Short answer: the Nike Pegasus Plus 2 may be worth choosing if you want a lighter, tempo-oriented trainer with ZoomX foam; the Pegasus 42 is the less expensive daily-running option, with ReactX foam and a full-length Air Zoom unit. Nike lists both at a 10 mm drop. The available sources do not verify a 40-mile test of the Plus 2 by this article’s author, so this comparison does not claim first-hand mileage or make a personal-test verdict.
What changes between the Pegasus Plus 2 and Pegasus 42?
The clearest differences are the foam, Air Zoom configuration, intended use and listed weight. Nike positions the Plus 2 for tempo runs and a range of run types, while it describes the Pegasus 42 as an everyday road-running shoe. Those are manufacturer descriptions, not proof that one will feel better to a particular runner.
| Specification | Nike Pegasus Plus 2 | Nike Pegasus 42 |
|---|---|---|
| Midsole and Air Zoom | ZoomX foam; exposed, curved Air Zoom unit at the forefoot. Nike U.S. product listing | ReactX foam; curved, full-length Air Zoom unit. Nike U.S. product listing |
| Manufacturer-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, according to Nike. Nike U.S. product listing | 10 mm, according to Nike. Nike U.S. product listing |
| Intended use | Nike markets it for tempo and a range of run types. Nike launch release | Nike describes it as an everyday road-running shoe. Nike U.S. product listing |
| U.S. list price | $170 on the researched Nike U.S. listing; price and availability can change. Nike U.S. product listing | $145 list price on the researched Nike U.S. listing; that page showed a reduced price during research, which may change. Nike U.S. product listing |
At the same men’s US 10 reference size, Nike’s listed weights make the Plus 2 about 35 g (roughly 1.2 oz) lighter per shoe. The comparison is meaningful only at that stated size; it does not establish the difference for every size.
How do the foam and Air Zoom setups differ?
Pegasus Plus 2: ZoomX and forefoot Air Zoom
The Plus 2 pairs ZoomX foam with an exposed, curved Air Zoom unit under the forefoot. Nike also lists a redesigned mesh upper, an updated Waffle outsole and flex grooves. Its launch positioning emphasizes versatility with a tempo-running focus. Nike’s launch release says the shoe delivers at least 18% more energy return than the inaugural Pegasus Plus. That is Nike’s own comparison with the predecessor, not an independent test and not a result comparing the Plus 2 with the Pegasus 42.
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Pegasus 42: ReactX and full-length Air Zoom
The Pegasus 42 uses ReactX foam and a curved, full-length Air Zoom unit, with a breathable mesh upper and high-abrasion rubber Waffle outsole, according to Nike’s U.S. product listing. Its daily-road-running positioning makes it the more straightforward choice if you want a general-purpose shoe rather than prioritizing the Plus 2’s tempo emphasis.
Which shoe is lighter, and how should you interpret the numbers?
Nike lists the Plus 2 at about 265 g / 9.3 oz and the Pegasus 42 at about 300 g / 10.59 oz, both in men’s US 10. Those manufacturer-listed figures indicate a 35 g difference per shoe at that size. They are not weights measured across all sizes or by an independent comparative lab.
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A published comparison from Cadence lists retailer-reported stack heights of 39/29 mm for the Plus 2 and 38/28 mm for the 42, and describes both as neutral and unplated. Those heights are not listed on the reviewed Nike product pages, so treat them as Cadence’s retailer-sourced figures rather than Nike specifications. Cadence explicitly says it did not wear-test either shoe.
Do either shoe offer more room or a wide option?
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 provides more forefoot and toe-box room than the Pegasus 41. Nike also offers a separate wide version of the Pegasus 42 through its product range. The researched U.S. Plus 2 listing did not establish a wide option; that absence on the listing is not proof that no option exists in every market or at every retailer. If width is a deciding factor, confirm the exact size and width on the product page before buying.
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- 10 Women = 8.5 Men
Is the Pegasus Plus 2 worth upgrading to from the Pegasus 42?
Consider the Plus 2 if you value the lower listed weight at men’s US 10, want ZoomX with a forefoot Air Zoom unit, or are shopping for the tempo-oriented versatility Nike describes. Consider the Pegasus 42 if your priority is the lower U.S. list price and an everyday road-running shoe built around ReactX and full-length Air Zoom. The $170 and $145 figures are the list prices on Nike’s researched U.S. pages, not guaranteed checkout prices; the Pegasus 42 page displayed a discount during research.
There is no established independent head-to-head lab result here that proves the Plus 2 performs better than the 42, and Nike’s energy-return claim compares the Plus 2 with the original Pegasus Plus instead. The fit and ride that suit you are not settled by those specifications. Cadence’s comparison is specification- and positioning-based and discloses that it did not wear-test either shoe. Tom’s Guide, by contrast, reports a 35-mile test of the Pegasus 42 only; its reviewer’s fit impressions and measurements apply to that shoe, not to the Plus 2.
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- Nike Pegasus Plus Women's Road Running Shoes
- 10 Women = 8.5 Men
Can the 40-mile Plus 2 verdict be verified?
No. The available sources do not verify that the author of this article ran 40 miles in the Pegasus Plus 2. Nike says the shoe was tested by more than 30 elite Nike athletes, but that is a manufacturer-reported design-testing figure, not a consumer trial or evidence of this author’s mileage. A published Plus 2-versus-42 comparison likewise states that it did not wear-test either model. Any first-person 40-mile claim or resulting personal verdict should be published only if it reflects the author’s actual test record.
Quick Recap
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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.
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.
