The Nike Pegasus 42 and the Nike Pegasus Plus belong to the same family, but the Plus is the sportier, more premium version. The Pegasus 42 is the reliable pick for daily training; the Pegasus Plus is its lighter, more responsive spin, built around ZoomX foam.
The Pegasus Plus is clearly lighter, 40 g less. The stack is similar: 35 / 25 mm on the Plus against 37 / 27 mm on the 42, with the same 10 mm drop. So the cushioning is conventional, high without being massive.
The real difference is in the foams.
The Pegasus 42 pairs ReactX foam with a full-length Air Zoom unit, for responsive, well-balanced cushioning that leans firm.
The Pegasus Plus goes with full-length ZoomX, Nike’s best-performing foam: the feel is softer, bouncier and more responsive, for a genuinely enjoyable ride.
Put simply, the Pegasus 42 stays the versatile, reliable pick, at home from an easy run to a faster workout. The Pegasus Plus targets the same ground with more responsiveness: its low weight and bounce make it happier at speed.
Both uppers are breathable and well fitted, with good lockdown. The Pegasus Plus stands out with a low weight you feel from the first strides.
Pegasus 42 or Pegasus Plus: which should you choose?
For most runners, the Pegasus 42 stays the reliable pick and offers good value for money.
But if you want a more responsive, more performance-focused setup, the Pegasus Plus gives a more fun ride that lines up much better with the competition (like the Puma Deviate Pure Nitro, Asics Novablast). As long as you accept paying noticeably more, about $45 more.
In short, the 42 for versatility, the Plus for responsiveness.
