Nike - Air Zoom Pegasus 36

Go to a store and try on a bunch, and stick to models advertised as daily trainers. Buy something that fits well and feels good on your foot. There's not much more to it. You're never going to find the perfect shoe right off the bat when you don't know what you need or like, so just get something that fits and feels okay and learn your needs and wants through trial and error. Personally, when I restarted running as an adult I started with the Nike Pegasus 36 and Brooks Ghost 12. The Pegasus taught me that I like versatile medium weight trainers for a lot of my running but dislike EVA foam, and the Ghost taught me that 12mm drop was too much for me. This informed my decisions for my next few shoes, and then it's just a constant process of iteration – try new things, learn from them, and refine your selection criteria with that experience. There are simply way too many shoes on the market and our experience in them is way too individual for anyone to make super specific recommendations. You just need to go on that same journey the rest of us do, so don't overthink this first purchase as that's inevitably going to be your least informed one.

I loved them until the 38, which even brand new had far less cushioning that the 36 that I’d run 400 miles in, so haven’t been back since!

Even better if you can combine ASICS with an outlet store. My Novablast are on 770km and still seem fine (whereas some Nike Pegasus were dead at 400), and even better I only paid about £60 by getting very lucky in a sale! Still got a second pair to bring out when these finally die too!

My first pair of dedicated running shoes were clearance Pegasus, think they were like $75? Thought I’d treat my self and bought some volmeros. Going back to Pegasus when the Vs have had their time.

For your first running shoe you don’t need to spend $200. Sounds like your goal isn’t to work from couch to full marathon in three weeks, which is great. You should be able to get to 10min/mile in about a month or two, then start adding miles slowly. For the first two months just focus on 10-15 miles a week spread out over 2-3 total hours. Break it up however you want but min two days. I started running with a pair of Nike Pegasus ?? That were on sale. Think they’re up to 42 now, so last years model should be on clearance. But the same methodology can be applied to any brand. You could really have some fun and buy two pairs of clearance shoes for the $200 to figure out what you want and don’t like. I’m assuming USD, but if you mean AUS then the sales right now on most running sites have a great selection. I differ from most who say go to a store- until you know what you’re looking for in a shoe, you’re at the mercy of the inventory and sales associate in the brick and mortar. Most of the times they will be out of your size, or the clerk will be biased for many reasons and you’ll get suboptimal results vs doing a bit of research and shopping online. Only major plus to a brick and mortar is you have a 50/50 chance of getting properly sized, again dependent on the clerks ability to do this correctly.

Literally any modern shoe you buy is probably going to feel like a Cadillac on your feet compared to Nike Frees. If you like that lower stack kinda ground feel I’d look at something like the Pegasus or the brooks hyperion. If you want something with a little bit more underfoot without being bulky I’d look at the asics Novablast 5, Vomero Plus, Saucony ride or Saucony Triumph.

Wouldn't recommend the evo sl mostly due to grip and stability both being well below average. Can't speak on the other two but the vomero does have great coverage and aside from the heel (which is unfortunatly an important spot) it's fairly stable. My experience with other Pegasus models makes me say they are just not worth it. Of the ones you listed I'd say go with the Vomero

My exact thoughts as well. Train in Pegasus, race in Alphaflys.

I've just moved from Brooks Adrenaline to Nike Pegasus and wow. Straight out of the box 6 mile run with no issues.

I’ve run over 1000km on 3 different Pegasus range. I’ve been anywhere from 95-105kg

I'm currently running in a pair of Nike Pegasus, but my preferred shoes are Mizuno Wave Horizons. I'm getting a pair of Mizuno Wave Inspire because they were on sale to try out. I wear a 14w or 15, and these both have fit me pretty well. As for breathable I live in the south and my feet don't come out sweaty and smelling like rancid cheese after a run so I guess they fit that bill too.

I am with you. I have always found nike the most comfortable brand. I trained in Nike Pegasus' when I was running in high school, now running on my own I train with Nike Structure's, but looking at trying on some pegasus 41s to see how they feel.