Nike Pegasus Plus 2 Overview & First Run Review
Below we are breaking down the specs and ride of the Nike Pegasus Plus 2 to help you decide if you should give a try.
Is the Nike Pegasus Plus 2 the uptempo Nike trainer we’ve been waiting for? The Pegasus Plus 2 is bringing some big changes, with a more accommodating upper fit, full-length ZoomX foam, and a new forefoot Air Zoom unit. After the OG Pegasus Plus and Zoom Fly 6 struggled to keep pace with the competition, Nike is looking to bring some excitement back to its uptempo trainer lineup.
Nike Pegasus Plus 2 Specs
Stack Height: 39mm in the heel with a 10mm drop
Weight: 252 grams or 8.9 ounces
Midsole Composition: ZoomX midsole foam with a curved Air Zoom unit in the forefoot
Price: $170
Nike Pegasus Plus 2
Frist Run Review
The last generation of Nike uptempo shoes, including the OG Pegasus Plus and Zoom Fly 6, fell short of the competition in bounce, speed and fun. With the Pegasus Plus 2, Nike is looking to inject excitement back into their responsive training line, implementing a curved forefoot Air Zoom unit that promises to deliver race day-like energy return in a workhorse daily trainer package. While the Pegasus Plus 2 is significantly different from the original version, we are not convinced that it delivers on the promise to be fast and fun. Compared to the first Pegasus Plus, this is a major change in direction. Nike has given the shoe a taller stack of considerably softer foam, a more relaxed and comfortable upper, and a new forefoot Air Zoom unit.
The fit is one of the biggest improvements. The Pegasus Plus 2 feels much more welcoming when you first put it on, especially compared to the original, which had a noticeably narrow, low-volume fit. The tongue and thin, Vaporfly-inspired laces give the shoe a somewhat performance-oriented appearance, but the substantial heel padding and soft platform make the overall experience much more comfort-focused.
The change in character is especially noticeable once you start running. The previous Pegasus Plus had a firmer, more grounded feel that made it better suited to workouts and uptempo paces. The Pegasus Plus 2 takes almost the opposite approach, feeling much more natural at easy and recovery efforts. It provides plenty of cushioning and protection, with a particularly soft landing for heel strikers, but it doesn't have much of a tendency to push you toward picking up the pace.
Nike's addition of an Air Zoom unit under the forefoot is interesting, but it's difficult to identify a meaningful contribution from it during the run. It doesn't make the shoe feel worse, but it doesn't seem to add much energy or noticeable responsiveness either.
If you're drawn to the Pegasus Plus 2 because of its design or you're simply a big Nike fan, it's worth understanding what this version is trying to do. Despite the performance-inspired elements of the upper, this is much more of an easy-day and recovery shoe than a speed-focused trainer or an especially lively daily trainer.
For Yowana's full first-run review video, check out the Supwell channel on YouTube:
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