Nike Pegasus Trail 5 GORE-TEX for women: Review and fit

The Nike Pegasus Trail 5 GORE-TEX for women is a trail running shoe designed for forest tracks, easy trails and stretches of road when rain or wet ground makes a waterproof membrane useful. It combines a ReactX midsole with moderately sized lugs, without being aimed exclusively at technical mountain terrain.

There is a trade-off: protection from water is appealing on cold, rainy days, but a shoe with a membrane can retain more heat than a non-waterproof version. Laboratory measurements put its weight at 281 grams and its heel-to-toe drop at 8.3 mm; both help put the model in context, although weight varies with size.

A shoe for mixed routes and regular training

The waterproof fifth-generation Pegasus Trail is designed for runners who move between surfaces. A route that starts on streets or a cycle path and continues onto compact dirt suits its construction: there is no need to change shoes when leaving the road, and it offers more traction than a road running shoe when the ground becomes loose.

It is a cushioned, neutral training shoe rather than a model specialised for deep mud or steep, highly technical terrain. It can work for easy runs and longer outings on accessible paths, provided the fit and comfort are right. Distance alone does not determine suitability: ground firmness, elevation gain and time spent in the rain also matter.

In Spain’s Valencian Community, for example, it makes sense on a winter run along forest tracks or a route combining an urban approach with damp paths. In high summer, particularly on hot, dry routes, the membrane’s benefits may matter less than the ventilation of a non-waterproof shoe.

GORE-TEX: Rain protection and its limits

The upper incorporates a waterproof, breathable GORE-TEX membrane, along with an outer mesh and toe reinforcements. Its purpose is to help keep external water out while allowing some of the moisture vapour produced by the foot to escape. That does not mean the inside stays cool or that all sweat is removed.

The raised collar, with a flexible piece around the ankle, helps limit the entry of small stones and dirt. However, water can enter through the top when crossing a deep stream or when rain runs down the legs. Once the inside is wet, the membrane cannot prevent the sock from staying damp.

On a route with shallow puddles and wet vegetation, the water barrier can be a clear advantage. On a route with frequent stream crossings, it is worth considering whether that protection pays off when water can rise above the collar. Reflective details help make the shoe visible when light shines on it, but they do not replace an active light source in the dark.

ReactX cushioning and laboratory measurements

The midsole uses ReactX foam, a material designed to cushion each landing and return some of the energy applied during the stride. Nike attributes 13% more energy return to ReactX than to its previous React foam. That comparison describes the material, not an equivalent speed improvement for every runner.

In published laboratory tests, forefoot energy return was 60%, almost identical to the 59.8% average for the shoes measured. The figure helps place the foam’s response in the context of that test, but it does not by itself predict race performance or how the shoe will feel at different paces.

Measured stack heights were 32.1 mm at the heel and 23.8 mm at the forefoot, giving a drop of 8.3 mm: the height difference between the two areas. The advertised figure for the model is 9.5 mm; measurement methods can produce different results. In practice, the number describes the shoe’s geometry and does not require a particular landing style.

The measured weight was 281 grams, compared with an average of 285 grams across the tested shoes. Size affects that figure, so it is better used as a guide than as a guarantee of the weight of a purchased pair. Measured flexibility was 14.7 N, close to the 14.9 N average: this is the force needed to bend the shoe in that test and provides context for how readily it flexes.

ATC outsole: Where it makes the most sense

The Nike Trail ATC rubber outsole uses multidirectional lugs and extends around the front of the shoe. Its design aims for a compromise between grip on dirt and transitions onto road, particularly useful when one run includes compact paths, gravel and paved stretches.

Laboratory testing measured the tread depth at 3.6 mm, compared with an average of 3.5 mm. These are moderately deep lugs: they add traction on dirt paths, but do not serve the same purpose as a more aggressive tread designed for deep mud. On road, the tread may feel less even than that of a dedicated road shoe.

The rubber helps across a variety of surfaces, although no outsole guarantees grip on smooth wet rock, roots or patches of mud. On mountain trails with very uneven footing and demanding descents, a shoe more specialised in protection and stability may also be worth considering instead of this mixed-surface option.

Fit, sizing and foot strike

The shoe uses conventional laces, a padded tongue and a rear pull tab. The fit should keep the heel secure without pressing on the top of the foot, while leaving the toes room to move, especially on descents when the foot tends to slide forward.

Measured width at the front was 76.5 mm, compared with a 74.3 mm average across the shoes analysed. It is a reference for comparing measurements taken with the same method, not a guarantee that the fit will feel wide to every foot. The size of the sample and the shape of the toes also affect fit.

This is a neutral shoe: it is not presented as a model specifically designed to control pronation. There is also no universal body weight above which it stops being suitable. Runners should consider comfort, perceived stability and how the shoe responds on their usual routes rather than deciding solely from a weight chart.

When trying it on at home, it helps to wear the socks intended for running and check for side pressure or rubbing around the collar. For an online purchase, checking exchange and return terms in advance avoids discovering too late that an outdoor trial can affect eligibility for a return.

Price and availability of the waterproof version

In November 2026, the women’s version was advertised at €107.92 in one particular colour, against a reference price of €160 in the same listing. Those prices are not guaranteed across every size or retailer: available colours, shipping and purchase terms can change the final cost.

When comparing listings, it is important to distinguish this GORE-TEX version from the Pegasus Trail 5 without a membrane. The difference is more than a name: water protection changes its intended use and may justify a higher price for someone who often runs in rain. For mostly dry outings, paying extra for that feature may offer less value.

The membrane across the training calendar

The best time to use this model is not determined solely by the day’s rain forecast. After a storm, paths can retain puddles, wet grass and damp patches even when the rain has stopped. In that setting, waterproofing still has a role during a run.

By contrast, someone who runs year-round in a Mediterranean climate may find it more versatile to rotate footwear according to the season and terrain, rather than expect one shoe to respond equally well to heat, mud and rock. The Pegasus Trail 5 GORE-TEX has a specific place in that calendar: mixed routes where protection from water matters more than ventilation.

How we put this review together: we have not tested these shoes. We wrote it by reading published lab tests, brand information and runners’ opinions.

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