Nike Pegasus Plus review

We believe the Nike Pegasus Plus is an excellent choice for:

• Fans of the original Turbo who were disappointed by the third edition—this version is so much better in every way.
• Lightweight runners with narrow feet looking for a fast, responsive daily trainer with a lower stack height.
• Anyone who loves the Pegasus series but desires a superior upper and midsole, and is willing to pay a bit more for the premium features.
• Beginners ready to splurge on a versatile shoe for daily runs, tempo workouts, and the occasional race.

We believe the price of the Pegasus Plus is a significant drawback, especially when compared to other shoes offering similar versatility and bounce. For runners looking to save money, the Hoka Mach 6 and ASICS Novablast 4 are excellent alternatives, providing comparable performance at a more reasonable price point.

In our view, the snug fit of the Pegasus Plus upper could be a dealbreaker, even for runners with regular-width feet. For a more comfortable fit, we suggest trying the Nike Vomero 17, which offers a roomier feel. Alternatively, the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4 would be a great speed-training option.

Finally, while the ZoomX foam delivers impressive energy return, the relatively low stack height of the Pegasus Plus might be a problem for marathoners. If you're planning to use this shoe for long runs, we believe the ASICS Superblast 2 is a better choice, offering more cushioning for those longer efforts.

It’s clear just by looking at the Pegasus Plus that it’s far from a maximalist shoe like the Hoka Skyflow or Puma MagMax Nitro—it’s quite the opposite!

With only 33.0 mm of stack height in the heel, it’s actually below the average running shoe, which might surprise some, especially considering the original Pegasus Turbo felt well-cushioned to most runners.

But that was back in 2018, when most tempo shoes were significantly thinner. In fact, the Pegasus Turbo 35 had just 28 mm in the heel, believe it or not. Now, with an added 5 mm, the Pegasus Plus offers more height but somehow...it feels lower than that and really close to the ground.

In the forefoot, we measured 23.6 mm, and our observations mirror what we said about the heel. For forefoot and midfoot strikers, this delivers a direct, reactive ride—ideal for those who aren’t fans of the new maximalist shoes with zero ground feel.

We think that even fans of high-stack shoes can benefit from including a thinner shoe in their rotation. A lightweight, non-rockered shoe like the Pegasus Plus is excellent for strengthening foot muscles and promoting a powerful toe-off during runs.

Being a Pegasus, it was no surprise for us to find a high heel-to-toe drop that works well for heel strikers. While Nike claims 10 mm, we measured 9.4 mm—a minor difference that even experienced runners won’t notice.

If we set aside the weight, the standout feature of the Pegasus Plus is the full-length ZoomX midsole. This is a big upgrade from the ReactX-based Pegasus 41 and from the original Pegasus Turbo, which was a mix of React and ZoomX.

However, don't expect the same energetic bounce you'd find in Nike racers like the Alphafly 3. Nike tunes the ZoomX in trainers like this and the Invincible 3 for durability, which sacrifices some of the bounce. Still, it's a significant improvement in energy return compared to a regular Pegasus.

We tested the foam with our durometer and got a reading of 12.3 HA, aligning with the softness typical of ZoomX. However, the ride doesn't feel overly plush due to the outsole and the shoe's low stack height. Also, it’s worth noting—there’s no Air Zoom here, just foam.

One of the best aspects of Pebax-based foams is that they typically show minimal change in cold conditions. However, this ZoomX foam shifted more than we anticipated—we discovered a 25.5% increase in stiffness after remeasuring it following 20 minutes in the freezer.

While most aspects of the Pegasus Plus are clear improvements over the regular model, justifying its higher price, the insole isn't one of them. It's a basic 4.4-mm EVA insole that doesn’t offer anything remarkable.

Staying true to its roots and the Pegasus name, Nike maintains a non-rockered profile in the Pegasus Plus—a choice we believe suits the shoe’s flexible feel and moderate stack height. In our experience, this approach enhances versatility, keeping the ride smooth and natural.

We found that this design also sets the Pegasus Plus apart from the competition, which is leaning heavily toward rockered styles even in daily trainers. This traditional, flat-forefoot rocker provides a classic ride that requires a bit more effort from your foot muscles, but also helps strengthen them over time.

