If you haven’t trained in a Nike Pegasus, you haven’t experienced a running shoe as it should be. My first outing with the silhouette was the Pegasus 42. The journey was short-lived as I developed grade three osteoporosis and was ruled out of track for good, but the memories of that shoe, which I later wore for walking for a long time, have lived on with me ever since. The feel and cushioning, and now even the basic sole unit technology, have changed a great deal, and the newly launched Nike Pegasus Plus 2 is an embodiment of that.
The latest evolution of Nike’s best-selling running shoe is designed for speed training like no other shoe has ever tried. If you’re a runner and you have been looking for a fast-paced training shoe, Nike’s new Pegasus is perhaps the most exciting non-plated option you should consider. It gives you a bouncier experience in every stride without the rigid carbon plate, making running easier on your feet and legs.
Designer: Nike
What really sets the new Nike Pegasus Plus 2, engineered as a “tempo trainer,” apart from any other silhouette in its own lineup, or outside in the competition, is the curved Air Zoom and full-length ZoomX foam forming its sole unit. According to the press information, Nike says the combination of the tech makes this running shoe 18 percent springier in comparison to the Pegasus Plus, which featured the ZoomX foam without the Air unit.
Therefore, the Pegasus Plus 2 is a lightweight and effective pair for runners who want speed but with consistency. Designed for “speed without sacrifice,” as the company puts it, the shoe comes with the curved, visible Air Zoom unit in the forefoot for additional propulsion, and a bouncy ZoomX midsole making each stride light and quicker. The Air unit underfoot has been left completely visible to make more room for it to expand and contract so it can absorb and return energy in each step during speed and tempo training.
With the combination of a novel sole unit and precision-engineered Flyknit material upper, which ensures breathability and comfort, Nike intends to market the Pegasus Plus 2 as one of its most responsive speed trainers ever made. Interestingly, the Pegasus Plus 2 features a fine-tuned MD10 2.0 last, which was introduced in the Pegasus 42, with a more accommodating forefoot and toe box. On the opposite side, the elevated materials around the ankle and a modern waffle outsole make the cushiony and supportive shoe more attractive. Nike is slated to make the Pegasus Plus 2 available for purchase starting August 30. The speed trainer will be priced at $165, which is cheaper than its predecessor, the Pegasus Plus.
