REVIEW: Nike Pegasus Plus 2. A More Performance-Focused Pegasus

COMING TO SPORTSSHOES 17th SEPTEMBER...

Introduction

Nike has taken everything you know and love about its Pegasus range and given it a more performance-focused feel.

When you combine a full-length ZoomX foam midsole with a curved Air Zoom unit, you get a noticeably more energetic ride than previous Pegasus models. For me, Nike has created a super trainer that can do it all, and that’s exactly what I feel Nike was aiming for.

The Pegasus Plus 2 is built around the "one shoe does it all" concept – but it also fits perfectly into a more serious rotation. Long runs? Tick. Tempo runs? Tick. Interval training? Absolutely. But what about racing? If you're looking for a race-day shoe without a carbon plate, the Pegasus Plus 2 is more than capable of handling the pace.

In this review, I'll take you through how the shoe performs across everything from daily miles and long runs to quick intervals and tempo sessions, to help you find out if this could be your next running shoe.

If you've been a Nike Pegasus fan for a while but felt like you were missing that little extra something… that extra spring in your step… the Pegasus Plus 2 takes the familiar Pegasus feel and turns the volume up.

First impressions

My first impression of the Nike Pegasus Plus 2 was simple: incredible. From the moment I put them on, I knew Nike had created something distinctly different from anything I'd experienced in its Pegasus models before. The propulsion was immediately noticeable while the ride still felt exceptionally stable.

I took them straight from the box to the road for a 40-minute run, and within the first 30 seconds, each step felt powerful, smooth and effortless, encouraging me to pick up the pace without even thinking about it.

The shoes felt so good that I took them to the track the very next day for an interval session: 8 × 800m, averaging 2:20–2:21 per repetition. They handled the session brilliantly, feeling just as responsive and controlled at speed as they had on the road.

After just two runs, the Pegasus Plus 2 had already made a serious impression. Versatile, incredibly responsive and seriously fast – it immediately felt like a shoe that could handle everything from everyday training to faster sessions.

Long runs and up-tempo running

The following week, I took the Pegasus Plus 2 back to the road and headed to Richmond Park for a 22km up-tempo run.

By this point, I already knew the shoe had serious pace in it – now I wanted to see how these trainers would handle holding that pace over a longer distance. Once again, they delivered.

Over this longer distance, I found the shoe struck a great balance between cushioning, comfort and responsiveness, leaving my legs feeling fresh as the kilometres ticked by. The ZoomX foam delivers a soft yet responsive platform that absorbs impact without feeling sluggish.

When I began to pick up the pace, this is where the Air Zoom unit really came alive. The combination of the Air Zoom unit compressing underfoot, the ZoomX foam and the shoe's slightly curved rocker geometry gave me that noticeable propulsive feeling as my feet transitioned through each stride, making it feel effortless to progress into a faster pace.

This session was another reminder that the Pegasus Plus 2 is not a one-trick pony. It's equally comfortable being used for a long run as it is for a tempo or interval session

Race-day feeling without a carbon plate

If you're looking to level up your running without filling the hallway with multiple pairs of running shoes, the Nike Pegasus Plus 2 could be exactly what you're looking for. Especially if you want that race-day feel without adding a carbon-plated shoe to your rotation.

What makes the Pegasus Plus 2 particularly interesting is how Nike has pulled together some of its best technology from across its running shoe ranges to create this shoe.

You get the structured, familiar fit of the Pegasus 42 upper, paired with a highly responsive ZoomX foam midsole, which can also be seen in models such as the Zoom Fly, designed for light and fast 5K–10K racing. In the forefoot, you will find an Air Zoom unit, inspired by the technology used in Nike's pinnacle race-day shoes, such as the Vaporfly and Alphafly.

Put all of these components together and you still get the remarkably familiar, trustworthy training partner that the Pegasus has been known for for over 40 years, while giving it a serious performance upgrade.

It's a great introduction to the feel of a supershoe. It has a subtle rocker shape, which encourages smooth transitions and a gentle feeling of propulsion with every stride, without being too aggressive.

It’s a shoe designed for runners who are ready to push the pace, chase PBs, and make their training sessions count – without needing to reach for a carbon-plated shoe.

Who is the Nike Pegasus Plus 2 for?

For me, the sweet spot is intermediate through to elite-level runners, particularly those who want one trainer that can handle almost everything they throw at it. Excellent for those who switch between track and road in their training, the Pegasus Plus 2 gives them one reliable, fast, versatile option.

The Pegasus Plus 2 isn't a natural recovery shoe. Its responsive, propulsive foam encourages forward momentum and makes it easy to increase the pace. On a recovery run, I prefer something that lets me switch off, settle into an easy rhythm and cruise without feeling any pressure to inject pace.

There are also arguably better options within Nike's line-up for beginner runners.

If you're very new to running and want a shoe that can cover a bit of everything – including walking, gym sessions and running - I'd recommend looking towards something like the Nike Pegasus 42 or Structure 26.

If you're a runner whose priority is building base fitness and spending around 80% of your training week running easy miles, I'd look towards one of Nike's more cushioned and stable options, such as the Nike Vomero 18 or Structure Plus.

Those shoes are better suited to controlled running, building time on your feet and finding that smooth rhythm without feeling like the shoe is encouraging you to push the pace.

For more experienced runners, the Pegasus Plus 2 offers a really exciting step up. It's particularly well suited to runners who want to include tempo runs, interval training, long runs and faster sessions in the same shoe.

After 400km in the Pegasus Plus 2: My final thoughts

I have already predicted this will be one of the best running shoes for 2026. As a fast-paced, versatile addition to the Pegasus family, this shoe remains super stable, with a secure fit across the midfoot and heel area. It offers a performance-focused ride while still honouring the comfort and feel of the traditional Pegasus range.

These shoes have taken the best of what Nike has created for so many years and now have combined those features together to make the Nike Pegasus Plus 2.

This is honestly something I haven’t experienced before in a wide range of footwear as an experienced athlete of 20 years – and that’s what makes the Pegasus Plus 2 so exciting. I’ve put these running shoes through their paces, and I genuinely can’t wait for more runners to get their hands (or more importantly, their feet) in them.

In my experience, the Nike Pegasus Plus 2 fits true to size in both length and width, while the secure midfoot provides excellent structure and support. 

If I had to pick one thing to refine, it would be the tongue. I found it slightly short for the size and a little rigid – nothing that affected the run or caused any issues, but definitely something I’d like to see tweaked in the next version.

Do yourself a favour - when you get the chance, grab a pair of the Nike Pegasus Plus 2 running shoes and go see what all the fuss is about. Your feet will thank you.