Our durometer measurements clocked in at 34.0, a delightful 16% softer than the average 40.5, confirming its brisk and gentle nature. It felt super balanced on our runs, providing a smooth and secure ride that effortlessly kept up with our faster paces. While the Trail 4 features lots of cushioning from heel to toe, it's the React midsole that steals the spotlight. They were just perfect on those bumpy trails! We couldn't resist taking out our caliper to check the lugs, which measured 3.4mm, right at the average for trail running. Its grip was absolutely fire on dry terrain, thanks to its aggressive and razor-sharp tread pattern on the outsole. This mighty shoe effortlessly glided over wildly uneven ground, crushing rocks and roots in its path. Its soft cushioning seals the deal, making it our ultimate choice for the best Nike trail shoe. The Pegasus Trail 4 conquered trails with unmatched stability and raw traction. We recommend saving it for races over the half-marathon distance only, where its true potential shines brightest, as its 240 grams (8.5 oz) feel a tad heavier than the average racing shoe.

Its ZoomX midsole scored an exceptional 19.1 on our durometer, 23.6% softer than the average! Also, this velvety foam isn’t one to be fazed by the cold, as it firmed up a mere 8.5% after 20 minutes in the freezer, while the typical shoe becomes 26.7% firmer. These shoes were like a breath of fresh air for our legs, keeping them lively and starving for an outstanding amount of miles. It fought back with a remarkable 69.7N, placing the Alphafly v2 in the top 4% when it comes to stiffness. Back in our lab, we locked the tip of the shoe and bent it 90º. The extremely stiff carbon plate inside the midsole ignited us with a springy and propulsive toe-off. Out in the field, these shoes were brutal, constantly urging us to kick it up a gear. With its unrivaled speed and forgiving ride, no other shoe comes close on race day. The Alphafly Next% 2 is our top choice from Nike to obliterate marathon PBs. The Invincible 3 sits at $180, an uncommonly hefty price for a daily trainer, so those on a budget might need to look elsewhere. Premium shoes come with a premium price tag. We couldn’t help but check its softness with our durometer and no wonder it had us floating on clouds: it ranks among the top 10% plushest shoes we’ve ever studied! Surprisingly enough, this lofty caregiver feels incredibly stable, mostly thanks to the much-appreciated massive platform - our caliper measured the widest part of the heel to be 102.1 mm, effortlessly surpassing the average by 13 mm. There’s a homey feeling to running on these, thanks to the silky ZoomX midsole. Oh, and the thin and stretchy mesh was a treat! While it may be slightly narrower than the average by a mere 0.4 mm, we sure were able to splay out our toes in the front. We whipped out our caliper to measure the max width of the upper, and it clocked in at a generous 97.7 mm. Add the spacious toebox and there’s none like the Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit 3.Īs we hit double-digit miles, that extra room in the toebox really came in footy. These kicks are the epitome of recovery days shoes, babying our legs and turning our strolls into a breeze. However, those looking to shatter personal bests might want to explore other options, as we felt no sign of spark or excitement in the Pegasus 40 ride. With a score of 17.6 on our durometer test, it is 29.6% softer than the average road shoe. Underfoot, the foam strikes a perfect balance between energy return and plushness. From heel to toe, the upper spoiled our feet with ample padding, ensuring a snug lockdown throughout our runs. There’s an overall cozy fit to it that delighted our feet. Our 90º bend test ranked the 40s in the top 6% of most flexible shoes we ever put our hands and feet on. It also showcases remarkable flexibility, allowing for an untamed ride at any pace.

In the lab, we pushed our durometer against its outsole and it sure is tough: scoring 86.0, this rubber is 7.8% harder than the average. The Pegasus 40 is an absolute workhorse, fearlessly overpowering various terrains with its grippy outsole that defies wear and tear. We got a raw and powerful do-it-all shoe that combines excellent cushioning and a natural and secure ride. With outstanding ratings in the field and lab, the Pegasus 40 emerged as our best Nike running shoe overall.

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