.R. Kelly Anna London design limited edition. Designed for men, the Pegasus 38 shoe is available in sizes 6 to 15; for women, the shoe is available in sizes 5 to 12.  

Updated Fit

The Nike Pegasus 38 is also made with Nike's React foam, which provides a good amount of cushioning underfoot while remaining lightweight. 

The Nike Pegasus 37 and Nike Pegasus 38 are identical, except for the toe box and the upper, which are bigger — plus, the laces are tied a bit differently. There's cushioning beneath the tongue to ensure a more comfortable fit. 

Design 

Running shoes benefit from sizing up. In terms of comfort, the Nike Pegasus 38 is a good shoe right out of the box and should fit most runners well. In addition, these shoes look great on and off the track, making them a popular choice for runners looking to wear their sneakers in the gym or on weekend hikes (although this may shorten the shoe's life).

Nike's Flyease entry system makes the Pegasus 38 easy to put on and take off. Especially convenient is the laceless design, which enables athletes to put the shoe on and take it off with one hand, then tighten the webbing to secure a perfect fit across the foot.

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Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 38 FlyEase Women's Casual Running Shoe

With heaps of stability and energy return, the Nike Pegasus 38 FlyEase is an ultra-comfortable daily sneaker. There's nothing this shoe can't do, whether it's gym workouts, tempo runs, or even a little off-roading!

Fit for Runners

The Nike Pegasus 38 FlyEase is designed for runners who have a stable arch and don't pronate excessively or even supinate. A neutral-cushioned shoe provides very little structure or pronation support and is more flexible than stability shoes. The lateral (outside) side of the soles of shoes of runners who need neutral shoes tends to experience more excessive wear. It is possible to find neutral shoes that range from being lightweight and minimally cushioned to having a maximum amount of cushioning, depending on the runner's needs and preferences. 

The outside of the shins and knees of runners with high arches and stable arches may experience pain, and they may suffer from plantar fasciitis when not wearing a neutral-cushioned shoe.

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Benefits of the Nike Pegasus 38

With the Pegasus, you can experience the classic Nike fit and feel. It has extra room at the toes for a more comfortable ride, and the mesh in the upper is breathable, plush, and stretches with your foot to fit and shape it just right. Thanks to the zippered opening, you can quickly slip the shoe on and off. With no-tie lacing, you can easily secure the fit with just one hand.

The light and flexible react foam offers a good amount of durability and comfort. The more foam, the better the cushioning, without adding too much bulk. A Zoom Air unit provides much more bounce than a regular air cushion. In addition, the placement of the Zoom Air unit makes it more responsive. With midfoot webbing, the laces will be snug and secure when tightened. An ionomer foam tongue reduces pressure on the top of your foot.

Nike Men's Air Zoom Pegasus 38 Jm Running Shoe

When the Nike Men's Air Zoom Pegasus 38 Jm Running Shoe is compared with previous Pegasus versions before the 37, the upper of the Pegasus 38 is wider at the forefoot. In addition, the shoe has a new sandwich mesh, new webbing in the midfoot, a long tongue, and additional padding. A winged horse, the Nike Pegasus' namesake, represents movement, quickness, and the thrill of flight. 

Cushioned Shoes

While the Nike Pegasus 38 Jm Running Shoe has great cushioning, the downside is that the classic, all-around versatile nature of the Pegasus 38 is compromised. Short, fast runs can be done in this sneaker, but longer, slower runs are better suited to the model. Forefoot-only Zoom Air units provide a target landing area that absorbs impact and offers a pleasant rebound feeling. Zoom Air units are 10mm thick and large.

Comfortable Shoes

The Nike Pegasus 38 is a good sneaker for daily use because of its comfortable ride — it has adequate traction for trail running in all but the muddiest circumstances. Most of the spring, summer, and fall may be spent on forest trails, although most road shoes struggle to manage the trails outside of summer. The Pegasus 38 features a robust outsole that also provides excellent grip.

In the Pegasus 38 sneakers, picking up the pace is difficult, and the spongy and thick insole further complicates matters. However, Pegasus outsoles are classics; they are hard-wearing and among the most durable of daily running shoes.

Photo source: Amazon.com

Nike Men's Air Zoom Pegasus 38 Running Shoes

Nike Men's Air Zoom Pegasus 38 running shoes are some of the top-rated shoes on the market. This pair contains soft cushioning, giving you a more comfortable feel and making it perfect for long-distance running. Additionally, the build quality of the sneakers is quite impressive, and they offer good value for the money.

