Pegasus Plus 2
Up-tempo Pegasus with full ZoomX foam and a forefoot Air Zoom unit.
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Price history
Our verdict
Nike sells the Pegasus Plus 2 as an up-tempo trainer, and that's the claim reviewers push back on hardest. What you actually get is a comfortable, well-built daily running shoe, with full-length ZoomX foam, an Air Zoom unit under the forefoot and a far roomier fit than the first Pegasus Plus, which reviewers found firm and flat. It doesn't like going fast. At 252g on our spec sheet it's heavy for the category, and the forefoot pod adds stiffness without much obvious spring. Ben Parkes was blunt about it and put several rivals ahead of it for anything quicker than easy running. Run To The Finish was far warmer, rating it as a daily trainer that copes with moderate efforts. We lean towards the second view, with a caveat: for easy and steady miles with the odd marathon-pace block it's a good shoe, but if you want a tempo shoe, the Adizero Evo SL or SC Rebel will serve you better.
Key features
- Full-length ZoomX midsoleGives you soft, protective cushioning for easy and long runs, with far more life than the first Pegasus Plus
- Forefoot Air Zoom unitFirms up the platform under the ball of your foot, though most reviewers felt it more than they benefited from it
- Wider last shared with the Pegasus 42Leaves your toes much more room than version 1, so wide and high-volume feet fit comfortably
- Padded heel with midfoot lockdownHolds your heel and midfoot securely at any pace, though the tongue is on the short side
- Generous rubber outsoleGrips well on road and light gravel and looks built for plenty of mileage
Who it suits
Who should buy it
- Runners with wide or high-volume feet who found older Nikes cramped
- Pegasus fans who want more cushioning and a softer ride for daily miles
- Easy and long runs where comfort matters more than speed
- Marathon trainees who want one shoe for long runs with the odd steady block
Who should not buy it
- You want a genuine tempo shoe for intervals and threshold sessions
- Your feet are narrow and you like a snug, close fit
- You land hard on your heels and want a very planted rearfoot
- Weight matters to you, as lighter rivals cover the same running
Best uses
Extra information
Fit & sizing
Every review we read had it true to size, so start with your normal Nike size. Most of the change is up front. Nike moved it onto the same wider last as the Pegasus 42, and the forefoot has far more room than the narrow, shallow first version. Wide feet do well here, and one UK reviewer said narrow-footed runners should pass on it altogether. There is a catch on volume: a lab review found less height over the toes than the width suggests, so if your toes sit tall, try a pair on. Heel hold and midfoot lockdown drew praise almost everywhere. The tongue is another matter. Two UK reviewers found it short, and one said it kept sliding down, which leaves you lacing onto your sock if you use a heel-lock. The lab test put the drift down to the separately gusseted eyelets.
Performance breakdown
Ride & feel
Reviewers agree the ZoomX midsole is the best thing about this shoe. At easy and steady pace it protects your legs without feeling mushy, and one tester thought it was most responsive around marathon effort. Faster than that, it starts to struggle. You can feel the Air Zoom unit underfoot, but most reviewers felt it added little spring, and with a stiff forefoot and a 10.7mm drop on our spec sheet the shoe can feel laboured at speed. The heel divides opinion: one reviewer thought it suited heel strikers, another found the small bevel clunky. One tester also heard the forefoot pod squeak now and then, though it didn't affect the run.
Cushioning
Cushioning is the strongest case for buying it. Our spec sheet has 42.2mm at the heel and 31.5mm at the forefoot, so there's plenty under you for long runs, and the ZoomX is far more forgiving than the first version's ride. It isn't plush like a max-cushion shoe, and one review found the foam denser than the ZoomX in some other Nikes. If you want more bounce for the same sort of running, one UK reviewer preferred the Novablast 6.
Stability
It's a neutral shoe, and reviewers disagree on how steady it is. One UK tester found it stable and predictable however they landed. Others pointed to a narrow midfoot, and two thought aggressive heel strikers might feel some wobble at the back. The rigid heel counter helps. If you overpronate or want real support, look at a stability shoe instead.
Upper & comfort
The upper is a big step up from version 1, and one reviewer called it one of the comfiest shoes Nike has made in years. The heel is generously padded and the thicker mesh was soft enough for one tester to run sockless. That thickness costs you airflow. Two reviews rated breathability as middling, one of them also found it slow to dry, and another tester had no complaints at all. Beyond the short tongue, reviewers found little to fault.
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FAQ
Specifications
| Category | Tempo |
| Surface | Road |
| Drop | 10.7mm |
| Heel Stack | 42.2mm |
| Forefoot Stack | 31.5mm |
| Weight | 252g |
| Carbon Plated | No |
| Stability | No |