BMF Training Debut: Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 31

Courtesy of Nike | featuring the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 31 >>

The re-engineered Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 31, a remastering of one of the most iconic running shoes ever, debuts today.  The Pegasus 31 is a result of the Nike design team partnering closely with Mo Farah and leveraging the insights from over 16,000 wear-tested miles logged by runners of all levels.

As always, much of the design and inspiration for the shoe came from working with, testing and listening to athletes, including Mo Farah, double gold medalist and three-time world champion. When he said he wanted his favorite shoe to be faster, the Nike design team listened and got to work.

“The Pegasus is one of my favorite shoes and it just keeps getting better,” said Mo Farah, whose go-to training shoe is the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus.  He remembers immediately feeling a difference in the Peg 31 prototype. “The first time I put on the Peg 31, I felt faster off the ground. I loved that snappiness and snug fit combined with the soft cushioning and protection that I need for my 100+ miles a week.”

The new Pegasus feels faster and more responsive than any version in its impressive 31-year heritage. The latest shoe retains key features loved by loyal Pegasus runners – heel Zoom Air units for a cushioned, quick and responsive ride, a breathable upper and excellent fit. The new design introduces enhancements like a brand new contoured last for streamlined fit, dropped offset (10 millimeters) for a more natural stance, and an engineered midfoot saddle for targeted structure and support.  These changes provide a better fitting, more natural ride and added toe spring, built-in from the curvature of the toe.

“When designing the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 31, we had the unique benefit of athlete feedback from 16,000-plus miles of wear testing in the shoe and this helped us focus on fine-tuning and evolving this iconic shoe to make it feel even faster and more responsive,” said Mark Miner, Senior Footwear Designer. “Mo Farah is truly an advocate for the performance of the shoe, and he gave us insights along the way that allowed us to revolutionize the 31.

Zoom Air cushioning is engineered to be highly responsive and quick off the ground. The unique responsiveness of Zoom Air comes from tightly stretched tensile fibers woven inside a pressurized Nike Air unit. Upon impact, Zoom Air tensile fibers release their tension and then snap back to their original state, generating responsive, snappy, propulsion.

“Whether this is your first year running in the Pegasus or your 31st, we wanted runners to feel that fast snap off the ground with Zoom Air and a snug, breathable fit,” continued Miner.