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Nike Elevates Its Most Versatile Trail-Running Shoe with a Pair of Performance Upgrades

Nike’s latest sneaker is for runners planning to rough it out in whatever winter throws their way.

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By Jack Seemer

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When it comes to running, Nike may be best known for record-breaking shoes like the Vaporfly. However, few shoes in the brand’s catalog (let alone that of any other brand) rival the versatility of the Pegasus Trail 5, which just received a pair of performance upgrades for runners planning to rough it out in whatever winter throws their way.

Hybrid trainer

You could call the Pegasus Trail 5 an off-road version of the Pegasus 41 but that’d be selling the shoe a little short. It’s a hybrid trainer, designed by the Nike Trail team to transition between pavement and dirt without missing a step.

You could call the Pegasus Trail 5 an off-road version of the Pegasus 41 but that’d be selling the shoe a little short.

Like the Pegasus 41, the Pegasus Trail 5 features Nike’s new ReactX foam that debuted on last year’s InfinityRN 4. According to the brand, the midsole material boasts a significant increase in energy return over regular React foam. Even better: it nearly cuts Nike’s carbon footprint in half.

Nike shoe
According to Nike, ReactX foam offers 13 percent more energy return than React foam.
Nike

ReactX also just feels really good, combining bounce with responsiveness for a dynamic feeling underfoot, no matter the surface. Just as well — the lugs on the Pegasus Trail 5 provides enough grip for light trails without feeling out of place on the road.

Ready for winter

Now, Nike is giving the silhouette a pair of upgrades to prepare runners for inclement weather up around the bend.

The first of those additions is a Gore-Tex Invisible Fit upper to keep feet dry in rain, sleet or snow. Breathability no doubt comes down from the engineered mesh upper of the regular Pegasus Trail 5, but runners likely won’t notice when the temperatures start to drop outside.

Nike shoe
Breathability is sacrificed in favor of water resistance but it’s an easy tradeoff when the weather drops.
Nike

The new variant also comes with a built-in gaiter akin to the one that found on the Zegama 2. Designed to keep out snow and debris, gaiters are becoming increasingly common in trail shoes optimized for variable conditions.

Hoka’s upcoming Tecton X3, for example, features an integrated collar, just like the prototype that Jim Walmsley used to win the prestigious UTMB race last year.

Nike shoe
Built-in gaiters designed to keep out snow and debris are becoming increasingly common on the trails.
Nike

Pricing and availability

The Nike Pegasus Trail 5 GTX is available now on Nike’s website for $170 — a bump on both the Pegasus Trail 5 ($150) and Pegasus 41 ($140).

Like with most Nike Trail collections, the colors are half of the reason to pick up a pair. Beyond black and white, the men’s version of the Pegasus Trail 5 GTX comes in a minty green Jade Horizon and pink Red Stardust.

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