Nike Pegasus Trail 5 GTX review

We've concluded that the Pegasus Trail 5 GTX is an excellent choice for:

• Trail runners in freezing climates needing reliable comfort on wet days.  
• Those seeking a road-to-trail shoe that keeps feet warm and dry during rainy or snowy runs and walks.  
• Fans of the Pegasus Trail 5 seeking a waterproof, cold-resistant companion that's perfect for winter months.

We think the Pegasus Trail 5 GTX isn’t the best choice for those running primarily on pavement. Instead, Nike offers more suitable options like the Pegasus 41 GTX, a natural pick, or the more affordable Winflo 11 GTX, both with waterproof uppers.

We found that the stripped-down upper of the Pegasus Trail 5 GTX sacrifices padding for weight reduction, which won’t satisfy runners seeking plush comfort. For a cozier alternative within the door-to-trail niche, we recommend the Hoka Challenger 7 GTX, which features a generously padded heel and a soft, plush tongue.

Nike claims this shoe has a 37 mm heel stack, but our measurement came to just 32.1 mm—a significant difference. And based on our evaluation, it’s clear this shoe prioritizes cushioning for midfoot strikers over rearfoot runners.

From our perspective, this discrepancy might stem from Nike measuring the “highest stack” rather than the actual heel. We measured this shoe using the World Athletics-designated points to ensure consistency, and we believe it would be great if all brands followed the same standards.

The forefoot measures a thinner-than-expected 23.8 mm, which still provides adequate cushioning for most activities. However, forefoot strikers aiming for long runs may find this result slightly limiting for maximum comfort and support.

The Pegasus Trail 5 GTX has a real 8.3-mm drop, slightly lower than Nike’s claimed 9.5 mm. In our experience, this minimal difference is unnoticeable even for the most sensitive runners. Nonetheless, we believe its midsole design and geometry make it a universal choice, but in our view, it's especially enjoyable for midfoot strikers.

One of the standout improvements we discovered when upgrading from the Pegasus Trail 4 to the Pegasus Trail 5 was the switch to ReactX foam—a bouncier, softer and more sustainable version of the older React material. That's why, in our opinion, runners coming from the Pegasus Trail 4 GTX will find the v5 update worthwhile.

We tested the ReactX foam with our durometer and measured it at 17.5 HA, confirming its soft, plush feel underfoot. However, as is common in trail shoes, the thick, durable outsole slightly filters this cushy sensation during runs.

This test was crucial, as every Gore-Tex shoe is designed primarily for cold weather. In our view, it’s slightly disappointing that the Pegasus Trail 5 GTX showed a 35.7% change in softness after spending just 20 minutes in the freezer.

The insole contributes significantly to the cushioning, thanks to its 5.0-mm thickness.

Rearfoot strikers, in our experience, will benefit greatly from the redesigned heel bevel, which provides smooth-as-silk heel-to-toe transitions. This feature enhances the overall ride and makes it especially appealing for this running style.

The addition of a more prominent rocker creates a rolling feel for runners transitioning from less dynamic shoes. However, those seeking a grounded, classic feel might prefer the flatter geometry of the Salomon Speedcross 6 GTX.

We found that, as expected, the Gore-Tex upper slightly reduced the interior space, but it’s not a major issue. While the regular version measured a spacious 103.4 mm, the waterproof edition still offered a comfortable 101.0 mm.

In our testing, we found plenty of vertical room for toe movement, which is crucial for Gore-Tex shoes often paired with thicker socks. Despite the added material, the toebox space remained generous.

We also noted that the toebox avoids the sharp tapering seen in earlier Nike designs. Measuring 79.6 mm in the big toe area, it provides a balanced-yet-roomy fit that we believe enhances overall comfort during runs, hikes or just casual walks.

The Pegasus Trail 5 GTX is not the most stable option for trails, particularly for heel strikers, who might have benefited from a wider, more supportive midsole. In our experience, though, it offers sufficient stability for neutral runners—the primary audience for this model.

Switching from a regular upper to a waterproof one inevitably adds some rigidity, as the material becomes thicker and denser. In our tests, this change increased the score from 3/5 in the non-waterproof version to 4/5.

There are two key reasons why this shoe feels less stable in the heel, and this redesigned heel counter is one of them. It now integrates an ankle gaiter and features a more flexible, lightweight construction, which implied a reduction in heel padding—ultimately cutting weight.

However, we discovered during testing that this 2/5 heel counter comes with a significant trade-off. Its reduced stability may pose challenges for heel strikers who rely on additional support.

Our first midsole measurement focused on the forefoot, where we recorded 110.4 mm.

This aligns with the average of all trail running shoes, and we verified during our test runs that the shoe feels more agile than supportive.

This is the secondary reason for reduced heel stability compared to other models. At just 86.1 mm, the Pegasus Trail 5 GTX has a narrow heel, catering primarily to neutral heel strikers. We found that other footstrikes remain unaffected—possibly benefiting from the more streamlined design.

