Nike Pegasus Trail 2 was a highly anticipated shoe for at least two reasons: the first is that its previous version (Pegasus 36 Trail) last year was one of the best-selling shoes in that crossover segment between running and trail running; and the second is that everyone-that is, at least me-wanted to see if and in what direction this shoe would evolve. This review is slightly delayed because to fully understand a trail shoe, it is not enough to just put it on and run 10-20 km in it.Therefore, I wanted to test them on different terrains and inclines, from the Resegone ridges to the Aosta Valley, letting a few days pass between tests so I could be sure that my feelings were not too affected by the caponata from the night before.
Out of the box
Before opening the box, I recommend wearing sunglasses with appropriate protection: in the Nike house they have not spared themselves the abundant use of neon colors (yellow, green, blue). If you are a fan of sobriety there is also the total black model, but let me tell you that it would be a real shame: I find this 80s revival very apt, and I am sure that the upcoming colorways will also be very pop, just as it was last year.
The first thing I notice is that-as heralded by the name-the shoe is no longer the twin sister of the road version: it is a very different object, both aesthetically and structurally, and claims to be a trail shoe in its own right.
The second thing that is very obvious even just by holding it is that the midsole abandons Zoom foam in favor of React (whether this is good or bad we will see later). The third thing I notice is that they removed the words “Engineered to the exact specifications of trail runners. Worn to be wild” and I find this a heartbreak for a fetishist like yours truly.
Finally, the toe: you can no longer see the waterproof protection, but you can sense that this has been moved under the upper for more visual continuity. Instead, small asymmetrical protective inserts rise from the sole: so small they seem unnecessary, but they are not.
The slippers you dreamed of
As soon as I put them on, the unexpected feeling is of absolute comfort: I immediately think that once I get home I will throw away those furry Crocs and use these as slippers. The upper is almost as light and wraparound as those made of Flyknit, and a new collar grips the base of the ankle enough to feel like a sock. The tongue is soft and stretchy, finally the React midsole gives you that feeling of walking on a floor of Big Babol strictly cream and strawberry flavored.
The lacing system has been largely revised: it is now a hybrid system that borrows from that already tested on the Nike Terra Kiger, its more aggressive cousins.
Run easy
When I start running on asphalt I immediately notice that the React’s cushioning is true to its promises and is something I am not used to in a trail running shoe. The moment the asphalt becomes a dirt path, I almost don’t feel the difference: the midsole absorbs all the little bumps, allowing me to push harder than I would with other shoes. I also find a better grip from the new sole when traction, even on stones-I can’t tell if this is due to the redesigned cleat or a softer compound or both. And you know that collar that wraps around your ankle that I was talking about? Aside from the undisputed comfort, I find that it prevents debris from getting between the sock and upper, which often happens in even the best families.
Run hard
When the terrain becomes rougher, however, the shoe begins to show all its limitations, or rather: it reminds us that in Nike’s trail running offerings, this is hardly the most technical shoe. Pleasantly surprised by the grip, I do not realize that until that moment the ground I was running on was beyond dry: at the first wet stone I end up long lying down. Definitely my mistake for lowering my guard level, but subsequent miles confirm that as soon as I encounter moisture and mud, one needs to drastically scale back the confidence placed in the sole. Let’s be clear: it is obvious that not all shoes are made to run on all terrains, but I admit that I would have expected something more in this respect.
The second limitation I encounter concerns stability. The React midsole that gave me so much joy on climbs now – on descents or very uneven terrain – gives me a feeling of poor stability at the heel. This is very personal, probably a foot with a wider sole than mine would be less affected, but my guess is that a significantly lower drop (10 mm is way too much for my offroad running) would benefit these shoes quite a bit.
So do I buy them?
What can I tell you. They are beautiful a lot and are definitely value for money with an attention to detail (both aesthetic and construction) that you definitely don’t find everywhere. The question-as it always is-is what you plan to do with it. The Nike Pegasus Trail 2s prove to be an excellent crossover, performing their best on very runnable dirt and on very hard ground. However, when the going gets tough in my opinion, it’s a case of choosing something else, but basically it fits: as I said, it’s certainly not the most technical shoe in Nike’s offering. Perhaps its biggest flaw is that when you see it you imagine it to be a more aggressive product, when in fact it rightly wants to remain at the top of its segment without overlapping or cannibalizing other market slices.