Best Appearance
Nike are not well known for their hiking shoes, but the Pegasus Trail 3 are a compelling choice for those who want to keep weight low and move quickly.
Great news: This shoe is also available in a women’s fit.
Pros / Reasons to Buy
- Very light weight
- Very comfortable
Cons / Reasons to Avoid
- Not as durable as some competitors
- Not suitable for very cold or wet conditions
See the Nike Pegasus Trail 3 in more detail:
Editor’s note: This article is part of our guide to the best hiking shoes, be sure to check out the rest of this guide for our top buying tips:
Nike are undoubtedly one of the largest (if not the largest) and certainly the most well-known maker of sports shoes in the world. Everyone knows their iconic ‘Swoosh’ logo. However, the brand’s small range of hiking shoes are seldom-seen on the trail. Nike’s Pegasus Trail 3 is a running shoe intended for cross-country and trail running, but it also makes an excellent super-lightweight walking shoe.
These shoes have something of a cult following and it’s not hard to see why as they combine light weight, waterproofing and breathability (at least in the Gore-Tex version), the comfort you’d expect from a Nike trainer and striking design all in one package. They performed extremely well in our best shoes for hiking round up and we’re sure you’ll love them too.
Compare to Similar Products:
Salomon Men's X Ultra 4 GTX Hiking | Columbia Facet 75 Outdry | Adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2 GTX | KEEN Targhee 3 Waterproof | Hoka Men's Anacapa Aero Low | La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX Hiking Boots | Nike Pegasus Trail 3 | Danner Panorama Mid | Black Diamond Mens Mission Leather Low Waterproof Approach Shoes | Lowa Renegade GTX LO | Regatta Vendeavour Pro | Merrell Moab 3 Waterproof Hiking Shoe | La Sportiva Mens TX Hike GTX Hiking Shoes | The North Face Men's Vectiv Fastpack Futurelight Track Shoe | Vasque Men's Juxt Hiking Shoe | |
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Our Ratings | Best Overall Men's | Best Budget | Most Versatile | Most Comfortable | Best for Summer | Best for Technical Trails | Best Appearance | ||||||||
Pros | Robust whilst feeling light and aerodynamic, excellent traction | Great value. Breathable and water resistant | Striking Design. Makes use of recycled material | Comfortable. Very durable | Light weight. Extremely comfortable and quick to bed in | Relatively lightweight. Good support | Very lightweight. Very comfortable | Rugged build. Clean, minimal sytling | Very low weight. They look great! | short break in, comofrtable, tread grip is substantial | Bargain price. Well made | Reputaton for comfort. Resaonably priced | Relatively light weight. They Look Good | Very comfortable. Low weight | Durable build. Extremely comfortable |
Cons | Fast lacing system won't be for everyone | Not the lightest. They might look a little plain for some | Pricey. Sole material can look tatty with time | Dated design. Pricey | Not as water resistant as some competitors. Divisive Styling | Styling may not be to eveyone's taste. Pricey | Not as durable as some competitors. Not suitable for very cold or wet conditions | Took a little while to break in. We wish there was a little more ankle support | Pricey. Soft rubber sole may wear quickly | Limited range of colors. Long term durability concerns | Limited Color choices. Not the Lightest | No the lightest design and color choices may seem dated to some | Slightly vague sustainability credentials. Sizing guidance is confusing | Limited choice of colors. Potential long-term durability issues | No waterproofing. Limited color choice |
Traction | Very good | Good | Continental outsole with medium/deep thread pattern | Full rubber outsole with deep thread pattern | Very Good | Full rubber outsole with medium/deep thread pattern | Very Good | Full rubber sole with medium/deep thread pattern | Rubber outsole with deep thread pattern. Uses 'Black Label' Sticky rubber for better grip. | Vibram outsole with medium/deep thread pattern. | Full rubber outsole with medium/deep thread pattern | Vibram outsole with medium/deep thread pattern. | Very Good | Very Good | Very Good |
Breathability | Very good | Good | Fine mesh upper with Gore-Tex membrane | Mesh sections on upper backed with waterproof membrane | Very Good | Breathable mesh upper with Gore-Tex | Very good | Minimal use of mesh, and unvented leather in main body of shoe but there is a Gore-tex membrane the boot is not insulated. | Breathable 'BD.dry' waterproof lining with some mesh sections. However unperforated leather will limit breathability. | Mesh lining backed with Gore Tex membrande | Breathable mesh upper with 'Isotex' waterproof membrane. | Breathable mesh upper with waterproof membrane | Good | Good | Very Good |