One of the primary uses of Gore-Tex shoes isn’t just running—they’re ideal for hiking or walking in damp or freezing conditions. Tasks like heading to work, walking the dog, or even taking out the trash benefit from high flexibility in the shoe's design.

In our evaluation, the Peg Trail 5 GTX demonstrated low longitudinal stiffness. We made just 19.2N of force to bend it to 90 degrees, proving its ability to deliver all-day comfort and making it a great pick for casual wear too.

In our experience, most running shoes gain 10% to 20% more weight when waterproofed, but the Pegasus Trail 5 GTX truly surprised us. Here in the lab, we discovered it’s actually lighter than the non-waterproof version!

Nike managed to keep the GTX model at just 9.91 oz or 281g through clever, lightweight engineering, while the standard Pegasus Trail 5 weighs 10.09 oz or 286g. To be honest, we expected this waterproof edition to exceed 11 oz...

Breathability claims for Gore-Tex uppers are consistently overhyped, and in our experience, this model is no exception. Despite Gore-Tex marketing airflow capabilities, we tested it in the lab and found ventilation to be practically nonexistent—a clear 1/5 in our assessment.

The video comparison of both versions of the Pegasus Trail 5 demonstrates this shortfall unmistakably. To further validate our findings, we placed the upper over a powerful light source, and virtually no light passed through, confirming that airflow is minimal.

Under the microscope, we discovered a densely woven, precision-crafted mesh that effectively keeps water out, fulfilling its primary purpose.

The material feels robust and structured, making it highly capable in wet conditions but entirely sacrificing ventilation. For winter-ready insulation, it undoubtedly excels.

Interestingly, the upper is thinner than most GTX counterparts, making it a suitable option for those who dislike bulky, cumbersome running shoes. 

Nike’s focus on weight savings is evident—most padding has been removed, leaving only a thin, layer in the tongue and heel. This streamlined design results in a lightweight yet water-resistant shoe that prioritizes function over comfort.

One of the usual side benefits of Gore-Tex uppers is their enhanced resilience to damage. However, it seems that the Pegasus Trail 5 GTX is the exception that proves rule. While the regular edition achieved a flawless durability score, this version received a 3/5.

However, based on our experience, this remains a respectable result, providing ample resistance for most environments. This Gore-Tex upper strikes a nice balance between protection and functionality.

We can’t say the same for the heel padding, as the redesign aimed for a more flexible yet less supportive feel—but it severely compromised durability. In our testing, we found it delivered just 1/5 for resistance.

Nike uses the same ATC (All Terrain Compound) outsole material from the regular Pegasus Trail 5. In our view, this decision makes sense, given its good performance in that model, although we still think that traction has room for improvement.

We measured an outsole hardness of 90.0 HC, nearly identical to the original version.

We revved the Dremel to 10K RPM and applied 3.2N of force against the rubber to test durability. Afterwards, we found an average result of 1.0 mm—a respectable, average performance without raising any concerns.

The outsole, measuring 1.6 mm in thickness, is noticeably thinner than the 2.2 mm found in the regular edition. This reduction clearly highlights how Nike effectively shaved weight for the GTX version.

We believe that designing the outsole with versatility in mind would result in lugs that are more average than aggressive in depth.

Through our evaluation, we found the lugs measure 3.6 mm—a depth that closely matches the average. This design provides adaptable grip, making it ideal for easy terrains, though it will fall short in extreme conditions.

It’s fair to say it’s unreasonable to expect the same price for a GTX-equipped shoe—royalties and material costs to Gore-Tex add up, and Nike isn’t covering those expenses, you are. However, with a $20 premium over the standard model, this might feel steep for some. That said, the fact that this shoe is lighter really made us believe it’s worth the extra cost.

These reflective elements may not be the most eye-catching we’ve tested in the lab, but they perform their job effectively!

The tongue is comfortably padded at 7.9 mm, closely matching the 7.2 mm thickness we measured on its non-waterproof sibling. But we really wondered how Nike achieved a lighter shoe with thicker padding.

The answer lies in the tongue’s smart design. Unlike the full-length foam slab in the standard version, this GTX variant only pads the top half of the tongue—a lightweight, clever solution that we believe keeps comfort without adding bulk.

Fully gusseted tongues are a great feature in trail shoes. However, in waterproof models, they become crucial, as they effectively prevent water from seeping in through the sides. The Pegasus Trail 5 GTX nails this requirement!

Nike could have taken the easy route by simply adding a Gore-Tex membrane to this shoe, but instead, they redesigned the entire upper—including a new finger-loop heel tab that's really changed from the regular Pegasus Trail 5.

The sockliner of the Peg Trail 5 GTX is removable. Also, Nike made it pretty clear with the insole design that this is a trail shoe, didn’t they?

The built-in gaiter proved to be a smart and well-designed feature. We found it exceptionally effective at keeping out dust and dirt, and it justifies part of the premium price, as it’s absent in the regular edition.