Carbon Racer closest in feel to Pegasus

Honestly, the best analog to the Peg. 37/38 in the Next%/2. No super-foam/plated shoe will feel like the Peg honestly, due to the foam and plate.

But the shape, contact patch and overall geometry the Next% is your shoe. Especially if you prefer a narrow fit, like the Pegs.

Some shoes to consider:

-Zoom Fy 3/4 - Basically a Peg 37/38 with a carbon plate. All React. However, it react doesn't need a plate, it is fine on it's own. The ZF3/4 is a brick. Heavy, stiff, harsh... ok above tempo but overall not in the same league with a proper super shoe. It isn't the most stable shoe, but neither is the Peg 37/38.

-Next%/2 - This really is the one you want. Similar geometry to the Peg/37/38, narrow fit, similar contact patch on the road... but a proper super foam and plate combo. ZoomX NEEDS a plate and the Next% rides nothing like a the Invincible. I do most of my training in the Peg 37/38 and Next%/2, with a little Invincible thrown in. It's a system that works well.

-Tempo Next% - I think of this shoe as a faster Peg 37/38. It runs closer to a peg than the Alpha. Is a fast shoe. Has the airbag you like. Has a nylon plate and a nix of react/zoomx. Is a fast shoes. It's very polarizing but it may be your jam if you like Pegs that much. These also seem bulletproof. I put about 700kms on mine over the winter in all sorts of weather, surfaces and conditions.

A non-nike option

- Atreyu The Artist - This is their carbon race shoe. It's much less of a race shoe to me and feels like a slightly faster peg that has the benefits (and drawbacks) of a plate for training.

All this being said... You want the Next%. Trust me. It's an amazing shoe paired with a Peg 37/38. Even if you don't like running in it (again, its not the Invincible)... you'll appreciate the speed, ease and protection of the shoe and will just suck it up and deal with it due to that.

Not carbon plated, but Saucony Endorphin Speed is probably what you're looking for.

Have not run in Endorphin Pro, but in theory it should be very similar in ride to Speed.

Speed is definitely a better value.

Another option, at least on paper, is Nike Zoom Fly FlyKnit or whatever new iteration of that shoe. It has react foam and carbon plate. Not too stable, but not too unstable either. Works for tempos, is not versatile like Speed. I would not race in it, too heavy.

You will have a field day when Nike drops the streak fly

Thanks all.

Familiar with all of these and tbh most carbon shoes as to existence, performance and reviews, but only via media not personal experience, and not obviously the angle I've asked here.

Unquestionably ZoomX needs a plate. Tbh the foam is so impressive that the Invincibles could be quick in theory if anyone was mad enough to race in them, but they're not stable at all and were they normal geometry they'd be a nightmare.

Next%2: I appreciate this is the obvious one, but was majorly disconcerted by the lack of stability in the Invincibles, unexpectedly to the point I wondered how much of that experience would translate. If the plate makes up enough in stability then still top of my list. Also look great and I could flog them in a heartbeat if I didn't like them...

Atreyu: Toyed with the idea but didn't get the impression that upper/tongue/insole would be as structured as a Nike. Also, shipping/taxes to me in Ireland is an extra barrier - especially in a subscription shoe.

Tempo: Fully get the brief - but can't honestly stand the sight of it!! Might reconsider though...

ZoomFly: Always forget this but tbh I'm only interested in the plated shoes for racing, and as it's React I would prefer the Pegs most likely anyway because they work so well for me.

Saucony: Have always liked Saucony. I didn't know how these fitted though - e.g. closer to Asics (which I like but generally too roomy or the Pegs, hence my question). Same applies to new generation of Asics which look very impressive - but only if both narrow and stable, with the Pegs as a benchmark. Speeds are very impressive it seems.

May seek out the Next% when my disposable income and supply match up...

lke_4:25 wrote:

You will have a field day when Nike drops the streak fly

It sounds - and looks interesting.

zoom fly 3

The Sacuony Endorphin Pro is what you are looking for.

I actually think I wouldn't count out the NEXT% though. If your only experience is the Invincible, the main point of having the plate in there is to stabilize the ZoomX. The Invincible is much squishier than the NEXT.