Pegasus Plus 2 vs Pegasus Plus: Are the new Nikes really better?
When a shoe performs well, updating it doesn't always mean changing everything. Sometimes, it's enough to identify areas for improvement and evolve just those points. That's precisely what Nike seems to have done with the Pegasus Plus 2.
The first Pegasus Plus already carved out a very interesting niche in Nike's catalog: a light shoe with a full ZoomX midsole, no carbon plate, and designed for runners who wanted something faster and more fun than a traditional daily trainer. Nike positioned them as a responsive option for both daily workouts and tempo runs.
Now comes the Pegasus Plus 2 with a complicated mission: to improve a shoe that already worked without losing what made it special.
At BeUrban, we've had the chance to test the new generation, and two differences have particularly caught our attention: a clearly superior energy return and an upper that feels lighter and more breathable.
But are these changes enough to say that the Pegasus Plus 2 are better? And above all, if you already own the Pegasus Plus, is it worth upgrading?
Let's compare them.
Nike Pegasus Plus: a simple formula that worked very well
Nike built the Pegasus Plus around a full ZoomX midsole, its lightest and most responsive foam. Unlike other fast shoes from the brand, here we don't find a carbon plate that dictates the stride. This resulted in a fairly natural feel.
You had cushioning, bounce, and lightness, but without the stiffness or aggressiveness that can be found in a super-racing shoe.
The first Pegasus Plus weighs approximately 245 grams in a men's size 10 US and 205 grams in a women's size 8 US, with a drop close to 10 mm. Additionally, it uses a perforated Flyknit upper, a midfoot support band, and abrasion-resistant rubber on the outsole.
It was, and still is, a very good formula for fast training. The problem for Nike was finding how to improve it.
The big difference in the Pegasus Plus 2 is underfoot
This is where the comparison starts to get interesting.
Nike keeps ZoomX as one of the shoe's main protagonists, but the second generation adds an important new feature in the forefoot: Air Zoom. And in our test, the response underfoot was precisely what we noticed most.
The original Pegasus Plus already had good bounce, but the Pegasus Plus 2 feel livelier when you start to pick up the pace. There's a more pronounced propulsion sensation in the forefoot, and the shoe seems to support take-off better.
This doesn't mean the first Pegasus Plus are flat. Not at all. The difference is that the new generation takes that dynamic character a bit further.
More energy return: the change you can really feel
We could talk solely about technologies, but after trying them, we believe there's a much simpler way to explain it:
The Pegasus Plus 2 return more.
When you start off easy, both generations can feel comfortable and pleasant. But as you gradually pick up the pace, that's when the second generation starts to show differences.
That extra bit of responsiveness makes them especially interesting for tempo runs, progressive runs, and upbeat daily runs.
The first Pegasus Plus were already designed precisely for this type of use: Nike highlights ZoomX as responsible for providing high energy return while maintaining low weight. The Plus 2 doesn't abandon that philosophy; it takes it a step further.
Do the Pegasus Plus 2 have a carbon plate?
No. And we believe it's important because it's part of this family's personality. Nike could have turned the Pegasus Plus 2 into another fast shoe with a plate, but it would have completely changed its concept.
Here, the response comes fundamentally from the combined work of the foam and the Air Zoom system, maintaining a less rigid experience. This allows them to continue existing in that space between traditional training shoes and super-racing shoes.
You can run fast in them without necessarily feeling like you're using a shoe reserved for race day.
An upper that we also liked more
The midsole has been the most evident difference, but not the only one. Another aspect we noticed during our test is the upper of the Pegasus Plus 2.
It feels lighter and more breathable, which we especially appreciate when training gets longer or we run in high temperatures. The original Pegasus Plus didn't have a bad upper either. In fact, its Flyknit incorporates strategic perforations precisely to reduce weight and promote ventilation.
That's why we wouldn't talk about solving a problem. It's more of an evolution.
The new generation conveys a slightly clearer and more speed-focused feel, better matching the character Nike wanted to give the rest of the shoe.
Pegasus Plus 2 vs Pegasus Plus: key differences
If we put both generations side by side, the evolution becomes quite clear quickly:
| Feature | Nike Pegasus Plus | Nike Pegasus Plus 2 |
| Main Foam | ZoomX | ZoomX |
| Front Air Zoom | No | Yes |
| Carbon Plate | No | No |
| Energy Return | High | Higher |
| Upper | Flyknit | Lighter and more breathable |
| Feel | Light and responsive | More lively and energetic |
| Paces | Medium / long | Medium / fast, with greater responsiveness |
| Ideal Use | Upbeat daily runs, tempo, quality | Tempo, progressive runs, quality, and fast daily runs |
The interesting thing is that Nike hasn't changed the model's identity. If you liked the Pegasus Plus, you'll probably immediately understand the Pegasus Plus 2.
There's simply more responsiveness and a generally more refined feel.
Which feels faster?
For us, the Pegasus Plus 2. And that's probably the difference that would most justify choosing the new generation.
The first Pegasus Plus are still fast. Their combination of low weight and ZoomX is still perfectly valid for quality workouts. But when we tested the Plus 2, we found a shoe that invites you to accelerate more.
We're not talking about a radical transformation or going from a slow shoe to a fast one. It's a matter of sensation; in the original Plus, you have bounce, in the Plus 2, we feel more forward propulsion. And when you string together several miles at a brisk pace, that difference starts to make more sense.
Which one to choose for fast workouts?
If our priority is tempo sessions, interval training, progressive runs, or fast runs, we would choose the Pegasus Plus 2. Especially if we are buying now and don't own either.
