A runner holds a pair of Nike Zoom Pegasus Turbo running shoes

A Review

From the beginning, Nike has strived to push barriers. It’s a dedication that extends well beyond simply the shoes that they make. So, in 2017, the company took striving to a whole new level with the Breaking2 Project. The goal? To run a sub-two-hour marathon, a barrier many still believe to be impossible. And while the three project runners fell short (albeit slightly), a one hour 59 minute and some change now certainly seems within reach. In fact, one of the runners, Eliud Kipchoge, now holds a two hour and 25-second marathon PR. The mark is little more than a strong kick away from sub two.

When he ran that time, Kipchoge was wearing a brand-new pair of Nike running shoes developed specifically with this task in mind. It was a version of the Nike Zoom Vaporfly 4%, a shoe that claims to provide a four-percent improvement in running economy. … And four percent could be the difference between breaking two, or not.

Thing is, the 4% is an aggressive racing shoe. To optimize his training, Kipchoge wanted something with the same level of technology that he could run in every day. So Nike got to work.

After months of research and testing, a revolutionary product was born: the Pegasus Turbo. It’s a blend of the Vaporfly 4% and the Pegasus 35, and it’s an everyday trainer designed with speed, efficiency and durability.

Now, for a complete review:

A man wearing the Nike Pegasus Turbo while running

Deets

Weight: 8.4 oz. for men’s size 10; 6.9 oz. women’s size 8

Offset: 10 mm

MSRP: $180

Fit

Out of the box, the Turbo feels plush and lightweight. It’s on the same last as the Pegasus 35, so you’ll notice a similar streamlined, performance fit with a roomier toebox, and a seamless, breathable upper that stretches to conform to your foot.

The Turbo’s heel collar curves away from the Achilles, which offers immediate comfort and, for most runners, alleviates any potential hot spots on the heel for most people.

A woman wearing the Nike Pegasus Turbo while stretching her leg

Ride

Nike’s proprietary ZoomX foam provides 85-percent energy return (more than any other Nike foam out there and, quite frankly, more than many popular trainers on the market today). It’s the foam used in the Vaporfly Zoom Elite, the Vaporfly 4% and, now, the Pegasus Turbo.

With every step, ZoomX foam bounces almost totally back to its original shape before impact. The transfer means more of your energy is returned, rather than absorbed. Theoretically, this means you’ll end up with more energy after your Sunday long run than you would if you were wearing a shoe with soft, less bouncy foam. And so far, testers agree it works.

Three people wearing the Nike Pegasus Turbo while running across a bridge

What makes it different from the Vaporfly Zoom Elite and the Vaporfly 4%, though, is the removal of the carbon fiber plate, a component used to create more stiffness and forward propulsion. It’s exceptional when it comes to going as fast as possible on race day, but too aggressive for daily miles. The Turbo provides a happy balance to keep you feeling fast and your training legs feeling fresh. The shoe feels springy, while your stride feels smooth.

From our experience (and what we’ve already heard from testers), you might end up running faster than you expect in the shoe … even without trying (yes, it’s a good shoe for Strava segment capturing).

Conclusion

Nike says you should get, on average, about 500 miles out of each pair. So, plan on durability. For most runners, this means you might complete your entire marathon training cycle with just one pair of shoes (though, to be fair, we do recommend alternating shoes as a method of injury prevention).

Nike Zoom Pegasus Turbo

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Speed Meets Durability: The Nike Zoom Pegasus Turbo

A Review

Deets

Fit

Ride

Conclusion

Nike Zoom Pegasus Turbo

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