Nike Pegasus Turbo Next Nature vs Pegasus Turbo 2: Is the New Shoe Really a Successor?

Introduction

The Nike Pegasus Turbo Next Nature arrived with a lot of expectations. It carries a name that fans associate with one of the most loved all-round speed trainers ever made: the original Pegasus Turbo and its 2019 successor, the Pegasus Turbo 2. But this is not a simple update. It is a different shoe with different priorities, and that distinction matters when deciding which one deserves a place in your rotation.

Specs at a Glance

The Pegasus Turbo 2 launched at £159.95 ($180), weighs 209 grams (7.4 oz) for men in a size 8, and has a 10mm drop. The Pegasus Turbo Next Nature costs £145 ($150), weighs 253 grams (8.9 oz) in the same size, and has an 8mm drop. So the new shoe is heavier, cheaper, and slightly lower at the heel-to-toe offset.

The heritage matters here too. The original Pegasus Turbo from 2018 combined ZoomX foam for speed with a more stable React layer, making it genuinely versatile across training and race days while staying surprisingly light. The Turbo 2 followed in 2019 with a slightly updated upper but was largely a minor change from the original.

The Next Nature keeps the speed focus with a rocker design and the return of ZoomX in the midsole, but this time that midsole is made with at least 50 percent recycled ZoomX foam. The upper uses Flyknit yarn for a secure, breathable fit, there is SR-02 Cushlon technology for added comfort, and the outsole gets a waffle-inspired tread for grip and protection.

Fit and Sizing

Fit is where these two shoes diverge sharply. The Turbo 2 runs true to size with a roomy but comfortable fit. The original Turbo was similarly easy to live with, and some testers preferred its upper design, arguing that the stripped-down upper of the Turbo 2 lost some structure in the name of weight savings.

The Next Nature is the awkward one. It runs long, with extra space at the front of the toe, and the upper material feels closer to a tote bag than a performance knit. Most testers recommend going down half a size, which can leave the midfoot feeling a touch tight but ultimately delivers a much better fit. If you buy it, try before you commit to your usual size.

Ride and Performance

The original Turbo and the Turbo 2 set a very high bar. The first shoe brought super-foam technology into training shoes, delivering a lively, soft, comfortable ride that worked for everything from 10K personal bests to marathon starts and soaked beach runs. It was, for many, close to a perfect all-round trainer, even with a known weak spot: the outsole could rip away from the midsole easily.

The Next Nature tells a different story. The recycled ZoomX foam feels noticeably firmer and gives less bounce than the original setup. It is a little more stable because of that firmness, but you are not getting the same lively feel, and the extra weight is noticeable at faster paces.

That said, impressions warmed over time. One tester used it for long runs, intervals, faster runs, and even 800m reps on the track, finding it a genuinely capable lightweight all-rounder that protected the legs well. The foam also seems to soften slightly after the first few uses and should hold up over the long term. Another tester was less enthusiastic, calling it a shoe that does nothing particularly well and nothing badly, with a slightly dull feel that loses some top-end speed due to the weight.

Who Should Buy Which

If both shoes were available today, the honest answer from most experienced runners is that the Turbo 2 remains the performance pick. The original Turbo and Turbo 2 were performance shoes. The Next Nature is better described as a general running shoe, one that ticks sustainability boxes and looks good enough for daily wear without excelling in any single area.

If you are a general runner who wants an attractive, sustainable daily shoe that can handle a run well and double as a comfortable walking shoe, the Next Nature makes sense. If you are buying a shoe specifically for marathon training or speedwork, expect to find better options elsewhere, and consider whether the older Turbo 2 is still findable in stock.

Verdict

The comparison is slightly unfair to the Next Nature. Judged as a brand-new trainer rather than a true successor, it is a pleasant, versatile, good-looking shoe that rewards runners who want one shoe for everything. Judged against the Turbo 2, it falls short on bounce, weight, and performance character.

For pure running performance, the Turbo 2 wins whenever it can still be found. For everyday use with a bit of running thrown in, the Next Nature is the easier recommendation.

Conclusion

The Nike Pegasus Turbo Next Nature is not the spiritual successor to the Pegasus Turbo 2 in performance terms. It is a firmer, heavier, more sustainable all-rounder that fits awkwardly but runs well for general training. Loyal fans of the original should temper expectations, while runners seeking a comfortable daily shoe with sustainable credentials will likely be pleasantly surprised.