Nike Pegasus Plus Review: A Fun, Lightweight Daily Trainer

Introduction

Nike’s Pegasus line has had a winding road. In 2018 the Pegasus Turbo arrived as one of the first plated daily trainers of its kind, a shoe that earned a devoted following among thousands of runners. Version two followed a year later, lighter and loved in equal measure. Then came the 2022 Turbo Next Nature, a recycled-material misstep that disappointed with subpar ZoomX foam, extra weight and a narrow fit.

Now Nike is back with the Pegasus Plus, curiously labelled “Pegasus Turbo” on the outsole, and the goal is clear: recapture that original magic. After a full week of testing across every run type in my rotation, this feels like a genuine revival.

Facts and Figures

The Pegasus Plus is positioned as a road running daily trainer, priced at £165 / €180. It features a 36 mm stack height with a 10 mm drop and weighs 313 g in a UK size 12, which is comfortably on the lighter side for the category.

The build is where things get interesting. You get a Flyknit upper, a full-length ZoomX midsole, the same premium foam Nike uses in its Vaporfly and Alphafly race shoes, with no recycled filler and no carrier foam. There is no plate in this shoe. The outsole uses two patches of rubber with an odd cutout in the middle that seems to exist purely for weight saving, though it leaves some midsole exposed, so this is strictly a road-only shoe.

Sizing runs true to size, though a half size down may suit some, and the tester found UK 12 slightly generous. There are no width options, only standard men’s and women’s sizing.

How It Compares to the Pegasus 41

The standard Pegasus 41 uses ReactX foam, weighs 347 g versus 313 g here, and costs £35 less at £130. It also adds Air Zoom pods up front for a touch of extra propulsion.

The Plus is simply the more premium option: lighter, with more responsive ZoomX foam that feels better quality underfoot. The 41 remains a capable all-round daily shoe, but if your budget stretches, the Plus is the more capable and more fun choice of the two.

What We Like About the Pegasus Plus

First, versatility. This shoe sits beautifully between a plush max-cushion trainer and a lightweight speed shoe, handling easy runs, recovery runs, tempo work and speed sessions without fuss. It is the sort of shoe you can reach for almost every day.

Second, the foam. Full-length ZoomX without a plate makes this a genuinely fun ride, and a smart pick for runners who dislike plated shoes but still want pop, similar in spirit to fans of non-plated bouncy trainers. It is also a lower stack height option in a market dominated by tall shoes, giving more ground feel and a traditional running sensation that echoes the original Turbo. At speed it responds well and holds pace easily; long 10-minute rep sessions at cruising pace felt comfortable throughout.

Third, the looks. The flared heel is a thoughtful carryover from earlier models that had a habit of splitting at the back, and the overall design simply brings a smile to your face.

Finally, the upper. The Flyknit is breathable and delivers a solid lockdown. There is no gusseted tongue, but the laces hold it in place fine. Width is reasonable, and unless you have a seriously wide foot you should be comfortable, though it is a shame Nike does not offer wider fits the way some competitors do.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The ride is firmer than many 2024-era releases. That is faithful to the original Turbo, and if you want a firmer, lower-stack feel you will likely love it, but do not expect a super plush or ultra-bouncy experience on the level of the softest modern daily trainers.

Then there is price. At £165, the same sticker price as versions one and two, which adjusted for inflation would make this comparatively cheaper, it still lands roughly £10 more expensive than it arguably should be, edging into the territory of lower-end plated shoes it was never meant to compete with. Finally, some runners report irritation from the line running down the front of the toe box, which tapers fairly aggressively, so those with larger toes may want to look elsewhere.

Buying Advice

Should you buy it? For the right runner, yes. If you want a lower-stack daily trainer with more ground feel for runs up to about half marathon distance, this is a strong pick. For very long marathon training runs, other options with more stack height make more sense to look after your legs. Fans of the original Pegasus Turbo will feel right at home, and the £35 premium over the standard Pegasus 41 is easy to justify if the budget allows. This one is staying in the rotation.

Conclusion

The Pegasus Plus is a return to form: a lightweight, plateless ZoomX daily trainer that is fun, versatile and true to the shoe that made the Turbo name. It is slightly overpriced and firmer than the modern norm, but as a spirited daily option it delivers exactly what Nike was aiming for.