That’s when designers brought to market a shoe it intended to be accessible for every athlete. It was simple and functional, and it was within reach of anyone seeking out a great training shoe. It could hardly have been more successful, as it’s gone on to become Nike’s all-time best-selling running shoe.
Designed to fly
Named for the mythological winged horse, the Pegasus was designed to help you glide along, no matter what path you’d choose. Mark Parker’s path, for example, began as a design director who helped develop the original Pegasus, and it led him to become Nike’s president and CEO in 2006. Nike co-founder and longtime leader Phil Knight is said to regularly rock the Pegasus. And the company had a list of 10 world-class runners who trained and raced in the Pegasus.
The “Peg” featured an Air wedge in the heel that replaced the EVA foam that was the standard in most running shoes of the day. That was a big reason why Nike originally called the shoe the Air Wedge Trainer.
In fact, Nike mentioned in an October 1982 catalog that the Air-Sole unit “improves shock absorption by 12 percent over an EVA wedge.”
Into the new
The franchise added a kids’ line in 1987, the same year it began focusing heavily on the running category by touching off its Air Revolution with the Nike Air Max running shoe.
Despite adding a visible Air-Sole design in 1996, Nike vaulted the lineup in 1997, renaming it the Arma in 1998.
But Nike revived the Pegasus in 2000. The new look, by Air Max Plus designer Sean McDowell, was part of the new Bowerman Series, which was implemented to give a nod to Nike’s other co-founder, Bill Bowerman. It only grew from there.
The women’s Nike Air Pegasus dawned in 2004, designed on a last that better mimicked the female foot. The saddle better adhered to her foot’s curves, and the medial support was increased.
The shoe has evolved since its debut. The original suede overlays and closed-mesh webbing have given way to engineered mesh that incorporates Flywire, a full-length low-profile Zoom Air unit, and a heel collar that sweeps away from your Achilles tendon. Even the original iconic Waffle outsole has morphed into a more open webbed design that helps cut weight.
Layers of looks
Nike’s entire running category has evolved as well. Whether you’re into running miles or just running errands, Foot Locker offers Nike Windrunner jackets that give you a lightweight layer of protection from the elements.
Fleece hoodies and jogger pants give you a layer of warmth that keep you warm no matter how active you are, or aren’t.
And from sports bras to run shirts and shorts, Dri-FIT helps wick away sweat and moisture to help keep you feeling light, dry, and focused on whatever path lies ahead.
Related to Nike Air Pegasus Shoes
Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39, Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 36 Shoes, Nike Pegasus 40, Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 37 Shoes
