The relatively thin midsole is made of a full-length layer of ZoomX foam for a plush-yet-springy ride, and instead of a carbon fiber plate, Nike embedded a short PEBA plate at midfoot. The plate helps stiffen the shoe a bit and stabilize your foot as you run.

The Peg doesn’t come with Nike’s ultra-bouncy and lightweight ZoomX foam, so you might want a different shoe for speedwork days. But for longer efforts and general training runs, the Pegasus offers a smooth ride with enough springiness to keep you surging forward. Aesthetically the shoe has many similarities to the first Renew Run, with the only visible changes being the shaping around the collar and tongue to add in more support. The Pegasus 40 features a redesigned midfoot band that better accommodates varying arch heights, and Nike redesigned the way the layers of the mesh upper fit together and added padding to the ankle collar for a more comfortable fit. The sole features React foam and Zoom Air units at the heel and forefoot for a well-cushioned and responsive ride. The forefoot outsole rubber is 2mm thinner, allowing a 2mm increase in forefoot foam for increased cushioning. Nike also scooped out some foam on the sidewall and a channel at the bottom of the shoe to shave off weight. In addition, the medial side of the midsole is shaped to resist compression, which helps the shoe feel less wobbly when cornering. Battle of The Brands: Best Brooks Running Shoes ● Best Adidas Running Shoes ● Best Mizuno Running Shoes What to Consider When Shopping for Nike Running Shoes

The latest model, the Vaporfly 3, is a top-to-bottom overhaul with all kinds of revisions to make it lighter, boost its energy return, and increase its stability. Like previous versions, the shoe features Nike’s top-tier ZoomX foam and an embedded carbon fiber plate for stiffness and energy return. The first thing to note about the Renew Run is the weight. By far the heaviest running shoe I’ve worn recently coming in heavier than the Winflo 7, React Miler, and Downshifter 10. My women’s UK size 6.5/ EU 40.5 weighs in at 308g. Think of the Nike Streakfly as a shrunk down, streamlined version of the Vaporfly. While it isn’t quite as minimalist as an old-school racing flat, it’s Nike’s lightest racing shoe, and it’s designed to propel you through shorter races up to a 10K. The thin knit upper creates good breathability and saves weight. It’s also reinforced at the forefoot, and foam pods at the heel for a secure fit. Offset lacing keeps the shoe snug on your feet, even when you’re hauling. Nike has developed two standout upper designs for its shoes: Flyknit and AtomKnit. Flyknit, found on shoes like the Vaporfly and Invincible 3, as well as Nike soccer cleats and some basketball shoes, is a woven upper design where yarn is woven tightly in some areas and more loosely in others. The loose weave allows the shoe to flex with your foot for greater comfort, while the tight weave provides support in key areas where you need it.

I’ll use it for occasional short recovery runs in colder weather, and day to day wear outside of running. In our testing, we found its stable, smooth ride made it great for longer efforts, and one of our wear testers loved using it for everyday training. “I have a whole host of daily trainers to choose from,” he said, “and with the exception of speed days, I would choose this shoe over and over.” Alternatively, if you’re a heavier runner and want good upper padding and impact protection under the heel, this could be a good choice, otherwise I’d choose something else.In contrast to the ultra-thin uppers found on the Vaporfly and Alphafly, it features a durable double-layer mesh upper, which makes it more suitable for grinding through a training schedule. This was most noticeable after 5km, making my calves ache much more than usual. As my legs became more tired the sole unit felt hard and I didn’t get a great energy return from the shoe. That yields a bouncy, snappy feel that encourages fast paces. For the ultimate racing shoe experience, the carbon fiber-equipped Nike models are the way to go. How We Selected The Best Nike Running Shoes

Our journey began in 1971 when we launched our first ever running shoe. We haven't stopped innovating since. Today, we're proud to help runners everywhere chase down their dreams—with innovative footwear that's made to support you through every stride and every mile. From durable road trainers to grippy, water-resistant pairs for challenging trail runs, our running shoes are built to go the distance with you.Although it’s arguably been eclipsed by the newer, more feature-rich Alphafly line, the Vaporfly remains the most popular choice for marathoners, including elite runners. As the label on the heel proudly states, it’s the original “super shoe,” and it’s still going strong.