The Pegasus Premium is the top of the range Pegasus, and the most expensive Pegasus trainer that you can buy. It contains Nike’s greatest technologies in a fresh, new interpretation of the Pegasus. It costs $210.
The Pegasus Plus is the middle tier Pegasus trainer and it replaces the old Pegasus Turbo series. It has some of Nike’s best technologies built into it. It costs $180.
This article will tell you which of these 2 Pegasus trainers is better for you.
Pegasus Premium
Verdict
The Nike Pegasus Premium is a short-distance trainer that offers a surprisingly springy and enjoyable ride. However, its substantial weight of 325 grams deviates from the expected feel of a super trainer, and leans more towards the comfort and style of a lifestyle sneaker. It’s too heavy for uptempo runs and too unstable for long runs; this makes it a very niche offering and a questionable investment for serious runners considering its high price.
The Nike Pegasus Plus is a fun but overpriced daily trainer with a super soft ride. Its easily compressed midsole limits its versatility but it has a faster, more engaging ride than the regular Pegasus 41. It doesn’t feel like previous versions of the Pegasus Turbo because it has less cushioning depth and more ground feel.
Recommended for
Daily training
Daily training
Cushioning type
Balanced
Plush
Cushioning amount
Highly cushioned
Medium cushioning
Flexibility
medium
flexible
Stability
not particularly stable
not particularly stable
Sizing
true to size
true to size
Retail price
US$209.95
US$180
The Pegasus Premium has a combination of 2 foams in its midsole: ZoomX and ReactX. The ZoomX is for bounce and energy return while the ReactX forms the stable and durable base. There is a long, full-length Zoom Air unit that separates the 2 foams. The midsole is super thick and very well-cushioned.
The Pegasus Plus only has 1 foam in its midsole, ZoomX. ZoomX compresses very easily, so the Plus has a super soft ride. Its midsole is much thinner than the Premium, so its cushioning isn’t as deep.
The ride of the Premium is firmer than the Plus. It also feels more springy thanks to the Zoom Air unit in its midsole. The firmer ride makes the Premium better for faster paced runs than the Plus. The soft, spongy ride of the Plus is better for easy, relaxed runs.
If you need stability, the Premium has more of it. Due to its firmer ride, there is less lean bias and more support than the Plus. The Plus has a very unstructured midsole without any stabilising element.
The Plus has a more natural ride than the Premium. It has no plate, shank or airbag in its midsole, so it has a flexible forefoot. The Premium’s airbag provides additional stiffness, making its forefoot feel more snappy.
The outsole of the Premium is better because it provides better traction. It has more aggressive lugs which are able to bite into the ground better. The Plus’ outsole is flatter and more slippery on wet surfaces.
If you prefer a firmer ride with more bounce and energy return, the Premium is the better shoe for you. It has more cushioning depth, and it has more stability. It also has a more breathable upper and better outsole grip. On the downside, it has a heavier build and it costs quite a bit more than the Plus.
If you prefer a softer ride for easy or relaxed runs, the Plus is the better shoe for you. It has a much lighter build, more natural transitions and a lower price. The downside of the Pegasus Plus is that it has less stability and its grip is not as good as the Premium.
