Nike Pegasus Turbo Next Nature First Impressions: A Sustainable Trainer With a Weight Problem

Introduction

The Nike Pegasus Turbo Next Nature has been a long time coming, and it arrives with a big question attached: is this the true successor to a shoe many runners consider one of the best all-rounders ever made, or has the sustainability-first approach come at too high a cost? After a 10-mile first run, here is how it stacks up.

The Facts and Figures

The shoe cost £145 in the UK, which is actually £15 cheaper than the outgoing model despite arriving three years later. It is expected to sit around the $160-170 range when it releases in the United States. The heel-to-toe drop is 10mm, and while exact stack heights were not confirmed, the shoe feels slightly taller than the version it replaces.

In a UK size 12, this shoe weighs 317 grams, a substantial 54 grams more than the previous model at around 263 grams. It is a neutral road shoe with no carbon plate, a 100% recycled Flyknit mesh upper, a midsole made from recycled ZoomX foam, and a grippy waffle-pattern outsole. Nike states that 50% of the shoe by weight is made from 100% recycled materials.

The recycled ZoomX midsole is an interesting story: Nike collects off-cuts of brand-new ZoomX foam left over from producing shoes like the Alphafly and bonds them together into a midsole. That glue and process adds weight, which becomes important later.

Sizing is true to size, a return to form after the previous version required going half a size down. There are no width options, and the fit is medium; runners with particularly wide feet may need to look elsewhere. The cushioning is a medium ride, neither a max-stack cruiser nor a minimal racer.

What Works: The Ride, the Ankle, and the Fit

The ride is the first big positive. The recycled ZoomX feels a little firmer than virgin ZoomX, but it delivers a really nice turnover that gets you up on the front of your feet. It felt comfortable at speed and confidence-inspiring even with the extra weight on board, and it brought back genuine memories of running in the much-loved previous version. It is close, but it does not quite have that all-out feel of the old shoe.

Second is the redesigned ankle collar. The padding around the ankle, reportedly filled with ZoomX, is super soft and squishy and delivers a comfortable lockdown. The previous version’s lack of padding caused a few achilles issues in the first 50 miles, so this is a welcome fix that shows Nike listened to feedback.

Third is the lockdown fit overall. There was no extra heel-lock eyelet at the top, but it was not needed: no hot spots, no blisters, no chafing, no foot movement, and good breathability with no overheating. Full marks so far.

The Drawbacks: Weight and the Missing Spark

The 54 grams of added weight is the real negative. Using recycled materials is admirable, but it comes at a cost. The previous version was a shoe you could do everything in, including racing. This one is a solid daily trainer, but at max speed the extra weight is noticeable, and it is not a shoe you would want to pick for race day.

It also lacks the x-factor, the magic and the spark that made the original versions special. There is an element of a legacy or special-edition shoe about it, and that extra bulk takes some of the enjoyment and excitement out of it. It is still a genuinely fun shoe to run in and it is going into the rotation, with a full in-depth review planned once it reaches 500-600km.

Who This Shoe Is For

This is a shoe for runners who do not want a carbon plate but want something they can do a bit of everything in: training runs, sessions, and long runs. It ticks that box well, even without the all-out magic of its predecessor.

It is worth noting that Nike’s lineup is now crowded, with the Alphafly, Zoom Fly 5, Pegasus 39, and Invincible all occupying different niches, and it is genuinely hard to see exactly where this shoe fits. That is perhaps the biggest question mark over it.

Buying Advice

If you loved the older Pegasus Turbo versions and expected a lighter, faster successor, manage your expectations: this is heavier and more of a trainer than a racer. If you want a comfortable, versatile, sustainable daily trainer with a lively ZoomX ride and no plate, it is a genuinely solid choice at £145 in the UK.

Conclusion

After 10 miles, the Pegasus Turbo Next Nature is a likeable, comfortable all-rounder with a great lockdown and a fun, peppy ride. But the recycled construction has added real weight, and that has taken away the race-day magic that made the earlier versions legendary. A good shoe, just not quite the great one many were hoping for.