Pegasus

An innovative designer

Throughout the 1970s, Nike developed a reputation for producing high-quality athletic footwear, particularly for runners. Much of the brand’s success was founded upon its innovative co-founder Bill Bowerman, whose dedication had helped make the University of Oregon track and field team one of the best around during his 24-year stint as head coach. Stepping back from this position in 1972 allowed him more time to focus on shoe design, and in the years that followed, Bowerman drew on his wealth of coaching experience to craft outstanding performance trainers like the Cortez, Waffle Racer and LD-1000, setting the stage for the one of the greatest running shoe franchises of all time – the Nike Pegasus.

A niche pastime

Pre-1960, recreational running was a niche occupation in the United States, and thus athletic footwear was largely designed for professional athletes. However, in the early 60s, Bowerman took Oregon’s exceptional 4x1 mile relay team on a trip to New Zealand that would change his, and eventually his country’s, outlook on jogging. At the time, Americans referred to the practice as ‘roadwork’, considering it part of an athlete’s training routine and nothing more, but charismatic New Zealand sports coach Arthur Lydiard had begun to change this perception in his home nation, and would soon help Bowerman do the same.

A revolutionary coach

Lydiard was a forward-thinking athlete who had initially trained as a shoemaker before switching his focus to running. Hoping to boost his own fitness, Lydiard established the Owairaka Harriers and later became the coach of his local amateur sports club in Auckland. Under his leadership, the Owairaka Athletics Club became a global powerhouse in distance running, nurturing the talents of Olympic champions like Murray Halberg and Peter Snell. Their success was partly down to Lydiard’s revolutionary training routines, in particular his insistence on an endurance-boosting base phase and his principle of periodisation, which is still used by many top-level coaches and athletes to this day. While Lydiard reserved such arduous training for New Zealand’s world-beating sports stars, he recommended steady distance running as a daily activity for those wanting to improve their cardiovascular performance and overall health. Lydiard’s reputation was such that people listened, and by 1962, ‘jogging’ had entered New Zealand’s public lexicon.

A powerful demonstration

It was around this time that Bowerman arrived in the country, and he soon learned of the positive effects of regular, steady paced running from Lydiard, with one moment in particular showing him exactly what could be achieved. One day, he joined a member of the Auckland Jogger’s Club named Andy Steedman for a run, but soon found himself struggling to keep up, even though he was twenty years younger. Even more surprising was the fact that, before becoming an avid jogger, Steedman had survived multiple heart attacks. This stark demonstration convinced Bowerman that he should promote the activity on his return home, and he started straight away, authoring a short introductory pamphlet called ‘A Jogger’s Manual’. He then partnered with renowned Oregon cardiologist W. E. Harris on a more comprehensive guide to jogging in 1966. Their book was a huge success, so one year later, the pair released a follow-up, ‘Jogging: A Physical Fitness Program For All Ages’, which was said to contain a “medically approved program” that would “reduce the waistline, improve your appearance and help prolong your life”.

A sporting revolution

Bowerman and Harris’ books sold over one million copies, sparking a running craze that spread across the country. As a result, when Bowerman became the coach of America’s track and field team for the Munich Olympics in 1972, many more people took an interest in the distance-running categories. They were rewarded by Frank Shorter’s incredible marathon victory, which made him the first American to win gold in the event since 1908. This performance and others, including four unprecedented back-to-back wins at the prestigious Fukuoka Marathon between 1971 and 1974, inspired runners back home, with millions taking up jogging as a hobby. Some even pushed themselves to attempt the marathon as amateurs, and the number of people entering the historic Boston event shot up, while both the New York and Chicago Marathons were inaugurated.

Two young designers

This immense boom in joggers was of huge benefit to Nike as each one needed suitable footwear. However, rather than a high-performing athletic shoe, most just wanted a reliable running trainer at a good price. In order to meet this demand, Nike assigned young footwear designer Mark Parker to the task and chose Bruce Kilgore to provide ongoing oversight of the project. At the time, Kilgore was working on the Air Force 1, which would eventually see him go down in history as one of the brand’s most influential designers. Meanwhile, Parker went on to become Nike CEO in 2006. Back then, though, both were relatively inexperienced designers looking to make a name for themselves, and that’s exactly what they did with the Pegasus running shoe.

