Pegasus Premium 1

Yes, for most runners the Pegasus Premium fits true to size, so order your usual Nike length. The fit is a medium width, snug through the midfoot with a secure heel, and the toe box is moderate rather than roomy. If you have a wider foot there is no wide fitting available, so it is worth trying a pair on first. Runners between sizes are generally safe staying true to size rather than sizing up, as the length is accurate and the lockdown is dependable.

It is not built for racing. At 308g it is a heavy shoe, and while the cushioning would protect your legs over 26.2 miles, the weight and tall soft stack work against you when you want to hold a fast pace. It is much happier as a long run and easy day cruiser. If you want a Nike shoe to actually race a marathon in, look at the lighter, plated Vaporfly or Alphafly instead, and save the Pegasus Premium for your training miles.

It can be, thanks to the deep, forgiving cushioning and traditional 10mm drop that suits new runners finding their feet. The protection is genuinely useful if you are building mileage. The two catches are the £190 price, which is a lot for a first pair, and the tall soft stack, which takes a little getting used to and can feel wobbly early on. A beginner on a budget may be better served by the standard Pegasus 42, which is cheaper and more grounded.

They are quite different shoes despite the shared name. The standard Pegasus 42 is a firmer, lighter, more grounded everyday trainer built to be a do-everything workhorse. The Pegasus Premium is taller, softer, bouncier and heavier, with a full-length Air Zoom unit and a much bigger stack aimed at plush long runs rather than versatility. The Premium costs a lot more too. Pick the 42 for value and daily flexibility, the Premium for maximum cushioning and bounce.

There is no long-term data yet as this is a first-generation shoe, but Nike daily trainers generally hold up well, and the deep midsole and covered outsole rubber suggest it should last a typical 500 to 800 km if you keep it to the easy and long runs it is designed for. As with any max-stack shoe, rotating it with a second pair and avoiding rough trails will help the foam and air unit last. Check the outsole wear over time as your best guide to when it is done.