ShoeGeometry

Mizuno Neo Zen 2 vs Nike Pegasus 42

Two popular shoes in the same category, compared on measured geometry. Each cell carries a provenance badge; open a shoe for sources.

heel boneMizuno Neo Zen 2: heel 40 mm, forefoot 34 mm (drop 6 mm); toe rocker 29 % of length, radius 31 % of length; heel bevel 15 % of length, 22 mm high at the back, reaching in front of the heel bone (the sole still curves up under it: a heel rocker).Mizuno Neo Zen 2: toe rocker 29 % of lengthNike Pegasus 42: heel 37 mm, forefoot 27 mm (drop 10 mm); toe rocker 34 % of length, radius 47 % of length; heel bevel 10 % of length, 20 mm high at the back, ending behind the heel bone (only the back edge is rounded).Nike Pegasus 42: toe rocker 34 % of length
  • Mizuno Neo Zen 240/34 mm · toe rocker 29 % · heel bevel 15 %
  • Nike Pegasus 4237/27 mm · toe rocker 34 % · heel bevel 10 %
Illustrative profiles, not photographs: drawn from published stack heights and photo estimates of the unloaded shoes on a common length (300 mm), heels aligned, toe to the left; dots mark where each toe rocker starts; the dotted vertical line is under the heel bone (12 % of length), so a heel curve reaching past it is a bevel in front of the heel bone. Dotted lines use typical values where a shoe has no measurement. Exact values are in the table below.

Which suits you

If you wantPickBecause
A smoother roll at toe-offNike Pegasus 4228.6 vs 33.9 % toe rocker
More cushioning under the heelMizuno Neo Zen 240 vs 37 mm heel stack
More under the forefootMizuno Neo Zen 234 vs 27 mm forefoot stack
A lower dropMizuno Neo Zen 26 vs 10 mm drop
A stiffer, snappier forefootAbout the same28 vs 35 /100 stiffness
A firmer, more stable feelNike Pegasus 4245 vs 66 /100 firmness
A wider base under the forefootMizuno Neo Zen 2115.7 vs 112.3 mm forefoot base

From the values below, with differences inside measurement noise shown as about the same. This describes the shoes, not what is right for your feet; comfort in the first few runs decides.

MetricMizuno Neo Zen 2
Daily trainer · Road
Nike Pegasus 42
Daily trainer · Road
Heel-to-toe drop6 mmStated10 mmStated
Heel stack40 mmStated37 mmStated
Forefoot stack34 mmStated27 mmStated
Weight241 gStated300 gStated
Toe rocker29 %est.34 %est.
Rocker radius31 %est.47 %est.
Rocker rise angle34 degest.24 degest.
Rocker angle at toe59 degest.53 degest.
Toe tip over ground37 mm*est.33 mm*est.
Visible rocker lift onset81 %est.79 %est.
Toe spring (relative)19.3 %est.15.3 %est.
Heel bevel length14.9 %*est.10 %*est.
Heel bevel height22 mm*est.20 mm*est.
Midsole width (forefoot)115.7 mmMeasured112.3 mmMeasured
Midsole width (heel)94.2 mmMeasured88.1 mmMeasured
Toe box shape—73 %*est.
Interior forefoot width92.2 mmMeasured96.5 mmMeasured
Toebox width68.3 mmMeasured72.3 mmMeasured
Longitudinal stiffness28Derived35Derived
Midsole firmness45Derived66Derived
PlateNo plateNo plate
Primary foamEnerzy NXTReactX + ZoomX, full-length Air Zoom unit
List price$160$145

Key differences

  • Mizuno Neo Zen 2's heel-to-toe drop is 6 mm, 4 mm lower than Nike Pegasus 42's 10 mm.
  • Mizuno Neo Zen 2's heel stack is 40 mm, 3 mm thicker than Nike Pegasus 42's 37 mm.
  • Mizuno Neo Zen 2's forefoot stack is 34 mm, 7 mm thicker than Nike Pegasus 42's 27 mm.
  • Mizuno Neo Zen 2's weight is 241 g, 59 g lighter than Nike Pegasus 42's 300 g.
  • Mizuno Neo Zen 2's toe rocker is 29 % of length, 5 % of length shorter than Nike Pegasus 42's 34 % of length.

Read more about both shoes

We measure the shape. For how they feel over many miles, and for lab tests of cushioning, grip and fit:

Mizuno Neo Zen 2

Nike Pegasus 42

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Mizuno Neo Zen 2 details · Nike Pegasus 42 details · Add more shoes