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- The Nike Pegasus Plus 2 combines ZoomX foam with an exposed, curved Air Zoom unit in the forefoot, and Nike claims at least 18 per cent more energy return than the original Pegasus Plus.
- It remains plate-free, while a roomier forefoot and revised outsole aim to keep it comfortable enough for everyday training.
- The Pegasus Plus 2 launches in late August through Nike and select retailers, with Australian pricing still unconfirmed.
Nike’s new Pegasus Plus 2 looks like Dorothy swapped her ruby slippers for tempo trainers to knock out a few miles running along the yellow brick road. Its Flash Crimson upper immediately pulls your eyeballs towards the shoe, giving you a glimpse of the exposed Air Zoom through the forefoot. Clearly, there’s no running shoe quite like a Nike.
But underneath all that ruby red is a curved Air Zoom unit in the forefoot and a pretty radical rethink of the Pegasus Plus. Nike has paired it with lightweight ZoomX foam, with the combination claimed to deliver at least 18 per cent more energy return than the original Pegasus Plus.
There’s no carbon plate here either. Instead, the curved Air unit and its internal tensile fibres help push each stride into the next.
Nike Pegasus Plus 2 Key Specs
- Price: AU$280 RRP (estimated) / US$180
- Weight: ~245g (men’s US 10)
- Stack / Drop: 38mm heel, 28mm forefoot / 10mm drop
- Midsole: Full-length ZoomX foam + curved forefoot Air Zoom unit
- Plate: None (plate-free setup)
- Upper: Engineered Flyknit in Flash Crimson
- Outsole: Reworked rubber with targeted flex zones
- Fit / Last: MR10 2.0 last (roomier forefoot and toe box)
- Energy Return: +18% vs. original Pegasus Plus
- Best For: Fast tempo runs, speedwork, and everyday fast training
1/7A Faster Pegasus With a Job To Do
So where exactly does the Nike Pegasus Plus 2 fit in with the rest of the Pegasus family? The regular Pegasus 42 remains the everyday workhorse, and the Pegasus Premium throws considerably more cushioning and visible Air into the mix. The Plus 2 sits comfortably in the middle as the faster-tempo option, with a few bits and pieces of hardware borrowed from some of the more competitive Nike race shoes.
Nike has also moved the shoe to the MR10 2.0 last, first used in the Pegasus 42, opening up the forefoot and toe box while still keeping the midfoot locked down when you pick up the pace. The outsole has also been reworked, with flex zones and grip focused where they’re actually needed.
It’s a far more useful combination of features than just stuffing some extra foam underfoot. A tempo trainer still has to be comfortable enough to rack up regular kilometres, otherwise you may as well save the fast shoes for race day.
But if you’re unconvinced, just ask Australian 1500m sensation Cameron Myers how he feels about the Pegasus Plus 2: “Easy, fast, smooth. It just flows.” Enough said.
The Pegasus Plus 2 will launch in late August on Nike.com and at select retailers, though pricing remains unconfirmed.
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