Runners and non-runners alike know that Nike makes some of the best running shoes in the world. Look at the starting lines (and podiums) of any major running event, look down at your local fun run—you’re bound to see more Nikes than any other brand on the course. That’s because the Swoosh is synonymous with running, but with so many pairs to choose from, figuring out what the best Nike running shoes are can be harder than getting through that final mile.
Nike’s buzziest running shoes are the ones it makes for the likes of Ruth Chepngetich and Eliud Kipchoge to shatter marathon records in, but the Beaverton brand cranks out trainers for more mortal efforts; whether you’re seeking a shoe for everyday training, the occasional jog, your first foray into intervals, or an 18 miler out on the trails, Nike makes a shoe for it. We’ve tested (nearly) all of them, and below you’ll find all the beta needed to help you in buying your next pair of Nikes.
The Best Nike Shoes At a Glance
We want you to get every last detail you need to make your decision, but if you’re interested in skipping the reading and want to jump to the product you know you want, then by all means:
Best Overall: Nike Vomero 17
For decades, the Pegasus has led the pack as Nike’s best running shoe for day-in-day-out running, whether runs are short, long-distance, fast, or casual. Times have changed, though, and the Vomero, another springy daily training shoe that’s been chugging along in the outside lane has now come into the lead. It’s slightly roomier than the Pegasus—especially up front in the toes—which gives some breathability and is slightly more comfortable overall. Part of that is due to a thicker slab of ZoomX and Cushlon 3.0 foams underfoot, which make the Vomero more akin to modern max-cushion running shoes for a responsive ride. It has slightly more support than the Peg too, but we won’t call it a stability shoe. All this “more” makes the Vomero a touch heavier, but the on-foot feel is that combo of soft and poppy that we want for all those miles on the local loop. (It’s also a supremely good shoe for beginners.)
Best for a Classic Feel on Daily Runs: Nike Pegasus 41
The Pegasus may have been edged out of the top spot but this pair of shoes is far from retired. Actually, version 41 workhorse might be the best Pegasuses yet. The shoe comes with some key new upgrades from the Pegasus 40, including a rejiggered upper, but the most significant is the inclusion of Nike’s ReactX foam (the company says the responsive cushioning improves energy return by 13%). The shoe also has Nike Air Zoom units in the heel and forefoot, but despite all this tech the Pegasus 41 feels quite traditional. Its fit is a standard road running shoe, with a 10mm heel-toe drop, a snug midfoot, and a somewhat narrow toe. It makes for a peppy ride with just the right mix of support and responsiveness. It’s less soft in feel than the Vomero, and in that way it runs a bit more old-school than the buttery transitions that many have grown accustomed to.
Best for Easy Running: Nike InfinityRN 4
Nike introduced the Infinity Run alongside claims that its unique set of features would help runners steer clear of mid-training block injuries—effectively offering an option up to overpronators outside of the traditional motion control shoes. Arch support, a stabilized heel, and a soft, wide base with a rocker profile were the prescriptive characteristics to do the trick. While the injury prevention claims are gone now (off somewhere with the letter U), these remain alongside additions like ReactX foam and a grippy waffle outsole. The InfinityRN 4 fits snug and comfy with a stretchy upper, and it still runs the same: soft but not too soft, stable but not too stable. For slower, more casual miles it’s an excellent choice (as it is as a walking shoe). Last thing—size up half a size.
Best Elite Racing Shoe: Nike Alphafly 3
The Alphafly is made for one thing: running marathons. Fast marathons. This is the shoe Eliud Kipchoge ran the world’s only sub-2-hour marathon in. Well, a version of that shoe—the Alphafly 3 has seen some improvements over the years. The latest version has an adjusted Atomknit mesh upper, a wider carbon fiber plate, and a fully connected wedge of ZoomX foam. Runners who were disappointed in version two of the Alphafly (many were) can rest assured that the magic of the original is back. The shoe looks like a spaceship and moves about as fast as one, with a massive stack height that feels so distinctly propulsive it makes you want to run fast. That’s an important note: don’t buy this shoe for regular running. It was made for racing, and that’s what it’s best for.
Best Racing Shoe for Most Runners: Nike Vaporfly 3
No running shoe in recent years has had more impact than the Vaporfly. It’s the super shoe that kicked off the age of super shoes. Now every brand—New Balance, Brooks, Adidas, Asics, Saucony, Hoka, you name it—has a carbon-plated racer in the stable. And even with the Alphafly in Nike’s herd, the Vaporfly’s lab-tested and podium-proven formula keeps in the running. That formula’s ingredient list includes a Flyknit mesh upper and a slab of ZoomX foam that hides a full-length carbon fiber plate inside. On the run, the shoe feels soft, responsive, and snappy; try not to go fast in them, you can’t. If you want the super shoe experience and want a little more softness, a little more stability, (and a little extra cash in your pocket), skip the Alphafly and run in the Vaporfly.