The unique Air-Wedge

Parker set out to give everyday runners a feeling of freedom and speed in an affordable shoe that could be relied on for long-lasting support. Working at Nike’s research and development department in New Hampshire, he had access to the brand’s most up-to-date technologies, and set about filling his model with as many as he could without pushing the price too high. He took inspiration from the first Air-cushioned Nike running shoe, 1979’s Tailwind, but instead of using a full-length airbag, Parker put a smaller, first-of-its-kind Air-Wedge unit into the heel. At the time, research showed that around 75% of runners were heel strikers, so by adding Air to the heel alone, he could achieve optimal cushioning and impact protection for most people, giving what Nike described as “the kind of long-lasting cushion you just can’t find in any other shoe.” In fact, the designers were so confident in the Air-Wedge’s durability that it was marketed as being “over 10,000 miles long”.

A comfortable and supportive sole

Built around this unique cushioning unit, the sole incorporated other supportive features, such as a full-length Tomilite midsole, which offered a soft, shock-absorbing platform of lightweight EVA foam for the foot to roll through. Beneath this, was a so-called ‘Centre-of-Pressure’ outsole made of solid rubber, with Bowerman’s grippy Waffle tread pattern forming thick, durable lugs across its surface. Those lining the sole’s perimeter produced a somewhat concave effect that helped stabilise the foot as it transitioned through each step, supposedly enhancing “total cushioning by 10%”, while a gentle flaring at the heel created an even sturdier base. When added to the Lite sockliner, which was made using a plush, lightweight material and shaped for superior arch support, this made the sole incredibly comfortable to run on.

A comfort-enhancing upper 

As well as having a high-functioning sole unit, Parker’s shoe contained outstanding technology across its upper. Non-stretch nylon provided a strong yet breathable base layer, while durable suede overlays delivered structure to the forefoot, heel and lacing. Flexibility notches were cut into the front panel at the natural hinge point of the first metatarsal to increase manoeuvrability, and the extended PVC heel counter ensured optimum stability and support through the back of the foot. This firm heel support worked with the shoe’s curve lasting and the staggered eyelets of its variable width lacing system to provide a snug, personalised fit. Alongside this, its slip lasting produced a “Moccasin-like construction” for lightweight flexibility and high levels of comfort that were further bolstered by the cushy, blister-reducing ankle collar.

A running shoe for everyone

When the design process was over, Parker had a versatile running shoe that offered a compelling blend of support, stability, flexibility and lightweight cushioning. While not the best in any one area, it was great across the board, and its low-cost build meant that it came at an affordable price too. Embodying the ideals of Bill Bowerman’s famous saying “If you have a body, you’re an athlete”, its all-round performance made it ideal for beginners and casual joggers, but also allowed it to fit into the rotation of more experienced runners as a reliable training shoe for steady daily miles.

A symbolic name

All Parker’s silhouette needed now was a name. Early options included the Air Wedge Trainer, but these were forgotten when someone suggested a single word that seemed to symbolise everything about both the shoe and the brand: Pegasus. Not only did it reference the elegant winged stallion from Greek mythology, and thus represent the shoe’s wonderful freedom of movement and pillowy Air cushioning, it also aligned with the origins of the name Nike, which was taken from the Greek goddess of victory. And so, the Nike Pegasus came into being.

An affordable shoe

When the Pegasus came out in 1983, Nike was keen to emphasise two things: its Air-Wedge cushioning and its affordability. Promotional material highlighted the brand’s research into the strength and durability of the Air sole, stating that it maintained its cushioning properties over 500 miles, while lab technicians supposedly “threw in the towel” after observing it successfully resist more than “6,000,000 impacts”. The brand made the declaration: “Never will so many own so much for so little.” – a nod to the incredible technology Pegasus owners received for such a reasonable price.