The anticipation for this shoe was huge, especially after the Pegasus Turbo Next Nature flopped, with many feeling of us thinking that Nike just used the name to cash in on nostalgia.

The Pegasus Plus was supposed to fix that—and to some extent, it does. But there's a catch—we're not in 2018 anymore.

Six years ago, the Pegasus 35 Turbo, with its now paper-thin 28/18 mm stack height, was a game-changer, offering unmatched energy return in a training shoe and catching everyone by surprise. In contrast, the Pegasus Plus arrives in a market filled with shoes boasting more stack height at similar weights.

So, does it live up to the Turbo legacy? To be honest, we think it does! It's undeniably faster than a standard Pegasus and even outperforms the original Turbo 35 by the numbers. However, anyone expecting the same magic from 2018 will be disappointed. We’re in a whole new era for running shoes right now.

We were a bit surprised recently to encounter some roomier uppers in Nike trainers, as the brand usually delivers a snug fit. With the Pegasus Plus, we found that familiar tight fit is back.

In the widest part of the toebox, we measured 96.6 mm—slightly narrower than the average, making this shoe a great option for runners with narrow feet or for those who prefer a more secure, close-fitting feel in their running shoes.

This taper extends to the big toe area, where we measured the width at 74.9 mm, revealing a significant narrowing.

We believe this makes the shoe less ideal for runners with wide or square-shaped feet, as the snug fit might feel restrictive. Unfortunately, Nike isn't releasing the Plus version in wide sizes, which limits options.

In terms of volume, we found the Pegasus Plus to be a bit tight, sitting lower and potentially feeling constricting for those who tend to point their toes upward. However, we discovered that the Flyknit upper stretches after a few runs, so expect a short break-in period.

Those seeking stability should look elsewhere—this is a purely neutral shoe that isn’t designed for runners with pronation or supination issues. We found no stability features here, and the shoe’s narrow build promotes agility and speed.

In our experience, the design leans heavily toward delivering a fast, agile ride rather than support—definitely giving off those Turbo vibes!

We found it slightly stiffer than a regular Pegasus, but still flexible at 3/5. In our view, adding some horizontal grooves to the outsole could have boosted flexibility even more, though the score feels well-balanced. This level of stiffness seems like a good fit for the Pegasus Plus to us, especially as it’s designed to go faster than the regular version.

The heel counter was a bit surprising, as we found it slightly stiffer than usual for daily trainers or tempo shoes, scoring 4/5. Luckily, it's well-padded and not uncomfortable, but runners with Haglund's deformity or heel sensitivity might want to explore other options like the Adidas Adizero SL2.

You may have noticed from our forefoot measurement picture below that the Pegasus Plus has a very pointy, race-oriented shape and isn’t particularly wide. Our measurement came in at 116.5 mm in the forefoot, similar to most daily trainers.

The heel, measuring just 89.5 mm, makes this shoe a bit unstable for runners who rely heavily on the rearfoot during landing.

The Flyknit upper is flexible yet effectively restricts lateral movement.

We believe it might feel slightly wobbly for some, though midfoot and forefoot strikers, or those with a neutral running technique, shouldn't have any issues.

One of the standout features of the Pegasus Plus is its impressive flexibility, which sets it apart from most tempo trainers—especially because it lacks a plate. In our 90-degree bend test, it required just 15.6N, an exceptionally low score.

While some may prefer the added responsiveness and stability of a nylon or carbon plate, we believe this design is perfect for runners looking to build foot strength and enjoy a more natural ride.

After leaving the Peg Plus in the freezer for another 20 minutes, we found almost no change, with only an 8.7% increase in stiffness.

We already stated that this shoe was likely intended to be named the Pegasus Turbo 4, but Nike opted for the "Plus" to align with their simplified naming structure coming for 2024 and 2025. One of the "Plus" features over the regular Pegasus is its lightness.

While we tested the Pegasus 41 at 9.9 oz (281g) in our lab, the Pegasus Plus comes in at just 8.6 oz (244g). We found that the lighter ZoomX foam truly makes a world of difference, especially at tempo paces, enhancing that nimble, fast feel.

This weight reduction is critical, as the Peg Turbo 35 was really known for its lower weight, setting it apart from the standard model!

