What is different between the two? I know they are both for neutral strikers which I am. My XC season I used the Pegs and loved them, but I've read that the zoom elites are much better for speed work which I love since I respond very well to it. Will it be a noticeably better shoe for me or should I just stick to what I know I like?
Pegasus - Average cushioned neutral shoe. Not a lot of flair to it, so fairly basic.
Elite - A bit quicker feeling. Lighter upper. Bit more responsive.
they're both giant marshmallows. Neither are very good for speed work.
Pegasus is 10 mm drop and no air bag in forefoot. It was firmed up a bit this year for a better performance shoe.
Zoom Elite is 8 mm drop with zoom air in forefoot making it a bit more responsive
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I haven't run in the zoom elite since version 4 which I loved but I do have Peg 31 in the narrow version. They are great for training but I agree with the poster who said they weren't really a speed shoe, a touch soft for that.
I thought about getting the elite instead of yet another pair of pegausus, however, the guy in the running store highly recommended staying away from the new elite. Granted the old versions are said to be great. I like the former versions of the pegasus, and I guess the new one might be a little more responsive?
ive run in both and am a big fan of each, but the are very different shoes. it does boil down to the zoom elite feeling much more responsive and springier and the peg being a bit softer.
but to go further, the elite upper also have a much more performance fit. snugger through the midfoot but still some space in the toe-box. the foam feels much firmer as well so if you want something soft for easy milage then thats a consideration. the midsole of the shoe is also curved more aggressively and the toe has a snappy feeling to it (in part due to the zoom air in the forefoot, and in part due to the curve at the toe) which make it feel much quicker. I like it for long tempos and as a transition shoe into flats for speedwork to be a bit easier on the calfs when moving into minimal flats (i race in the lt2).
the peg has been firmed up from the past editions but i still would not say its a speed work shoe, just to much under the heel for me. im not gonna go into detail about the peg as uve ran in them but its MUCH softer in the heel and a lot less "springy" at toe off. the upper also fits much more like a "trainer" upper (more spacious). those would be the two biggest differences that you would notice.