Establishing the Pegasus line

Nike’s clever marketing helped popularise the Pegasus in its first year, but it was the shoe’s practical capabilities that saw it become a staple of the running community. Joggers and runners at all levels were taken by its practical design and accessibility, so Nike established the Pegasus as a permanent line focused around reliable functionality and everyday utility. Over the next decade, new iterations were released alongside variants like 1988’s rugged ACG model, whose use of the ‘All Conditions Gear’ moniker came one year ahead of the official launch of Nike’s outdoor-focused ACG sub-label, and 1991’s Pegasus Racer – a stripped-down, race-ready version. The core model remained dependably consistent throughout, with minor adjustments including a doubling of the heel Air in 1987, after which point it was known as the Air Pegasus, and an increase in the heel-to-toe drop in 1989. Such measured improvements were preferred over sudden, groundbreaking changes, and many people became ardent fans of the Pegasus franchise as each new release was reliably familiar in its ability to carry them comfortably over hundreds of miles at a range of paces.

A controversial change

By the time of its 10th anniversary, the Pegasus, now affectionately known within the running community as ‘The Peg’, was Nike’s most successful running shoe, having sold over 17 million pairs, but things were about to take a turn as the brand began to move away from what had made it such a remarkable success. Nike started to make bigger changes, adding elements like an elastane sleeve and making the upper firmer. However, perhaps the most controversial change came in 1996, when a visible Air unit was placed in the heel. Although this emulated the brand’s highly popular Air Max range, Pegasus fans felt that the designers were becoming too focused on appearance over performance, and the normally sought-after running shoe began to lose its charm.

A revealing moment

With sales dropping, a team of Nike designers gathered to discuss ways to revive the ailing series. They did so over a gentle run, but this revealed the depth of their problem as they realised that not one of them was wearing the Pegasus. The shoe had clearly lost sight of its original purpose, so they decided that it would be discontinued until such a time as they could do justice to its core values once more. In 1998, production of the Pegasus halted for the first time in 15 years, leaving the running community unsure whether or not it would ever return.

Reinvigorating the Pegasus

In order to reinvigorate the Pegasus, Nike looked to footwear designer Sean McDowell, who had just created the groundbreaking Air Max Plus. A keen runner and a big fan of the Pegasus, McDowell was the perfect person for the job. Along with Footwear Product Manager for Nike Running, Tim Slingsby, and Product Developer Emily Dennison, he determined to prioritise the needs of the everyday runner once more by putting functional performance back at the centre of the Pegasus. His skilled team patiently analysed what had gone wrong before, speaking directly with runners to discover exactly what they required and then using that information to rebuild the shoe from scratch. The first thing they did was remove the visible Air, designing a new kind of sole with a full-length Air unit ‘baked’ into it to produce a more lightweight silhouette and surrounding it with plush Phylon foam for even better comfort. Its upper featured an improved mesh with greater breathability, while its layered panelling and sturdy midfoot provided excellent durability. It also set the Pegasus on a new path aesthetically, its shiny metallic tones and sleek, minimal Swooshes producing a stylish retro-futurist look.

An astounding return to form

McDowell’s 2000 shoe represented a triumphant return to the Peg’s roots. Released as part of the new Bowerman Series of innovative athletic footwear set up to honour the late, great designer, it was snapped up by both old-school fans and interested newcomers alike in what was an astounding return to form. Just like the original Pegasus, this one established a prosperous line of running shoes, with many of McDowell’s design elements recurring on subsequent noughties models. The dynamic midfoot overlay was a particular favourite, its angular shape becoming more pronounced with each iteration. Some of the mid-2000s editions were particularly eye-catching and inspired lifestyle sneakers like 2019’s P6000. Meanwhile, the Pegasus 2005 was later brought back as a stylish casual shoe, with the similar Pegasus Wave based on the same silhouette and both catering to the 2020s trend for Y2K-era mesh runners.

Expanding the franchise

Building on this renewed success, Nike expanded the line, launching the Pegasus Trail in 2003 and adapting the core model for the female foot in 2004. While the dedicated women’s shoe became a permanent fixture of the series as of 2006, the Trail remained at version 1 for many years, until in 2019, the Pegasus 36 Trail was released. It turned out to be incredibly popular due to its snug, comfortable fit and lightweight, breathable design, which made it a fantastic shoe for transitioning from road to trail and established the Pegasus Trail series as a popular option amongst Nike’s off-road designs.

