Nike Pegasus Plus 2 Review

We covered the Nike Pegasus Plus 2 when it first landed, but specs only get you so far. Rach from Pro:Direct Running has now put it through a handful of proper sessions, with most of the testing coming at tempo pace on the road and treadmill.

That has given the Pegasus Plus 2 a pretty clear place in her training. It feels lighter and quicker than a traditional daily trainer, with enough cushioning to stay comfortable through longer efforts, while the lack of a carbon plate keeps the ride more natural. For runners who spend plenty of time around tempo and threshold pace, there is a lot here that makes sense.

Nike Pegasus Plus 2 Key Specs

Price: £154.99
Weight: 265g
Stack Height: 38mm heel / 28mm forefoot
Heel-to-Toe Drop: 10mm
Midsole: ZoomX with forefoot Air Zoom
Plate: None
Best For: Tempo runs, threshold sessions, progression runs and treadmill workouts

For the full breakdown of what's changed underfoot, our Nike Pegasus Plus 2 First Look goes deeper into the new Air Zoom unit, midsole and construction. This review is about what all of that actually feels like once you start running.  

Nike Pegasus Plus 2 Fit and Sizing

The first thing Rach noticed was the weight. The Pegasus Plus 2 feels noticeably lighter and more streamlined than the standard Pegasus, and there was very little of the awkward getting-to-know-you phase that some new running shoes need.

Rach went true to size. The upper holds securely through the midfoot without feeling restrictive, while the toe box has enough space for the foot to move naturally. Heel hold has stayed solid throughout testing too, with no rubbing or hot spots. Once the session gets going, the engineered mesh largely disappears, which is exactly where a good upper should end up.

For anyone searching for Nike Pegasus Plus 2 sizing advice, Rach's experience has been straightforward: true to size, secure through the middle and comfortable from the first run.

What Does the Nike Pegasus Plus 2 Feel Like to Run In?

Most of Rach's miles have come around tempo pace, which quickly exposed where the shoe works best. The ZoomX gives a soft landing without sinking too far underneath the foot, and there is enough firmness in the ride to keep transitions feeling quick when the effort increases.

Rach found it easy to settle into a rhythm during steady-state runs, threshold work and progression sessions. There is a lively rebound there, but the shoe does not have the forceful feeling you can get from a plated workout shoe. You still feel connected to your stride, which makes the Plus 2 easier to imagine using regularly through a normal training week.

The ride also feels pretty smooth through changes of pace. Start steady, wind things up and the shoe comes with you without suddenly feeling heavy. That versatility has been one of the strongest parts of the testing so far.

Is the Nike Pegasus Plus 2 Good for Tempo Runs?

This is the easy one. Tempo running is where Rach has enjoyed the Pegasus Plus 2 most.

The lighter build becomes more noticeable as the pace climbs, while the ZoomX gives enough energy back to stop longer efforts feeling flat. Threshold sessions and progression runs suit it particularly well because the shoe is happy sitting at a strong pace for an extended period rather than constantly asking to go faster.

There is a limit. Runners who want the snap and propulsion of a plated workout shoe will still find more aggression elsewhere, particularly for shorter and faster sessions. The Plus 2 has a calmer personality than that. It feels quick when you ask it to, without turning every Tuesday night tempo into an Olympic final.

For Rach, that has been part of the appeal. Plenty of training sits between jogging and racing, and the Pegasus Plus 2 is very comfortable in that space.

The Pegasus Plus 2 on a Treadmill

The treadmill turned out to be one of the bigger surprises.

Rach has used the Plus 2 for sustained indoor tempo work and found it particularly easy to settle into pace. The shoe stays controlled on the belt, while the lighter weight helps maintain rhythm without the ride feeling overly soft or unstable.

That might sound like a niche benefit until winter arrives and your scheduled tempo run suddenly involves staring at the same gym wall for 45 minutes. For runners who regularly do treadmill workouts, the Pegasus Plus 2 feels well suited to the job. The fit stays secure, the ride feels consistent and there is enough response to stop sustained efforts becoming a slog.

Is the Nike Pegasus Plus 2 Comfortable?

Comfort has been one of the most consistent positives across Rach's runs. The midfoot lockdown has remained secure, there is enough room through the front and the heel has caused no issues as the sessions have added up.

Underfoot, it sits somewhere between soft and firm. There is enough cushioning to take the edge off harder road sessions, but Rach would probably reach for something softer if the plan simply said "very easy recovery run". The Pegasus Plus 2 feels better when there is some intent behind the pace.

That distinction helps explain the shoe. It can cover normal running, but its best moments have come when the session starts asking a little more.

Nike Pegasus Plus 2 vs Pegasus Plus

Rach has run in both versions, and the Plus 2 is a bigger improvement than she expected.

The original Pegasus Plus was a good shoe, but the new version feels lighter, more comfortable and noticeably more enjoyable once the pace increases. The updated upper gives a better fit, and the shoe feels more agile through tempo work rather than simply tolerating faster running.

That difference was clear enough that Rach sees the Pegasus Plus 2 as a genuine upgrade. If you already got on well with the first Pegasus Plus, the changes here should be noticeable without needing to study both shoes side by side and convince yourself that three millimetres of foam has changed your life.

Who Is the Nike Pegasus Plus 2 For?

The Pegasus Plus 2 makes the most sense for runners who want a responsive training shoe for quicker weekly sessions without moving straight into a carbon-plated model.

Tempo runs, threshold workouts, progression sessions and treadmill running have all suited it well during Rach's testing. It has enough cushioning for sustained work, a comfortable fit and enough response to keep things interesting as the pace comes down.

The £154.99 price is worth considering if you already have separate shoes covering easy mileage and speed sessions. For runners looking for one lighter trainer to handle much of the faster side of the week, it becomes easier to justify.

Is the Nike Pegasus Plus 2 Worth It?

After several road and treadmill sessions, the Pegasus Plus 2 has become a shoe Rach would happily keep reaching for when the training plan calls for sustained effort.

The fit has worked from the first run, the ZoomX feels responsive without becoming overly soft and the lighter build makes tempo pace feel natural. Its performance on the treadmill has been another genuine plus, particularly for runners who split their training between indoors and out.

Rach's original description probably sums it up best: this is the shoe she'd reach for when the plan calls for sustained efforts rather than easy recovery miles. For tempo runs, threshold sessions and progression work, the Nike Pegasus Plus 2 has found a very useful place in the rotation.

Best for: Tempo runs, threshold workouts, progression runs, treadmill sessions and runners looking for a lightweight, responsive non-plated training shoe.