Nike Pegasus vs Saucony Kinvara
Comparing the current Pegasus 42 and Kinvara 16. Specs are men's US 9.
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THE SHORT ANSWER
Drop is the real difference: 4 mm on the Kinvara 16 against 10 mm on the Pegasus 42. Coming off the Pegasus 42, the Kinvara 16 loads your calves and Achilles harder for the first couple of weeks. They are built for different jobs: the Pegasus 42 is a daily trainer, the Kinvara 16 a tempo. The Kinvara 16 lists $15 lower.
- Nike Pegasus 42Men's at AmazonWomen's
- Saucony Kinvara 16Men's at AmazonWomen's
Availability last checked Jul 30, 2026. Prices and stock change without notice.
Every spec, side by side
| Spec | Pegasus 42 | Kinvara 16 |
|---|---|---|
| FIT AND WEIGHT | ||
| Weight | 10.1 oz | 7 oz |
| Widths | D, 2E | D |
| Upper | Redesigned engineered mesh on a more anatomical last with a roomier toebox | Redesigned breathable engineered mesh |
| CUSHIONING GEOMETRY | ||
| Heel stack | 37 mm | 29 mm |
| Forefoot stack | 27 mm | 25 mm |
| Drop | 10 mm | 4 mm |
| MATERIALS | ||
| Midsole | ReactX foam with a full-length curved Air Zoom unit | PWRRUN foam |
| VALUE | ||
| List price at launch | $145 | $130 |
Which line changes its ride more often?
Both lines rework the ride about as often: the Pegasus has done it once in 6 versions, most recently with the Pegasus 41 in 2024, and the Kinvara has done it once in 6 versions, most recently with the Kinvara 14 in 2023. Neither is the safer long-term rebuy on this record.
Buy the Pegasus 42
Stocked at AmazonAvailability last checked Jul 28, 2026.
Buy the Kinvara 16
Stocked at AmazonAvailability last checked Jul 30, 2026.
Chasing a specific older version rather than choosing between the current two? The Nike Pegasus lineage and the Saucony Kinvara lineage track every version and what changed in each update.
Questions runners ask
- Is the Nike Pegasus or the Saucony Kinvara lighter?
- The Kinvara 16, by 3.1 oz in a men's US 9 (7 oz against 10.1 oz).
- Can I switch from the Nike Pegasus to the Saucony Kinvara?
- Yes, but ease into it. The drop moves 6 mm (10 mm on the Pegasus 42, 4 mm on the Kinvara 16), which changes where your foot loads at landing. Give it two weeks of easy running before a hard session.
- Which is more cushioned, the Nike Pegasus or the Saucony Kinvara?
- The Pegasus 42, on stack height: 37 mm under the heel against 29 mm. Stack is not the whole story, though; the foams differ too.
- Which comes in more widths?
- The Pegasus 42. The Pegasus 42 runs in D, 2E for men's sizes; the Kinvara 16 runs in D.
- Which costs more, the Nike Pegasus or the Saucony Kinvara?
- The Pegasus 42, by $15 at list ($145 against $130). That gap narrows once either one gets a successor.
Updated July 30, 2026.