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What changes between the Pegasus Plus 2 and Pegasus 42?
The main differences are the foam, the Air Zoom unit, weight and Nike’s intended use for each shoe. Nike’s U.S. product listings describe both as neutral road-running shoes with a 10 mm drop, but the cushioning systems are different.
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| Specification | Pegasus Plus 2 | Pegasus 42 |
|---|---|---|
| Foam and Air Zoom | ZoomX foam with an exposed, curved forefoot Air Zoom unit (Nike U.S. product listing) | ReactX foam with a curved, full-length Air Zoom unit (Nike U.S. product listing) |
| Listed weight | About 265 g / 9.3 oz in men’s US 10 (Nike U.S. product listing) | About 300 g / 10.59 oz in men’s US 10 (Nike U.S. product listing) |
| Heel-to-toe drop | 10 mm (Nike U.S. product listing) | 10 mm (Nike U.S. product listing) |
| U.S. list price | $170 (Nike U.S. product listing; price and availability can change) | $145 (Nike U.S. product listing; the page showed a reduced price during the comparison, and sale pricing can change) |
| Manufacturer’s positioning | Tempo running and a range of run types (Nike launch materials) | Everyday road running (Nike U.S. product listing) |
On Nike’s listed men’s US 10 weights, the Plus 2 is about 35 g (1.2 oz) lighter per shoe. That is a manufacturer-listed comparison at one reference size, not a measurement of every size.
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Pegasus Plus 2: ZoomX with forefoot Air Zoom
Nike builds the Plus 2 around ZoomX foam and an exposed, curved Air Zoom unit in the forefoot. Its redesigned mesh upper and updated Waffle outsole with flex grooves are additional changes described on Nike’s U.S. product page. The combination and Nike’s tempo-oriented positioning make it the more speed-focused option on paper; the listed materials alone cannot predict how its ride will feel to an individual runner.
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Nike says the Plus 2 provides at least 18% more energy return than the inaugural Pegasus Plus. That is Nike’s manufacturer-published comparison with the earlier Plus, not an independent Plus 2-versus-Pegasus 42 test. Nike also says more than 30 elite athletes tested the shoe; that figure describes Nike’s athlete testing, not an independent consumer trial.
Pegasus 42: ReactX with full-length Air Zoom
The Pegasus 42 combines ReactX foam with a curved Air Zoom unit that runs the length of the shoe. Nike also lists a breathable mesh upper and high-abrasion rubber Waffle outsole. Nike positions it as an everyday road-running shoe, making it the more straightforward pick if you want a daily trainer at the lower list price.
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Which one makes more sense for your runs?
Choose the Pegasus Plus 2 if you prioritize lower listed weight
At the same manufacturer-listed reference size, the Plus 2 is lighter. Its ZoomX-and-forefoot-Air-Zoom construction and tempo positioning may make it the more attractive candidate for runners who want one shoe for faster sessions as well as other runs. Those are reasons to consider it, not proof that it will be faster or more comfortable for you.
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The 42 has the lower U.S. list price in Nike’s product listings and is described by Nike as an everyday road-running shoe. If that use matches your routine and you are comfortable with its fit, the Plus 2’s higher list price is not automatically justified by its different foam and Air Zoom layout.
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- Nike Pegasus Plus Women's Road Running Shoes
- 10 Women = 8.5 Men
Try both if fit is the deciding factor
Nike says the Plus 2 has a more accommodating forefoot and toe box. For the Pegasus 42, Nike says its MR-10 2.0 last offers more forefoot and toe-box room than the Pegasus 41, and Nike’s product range includes a separate wide version. A wide option was not established for the researched U.S. Plus 2 listing. These descriptions are not a substitute for trying on the shoe: the fit of the upper, width and overall feel can matter more than the listed cushioning materials.
What independent testing can—and cannot—tell you
Cadence’s September 30, 2026 side-by-side comparison lists both shoes as neutral and unplated and gives retailer-listed stack heights of 39/29 mm for the Plus 2 and 38/28 mm for the Pegasus 42. Those stack figures are attributed to Cadence and are not specifications on the Nike product pages. Cadence explicitly says it did not wear-test either shoe, so its comparison does not establish how the two rides feel head to head.
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- Nike Pegasus Plus Women's Road Running Shoes
- 10 Women = 8.5 Men
Tom’s Guide reports a 35-mile test of the Pegasus 42 only. Its reviewer says the shoe fit in their usual size and reports measured stack heights of 37 mm at the heel and 27 mm at the forefoot, with a 10 mm drop. Those are that reviewer’s observations about the 42, not a direct comparison with the Plus 2.
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The available published material does not verify a 40-mile test of the Pegasus Plus 2 by this article’s author. Nike’s athlete-testing claim and a separate reviewer’s mileage in the Pegasus 42 do not establish that personal experience. Accordingly, the comparison supports a conditional buying decision, not a firsthand 40-mile verdict.
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- Flyknit upper has perforations to help reduce the weight of the shoe and make it more breathable.
- ZoomX foam midsole offers springy cushioning.
- High-abrasion rubber on outsole provides traction.
- Midfoot band helps keep you contained.
Is the Pegasus Plus 2 worth upgrading to?
Consider the Plus 2 if its lower listed weight, ZoomX cushioning and tempo-oriented design fit what you want from a trainer, and you are willing to pay its higher U.S. list price. The Pegasus 42 is the more economical choice at list price for a shoe Nike positions for everyday road running. Neither the specifications nor the cited comparison prove that the Plus 2 is a better shoe for every Pegasus 42 runner; your intended use and fit should decide the upgrade.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
