Comparison:
Nike Rival Fly vs Nike Pegasus
The Rival Fly is an old school tempo trainer; the Pegasus is the classic daily trainer. Here we will be comparing these two trainers.
Comparison:
The Nike Rival Fly 3 is a lightweight tempo trainer which is built for speed. It has a thicker, more cushioned midsole than its predecessor and it costs $100.
The Nike Pegasus 40 is a workhorse built for daily runs and it costs $130.
Which one of these trainers is better for you?
Similarity and differences: Air Zoom Rival Fly 3 vs Air Zoom Pegasus 40
Expert score
7/10
7/10
Weight
8.40 oz
9.4 oz
Heel Drop
8 mm
10 mm
Verdict
The Nike Air Zoom Rival Fly 3 is an old school, lightweight tempo trainer with a flexible forefoot and a natural ride. It's best suited to short, speed workouts but it can also handle long distances. Version 3 of the Rival Fly has been updated with a softer Cushlon midsole and a thicker, more comfortable upper which makes it a better daily trainer.
The Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 40 is a daily trainer with a stable ride and durable build. It doesn't have a particularly fun or lively ride but it has a comfortable fit with no major weaknesses. It's best suited to short or middle-distance easy runs. Version 40 is only an upper update which makes the shoe more comfortable but heavier. It isn't a substantial update so it's not a major improvement over the Pegasus 39.
Recommended for
Speedwork, daily training
Daily training
Cushioning type
balanced
balanced
Cushioning amount
Medium cushioning
Medium cushioning
Flexibility
flexible
flexible
Stability
very stable
very stable
Sizing
true to size
true to size
Retail price
US$100.00
US$
Sole unit: Air Zoom Rival Fly 3 vs Air Zoom Pegasus 40
The Rival Fly’s midsole is made of Cushlon foam which used to be in previous versions of the Pegasus. It has a medium soft ride and is suitable for a variety of distances up to a full marathon.
The midsole of the Pegasus is made of the newer React foam which is slightly softer and more cushioned than the midsole of the Rival Fly.
The Rival Fly is better suited to shorter, faster runs because it is lighter and firmer. The Pegasus is better suited to slower and longer runs because of its higher level of cushioning and long-distance comfort.
Both the Pegasus and the Rival Fly have forefoot Zoom Air units. The one in the Rival Fly is smaller and is situated under the ball of the foot only. The one in the Pegasus is larger and covers the entire forefoot. The Pegasus also has an additional Zoom Air unit in its heel for extra cushioning and responsiveness.
Stability is better in the Rival Fly because it has a firmer midsole with less lean bias. It also has a thinner midsole so your foot sits lower to the ground.
Ride transitions are smoother in the Pegasus due to its larger forefoot Zoom Air unit. In the Rival Fly, you can feel the outline of the air unit which makes the forefoot feel lumpy.
The outsole of the Pegasus has more rubber than the outsole of the Rival Fly so it is more durable and can handle higher mileage. Both trainers use hard, durable rubber so they have higher levels of durability than other trainers in their classes.
Upper unit: Air Zoom Rival Fly 3 vs Air Zoom Pegasus 40
The upper of the Rival Fly is made of engineered mesh. It has a flat, racing-inspired tongue which is sleeved so there is no tongue slide. Foot lockdown is excellent and the Rival Fly runs true to size.
The upper of the Pegasus is also engineered mesh but it’s thicker and warmer than the Rival Fly’s upper. It has a padded, longer tongue than the one on the Rivals Fly so the Pegasus is the more comfortable shoe. It fits true to size but is also available in narrow, wide and extra wide versions.
Which one to buy: Air Zoom Rival Fly 3 vs Air Zoom Pegasus 40
If you’re looking for a light training shoe for mainly tempo runs and interval workouts, the Rival Fly is the shoe for you. It has a comfortable upper and a forefoot Zoom Air unit which makes it easier to pick up the pace. It’s also very cushioned and is great value for money.
If you’re looking for a more durable trainer for slower-paced daily training, the Pegasus is the shoe for you. It has more cushioning so it can be used for longer distance runs and it has a more comfortable upper than the Rival Fly. The Pegasus has an outsole with more rubber on it so it’s heavier than the Rival Fly and it also costs $30 more.
This expert review is written by
Brandon Law
Marathon Runner and Shoe Expert Brandon is a South African who lives and trains in Malaysia. He is a marathon runner who eats, sleeps and dreams running shoes. While most people wear shoes to run, he runs to wear shoes.
