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The Nike Pegasus Plus 2 is a mid-price daily trainer that pairs ZoomX foam with an exposed, curved Air Zoom unit in the forefoot, making it the most advanced Pegasus in Nike’s current line-up. In this Nike Pegasus Plus 2 review, we look at how it fits, how it feels on easy runs and faster training, and whether it’s worth paying more than you would for the standard Nike Pegasus 42.
Both testers have covered over 50km each in the shoe, covering easy miles, progression runs, strides, an interval session and a 10-mile long run. Nike has given it a softer, bouncier ride than the original Pegasus Plus, along with a redesigned mesh upper and a new outsole, but is it versatile enough to be your only daily trainer? We also compare it with the rest of Nike’s range, which you can see in our guide to the best Nike running shoes, as well as rivals from other brands.
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Design & Key Stats
- Price: £155 / $170
- Weight: 249g / 8.8oz (men’s size UK 8)
- Drop: 10mm (38mm/28mm)
- Midsole: ZoomX foam with a curved, exposed Air Zoom unit in the forefoot
- Upper: Lightweight engineered mesh with a midfoot containment band
- Outsole: Updated diagonal waffle rubber
Nike Pegasus Plus 2 Review
How’s The Fit?
The Pegasus Plus 2 fits true to size, and we’d stick with your normal running shoe size. Nike is a consistent brand when it comes to sizing, and the classic Pegasus shape is well established. We found a good amount of room around the toes, with a secure hold at the heel and midfoot.
The upper is lighter and more stripped back than the one on the standard Pegasus, though it still feels like a fairly thick material, which is typical of Nike. It didn’t bother us on any of our runs, but it might not be the most breathable shoe in hot conditions.
The shoe feels a touch roomier than usual through the big toe, midfoot and forefoot, as Nike has adjusted the shape to add a little extra space. The tongue is well padded and the heel is comfortable, so it’s a nice shoe to wear all round.
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The Run Test: Likes
We’ve covered over 50km in the Pegasus Plus 2, mostly easy daily runs, plus some steady progression runs, strides, an interval session and a 10-mile long run. That’s classic daily training, rather than the hard workouts you’d take a super trainer out for.
The best thing about it is the improvement in the ride. Compared with the Pegasus 42 and the original Pegasus Plus, it’s softer and bouncier, and the forefoot feels more filled in and less flat. That really shows on long runs.
The ZoomX at the heel isn’t the softest version Nike uses across its range, but there’s plenty of cushion, and you roll onto the forefoot nicely. The energy comes back from the foam quickly without you sinking too far into it.
It still has the classic 10mm Pegasus geometry, so it’s a snappy ride, but the softer heel means you don’t come through quite so hard onto the forefoot, which makes the transition smoother than in previous Pegasus models. Landing on the Air Zoom unit gives a nice bit of rebound, and at easy and steady paces the shoe feels comfortable and energetic.
The outsole is another positive. It’s a fairly standard Nike setup, but there’s a good level of rubber and we had no issues with grip or durability.
The Run Test: Dislikes
The main issue is that it doesn’t excel at anything in particular. With ZoomX and an Air Zoom unit, you’d expect a performance shoe, but when we picked up the pace, it didn’t give us much energy back.
It’s not explosively quick or particularly propulsive, and it doesn’t have enough in it to be a true workout shoe. If most of your training is faster running, you’ll want something with more pop.
It isn’t the best choice for easy running either. The traditional 10mm drop can feel a little clunky at slower paces, and we prefer a smoother, more rockered ride, so the slightly slappy feel through the forefoot won’t be for everyone. There are also shoes we’d rather use for easy days, including some in Nike’s own range.
Verdict And Alternatives
We think this is the best Pegasus in the current Nike line-up. It’s a clear step up from the Pegasus 42, with better foam, a lighter weight and a more fun ride at any pace, and we think it’s worth paying the extra. It’s also much better than the Pegasus Premium, which is very heavy, very expensive and not very good. If you love the Pegasus line or prefer a traditional 10mm drop, this is probably the best option on the market right now, and we’d put it ahead of the Brooks Ghost 18, which has a less lively feel.
Within Nike’s range, the Nike Vomero Plus is smoother, softer and bouncier, and we prefer it for pure easy running, but the Pegasus Plus 2 is more dynamic and more versatile. If you want something faster, the Nike Zoom Fly 6 is the super trainer in the range and has a much quicker feel. It’s often heavily discounted, too.
Outside Nike, there are some strong alternatives for general daily training. The Asics Novablast 6 is cushier, more relaxed at easy paces, smoother and cheaper. The Puma Deviate Pure Nitro is much lighter and more nimble, and it’s a shoe we enjoy cruising around in. It may not feel quite as cushy as the Nike, but we prefer it for general daily training.
If you want a faster trainer, the Adidas Adizero Evo SL is significantly cheaper and skews towards quicker efforts, though it’s not quite as stable as the Pegasus Plus 2. The Kiprun Kipstorm Tempo is a super trainer that’s a fair bit cheaper in the UK, with a lighter feel and more foam, and we think it’s great for all kinds of runs. The Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 is a similar kind of shoe that feels a little quicker in a traditional way.
So who is the Pegasus Plus 2 for? It’s a very comfortable, accessible daily shoe for ticking off a lot of miles. It works fine for easy runs and fine for running faster, but it doesn’t excel at either. If you want one shoe that does a bit of everything and you don’t have much of a rotation, it should suit most people well. If you’re after a high performance daily trainer or a dedicated easy shoe, we think there are better options out there.