Best Waterproof Running Shoe: Nike Pegasus 41 GORE-TEX
For a long time, Nike was using its own waterproof technology to make its classic kicks have enough versatility to work in any weather. Now the company’s gotten back together with Gore-Tex, the true pros of breathable waterproof membranes, and the shoes are better for it. The Pegasus 41 GORE-TEX runs similarly to its fair-weather sibling; it’s good for just about any type of run and has a soft, bouncy feel and a snug athletic upper. The addition of the waterproof barrier does change things though, making the shoe a little more stiff and a little more snug. It also makes it ideal for winter running when sidewalks and road shoulders are so often covered in slush.
Best Trail Running Shoe: Nike Zegama 2
Trail running requires grit but it helps to have a softer side. We’re talking mentality but the Zegama literally has both—a big base of ZoomX midsole foam makes this shoe one of the comfiest in Nike’s lineup, and Vibram rubber brings the best grip in the biz to its 4mm lugs. Comfort and stability, which also happen to be two traits to channel inwardly when you’re miles from the nearest road (a built-in debris gaiter and breathable, supportive upper help with this, trust us). Speaking of roads, while the Zegama is versatile enough to take on all but the most technical trails, you might find yourself wearing it casually around town too.
Best Road-to-Trail Running Shoe: Nike Pegasus Trail 5
First thing first: This is not the Pegasus 41 with extra tread on the outsole. It’s a totally different shoe with some similarities and the same spirit of the famed winged horse, a spirit that wants to go (almost) anywhere at whatever speed you’d like. “Almost” because the Pegasus Trail 5 is not an overly technical trail running shoe; its lugs are shallow at 3.5mm and there’s no toe bumper. But those lugs are fully capable of taking on smoother trails and forest roads, and the shoe doesn’t feel half bad on pavement either so you can run to the trailhead and skip parking. ReactX foam in the midsole gives it a soft feel on all surfaces (softer than previous versions) and improved outsole rubber will almost make you forget there’s no yellow Vibram logo down there.
Best for Trail Races: Nike Ultrafly
There’s not nearly as much fanfare around Nike’s trail running lineup as its road models, but there was significant buzz in 2023 when the company revealed it was bringing its marathon-winning tech to backcountry racing. It was deserved—the shoe made it into the top 10 at the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc that year—and runners are still splashing praise on it. The design that made the difference includes a toe box that’s wider than some of Nike’s other trail models and a Vibram Litebase outsole for ultralight traction. Speaking of traction, there’s one caveat here: these lugs are shallow, and best for dirt, gravel, and more groomed surfaces (there’s no toe bumper for technical terrain either). When you’re on those types of trails, ZoomX foam, a carbon plate, and a really great fit make these a joy to fly around outside in.
Flyknit was a major innovation for Nike when it first came out. Made of strong yet lightweight fibers, it allowed Nike to build zoned support into its running shoe uppers and reduce overall weight. Flyknit comes in different forms—the Vaporfly’s upper is quite rigid while the InfinityRN 4’s is soft and stretchy—but it’s always in a one-piece, sock-like design. Steamed and stretched, Flyknit becomes Atomknit, a lighter upper material found in Nike’s premium race shoes like the Alphafly. Many other Nike running shoes use engineered mesh, a shoe upper material that’s widely used across the industry.
Much of running feel comes down to the foam, and Nike’s midsoles have enough fast-sounding names it’s easy to get confused. Starting from the top of the line, ZoomX is the company’s lightest, softest, and most responsive foam. To get technical, it’s a polyether block amide (PEBA) material originally used in the aerospace industry, but now it powers Nike’s top-tier racers like the Vaporfly and Alphafly (and some daily trainers including our top pick, the Vomero 17, and our favorite trail running shoe, the Zegama 2).
Next up is ReactX, the latest version of Nike’s React foam, which is made of an injection-molded combination of thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). According to Nike, ReactX provides 13% more energy return and has a 43% smaller carbon footprint than the old formula. It provides a nice balance of softness and responsiveness and you’ll find it in daily drivers like the Pegasus 41 and InfinityRN 4.
Lastly, there’s Cushlon 3.0. Cushlon is a classic compression-molded EVA, a common material in running shoe midsoles. You’ll find it in shoes made for more casual, slower running like the Structure 25.
Sometimes referred to as Zoom Air, sometimes just Air, these propulsive pods are a trademark piece of Nike tech that dates back to the 1978 Tailwind. They come in all shapes and sizes but the concept is always the same: pressurized air and stretched fibers absorb the impact of a footfall and release it back into the stride. Nike adds Air to shoes for every sport; sometimes it’s hidden inside the midsole and sometimes, as in the Alphafly 3, it’s right out in the open.
Other Nike Running Shoe Features
Nike’s innovation team is always cooking up new ways to make running faster, more efficient, and more enjoyable. The company was the first to put carbon fiber plates in racing shoes for extra energy return that’s proven to improve performance. Its shoes also use materials from well-known companies like Gore-Tex waterproof membranes and Vibram outsoles.
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