Webbing System

With the Nike Pegasus 38 running shoes, every issue that plagued the last version has been resolved. Compared to the old sandwich mesh, the new one provides a softer feel for a more comfortable ride but is thick and not breathable.

Unlike the Pegasus 37, which had separate midfoot bands that were very hard and intrusive, the soft midfoot webbing system distributes the pressure across a wide area, so it feels more comfortable.

Tongue Systems

There is no longer a thin, racing-inspired tongue on the Nike Pegasus 38. Instead, it has been replaced by a padded, longer tongue that feels more natural. The two major issues are now resolved.

As a result of a longer tongue design, your foot is protected from lacing pressure, and the inner sleeve has a tongue attached, so the tongue does not slide out. Also, by padding the tongue, the foot will move further backward, towards the heel cup, so your heel will sit flush against the heel counter instead of sliding around, as it was prone to do in the Pegasus 37.

Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 38 Women's Stroke Running Shoes

It is possible to forget that you are wearing these shoes — or that you won't want to take them off once you put them on due to the comfortable fit and flexible design. For fit and blister protection, Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 38 Women's Running Shoes earned a nearly perfect score of 4.5 out of 5, and for upper comfort, a perfect score of 5. The lightweight cushioning of the shoes may lack the technology of some other Nike options, but it remains reliable and responsive.

Versatile

In addition to being comfortable for walking, these sneakers are also good for running, strength training, and other sporty activities. The stylish, slip-on design and the sleek and attractive style make these the perfect choice for everyday wear and travel. There is a slight firmness to them compared to some of the other Nike shoes, which are fantastic for hiking. During testing, Nike's Dynamic Fit system provided a secure and supportive fit, which assured our tester more confidence when traversing unpredictable terrain. In addition, a unique feature of these shoes is the upper, which is comfortable and well-ventilated.

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Why Is the Nike Pegasus 38 the Best?

Finding the right pair of sneakers can be difficult, especially when there are many amazing options on the market. Featuring a versatile design, the Nike running shoe is ideal for a range of distances and workout types. When it comes to physical training, comfort is important. The best way to ensure you don't experience discomfort or pain on your long runs is to add shoes like this to your training routine. The Nike Pegasus 38 is used by many marathon runners every year, so there shouldn't be any problems.

The Pegasus 38 is a neutral running shoe, a model that should work for everyone. It is designed to meet the needs of all athletes, regardless of their pronation type. The shoe's overall stability is good, despite the lack of stability technologies to center the foot while running. It is also important to note that stability shoes do not prevent injuries more effectively than neutral shoes.

Who Should Buy the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 38?

This everyday shoe can be used for road running, gym training, track runs, and casual wear. These shoes and their predecessors are famous for their comfort. It's a go-to shoe for working people and those who are also fond of running. This is the best choice if you need a comfortable sneaker to wear to work, a hike, or a morning run.

Roadrunners of all abilities will appreciate the Air Zoom Pegasus 38's comfort. The Pegasus 38's key selling point is how responsive it is.

Some other Nike road running models have fallen short in this category. That is, they had excessive cushioning and inadequate ground-to-foot responsiveness. As a runner, you may feel like you don't have much spring in your stride. If you like a responsive ride without compromising cushioning, the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 38 is a wonderful choice.

It works flawlessly on both dry concrete and somewhat damp and snow-covered terrain. This shoe works best on dry roads but can also take light rain on the ground. Anything that requires the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 38 to grip loose or fairly damp terrain will cause it to fall short and somewhat outside of its design parameters. 

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Final Verdict: Is the Nike Pegasus 38 Worth It?

Nike has always been able to come up with innovations that have made it popular among its target audience. From unique designs to amazing durability, Nike products have been a preferred choice for many. To summarize, the Nike Pegasus 38 is durable, comfortable, well-fitting, and — most importantly — affordable. This pair of shoes is a popular pick among runners and people who have a habit of going for a run every day. The midsole of this terrific pair continues to provide smooth and comfortable cushioning. However, its responsiveness is not new; it's almost the same with each new version of the sneaker. It's a good pick for athletes who want to remain clear of any maximalism and like a softer and more comfortable feel. 

The sole of the Nike Pegasus 38 is softer than that of the previous one. However, the women who tested this pair reported that it is a bit more firm. The forefoot is wide and high, perfect for individuals who like volume, and suitable for all sizes and shapes. In addition, the foam's tongue provides additional support to make the individual feel comfortable on the upper side of the shoe.

We can confidently say that the Nike Pegasus 38 is worth the investment, particularly if you're an athlete or runner. While these sneakers may not be the lightest, they're durable and built for speed. They're ideal sneakers for everyone, from beginners to pros.