Ankle Support | Minimal but feels supported | Minimal | Medium - Mid height boot. Support can be adjusted via lacing | Minimal - Low top shoe with minimal ankle support | Minimal | Good - Mid height design with adjustable tensioning via laces | Minimal | Medium - Mid height boot. Support can be adjusted via lacing | Minimal - Low top shoe with minimal ankle support | Minimal - Low top shoe with minimal ankle support | Good - Mid-height design with ankle collar adjustment via laces. | Minimal - Low top shoe with minimal ankle support | Minimal | Minimal | Minimal |
Arch support | Regular | Regular | Gently moulded arch support in insoles | Subtle arch support | Very good | Subtle arch support | Regular | Subtly shaped inner section offers gentle arch support | Subtle arch support | Subtle arch support | Moulded nylon arch shank | Regular | Regular, but rocker-style sole may help comfort for some wearers | Regular | |
Fit | Fits true to size - regular | Regular - can run slightly large | Available in sizes from US 6/UK 5.5/ EU 38.6 up to US 15/UK 14.5/EU 50.6. Suitable for normal to wide feet. Runs small, so recommended to buy a slightly larger than normal size. | Meant to be very comfortable for a slighhtly wider foot - with lots of toe room. Available in sizes from US 7/uk 6/EU 39.5 up to US 16/UK 16/EU 49 | Regular | Availalble in standard and wide versions. Available in sizes from US 5.5/UK 5 /EU 38 up to US 14/UK 13.5/ EU 49.5 | Regular | Available in standard and wide fit. Standard is good for narrow/normal width feet. Available in sizes from US 7/ UK 6.5/EU 40 up to US 15/UK 14.5/ EU 50.6 | Typically suitable for normal width feet. Some reports indicate it's wise to size up a little. Availalble in sizes from US 6/UK 5/EU 38 to US 14/ UK 13/ EU 48.5 | Santadard - nothing to note, can be good for wide feet and standard feet may be a bit wide for narrow feet. Available in sizes from US7.5/UK 6.5/EU40 to US 16/UK 15/ EU 51 | Suitable for normal to wide feet. Available in sizes from US6.5/UK 6/EU 39.3 to US 12.5/UK 12/EU 48 | Suitable for normal width feet - have a reputation for out-of-the-box comfort. Also available in a wide version. Available in sizes from US 7/UK 6.5/ EU 40 up to US 16/ UK 15/EU 51 | Regular - can run a little small | Regular to narrow fit | Regular and Wide versions available |
Materials | Synthetic | Fully synthetic | Fully synthetic with Gore-Tex membrane. Minimum of 50% recycled material used in upper. High density foam sole can degrade with time. | Nubuck Leather and synthetic upper with Waterproof Membrane | Synthetic and nubuck leather | Fully synthetic with Gore-Tex membrane | Fully synthetic | Suede and synthetic with Gore-Tex membrane | Nubuck leather and synthetic | Nubuck Leather and synthetic upper with Gore-Tex Membrane | Fully synthetic with waterproof Isotex membrane | Pig suede and synthetic. Mesh lining, laces and webbing are made from 100% recycled materials. | Fully synthetic | Fully Synthetic | Suede leather and synthetic |
Appearance | Modern, grippy hiking shoe | Modern hiking shoe | Ultra-contemporary style with a wide range of colour ways - many are quite vivid | Slightly dated styling compared some newer designs | Modern hiking shoe with oversized sole | Contemporary styling. Available in a number of colour ways ranging from neutral to very striking. | Modern running shoe | The sytling is reminiscent of a hi-top basketball boot, but with with a clear modern interpretation. | Contemporary styling referencing classic sports shoe. Available in two colour ways | Design inspired by traditional hiking shoes. Limited color choices | Unintrusive styling. Available in a range of colours - some with vivid colour accents. | Unintrusive styling. Available in a range of colour options - mostly muted, 'earthy' colours. | Modern hiking shoe | Modern hiking shoe with oversized sole | Modern hiking shoe in earthy colors |
Durability | Very good | Good | Medium to high | High | Good | Medium to high | Good | High | High | Medium to high | Medium to high | Medium to high | Very good | Good | Excellent |
Weight (pair) | 800g/1lb 11.2oz (pair) | 833g/1lb 14oz (pair) | 910g/2lb | 861g/1lb.14.8oz | 706g/1lb 9oz (pair) | 940g/2lb 1oz | 642.8g/1lb 7oz (pair) | 1048g/2lb 5oz | 666g/1lb 7oz | 950g/2lb 1.5oz | 1080g/2lb 6oz | 900g/2lb | 790g/1lb 12oz (pair) | 646g/1lb 7oz | 822g/1lb 13oz (pair) |
