The journey becomes good when one sports good shoes. So, it becomes essential that the feet remain comfortable enough especially while indulging in athletic activities.
For this reason, arises the requirement of selecting the perfect running shoe. The Nike Pegasus and Adidas Ultra Boost fall under this category of shoes.
Key Takeaways
- Nike Pegasus has a traditional foam midsole, while Adidas Ultra Boost features a unique boost technology for enhanced cushioning.
- Nike Pegasus has a more narrow fit, while Adidas Ultra Boost has a wider fit.
- Nike Pegasus is suitable for daily running, while Adidas Ultra Boost is designed for long-distance running.
Nike Pegasus vs Adidas Ultra Boost
Nike Pegasus was launched in 1983 and formulated for lightweight training and daily use. It has high cushioning technology to give a comfortable fit for better fitness performance. Adidas ultra-boost was launched in 2015 and is designed for heavier use and long runs. It is made of prime knit which is a breathable fabric.

The Nike Pegasus was first introduced in 1983 by the company Nike. It was named Pegasus after the winged half-horse to represent its rapidity and swift movement.
The newest model, named Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 38, released in 2021, is said to be a durable shoe meant for everyday training.
Whereas the first Adidas Ultra Boost was launched much later in 2015. Boost technology marked a revolutionary change in the sneaker world as it brought along with it an energy return facility making it the greatest shoe of its time.
But with newer technologies coming to the fore, the newest version of the Ultra Boost seems to be lagging.
Comparison Table
Parameters of Comparison | Nike Pegasus | Adidas Ultra Boost |
---|---|---|
Definition | It is a sneaker manufactured by Nike. | It is a sneaker manufactured by Adidas. |
Use | This is more preferable for lighter training and daily use. | This is preferable for runs of longer duration. |
Comfort | It uses react foam in its midsole making it softer and providing more energy return. | This is less comfortable despite having a cushy midsole. |
Material | It has the upper made of mesh which makes it more performance-based, but less breathable. | It is made up of Primeknit which is more breathable but less durable. |
Launch year | Its latest version weighs 261 g which makes it lighter. | Its latest version weighs 312g. |
Company | Nike | Adidas |
What is Nike Pegasus?
First released to the world in 1983, Nike’s Pegasus was deemed to be the shoe for all runners. Named after the winged half horse, it was designed to make the wearer feel as if they are walking on air.
It claimed to be the first shoe that had an Air Wedge, a heel-only air unit, making it a really good shock absorber.
As the years rolled by, newer and better versions like Air Pegasus Racer, Air Trail Pegasus, and Air Zoom Pegasus were released. The latest update in the Nike Pegasus uses react foam which increases comfort as well as provides a greater energy return facility.
Nike Air Zoom Pegasus has a zoom airbag that is thicker compared to older versions. It is made up of an upper mesh material.
This comparatively harder material makes it more performance-based. The sneaker caters to the runner’s comfort requirements by sporting a plush midsole and a wider toe box.
The sneaker has a high cushioning facility that provides a bouncy feel. It has a semi-detached tongue under the lacing area, making it a snuggly fit without any crinkling around the midfoot.
It also makes one’s feet go in and out easily. It has a Flywire lacing system.

What is Adidas Ultra Boost?
Launched in 2015, Adidas’s Ultra Boost made a revolutionary mark in the shoe world. The Boost technology was created to bring together soft and responsive cushioning.
With the advent of Boost, the former EVA foam took a hit, as this new technology brought a midsole made up of thousands of expanded particles aimed at providing an excellent energy return.
Over the years, it launched new updates of the same. The newest is Adidas Ultra Boost 5.0, released in 2021.
It has a one-piece prime knit upper material which gives it a sock-like fit. The material is very soft, comfortable, and extremely breathable.
The ultra boost uses ARAMIS motion capture technology. NASA earlier used the same technology for examining the structural integrity of space shuttles.
This allowed the Adidas team to spectate the strain and tension on the runner’s feet.
Therefore, the foam used is truly comfortable but, at the same time, not too cushy. Also, the sneaker does not have easy access.
The opening of the shoe is smaller and tighter. The tongue of the sneaker, too, isn’t free.
It is attached to the sides, making it difficult for the wearer.

Main Differences Between Nike Pegasus and Adidas Ultra Boost
- Nike Pegasus is a running shoe that is manufactured by the company Nike whereas Adidas Ultra Boost is a sports shoe manufactured by Adidas company.
- Nike’s Pegasus is easy to wear as it has a wider and more comfortable in-and-out opening, whereas Adidas’s Ultra Boost has a small and tight opening making it difficult for the wearer.
- Even though Ultra Boost uses super comfy cushioning, the newest version of Nike Pegasus uses react foam that provides higher cushioning and increased energy return.
- The upper material of Ultra Boost is made up of prime knit, making it extremely breathable and soft, whereas the upper material of Nike Pegasus is made up of mesh, making it harder.
- The latest version of Nike Pegasus seems more durable than the latest model of Adidas Ultra Boost as the former has a wider toe box.
- While the first Pegasus shoe was launched in 1983, the first model of Adidas Ultra Boost came out in 2015.

References
- https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Anderson_Oliveira5/publication/316844903_Patient-specific_foot_orthotics_improves_postural_control_of_rheumatoid_arthritis_patients_a_pilot_study/links/5ac4fddfa6fdcc051daf0fde/Patient-specific-foot-orthotics-improves-postural-control-of-rheumatoid-arthritis-patients-a-pilot-study.pdf
- https://search.proquest.com/openview/d7ceef45fe25155e90025319defb67f8/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=44156