We always start with a breathability check, and for the Pegasus Plus, we couldn’t wait to fire up the smoke machine. At first glance, it doesn’t seem very breathable—the dense Flyknit upper and the iconic Turbo stripe appear to limit airflow. But we had to put it through the real test.

What we found wasn’t as bad as we initially thought, but it wasn’t great either. In our assessment, it scored a 3/5—right in the middle of the road. Without the stripe, it could've edged closer to a 4/5. That said, the stripe looks next-level cool!

Sometimes the simplest tests offer the most insight. By moving the upper over a powerful light, we could easily identify where air could escape and where it couldn’t.

Next, we brought out the microscope, taking two shots. First, we examined the Flyknit material, where we found one of the ventilation holes that honestly didn’t seem very effective.

We also inspected the stripe—it’s dense and will likely enhance durability, but more on that later.

We also evaluated the entire upper with our hands. The quality of this version of Flyknit is solid, and the heel padding is adequate.

Finally, based on our examination, it's important to warn that the Pegasus Plus isn’t sockless-friendly. Those who prefer running without socks might want to reconsider it and get the ASICS Noosa Tri 16 instead.

On the durability side, knit uppers often raise concerns since they generally wear out faster than mesh fabric—a topic we've covered extensively in our guide about uppers.

We tested the Flyknit material, not the thicker stripe, which would have easily scored a 5.

However, the Pegasus Plus held up well in our Dremel test, earning a solid 3 out of 5 and outperforming many engineered mesh uppers. 

The heel area showed even better performance, where we found the Peg Plus to demonstrate outstanding durability.

In our testing, the heel lining displayed top-notch resistance, earning a flawless 5 out of 5 rating. This rock-solid performance reassured us that the shoe can endure significant wear for those who often create holes with their Achilles tendon.

The outsole of the Pegasus Plus stands out from most Nike designs, making it worth a closer look. 

However, the midfoot lacks rubber coverage, which could be a concern if you tend to wear down shoes in that area. As for the 80.0-HC rubber, it’s average in hardness. Nike opted for a classic waffle pattern with plenty of cutouts to reduce weight, which aligns with the shoe's Turbo DNA heritage.

We weren’t entirely satisfied with the outsole durability test, as it didn’t perform as well as other Nike models. The result of 1.2 mm of wear is below what we usually find in most daily trainers.

However, it’s not all bad. While this falls short of tougher options, we believe it should still hold up for those logging hundreds of miles in the Pegasus Plus. If durability is a concern for you, check out our detailed results chart to compare it with other choices!

We found the outsole thickness to be 2.7 mm, which is slightly below average and may lead to early wear for some runners, though we believe it should be sufficient for most.

While the original Pegasus Turbo felt expensive yet fair back in 2018, this time we believe the Pegasus Plus is overpriced. Its overall performance and features don’t quite justify such price tag.

In our view, Nike will likely have to offer solid discounts soon to make it more appealing.

This one definitely caught us off guard—we weren’t expecting to see reflective elements on the Pegasus Plus, but Nike surprised us by adding them. Great!

To keep the weight low and stay true to the original Turbo, the Pegasus Plus uses a performance-focused 2.8-mm tongue. We found that it requires some care when tightening the laces to avoid adding too much pressure on the instep.

The lockdown feels secure, and the lacing system works well with its punched eyelets, skipping the Flywire technology seen in other Nike models. In our experience, there was no need to tie a runner's knot, but there’s an extra eyelet just in case.

One of the biggest disappointments in the Pegasus Plus is the non-gusseted tongue—especially considering its hefty $180 price tag.

We believe that Nike opted for this design to boost airflow, as ventilation is limited, as we previously discovered. However, regardless of the intent, we think a semi-gusseted tongue is needed here.

Staying true to its roots and the last three Turbo generations, the heel lacks a finger-loop tab. 

While we typically prefer having a pull tab, we appreciate this clean design on the Pegasus Plus—it caused no issues when slipping our feet into the Flyknit upper.

The insole provided by Nike is nothing remarkable, and since it's not glued down, you can easily remove it in seconds—as we did. However, if you replace it, you'll miss out on the iconic stripe!