Insoles | Padded removable insole | Padded removable insole | Removable insoles | Removable, dual-density EVA footbeds cushion your stride | Padded removable insole | Removable insoles | Padded removable insole | Removable three-layer cushioned insoles | Removable insoles | Removable insoles | Removable foam insoles | Removable insoles | Padded removable insole | Padded removable insole | Padded removable insole |
Break-in Period | Minimal | Minimal | Minimal | Straight away | Minimal | Minimal | Minimal | Medium | Minimal | Meant to be able to wear straight out the box | Minimal to medium | Minimal | Minimal | Minimal | Minimal |
Lacing system | Quick lacing system | Regular laces | Standard laces | Standard laces | Regular laces | Multizone lacing system allows control over fit | Regular laces | Standard laces | Standard laces | Standard laces | Multizone lacing system allows for precise fit control | Standard Laces | Regular laces | Regular laces | Regular laces |
Toe Protection | Reinforced rubber rand on toe | Reinforced rubber cap on toe | Hardened rubber toe cap and thin but full boot rand. | Hardened rubber toe cap | Reinforced rubber cap on toe | Hardened rubber toe cap | Reinforced rubber cap on toe | Hardened rubber toe cap and full boot rand. | Hardened rubber toe cap | Hardened rubber toe cap | Hardened rubber toe cap and rand on front section | Hardened rubber toe cap and rand on front section | Reinforced rubber rand at front | Reinforced rubber cap on toe | Reinforced rubber rand and toe cap |
Analysis and Test Results
The Nike Pegasus Trail 3 is intended for trail running, so its design prioritizes light weight, flexibility and breathability over rigidity and insulation. However, these are not just for good weather as the shoe is available with a Gore-Tex membrane that gives a substantial amount of water-resistance. For those who prefer hiking in lighter trainer-style footwear, the Pegasus Trail 3 is a very compelling option, though if you live somewhere that gets very cold in Winter, these shoes are not insulated enough for year-round hiking.
Performance Comparison
Traction
These shoes are designed for trail running, so it’s no surprise that they feature a grippy, soft rubber sole with a deep thread pattern. This sole will provide good grip on most trail surfaces, but it’s worth bearing in mind that wet grass and rocks, mud and ice can all still be very slippery surfaces even with the deepest thread pattern on your shoes, so in some conditions, additional traction aids like micro spikes can be a good idea – especially if you’re using the shoes for running.
Breathability
Breathability is one area where the Nike Pegasus Trail 3 excel. These shoes make extensive use of mesh in their upper sections and their breathability is excellent. They are a great choice for hiking or running in warm or very humid conditions. Their breathability is a big part of their almost cult appeal.
Ankle Support
The Nike Pegasus Trail 3 is a shoe and, as such, it does not offer any ankle support. Some versions of the shoe have a low ankle cuff or gaiter fitted, but this is fully flexible and does not provide any meaningful support (this cuff is, however, very useful for keeping sand and debris out of the shoe). Whilst other manufacturers offer boot versions of their hiking shoes, Nike only offers the Pegasus Trail 3 as a shoe.
Arch Support
The Pegasus Trail 3 shoes have a soft footbed that, to an extent, molds around the shape of the wearer’s foot and also come with a neutrally shaped insole. For most buyers, this will provide all the arch support they need. However, if you need extra arch support, aftermarket insoles are readily available from running and outdoors stores, some supermarkets and drugstores – you can even have a pair custom made by a foot specialist. For some, this addition can make a vast difference to comfort.
Fit
The Nike Pegasus Trail 3 Shoe is offered in a single ‘normal’ width and in a range of sizes from US 7/UK 6/EU 40 all the way up to US 15/UK 14/EU 49.5, increasing in half sizes. It’s good to see the option of larger sizes as historically manufacturers did not cater for these.
Materials
In common with most modern running shoes, the Nike Pegasus Trail 3 uses fully synthetic materials in their construction. This choice helps keep the weight down whilst maintaining the good breathability and water resistance of the shoes.
