The Nike Air Pegasus 2005 Brings Y2K Vibes To 2024

The Nike Air Pegasus 2005 may no longer be the brand’s marquee running shoe (that distinction goes to the Nike AlphaFly 3), but it captures the unshakeable “Y2K aesthetic” too perfectly to overlook.

Earlier this month, the 18-year-old design returned via an obscure-as-always collaboration with COMME des GARÇONS HOMME PLUS. The two-shoe linkup didn’t see the same widespread fanfare as other efforts from Rei Kawakubo’s label, but it sneakily signaled a proper retro for the 15th edition of Nike’s “workhorse with wings.”

As the model’s name suggests, the Pegasus 2005 debuted in the mid-aughts. Visually, the sneaker resembles its kin from 2002 more than the Pegasus 2004, which abandoned angular breathability lines at the mid-foot in favor of an all-over perforated build. Performance-wise, however, the offering from 2K5 delivered familiar performance to its predecessors, a goal of the Nike Air Pegasus line since it debuted in 1983.

Full-length Air units delivered a smooth, cushioned ride that benefited from the softer lateral crash pad introduced on the Pegasus 2005. Mesh bases not only provided high breathability but also kept the pair’s weight low. Reflective hits at the tip of the forefoot and heel allowed for athletes – including Olympic gold medalist Bernard Lagat – train even in dim lighting conditions.

Akin to other styles unveiled during the SNKRS Showcase, the retro running shoe will return in a mix of original and new color executions throughout 2024. Nike will also introduce a modern take named Pegasus Wave to the market. The latter silhouette seems identical to the Peg 2k5 (as branded on the retros shown) with the exception of a neoprene-like material throughout the upper’s body, not mesh.

The decision to retro an 18-year-old running sneaker might seem odd for a company constantly preaching about innovation, but it makes all the business sense.

The last two years have seen competitors dominate the market and social media feeds with their cushioned mesh designs from earlier decades. The current Nike Pegasus features an aesthetic much-more-streamlined than what was commonplace in the mid 2000s, but it boasts a lineage right at the center of what consumers have been gravitating towards. Additionally, the Nike Zoom Vomero 5 – a running shoe that launched in 2010 – has demonstrated how successful comfortable retro running models can be.

Consumer interest might shift by the time Nike’s Pegasus 2005 reissue finally arrives, but the brand is positioning itself to tap into its expansive archive to meet the demands of the moment.

Stay tuned for firm nike.com release details, and check out the Air Jordan 4 “Olive” if you’re looking to satisfy your craving for new sneakers sooner.