Cutting-edge technologies

Having once again become a reliable favourite for runners everywhere, the Pegasus continued to evolve. Nike regularly furnished new models with up-to-date technologies, but always made sure to balance out the features so as to maintain accessibility without compromising on all-round performance. In 2010, the Pegasus 27 became the first in the line to contain springy Zoom Air, resulting in a more responsive underfoot feeling that has been carried forward onto subsequent silhouettes. Meanwhile, developments in upper materials brought significant improvements to the Pegasus as new types of engineered mesh were introduced, allowing designers to make lighter, more breathable shoes that fit better as well. Thanks to this, the Pegasus became more and more popular as a training shoe for professional athletes, who followed in the footsteps of earlier distance runners like Joan Benoit Samuelson.

A remarkable running career

A barrier-breaking marathoner, Samuelson often relied on the Pegasus during training as it helped her build a remarkable career which included an Olympic gold medal and memorable victories in the Chicago and Boston marathons, amongst others. She has since praised the Pegasus for its innovation and function, pointing out how Nike’s "thoughtful and calculated” improvements appealed to “devoted, knowledgeable runners”, and calling it her “go-to shoe” whenever she was unsure whether she could “go the distance”. Although Samuelson competed professionally throughout the 80s and early 90s, she continued to race later in life, running the fastest marathon for her age category (55-59) at the 2013 Boston event, and showing that the Pegasus could support runners at all stages of life.

Legendary athletes

While Samuelson was proving that age is just a number, modern athletes were showing the benefits of training in the Pegasus with victories across various disciplines. Kenyan runner Geoffrey Kamworor was a fan of the shoe, and throughout the mid-2010s, he won gold medals in the World Cross Country Championships, the World Half Marathon Championships and the New York Marathon. Meanwhile, legendary British runner Mo Farah was plying his trade across the 5,000m and 10,000m, winning back-to-back Olympic golds in both races at London 2012 and Rio 2016. Around 2013, Farah began preparing to make his marathon debut, and the Pegasus became a regular part of his training routine. Aware of his affinity for the dependable trainer, Nike enlisted Farah in 2014 as a consultant on its next iteration: the Pegasus 31. With his input, the brand designed a more lightweight shoe that was still highly supportive and as versatile as ever. Its sock-like fit, plush yet responsive feel and protective, grippy outsole lived up to the model’s original purpose of being a shoe for everyone from beginners to veterans, and its speedy design even meant that runners could use it on race days.

A humble shoe

Farah’s input was of great help, and Nike honoured him with a special edition of the Zoom Pegasus 34 in 2017, decorating it with Union Jack Swooshes and a customised golden tongue patch depicting his signature ‘Mobot’ pose. At the time, he appeared in promotional videos for the Pegasus, saying, “I’ve always been a simple guy. I wear the Nike Pegasus.” This ode to its understated yet supportive design was followed by the words “The Pegasus has been good to me.” – a humble statement that carried incredible power and earned the series even more fans amongst the running community.

A popular edition

During this time, the world of running footwear changed dramatically with the advent of the so-called ‘super shoe’. Nike’s revolutionary Vaporfly was the first, combining ultra-responsive ZoomX foam with a carbon fibre midsole plate to create a new kind of trainer that improved energy return and reduced fatigue over long distances, allowing athletes to go faster for longer. While the Vaporfly and its successors were outstanding race shoes, the Pegasus continued to excel in training, and the 35th edition became one of the most well-respected in the line’s history after its release in 2018. Crafted based on 47,000 cumulative miles of testing, it was the first to contain a full-length Zoom Air unit, which had been carefully shaped to match the contours of the foot, housed within premium Cushlon foam for maximum comfort. Its engineered mesh upper enhanced breathability, the Flywire cables improved lockdown and the out-turned collar protected the Achilles, while on the women’s version, the midsole foam was specifically tuned for the female runner – something which had not happened on any Pegasus before.

A dynamic piece of art

The success of the Air Zoom Pegasus 35 proved that the decades-old silhouette could not only survive, but actually thrive alongside its super shoe counterparts as it sold 12 million pairs in just one year. Building on this, Nike broadened its range of lifestyle-oriented Pegasus sneakers with retro versions of classic models including the 1983 original and the 1989 edition. They also continued to push the technological elements of the Pegasus series, switching from Cushlon foam to the more responsive React with 2020’s 37th edition. Then, in 2022, prestigious Swiss artist Fabian Oefner honoured the line with a sculpture created using the recently released Pegasus 39. As part of a wider series breaking down everyday objects to enhance their meaning and function, Oefner encased the shoe in resin before slicing it into smaller parts and rearranging them to produce a dynamic artwork representing the rich heritage of the Nike Pegasus.