Appearance
Appearance is one area where we think the Nike Pegasus Trail 3 wins out. Nike are well-known for their cutting-edge design and whilst the Pegasus Trail 3 is not as distinctive or ‘out there’ as some of their other offerings, they do certainly look good. The clean, fairly minimally styled design is offered in a wide range of color ways and, on top of this, there are a few variants on the core product offered too: there’s a more conventional running shoe design and a variant with a low integrated ankle cuff or gaiter. The Gore-Tex and non Gore-Tex versions also have slightly different styling too. Of course, if you’re not a fan of logos, then the appearance of the Pegasus Trail 3 might be a bit too much, but if that’s you, you likely wouldn’t be considering a Nike product in the first instance.
Durability
The Nike Pegasus Trail 3 are light weight running shoes. And, whilst they do make use of durable synthetic materials in their construction, they cannot be expected to be as durable as a more conventional pair of hiking shoes or boots. That said, these shoes are very far from flimsy and there’s no reason why they shouldn’t provide long service to the wearer.
Sustainability
In the 1990s, Nike was at the center of a series of explosive journalistic investigations that revealed shocking worker conditions in the East Asian factories subcontracted to manufacture their products. These reports revealed, amongst other things, that these factories made use of child labor and workers were paid below minimum wage and had access to toilet facilities and water restricted during shifts. Since then, Nike has taken positive steps to address these issues, including setting up an independent auditing body to check subcontractors meet minimum worker welfare standards at their factories – all of which have had a wider positive impact on worker welfare in the manufacturing industry. However, the specter of these abuses still hangs over the company and many still associate the brand with poor ethics.
Beyond this, Nike are making a push towards reducing their carbon footprint, waste generated and use of water in manufacturing and have started integrating materials made from recycled plastic into their products. Whilst this is all good news, concrete figures for recycled content in each product are difficult to come by, and it would be good if this information were made more visible to the consumer.
Water Resistance
The Nike Pegasus Trail 3 is offered in several variants – a few of which come with a Gore-Tex membrane. This version is the best choice for water resistance and will keep your feet dry in rain or if you need to splash through puddles or even shallow streams – it’s definitely worth the extra cost if you live somewhere wetter, though it does slightly compromise the breathability relative to the non Gore-Tex version. If water gets above the ankle line, the shoes will flood – and it can also soak in through your socks. If you live somewhere it rans often and heavily, of if your hikes regularly involve having to cross streams, then a higher boot might be a better option if you want to prioritize water resistance.
Weight
These shoes are intended for trail running and, as such, they prioritize light weight. Coming in at 642.8g/1lb 7oz for a pair, these are at the lighter end of shoes in our roundup – though there are lighter alternatives. That light weight will be appreciated not just by competitive runners, but also hikers who value the lightest possible kit. It’s worth remembering the weight of your shoes is felt disproportionately and that saving weight on your footwear will have more of a tangible benefit than saving the same amount of weight on, say, your backpack.
Insoles
The Nike Pegasus Trail 3 shoes are supplied with fairly standard padded insoles. These are similar to what most other manufacturers provide and will be more than adequate for most buyers. If you need extra arch support, or want to fine tune the fit of your shoes, then swapping out the insoles is an inexpensive adjustment that can really transform the comfort of your shoes.
Break-in Period
No shoes are completely without a breaking-in period, but, for most people, these Nike shoes are about as close to this as you can expect. Straight out of the box, you could easily wear these shoes out on a long hike or run, but we’d always recommend wearing them around your home or on a few shorter local walks in the first instance to ensure the fit is right and to adjust the lacing as necessary.
Lacing System
The Nike Pegasus Trail 3 Makes uses of regular laces. That might not seem very exciting, but laces are, in fact, a very versatile way of closing shoes and allow much more flexibility in term so fine-tuning the fit of the shoe than most people realize. Out guide to lacing your shoes explores how the way you lace up your shoes can have a big impact on the comfort of your shoes.
Toe Protection
The sole of these shoes extends up to cover the toes section of the upper – this is a fairly common design decision on lightweight hiking and running shoes. Whilst this toe cap won’t provide the same level of protection you’d get on a pair of heavier mountaineering footwear, if will still be enough to absorb some of the shocks and bumps you might encounter on the trail should you trip or accidentally kick into a rock or log.
Conclusion
The light-weight Nike Pegasus Trail 3 might not seem like an obvious choice as a hiking shoe, but when you consider it’s specification, it does make a lot of sense for certain applications. If you live somewhere hot and dry, then they are a compelling choice, whilst the Gore-Tex variant extends their appeal to those who live in wetter conditions. These likely won’t be the only hiking shoes you own, but if you value light weight, good styling and comfort, then these shoes are well worth considering. Also, if trail running – what these shoes are actually intended for – is part of your routine, then they make even more sense.
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