Nike Pegasus 40 vs Adidas Adizero SL: Daily Trainer Buyer's Guide
The Adidas Adizero SL is the new kick on the block and the Nike Pegasus 40 is the middle-aged veteran. Here's how they compare.
Daily trainers are the bread and butter of every runner's rotation. Whether you're training for a marathon or the sport of life, you need that reliable workhorse shoe that can you can reach for any day—the shoe that can navigate all terrain, any weather, and take a beating through city sidewalks and suburban streets. The Nike Pegasus 40 and Adidas Adizero SL are designed are both designed to fill that slot. Here, we compare them and see which is best for you.
Overview: Nike Pegasus 40 vs Adidas Adizero SL
The Nike Pegasus 40 is one of the longest running nameplates around. Now in its fourth decade, the Peg 40 continues the tried-and-true formula of serving a simple, no-frills ride in a durable and affordable package. Where the Invincible Run 3 is the bucking bronco in the Nike lineup, the Pegasus is the reliable steed.
Nike Pegasus 40
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The Adizero SL is a new entrant into the daily trainer segment. Adidas had the Ultraboost in the 2010s as its primary daily training option, but that slowly evolved into a casual wear shoe over the last few iterations. The SL slots in to compete with the Pegasus, Brooks Ghost and Saucony Ride as that traditional everyday running shoe.
Adidas Adizero SL
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Midsole: Nike React vs Adidas Lightstrike & Lightstrike Pro
The Nike Pegasus 40 uses moderate stack of Nike's React foam. With 33mm in the heel and 23mm in the forefoot, the stack comes in within the normal range for daily trainers in 2023. While other Nikes like the Invincible and Infinity Run 4 bring high stacks of soft foam, the Pegasus keeps it plan and simple with a restrained application of the firmer React. The Pegasus also has air units in the midsole to provide more structure to the cushioning and a bit of pop.
The Adidas Adizero SL uses the brand's Lightstrike foam, an EVA compound that's firm and durable. The stack is 35mm in the heel and 26.5mm in the forefoot and feels similar to the Pegasus when standing. The SL has a puck of supercritical TPE Lightstrike Pro in the forefoot—the same foam used in Adidas' top tier racing and speed training shoes like the Takumi Sen 9 and Boston 12.
Both shoes have a natural yet cushioned feeling—like a traditional running shoe—on step-in due to the moderate stacks of foam. Neither the zoom air units in the Pegasus nor the Lightstrike Pro puck in the Adizero SL provide much of a different experience on initial step-in.
Ride: Adizero SL Skews Firm, the Pegasus Flexible
The Nike Pegasus 40 has a balanced, flexible and mildly springy ride. Unlike many of the most popular running shoes on the market today, the Peg doesn't have much of a rocker underfoot. Paired with the React foam, this gives it a flexible, connected underfoot sensation that. It's not the most snappy or the most cushioned, but it provides a little bit of everything. At slower paces, the React provides a decent amount of compression and impact absorption, and it feels springy and responsive when pushing the pace.
The Adizero SL has a cushioned and firm ride from the EVA-based Lightstrike foam. Similar to the Pegasis, there's no pronounced rocker, so the shoe isn't going to do the work of running for you like we experience in models like the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3. Instead, the flat and moderately cushioned platform promotes and rewards an efficient midfoot strike—and this is where the SL shines. The puck of Lightstrike Pro also comes alive in those everyday running paces a bit slower than marathon pace, proving more pop through the toe-off when running with more force.
The Lightstrike foam in the Adizero SL takes a while to break in and soften up, while the React is consistent out of the box. Once the foam is broken in, the SL feels more cushioned the Pegasus, though the Adidas is firmer and less flexible. Both shoes are designed for neutral runners and neither has prescriptive elements of stability, though we find the Adizero SL to be slightly more stable on the run from the firmness of the foam.
Upper & Fit
The Nike Pegasus 40 has the traditional narrow Nike running shoe fit. It's narrow through the midfoot and forefoot, though the engineered mesh upper is comfortable and stretchy enough to accommodate higher volume feet. This likely isn't the best option for runners who need a true wide width shoe, but the Pegasus does come in a dedicated wide size. For those whose feet fit the Peg, the lockdown is good with a comfortable lacing system and padded tongue.
The Adizero SL has a recycled polyester upper that feels like a thick athletic performance t-shirt. It has great breathability with ventilation holes throughout the midfoot and front area of the shoe. The toe-box is a touch wider than in the Pegasus and other popular daily trainers, but the height is shorter and less accommodating for high volume feet. The SL has a solid lockdown and a comfortable, padded tongue to avoid lace bite.
Both shoes prioritize comfort in the upper and aren't overly restrictive or snug. The heel collar of the Pegasus is more padded than the Adizero SL, but both have ample cushioning around the back of the upper. Both of the shoes run true-to-size, but you may want to size up half a size if you prefer a roomier fit.
Outsole & Durability
Both of the shoes have full-length rubber coverage on the bottom of the platforms. The rubber on the Pegasus is softer and more flexible, while the SL's rubber is harder and more resilient. The Pegasus has Nike's trademark waffle pattern nubs on the outsole, while the SL's rubber has more of a flat application with linear grooves. Adidas chose not to use the top-tier Continential rubber here, which means the platform will be slightly less grippy than shoes like the Takumi Sen—but it also saves money on production costs which are passed along to consumers in the lower MSRP.
The SL will be a highly durable shoe due to the EVA foam midsole and thick rubber coating. Most runners can expect 350+ miles from the shoe. The Pegasus also has great durability and will go for hundreds of miles.
Who They're Best For
If you prefer a flexible ride with more ground-feel, the Pegasus is a good option. The ride is slightly springy and responsive, but primarily calm and controlled as a solid daily trainer should be. For runners who prefer a softer or bouncier feel, Nike has the Invincible 3.
The Adizero SL is a great option for runners who prefer a firmer, more structured feel. If you've tried a previous version of the Pegasus and felt it too flat or lacking cushion, the Adizero SL is worth a shot. Like the Pegasus, it's not the softest or bounciest, but it compensates with a reliable, durable platform that can keep pace with any type of run. The SL is often on sale for $65 or below, so it's a great value buy.
Final Thoughts
The Adidas Adizero SL is the new kick on the block and the Nike Pegasus 40 is the middle-aged veteran. Both are up to the task of daily training and are versatile enough to handle most types of training. If you're looking for a new workhorse trainer, you can't go wrong with either.
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