Made with a lightweight upper, the Nike Zoom Pegasus Turbo 2 is one of the top shoes of the manufacturer. With a lighter upper and dual-density foam, the shoes are made for the avid runner. Their full potential is reached when running outdoors. It’s hard to see their full potential while running on the treadmill. Out on the track or pavements, the shoes come with the ZoomX foam, Nike’s lightest foam.
Such cushioning offered by the lightweight foam is mainly recommended for marathons. The shoes have high energy return and the foam is purposely engineered for these demanding runs. While they are more expensive than most other Nike shoes, the Zoom Pegasus Turbo 2 is also orientated for pure running performance.
9 reasons to buy
- Top cushioning performance on long runs, semi-marathons, and marathons
- Lighter upper with form-fitting comfort
- Thinner cushioning of the upper favors a better fit
- No heel padding for added firmness
- No perforations in the midsole for extra ride firmness
- Slightly firmer than its previous generation (Pegasus 35 Turbo)
- 8% lighter than the Turbo 1 for added long-run comfort and speed
- There’s the extra height in the forefoot
- Smooth interior materials feel comfortable on the foot
3 reasons why not to buy
- Some lacing pressure
- Reduced heel cushioning not for every runner
- Narrow toe box might OK for all runners
Updates
There are not too many updates in terms of cushioning from the previous generation. Nike largely focused on fit and it created shoes that are very hard to improve further. The forefoot is higher and narrower, but most runners find it comfortable. Since the foot sits further back due to the lack of cushioning, the shoes also feel firmer.
Some runners expressed concerns about this firm ride. But the ZoomX is the same as it used to be. This firmness comes from the positioning of the heel, which sits further back. At the same time, this triggers an unsecured feeling in some runners.
Outsole
The outsole remains the same. Responsive and absorbing light shocks the rubber outsole offers plenty of traction. It is estimated that the shoes have a lower wear limit of 300 miles. The first signs of wear can be seen around this mark.
But it’s not only the outsole which shows these signs, as the midsole may also be lagging after a few hundred miles. However, depending on the types of runs, the weight and the pronation of the runner, the shoes may even last up to 600 miles.
Midsole
The midsole is where Nike’s most responsive foam is situated. These cushioning shoes are more expensive than others specifically due to this foam. Runners surely remember it from the Nike Zoom Vaporfly Elite. However, it remains unmatched and a staple of Nike as soon as runners take the first steps in the shoes.
The problem is in the midfoot where the shoes are not as rigid as expected. They are soft and while it’s rare to count on them on uneven surfaces, runners can experience an annoying softness in this area.
Upper
The lofted mesh and the synthetic upper of the shoes are truly as good as expected. Many believe the upper is not as firm as in the Turbo 1 shoes. But the mesh is new and with little cushioning, it transitions all the running energy to the responsive ZoomX midsole.
Size And Fit
True to size, the shoes have a remarkable fit. The lofted mesh is a new type of mesh that adds breathability. Since the upper sits closer to the foot it also enhances natural stride. The cushioning around the ankle is also non-existent which means the fit is as good as expected from premium running shoes.
Those who may have issues with the shoes are likely to find them in the looser feeling of the heel and the softer midfoot support. But these shoes were not made for this type of support. Nike offers the Air Zoom Pegasus 36 for this purpose.
The Pegasus Turbo 2 only slightly improved key areas around fit and materials of the upper. The result is a fast shoe that is not particularly aimed at the ultimate comfort but rather at the ultimate outdoor performance.