Nike Pegasus Trail 2
Your Next Adventure Buddy
Likes
- Soft cushioning
- Bouncy ride
- Sock-like fit
- Stylish design
Dislikes
- Uncomfortable toe bumper
What's New
Building upon the success of the Pegasus 36 Trail, the Nike Pegasus Trail 2 features updates that give the shoe a more premium feel and improved performance. The first major update comes in the form of a full-length React midsole. Carried over from models like the Epic and Infinity React, Nike's React foam gives the shoe a soft, bouncy feel underfoot. To increase durability, the new upper uses improved materials that allow for better breathability and reduce the chance of scratches and tears.
The Bottom Line
The Nike Pegasus Trail 2 is a trail running shoe that can do it all. With enough cushioning for long distances, grippy traction for rugged terrain, and a ride that's nearly as smooth on the road as it is on the dirt, this shoe is great for both the casual and experienced trail runner alike. The new upper design offers an adaptable fit that works for a variety of feet. While our tester appreciated the protection of the toe bumper, she found that its rigid nature caused some rubbing on longer runs. This shoe may not be your first choice for technical terrain due to its high stack and soft foam, but if you're looking for a comfortable and protective shoe that you can take from the pavement to the backcountry, the Nike Pegasus Trail 2 is sure to please!
Shoe Performance
Softness i
Ride/Energy Return i
Underfoot Protection i
Flexibility i
Upper Support i
Specifications & Fit
How It Fits
| Toe Box | Width: Medium to wide | Height: Medium | |
| Midfoot Volume | Medium | |
| Heel Width | Medium to wide | |
| Arch Height | Medium |
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 315 g (EU size 42,5) | Women's: 266 g (EU size 39) | |
| Stack Height | 31 mm (Heel), 21 mm (Forefoot) | 10 mm Heel-Toe Offset | |
| Terrain | Trail | |
| Stability | Neutral | |
| Sizing | True to Size |
Our In-Depth Look
Shoe Softness i
One of the biggest updates to the Pegasus Trail 2 was the introduction of Nike's React midsole. Our tester thought this midsole gave the shoe a soft yet responsive underfoot feel.
Becky: "The React midsole has given the second version of the Pegasus Trail a softer underfoot experience, which made it feel really plush and forgiving during long trail runs."
Ride/Energy Return i
Despite being softer, the React midsole's key benefit is its ability to provide energy return so you can run faster, longer. Thanks to this springy performance, the Pegasus Trail 2 really came into its own at faster paces.
Becky: "Along with feeling softer, the updated React in the midsole created a bouncy and responsive ride. These shoes feel great picking up the pace or bounding down mountains and long descents. That's when this shoe really shines compared to the first version."
Underfoot Protection i
While the Pegasus Trail 2 doesn't have a rock plate, its generous React cushioning provides plenty of protection for even the longest trail adventures.
Becky: "It's got enough cushioning for ultramarathon distances. Even with all of that cushioning, I never lost my connection with the trail."
Underfoot Flexibility i
The Nike Pegasus Trail 2 has a redesigned outsole that increases flexibility. Although React foam is stiffer than the Cushlon used the previous model's midsole, our tester appreciated its smooth ride and noted that the shoe felt more stable than its predecessor.
Becky: "The Pegasus Trail 2's forefoot has plenty of flex, while still feeling stable on uneven terrain."
Upper Feel i
The Pegasus Trail 2 features a revamped upper designed to stand up to sharp rocks and branches and help keep debris out. Our tester found the new upper to be more adaptable than before; however, she thought that the heel's fit could be tuned a bit more.
Becky: "The soft, bootie-like construction of the tongue and heel collar give the Pegasus Trail 2 a more adaptable fit than previous versions, which allows it to fit a wider variety of foot shapes. I do have some gapping in the heel collar when I'm running, which allows for more dirt and rocks to get in the sides. This isn't a major source of irritation, though, and it's certainly not a dealbreaker."
Individual Thoughts
The Nike Pegasus Trail 2 is an almost ideal ultramarathon shoe for me. I wore the last version, the Pegasus Trail 36, for a 100K and was comfortable the whole time. That shoe definitely got the job done, but the Peg Trail 2 has a lot of upgrades, most notably the React midsole, which makes it feel both softer and more responsive. The Pegasus Trail 2 is one of the best feeling trail shoes I have run in!
I was initially excited about the toe bumper, but it ended up causing some issues for me. The design of having a bumper to protect the toes when kicking a rock is a great idea. However, the way the toe bumper overlay sits on top of the upper in the Peg Trail 2 causes some pinching and rubbing on my pinky toe area after a few hours. Hopefully, this is something that will resolve as I continue to log miles in the shoe. This may also just be an issue with my specific foot shape.