The first generation continues to work perfectly for this type of session. In fact, Nike positions it as a responsive training shoe and specifically highlights the breathability of its Flyknit during tempo runs.
But the improvements in the new generation fit precisely with this use. When you want to run fast, that additional return starts to have value.
What about for easy runs?
Here, the difference is smaller; if you're only looking for shoes to log miles at comfortable paces, you probably wouldn't even need to look exclusively at these two options.
The Pegasus Plus family has a more dynamic character. You can use them for easy running, but we believe that they are much more utilized when there is some variety of paces in your workouts.
If you want a Nike shoe exclusively for comfortable runs and recovery, there are alternatives more focused on that purpose.
Which is more versatile?
It's pretty much a tie here; the Pegasus Plus already stood out precisely because they didn't need a plate to feel fast and could be used for many different workouts.
The Plus 2 maintain that advantage. The new generation gains in responsiveness but doesn't become a radical shoe because of it.
That's why we find it particularly interesting for anyone who wants to have a single fast training shoe instead of different pairs for tempo runs, long intervals, and progressive runs.
Are the Pegasus Plus 2 better than the Pegasus Plus?
Yes, we believe the Nike Pegasus Plus 2 are better overall, but there's an important nuance.
Not because the first Pegasus Plus have become outdated or because Nike has completely changed the shoe. They are better because they refine a formula that already worked.
In our experience, the second generation offers a clearly superior energy return and the upper feels lighter and more breathable. Additionally, the forefoot response makes the shoe especially fun when you start to pick up the pace.
It's an evolution, not a revolution. And that also means that the first Pegasus Plus still make a lot of sense.
If you already own the Pegasus Plus, is it worth upgrading?
Here, our answer would be: it depends on the condition of your shoes. If you have Pegasus Plus with low mileage and are happy with them, we don't think you need to rush to replace them.
You still have full ZoomX, low weight, and a shoe perfectly prepared for fast workouts; we would take advantage of those shoes.
When it's time to replace them, then we do believe that the Pegasus Plus 2 represents a sufficiently interesting evolution to make the jump.
You'll especially notice the difference if you highly value responsiveness.
If you're buying now, which one to choose?
Here we are much clearer:
Nike Pegasus Plus 2.
If budget is not the decisive factor and we have both in front of us, we would choose the new generation. The greater energy return, the performance when we increase the pace, and the improvements in the upper make it seem like a more complete shoe.
However, there is a situation where the first Pegasus Plus can become a very smart purchase: if they appear with a significant discount.
In fact, with the arrival of a new generation, it's common for the previous model to reduce its price. In that scenario, the question changes.
For which runner would we choose each one?
The Pegasus Plus is still a great option for those who want to enter the ZoomX universe with light and responsive shoes, especially if they find a good deal. It also makes a lot of sense for runners who don't need to always chase the latest generation.
We would choose the Pegasus Plus 2 for those who want the most complete version of this concept: a carbon-free shoe, but with a lot of responsiveness, prepared for quality workouts, and capable of keeping up when you decide to pick up the pace.
They are not two shoes for completely different runners. They are two generations of the same idea, and the second simply executes that idea better.
What we noticed at BeUrban when testing the Pegasus Plus 2
This comparison has something different compared to simply looking at two spec sheets: we were able to run in the Pegasus Plus 2. And after doing so, there are two sensations we would highlight above the rest.
The first is energy return. We clearly noticed more responsiveness than in the previous generation. When you start running fast, the shoe has more life, and the toe-off feels more energetic.
The second is in the upper; the new construction gave us a lighter and more breathable feel, which perfectly matches the shoe's fast character.
It is precisely these two improvements that make us, after testing them, consider the Plus 2 a successful evolution.
Frequently asked questions: Nike Pegasus Plus vs Pegasus Plus 2
Are the Pegasus Plus 2 better?
In our experience, yes. Especially due to their greater energy return and a lighter, more breathable upper. They don't radically change the concept, but they refine it.
Do the Pegasus Plus have ZoomX?
Yes. The first generation uses a full ZoomX foam midsole, one of the keys to its light and responsive character.
Do the Pegasus Plus have a carbon plate?
No. The Pegasus Plus family opts for a fast and responsive experience without the need for a carbon plate.
How much do the Nike Pegasus Plus weigh?
Nike states approximately 245 grams for a men's size 10 US and 205 grams for a women's size 8 US.
Is it worth upgrading from Pegasus Plus to Pegasus Plus 2?
If your Pegasus Plus are still in good condition, there's no need to replace them immediately. If you need to replace them, then we would opt for the Pegasus Plus 2.
Which one to buy, Pegasus Plus or Pegasus Plus 2?
If you're looking for the best performance of the two, the Pegasus Plus 2. If you find the original Pegasus Plus at a considerable discount, they are still a very interesting option.
Our conclusion: Pegasus Plus 2 wins, but the first generation still has a lot to say
Nike didn't need to reinvent the Pegasus Plus; they needed to make them better. And we believe that's precisely what they've achieved with the Pegasus Plus 2.
The first generation remains a light, fast, and incredibly enjoyable shoe for those who want to experience ZoomX without resorting to carbon. It hasn't stopped being good just because a successor exists. But after testing the new generation, we would stick with the Pegasus Plus 2.
That increased energy return is noticeable when you start to accelerate, and the lighter, more breathable upper helps achieve an overall feel that is more focused on performance.
That's why our recommendation is simple: if you already have Pegasus Plus, keep enjoying them. If you need to choose new ones now, we would take the leap to the Pegasus Plus 2.
At BeUrban, you can find the latest Nike Running innovations and receive advice to choose the shoes that best fit your paces, workouts, and goals.
