Article by Michael Ellenberger
Nike Pegasus Plus ($180)
I missed the boat on Sam & Co.’s earlier review of the Pegasus Plus, and instead of adding my thoughts in the traditional RTR fashion, I thought I’d write a solo, “off-grid” look at my first 100 miles with the Pegasus Plus, including why I think they’re perhaps the best do-it-all or one-shoe-travel option available today.
After clocking 100 miles in the Pegasus Plus, across several different surfaces and workout types, I can confidently say that these shoes have quickly become a staple in my rotation (if not, of late, my rotation entirely).
I find that the Plus (and I’ll just say this part once - I have no idea what prompted the name change beyond the slightly increased stack height, nor do I think it’s logical, but we’ll proceed as Nike commands) - strikes a fine balance between innovation and the familiar feel that long-time Pegasus Turbo fans will appreciate.
While the name may have changed, the lineage is clear—this is a descendant of the Pegasus Turbo family, though with a firmer ride that offers a slightly different, but still very satisfying, experience.
The ZoomX underfoot is really lovely, and the upper is premium - this is exactly what I would have wanted from the regular Pegasus, but it'll do just fine here. Between the two, the choice is clear (Plus), and unless you really want a traditional firmer feel, I would wholeheartedly recommend splurging a little.
The versatility of the Pegasus Plus is one of its standout features. As noted, I’ve used the Plus across various types of runs, from workouts to recovery days and even long runs (16, 17, and 19, respectively).
The shoes performed excellently during a 19-mile hard run, handling the distance and intensity with ease - no hot spots, no blisters and (more importantly), giving me some responsiveness late in the run that very nearly felt super-shoe-like. It’s a legitimate benefit when you’re running on tired legs and put in a little hard effort and feel the extra spring back - that was the case here.
The Plus also shined during progressive tempo runs (including on the treadmill), where their responsive yet controlled ride helped me lock in and maintain pace without feeling overly fatigued. These were one of two pairs of shoes I brought on a recent trip to Minnesota, but could definitely have been my one-shoe solution.
Durability is another area where the Pegasus Plus impresses. After 100 miles, there’s no noticeable wear on the outsole or midsole. The upper is holding up well, too, maintaining its structure and comfort without any signs of breakdown (and, frankly, getting more comfortable).
This durability, combined with the aforementioned versatility, makes the Pegasus Plus a solid investment for runners who want a shoe that can handle a variety of conditions and distances without compromising on performance - again, this is the anti-running-shoe-geek’s shoe, and could supplant a lot of shoes in one runner’s closet.
There isn’t the old squish and spring of the Pegasus Turbo 1 and 2, but I really, really like the Pegasus Plus - much more so than I expected to. Much more so than the Pegasus 41 (RTR Review) which I also enjoy, for what it is, the Plus is fun, and I’m glad to see that in Nike’s training lineup once again.
Tester Profile
Michael is a patent attorney and graduate of Northwestern University Law School. Prior to law school, he competed collegiately at Washington University in St. Louis (10,000m PR of 30:21). Michael’s PRs include a 67:43 half-marathon (Chicago Half-Marathon) and a 2:21:19 marathon PR at the 2023 Grandma’s Marathon. Michael continues to race on the roads, and is chasing a sub-2:20 marathon and potential OTQ in the future.
RoadTrailRun's original Pegasus Plus Multi Tester Review with 4 Comparisons
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