Finally, it arrived: I have been looking forward to it for a long time, and after running in its predecessor, Pegasus Plus, I was eager to see what the new version could offer.
For me, it's a shoe that makes a lot of sense. I've long used Pegasus Plus for lighter tempo runs, intervals, or days when I want a light shoe with a bit more response than I get in But Pegasus Plus 2 feels like a significant upgrade in that area.
This, combined with the deliberate omission of a carbon plate, makes the shoe incredibly versatile. Yes, many mileage training shoes can handle intervals with some goodwill. But few mileage training shoes invite intervals as Pegasus Plus 2 does.
Nike Pegasus Plus 2
| Specification | Pegasus plus 2 |
|---|---|
| Type | Neutral, intervals |
| Drop | 10 mm |
| Weight | 260 g (men US 9) / 210 g (women US 7.5) |
| Midsole | ZoomX |
| Upper | Engineered mesh |
Specifications are based on standard size and may vary slightly between colors/models.
Nike Pegasus Plus 2 - New technologies
Pegasus Plus 2 gives me the same light and fast feeling as fastest shoes, but with more response and energy in the transition than and
Should one compare Pegasus Plus with the two models? Maybe not entirely. You certainly don't get the same wild feeling as in race shoes, but there's no doubt that this year's Plus version pushes the Pegasus line's speed further than ever before. And it suits it.
The new feel means I can run both faster and more relaxed in it than in the previous Pegasus Plus. Some of the feel undoubtedly comes from this year's higher ZoomX midsole, which gives the shoe a soft yet lively feel.
But what steals the show is the 100% Air-Zoom unit in the midsole. These contribute to the extra burst of energy in each step, familiar from Alphafly. Here, the unit is a bit different.
It's longer and more curved, making it less aggressive than in Alphafly. This means you feel it less, allowing you to use the shoe for everyday runs too.
Nike Pegasus Plus 2 - Light and firm upper
Another significant update is the upper, which doesn't resemble what we found on the original version.
The old upper was made in a knit construction, which actually didn't offer much opportunity to lock the foot in place. The upper was quite comfortable, and it matched the low midsole, ensuring you never felt like you were falling over the foam.
This year, with the midsole being higher and the shoe faster, such an upper would have felt misplaced.
But Nike has created an excellent upper for the shoe. It's transparent, so you can see the elastic band holding the foot in place. It provides a brilliant balance between hold and lightness.
It reminds me a bit of the upper you find on the these days. Another testament to where the Plus has taken the series.
Nike Pegasus Plus 2 - One omission makes the shoe brilliant
I use the shoe for jogs as well as intervals.
The shoe doesn't have a carbon plate, and I actually think that makes a lot of sense. I don't necessarily believe that all training should be done in super shoes.
Sometimes feet and lower legs should work a bit more than they get to when carbon is involved. For me, it's about finding a training shoe that still feels light and responsive without doing all the work for me. I think Pegasus Plus 2 hits that spot well.
I already use it regularly on the treadmill when faster intervals or tempo runs are on the schedule. Going forward, it will also be a regular part of the rotation for similar outdoor sessions – and maybe also for longer, lighter tempo runs.
thus hits a sweet spot for me: a light and responsive training shoe that can pick up the pace but still feels like a shoe you can actually train in.
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