Daniel Huggett2020 has been an unpredictable year for everyone. Between the pandemic, protests, and potential cancellation of the 2020 college football season, no one would be surprised if Nike shelved the annual preseason tradition of releasing a Texas-themed shoe prior to the start of Longhorn football. In spite of everything that’s been going on, it’s nice to see the Swoosh continue that now seven year streak with the release of the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 37 “Texas”.
While last year Nike shocked Texas sneakerheads by dropping a running shoe instead of the usual trainer, the choice to release another pair of UT Pegasus should surprise no one. By all accounts, both colorways of 2019’s Longhorn Pegasus 36s were very popular with fans, so it makes sense for the brand to continue that trend.
Nike made quite a few upgrades from the Pegasus 36 to the 37. Most notably is the change from a full-length Nike Zoom Air bag in the 36, to a much thicker Zoom Air bag in the forefoot of the 37. Additionally, the new Pegasus replaces Cushlon foam with a new React midsole that’s lighter, more responsive, and durable. React was the same foam found on last year’s Texas Element React 55, so fans of that shoe should enjoy the Pegasus 37 as well. While the cushioning setup might be different from its predecessor, the newest Pegasus is another strong entry in a shoe line that has been running for almost four decades.
Like the other schools included in this year’s assortment of collegiate sneakers, the Longhorn Pegasus 37s sports a predominantly white upper. UT’s signature burnt orange is used on every other part of the shoe, such as on the laceloops, sockliner, and the outline of the Nike Swoosh. For Texas specific details, these runners first and foremost feature the Longhorn logo stamped on the heel of each sneaker. On the left shoe, the word “Longhorns” is screened on to the insole, and the famous “Hook ’em” slogan is printed on the heel. Also on the left shoe, “1883” and “Austin” are inscribed on the tongue, paying homage to the year the University of Texas was founded and the city it is located in.
I’m glad Nike chose to stick with a runner for this year’s release. The Texas Pegasus 36s are among my most worn UT shoes, and as much as I love trainers they rarely come close to the comfort of a running shoe. I also like the inclusion of “1883” and Austin on the tongue. It’s a small detail, but it’s something we haven’t seen on a UT sneaker before and helps make this pair more unique in the grand scheme of things.
While these actually turned out alot better than I thought they would, I really don’t like how monotonous the collegiate sneakers have become over the last few seasons. While being predominantly burnt orange has helped the Texas shoe stand out in previous “Week Zero” releases, the fact that this year every school gets a white pair of runners with minor differences feels like cost cutting on Nike’s end. Part of what made some of the older releases exciting was the attention to detail on each pair of kicks, so its been sad to uniqueness diminish over the years. Obviously, there’s a lot more going on here from a business perspective than I have time to explore, but from a consumer point of view this recent pair does not feel as special as some of the earlier trainer releases.
The Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 37 “Texas” is available now in unisex sizes, and has an MSRP of $130. What are your thoughts on these new Longhorn Pegasus? Are you planning on adding them to your Texas sneaker collection, or with football season still in doubt will you be passing this year?
Air Zoom Pegasus 37 Texas
Release Date: 8/20/20
Color: White/Desert Orange
Style Code: CZ5394-100
Price: $130
Nike.com
University Co-op
Texassports.com
Academy.com
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