The Pegasus Turbo series is a premium version of Nike’s most popular trainer, the Pegasus. It has a better midsole foam and can handle faster paces better.
The Pegasus Plus is the 4th version of the Pegasus Turbo series. It has received some significant updates which drastically change its ride. This comparison will tell you which version you should buy.
Verdict
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.
The Nike ZoomX Pegasus Turbo Next Nature is a lightweight, tempo trainer with a firm but well-cushioned ride for runs up to a full marathon. This version of the Pegasus Turbo is firmer and not as bouncy as the Pegasus Turbo 1 and 2. It also has a more relaxed, warmer, lifestyle upper.
Recommended for
Daily training
Speedwork, daily training
Cushioning type
Plush
Balanced
Cushioning amount
Medium cushioning
Medium cushioning
Flexibility
flexible
flexible
Stability
not particularly stable
some stability
Sizing
true to size
true to size
Retail price
US$180
US$150
The Pegasus Plus has a full length ZoomX foam midsole. This is Nike’s premier foam used in their racing super shoes. It’s a very soft, squishy foam which easily compresses when loaded.
The Turbo Next Nature has a full length recycled ZoomX midsole. It’s made from tiny scraps of ZoomX which are fused together to create a midsole. It’s a firm foam and a dense midsole which doesn’t compress easily when loaded.
The Pegasus Plus has a very soft ride and is much softer than the Turbo Next Nature. It’s best suited to slow, easy or recovery runs at relaxed paces. It’s a lively, bouncy ride with an energetic rebound.
The Turbo Next Nature has a firm ride which is more suited to faster-paced runs. Its midsole provides a firm platform to push off from and the foam rebounds much quicker when loaded.
The forefoot of the Turbo Next Nature is less flexible than that of the Plus. This leads to a snappier forefoot with more speed assistance than the Plus.
The cushioning of the Turbo Next Nature is more substantial so it’s better for long-runs above 21 kilometres. There is more cushioning depth to protect your legs from pounding. The Plus is better for short or middle-distance runs.
The Turbo Next Nature is the more stable of the 2 versions. It has less lean bias and has more support/structure than the Plus.
When it comes to durability, the Turbo Next Nature wins. Its midsole is firmer and less susceptible to scratches, chips and punctures. It also has harder, more durable outsole rubber which is more abrasion resistant than the soft rubber of the Pegasus Plus.
Both of these versions are made of Flyknit but the main difference is that the Turbo Next Nature has a thicker, warmer upper with more padding. The Plus upper is more breathable and it feels more like a performance trainer than a causal, lifestyle one.
Foot lockdown is excellent in both of them and they fit true to size. They both don’t come in wide versions so they are best suited to narrow, low-volume feet.
If you’re a runner looking for a super soft trainer for mainly slow runs, the Pegasus Plus is the version you should buy. It has a squishy, energetic ride but is for short or middle-distance runs because it doesn’t have much cushioning depth. It has a more breathable upper but an outsole which is not as durable as the Turbo Next Nature. The Plus costs $30 more than the Turbo Next Nature.
If you’re looking for a firmer trainer which can handle fast paces, the Turbo Next Nature is the one you should purchase. It has deep cushioning which can handle long-distances and it has more stability. It has a warmer upper which is more suited to cooler climates than the Plus. The Turbo Next Nature is also more earth-friendly as it uses recycled foam as a midsole.