An impressive milestone

Oefner’s stunning sculpture arrived just in time for the 40th anniversary of the Pegasus, which Nike celebrated throughout 2023 with various special editions as well as the new Pegasus 40. This latest version contained some of the brand’s most cutting-edge performance technologies, blending React foam with dual Zoom Air units for a powerful underfoot experience that was well-cushioned, stable and energy-returning. Its new upper featured a midfoot band that enhanced lockdown, while its flexible outsole incorporated grippy lugs that still retain some elements of the original Waffle design. It was a fantastic addition to the series, but things were about to change for the Pegasus as Nike Running completely reorganised its road running lineup.

The future of Nike Running

In 2024, a year when data from the Strava running app revealed the Pegasus to be the most-worn trainer amongst its global user base of 135 million people, Nike reinforced its exalted position within the brand’s running division by making it a core part of a new suite of road running footwear. Alongside the Vomero and the Structure, the Pegasus was one of three classic series to represent the future of Nike Running, each providing its own specific focus, but all dedicated to the most fundamental element of any sports shoe: cushioning. The Pegasus was designed to maximise responsiveness, offering all-day energy return through midsole technologies that would vary across three tiers of sophistication depending on the level of support required. This ensured that the series could stay true to its origins by serving runners at all levels. The so-called ‘Icon’ model was designed for beginners and amateurs, with a lightweight, breathable engineered mesh upper and a midsole combining responsive ReactX foam and dual Zoom Air units. Intermediate athletes were given the Plus, its energising midsole made from full-length ZoomX foam to support easy everyday runs and its Flyknit upper keeping things comfortable up top. And for the most serious and elite runners, the Premium was packed with high-performance technologies including both ReactX and ZoomX foam alongside full-length Zoom Air for an unbelievable feeling of responsiveness and speed.

A celebrity appearance

This powerful new suite of running shoes received an early endorsement in June 2024, when influential American rapper Snoop Dogg wore the Pegasus 41 while taking part in a 200m race at the Olympic Team trials at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon – the same iconic venue where Bowerman had developed and tested his running shoes decades earlier. Running in a patriotic colourway modelled on the American flag, the 52-year-old Snoop showed just how supportive and responsive the Pegasus 41 could be for amateur runners, finishing in a respectable time of 34.44 seconds.

Athletic endorsements

Although Snoop Dogg’s endorsement was good for the profile of the Pegasus 41, it needed support from professional athletes, which it soon had as it featured in a collection crafted in honour of the great Kenyan marathon-runner Eliud Kipchoge. Its elegant white and Pale Ivory upper was decorated with honorary details like the athlete’s signature, and the Dragon Red colour fade on the sole referenced the clay-coloured dirt of the tracks Kipchoge would run on at his training camp in Kaptagat, Kenya. In June 2025, Kipchoge’s compatriot Faith Kipyegon received her own pack of running shoes containing special editions of all three Pegasus designs. The release came ahead of her attempt to become the first woman to break the 4-minute-mile barrier in Nike’s Breaking4 Project and reflected the fact that she had used the Pegasus throughout her carefully curated training program. The collection was decorated in a range of pink and purple tones and adorned with intriguing touches that told the story of her remarkable achievements, both as a world-record-breaking runner and a loving mother.

A go-to staple for runners everywhere

The Nike Pegasus has been on an incredible journey since its inception in the early 1980s. Starting out as an all-round running shoe, it quickly became a trusted staple of the sporting landscape, before experiencing a troubled period ahead of the new millennium. However, after returning to its roots as a reliable trainer for every runner, the so-called “workhorse with wings” established itself as one of the greatest franchises in sportswear history and is even known to be Nike co-founder Phil Knight’s favourite shoe. With its unique balance of comfort, durability and responsiveness, the Pegasus makes everything from a short jog to a challenging marathon effortlessly enjoyable, so it’s no surprise that it remains the go-to for millions of runners around the world.