The upper changes aren’t major and just happen to be tiny tweaks made to the material and construction. The midsole and outsole stay the same, and all updates happen on the Pegasus 34’s new upper. Not much has changed since the Pegasus 33. The Pegasus 33 updated the midsole and outsole, so this year it’s time for an upper-only refresh. For most Nike running shoes, midsole and outsole changes happen once in two years while the upper changes annually. If you’re a long-time Nike user, then you would be familiar with Nike’s biennial design update cadence. But then, that’s a story for another time. Some versions worked well, while others were flawed. The Nike Structure has gone through many changes with all the enthusiasm of a swinging pendulum. The same can’t be said for the Structure, the Nike Pegasus’s stability counterpart. In other words, the Pegasus 34’s lack of special is what makes it endearing to so many. The Zoom Air bags provide a snappy feel under the forefoot and rear, and the outsole is as durable as they come.

The upper fits well without cocooning your feet in material plushness. There’s cushioning, and yet it’s not ultra soft. This decently priced, neutral cushioned trainer by Nike fits that analogy. The Pegasus is the footwear equivalent of the boy or girl next door – not the smartest or the most athletic, but someone you’re comfortable hanging around with all day. The Pegasus isn’t special in any way, and that’s perhaps its greatest strength. So what makes the Pegasus so special? But that’s asking the wrong question. It won’t be far fetched to say that the Pegasus is nearly as old as Nike itself. The ’34’ suffix to the shoe name is a testimony to how long the Pegasus has been around. The Nike Pegasus is, by far, the longest continuing running shoe series (excluding retro releases) in the history of the footwear industry.

Nike air zoom pegasus 34 mens