Nike Pegasus vs Nike Vomero | Daily Trainer Showdown

Deciding between the Nike Vomero and Nike Pegasus has been a long-standing conundrum. I love that brands have such diverse line ups and yet it’s also confusing to know what sets a shoe apart. We’re going to look at these two daily trainers to help you pick the right one for your goals. Nike Pegasus vs Vomero

As an experienced runner and shoe tester, I’ve spent time evaluating both models to provide you with a detailed comparison. Having done a lot of testing in the Nike Alphafly and Vaporfly as well the last few years, I’m getting reacquainted with exactly what the Nike line up has to offer.

It’s an incredible breadth of options, but today our focus is solely on these two very popular daily trainers. We’ll review the major differences, along with an overview of each shoe and features to help you decide.

Quick Jump

Nike Pegasus vs Nike Vomero Overview

Honestly, I put on one of each shoe and jogged around for awhile to see if I could pin point the major differences. While there are some, the truth is they are so very minimal. Both of these shoes are designed to be a daily trainer for easy running.

Both are going to serve you well for easy runs and I’d say even long runs up to 15 miles. After that, I often look for a shoe with a tad more cushioning, but that’s a personal choice! Between the two, the Vomero might be slightly more comfortable for long runs due to the additional cushion underfoot.

The Nike Pegasus 40 and the Nike Vomero 17 provide really comfortable and stable rides. Neither is a stability shoe, but I feel like my foot is well supported in both. The tongues are padded and I’m not worried about anything digging in to my ankles.

Neither shoe has a plate or rocker, but both could work for speed if you want one daily trainer to act as a workhorse for your easy days and in to long tempo runs. Again…we know I am all about shoe rotation for longevity of the shoe and to prevent injuries, so I’d consider an additional lightweight running shoe.

Key Differences

I will go through all of this in more detail, but for a very quick overview some key differences:

Vomero has a higher stack height (though similar heel to toe drop)
Pegasus is just a tad heavier
Vomero has the ZoomX cushion which feels a bit softer (also more stack means more cushion)
Pegasus uses React foam which isn’t as soft
Slightly thicker padding around Vomero heel collar

The foam as highlighted above is the major difference between these two models.

NIke Pegasus vs NIke Vomero

Remember the ZoomX foam is their newest and greatest which we see in shoes like the Vaporfly. Meanwhile, the React is what got me to fall in love with Nike running shoes all over again about 6 years ago.

You’ll find both have a similar outsole that will provide good traction and even give you the option of road to some gravel trail with plenty of grip.

Nike Pegasus Overview

40?! A shoe that’s made it to model 40 has me wondering how I’ve never run in it and learning quickly why it’s last for so long. The Nike Pegasus is one of the most popular running shoes of all time. It has been a favorite of runners for literally decades, so let’s find out why.

The Nike Pegasus is a solid daily trainer that will serve a lot of runners: just the right amount of cushion in midsole for comfort, durable rubber outsole to withstand, and a breathable mesh upper to keep your feet feeling fresh and dry.

Nike Pegasus 40 tread

But let’s get real for a second. The Nike Pegasus isn’t just a pretty shoe. It’s got substance too, with a firm heel counter that keeps your foot locked in place and a molded foam insole that provides extra support for those long runs.

This is a good option for your easy weekday runs or for the support of a marathon training run.

Often we get so excited for super plush shoes, but you end up losing some speed and structure. Which is probably why I was immediately drawn to the feel of this shoe. It’s similar to the aforementioned React that I dearly loved.

With a fully padded tongue and heel collar, you might be picking up some weight. But all in the name of comfort.

Specifications

Let’s dive in with some of the top line info that we all need to know about a shoe!

Neutral running shoe
Moderate cushion
Weight: 10.9 oz men’s, 8.5 oz women’s
Heel drop: 10mm
13 colors
Available in wide
Previous Model: Nike Pegasus 39
Find it here on Nike.com for $130, so you can enjoy their 30 day trial policy!

Nike Vomero 17 Overview

As you’ll notice from the price, the Vomero is considered a bit more of a premium shoe, which is due to the newer ZoomX foam. I’d also say for some reason I thought the Vomero felt just a tad more narrow than the Pegasus, but both fit my foot just fine and I wouldn’t shift up in sizing.

My first run in this shoe, I thought “oh this feels familiar” and it should as noted from recent testing. That was a very welcome surprise and I immediately fell in to a nice flow with the shoe, even dealing with some piles of snow along the way. Nike Vomero

The upper in this shoe feels a little thinner than the Pegasus, but both are very similar. Again the tongue felt good, not hitting to high or moving about. And the laces were long enough for a heel lock lacing, though I found it wasn’t necessary.

Neutral running shoe
Moderate cushion
Weight: 10.6 oz men’s, 8.7 oz women’s
Heel drop: 10mm
9 colors
Available in Extra wide
Previous Model: Nike Vomero 16
Find it here on Nike.com for $160, so you can enjoy their 30 day trial policy!

Choosing Between Nike Pegasus and Vomero for Running

Trying to decide between these two models? Hopefully you’ve gained some insights from the details above, but my straight take is that I would select the Vomero.

In fact, I obviously have both and stopped running in the Pegasus pretty quickly for other shoes, while the Vomero continues to appear in my weekly line up for easy runs.

Both are a neutral running shoe.
Pegasus has a lower stack height which you might find feels more stable
Vomero is going to be a little bit softer
Both can be used for similar training from the easy daily run to medium long run