The Pegasus, now in its 41st iteration is the go-to shoe for thousands of runners every year because of its consistent ride, consistent fit and its great value.
The Tempo Next% is one of the most expensive daily trainers one can buy because it is packed to the brim with cutting edge technology. It's a premium trainer with a premium price.
Which of these trainers is the one for you?
The midsole of the Pegasus is completely made from ReactX foam while the midsole of the Tempo is made from a combination of ZoomX and React.
The single density midsole of the Pegasus results in smoother, consistent ride transitions compared to the Tempo which has firmer React in its heel and soft ZoomX in its forefoot.
The all-ReactX midsole also makes the Pegasus more durable than the Tempo because ReactX foam is tougher and more resistant to midsole compression.
Both trainers have Zoom Air but the Pegasus has it encapsulated inside its forefoot and heel. It covers almost the entire forefoot of the Pegasus and some of the heel. The Zoom Air in the Tempo is two pods which can be seen from the side of the shoe.
The Zoom Air unit in the Pegasus is closer to the foot than the Zoom Air pods in the Tempo which translates to a softer, more cushioned ride and better long distance comfort.
The firmer and more responsive ride of the Tempo makes it better suited to shorter runs at faster paces.
Stability is better in the Pegasus than the Tempo because it has a lower midsole stack height. When running in the Tempo, you have to slow down when cornering while you don’t have to in the Pegasus.
The outsole of the Pegasus is full ground contact and has plenty of thick, hard wearing rubber. The rubber on the Tempo’s outsole is a softer kind of rubber which is less durable.
Traction is acceptable in both trainers but better in the Pegasus because it has more rubber on its outsole and is full ground contact.
The upper of the Pegasus is made from traditional engineered mesh and it has a sleeved tongue so no tongue slide occurs. The heel hold of the Pegasus is secure and no heel slippage occurs. It fits true to size and has an accommodating midfoot and forefoot. The Pegasus is available in narrow, standard, wide and extra wide versions.
The upper of the Tempo Next% is made from Flyknit which is more breathable than the mesh upper of the Pegasus. It is a bootie construction so there is no tongue slide but the collar comes up high so it must be worn with longer socks. Heel hold is excellent and it fits true to size with plenty of toe box room. The Tempo is only available in one width.
If you’re a runner looking for a more versatile trainer that can do short and long runs, the Pegasus is the better option for you. The Pegasus is more stable than the Tempo and has smoother ride transitions. It is also more durable and better value for money.
If you’re a runner looking for a trainer for mostly short, tempo runs and price isn’t an issue, the Tempo Next% is for you. It has a firmer ride with more responsiveness and a breathable, comfortable upper with great lockdown.
