Is the Mizuno Wave Rider or the Nike Pegasus lighter?

The Wave Rider 30, by 0.7 oz in a men's US 9 (9.4 oz against 10.1 oz).

Can I switch from the Mizuno Wave Rider to the Nike Pegasus?

Yes, but ease into it. The drop moves 2 mm (8 mm on the Wave Rider 30, 10 mm on the Pegasus 42), which changes where your foot loads at landing. Give it two weeks of easy running before a hard session.

Which is more cushioned, the Mizuno Wave Rider or the Nike Pegasus?

The Wave Rider 30, on stack height: 42.5 mm under the heel against 37 mm. Stack is not the whole story, though; the foams differ too.

Which costs more, the Mizuno Wave Rider or the Nike Pegasus?

The Wave Rider 30, by $5 at list ($150 against $145). That gap narrows once either one gets a successor.

Mizuno Wave Rider vs Nike Pegasus

Comparing the current Wave Rider 30 and Pegasus 42. Specs are men's US 9.

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THE SHORT ANSWER

Drop is the real difference: 8 mm on the Wave Rider 30 against 10 mm on the Pegasus 42. Coming off the Pegasus 42, the Wave Rider 30 loads your calves and Achilles harder for the first couple of weeks. Both sit in the same role (daily trainer). The Pegasus 42 lists $5 lower.

Mizuno Wave Rider 30Stock unverifiedMen's at Amazon Women's
Nike Pegasus 42Men's at Amazon Women's

Availability last checked Aug 7, 2026. Prices and stock change without notice.

Wave Rider 30 · 2026

Pegasus 42 · 2026

Every spec, side by side

Spec	Wave Rider 30	Pegasus 42
FIT AND WEIGHT
Weight	9.4 oz	10.1 oz
Widths	D, 2E	D, 2E
Upper	Engineered knit with an updated heel counter	Redesigned engineered mesh on a more anatomical last with a roomier toebox
CUSHIONING GEOMETRY
Heel stack	42.5 mm	37 mm
Forefoot stack	34.5 mm	27 mm
Drop	8 mm	10 mm
MATERIALS
Midsole	Dual-layer nitrogen-infused Enerzy NXT, softer over firmer	ReactX foam with a full-length curved Air Zoom unit
Plate	Full-length plant-based PEBAX RNEW Wave plate	None
VALUE
List price at launch	$150	$145

Which line changes its ride more often?

The Wave Rider has done it 3 times in 7 versions, most recently with the Wave Rider 30 in 2026, and the Pegasus has done it once in 6 versions, most recently with the Pegasus 41 in 2024. If you want a shoe you can rebuy without reading a review first, the Pegasus has the steadier record.

Buy the Wave Rider 30

Stock unverified

Men's: See what's available Women's: See what's available

Availability last checked Aug 7, 2026.

Buy the Pegasus 42

Stocked at Amazon

Men's: Check price at Amazon Women's: Check price at Amazon

Availability last checked Jul 28, 2026.

Chasing a specific older version rather than choosing between the current two? The Mizuno Wave Rider lineage and the Nike Pegasus lineage track every version and what changed in each update.

Questions runners ask

Is the Mizuno Wave Rider or the Nike Pegasus lighter?: The Wave Rider 30, by 0.7 oz in a men's US 9 (9.4 oz against 10.1 oz).
Can I switch from the Mizuno Wave Rider to the Nike Pegasus?: Yes, but ease into it. The drop moves 2 mm (8 mm on the Wave Rider 30, 10 mm on the Pegasus 42), which changes where your foot loads at landing. Give it two weeks of easy running before a hard session.
Which is more cushioned, the Mizuno Wave Rider or the Nike Pegasus?: The Wave Rider 30, on stack height: 42.5 mm under the heel against 37 mm. Stack is not the whole story, though; the foams differ too.
Which costs more, the Mizuno Wave Rider or the Nike Pegasus?: The Wave Rider 30, by $5 at list ($150 against $145). That gap narrows once either one gets a successor.

Updated August 7, 2026.