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While committed runners assemble a rotation of running shoes to use for different training purposes, most will just have one shoe in their wardrobe to use for the sport. That means it needs to be a shoe that’s built to handle the rigours of training, with enough cushioning to make those long miles feel comfortable, but still lightweight and responsive enough for fast sessions and races.
There are many shoes that fit the bill, but none so well as the Nike Pegasus Turbo 2. It weighs just 220g (men’s UK 9) but has enough cushioning to let you log long and easy runs comfortably. The foam in the midsole is a combination of layers of Nike’s ZoomX and React materials, with the former in particular standing out with the soft but springy ride it offers.
That ZoomX foam is the same stuff that features in the best Nike running shoes including the Vaporfly and Alphafly racing shoes (the ones that flirted with a World Athletics ban). In the Vaporfly a carbon plate is used to stabilise the soft foam and help propel you to PBs. In the Pegasus Turbo 2 the firmer React foam plays that role, while also increasing the durability of the shoe. The Vaporfly should be saved for race day to prolong its life, but the Turbo 2 is a shoe you’ll reach for every time you’re about to head out.
I used the Pegasus Turbo 2 for all kinds of runs while testing it for this review, and I logged over 800km in the first edition of the shoe, which has the same combination of midsole foams underfoot. While some might find it a little softer than they’d like for a true all-rounder shoe, it’s absolutely perfect for me, with the comfortable but responsive ride working well for all training and the odd race as well, though I still opt for the Vaporfly when pace is a priority.
The main change between the two generations of the Turbo is the upper. The original had a fairly well padded tongue and collar, and a roomier toe box. The new shoe has pared all that back to reduce the weight and make the Turbo 2 feel a little speedier on the foot. I prefer the sparser feel of the new upper during faster training runs, but the padding on the original was welcome on easy runs.
Nike hasn’t done a lot to overhaul the Pegasus Turbo with the latest version, and given how much I loved the original, that’s all right in my book. The only major fault I can find with the shoe is its hefty £160 price. Running shoes might be getting pricier, but still, £160 is a lot.
If you like a firm ride and fear the Pegasus Turbo 2 will be too soft for you, other all-round options like the On Cloudflow or Adidas Boston 8 might be better picks. If you’re just offended at the Pegasus Turbo 2’s high price, the Hoka One One Rincon is a cheaper well-cushioned option I enjoyed doing all kinds of running in, while the Brooks Launch 6 offers brilliant value as an all-round shoe under £100.
Buy mens’ from Sports Shoes | Buy women’s from Sports Shoes | £159.95
