When you know players like Virgil Van Dijk swear by recovery tech, you tend to take note, so when I heard he uses the Hyperice x Nike Hyperboot as part of his warm-up and recovery routine before and after games, I wanted to test these sought-after recovery boots for myself.

Of course, it's a Hyperice and Nike collab, so the boots look darn good. But are they really as great as I've been told? I wanted to find out.

Recently, I've been exploring the best massage guns and alternative recovery tools in a bid to ramp up my recovery routine after weightlifting, Pilates, and yoga. I just couldn't say no to this opportunity, and I've already clocked a few things I like and dislike along the way.

Here are three reasons I'm hooked, and two areas I think could use improvement.

What are the Hyperice x Nike Hyperboots?

Like the famous Hyperice Normatec sleeves, the recovery Hyperboots combine heat and compression to boost recovery and reduce soreness; Liverpool FC and Netherlands player Virgil Van Dijk is a huge fan and ambassador.

Using a boot design, the recovery tech can effectively target the ankles, feet and Achilles tendons, helping to improve range of motion, warm the joints and muscles before exercise and aid soreness and recovery post-game or training session.

The Nike x Hyperice Hyperboot is available globally and retails for $799/ £699, including a USB charging cable.

I did a little digging into research on heat application for recovery, as the surge in recovery trends like saunas, contrast therapy, infrared sauna blankets and heat pads continues to gain traction for exercise recovery and boosting athletic performance.

Multiple studies, like this one on local heat therapy, show that heat application can improve blood flow to the area, increasing vasodilation and reducing the onset of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness, or DOMS, and stiffness.

There's also research showing the benefits of compression, which can mitigate both muscle strength and power decline following exercise-induced muscle fatigue. This can be the case for trained and untrained people; in this piece of research, trained individuals benefited most, making it a promising tool for recovery, particularly when paired with heat therapy.

And what's more, these tools are becoming more accessible for at-home use, although it'll cost you. Here's what I think so far after testing the Nike x Hyperice Hyperboots.

Like 1: They're powerful

These Hyperboots don't mess around. There are three settings to choose from on the sides of the boots, allowing you to tailor the heat and compression to your personal preferences. All you have to do is hit play once you've chosen your settings.

On full whack, I had to reduce the heat because it was so strong, which isn't a bad thing, as I find some heat therapy devices can be tepid, but be warned that they come in hot. I recommend starting on just one bar, then moving up from there.

The compression was also great, covering my feet, ankles and lower leg up to roughly half of my shins and calves. I'm impressed by the coverage and the bang for your buck.

Like 2: They look good and they're easy to use

I had no doubts that any Nike and Hyperice collab would produce a good-looking product, and the Hyperice x Nike Hyperboots don't disappoint. They look a bit like moon boots, but they're super easy to put on and secure, and I personally love the design: chic, understated and a little bit soccer-boot-esque.

I also loved that I could walk about if I needed to, unlike compression leg sleeves, where you're rooted to one spot for the duration of the compression therapy. They're also quite flexible and attach with a wraparound Velcro strap, so you can get in and out easily enough with very little fuss.

Like 3: I can feel them working in real time

Not only is it a relaxing form of recovery, but my ankles feel less stiff after running and the heat is definitely improving the overall range of motion. Plus, it's super relaxing and my ankles and feet feel better prepped for yoga sessions and weightlifting.

I like the versatility of the boots as well, as I can slip them on before or after training, or even as a relaxing bedtime routine at night while I'm winding down (and not scrolling on my phone, promise).

On cooler days, I can see the attraction of getting heat delivered directly to your joints and muscles, helping speed up the warm-up and recovery processes. After all, we never want to approach exercise without warming the joints and muscles first.

Whether or not I will notice any long-term improvements is yet to be seen, and I'll update you once I've been testing for longer. But for short-term effectiveness, I'm loving the Hyperboots so far and the benefits are immediate.

Dislike 1: Heat strength

It's not exactly a dislike, but I found the highest heat setting to be incredibly intense and I didn't have much warning that the Hyperboot heat could be so powerful. I'd rather be looking at too much heat so I can reduce it than not enough, but I just encourage anyone trying them for the first time to be mindful of the setting options, as, combined with the compression, that heat is pressing directly into your lower limbs.

Dislike 2: Sizing

I'm a UK size 3 foot and found the boots hard to secure close to my feet. That said, the compression was still strong enough for me on the highest setting, so it didn't matter too much.

I suggest taking note of the sizing options, which range from S (UK size 5) to XXL (UK size 15). I could have done with a little extra compression around the mid and forefoot, as I'm a fan of intense sports massages and love nothing more than feeling the pressure release along my arches, but this is a minor gripe for an otherwise pretty powerful recovery product, making it well worth the price tag, in my opinion.

Verdict

All in all, I'm so impressed by the Hyperboots and I can see why even the most elite soccer players are using them. Powerful compression, even more powerful heat therapy, and you've got yourself a wonder boot that is quick, easy and effective, whether you're on the go, competing at a high level, or just sitting at home (like me) needing some TLC.

Follow Tom's Guide fitness on Instagram for more workouts, routines, tips, and tricks.

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Gather 'round, fitness fiends. It's EOFY sales season, and as a leggings lover, I’m happy to confirm it’s offering up plenty of opportunities to save on some sweet new gym gear. With a plethora of top-rated brands holding their own mid-year events, you could score an impressive bargain or two when shopping for athleisure wear this June.

Notably, most of our favourite activewear makers have already kicked off their sales — such as Gymshark, Asics, Lululemon and Puma — with up to 80% discounts available. There are already plenty of great buys available — and delaying might see your preferred size or colourway sell out.

Whether you're after a new pair of bike shorts, leggings, sneakers or training shoes, or perhaps even a gym bag to carry your favourite gear in, the June 2026 EOFY sales are sure to have something to suit.

Below, I've gathered some of the top deals available to buy right now, some retailer quicklinks for my top-rated sales, and some frequently asked questions to help you better prepare for all that EOFY fitness sales have to offer. Happy shopping!

Retailer quicklinks

Here are 12 fitness retailers that are either currently holding EOFY sales or are expected to start theirs soon.

• Asics: sign up for a OneAsics newsletter to score up to 30% off during its member-exclusive EOFY sale
• Adidas: EOFY sale hasn't commenced yet, but plenty of discounts on Adidas' Outlet page
• Elite Eleven: shop up to 60% off sitewide during Elite Eleven's Mid Year sale
• Gymshark: shop up to 30% off sitewide, and an extra 50% off GymShark's Last Chance section
• Hoka: shop up to 40% off select styles during Hoka's Fly Into Sale event
• Lorna Jane: shop up to 40% selected styles during Lorna Jane's June sale
• LSKD: no official sale as yet, but plenty of options available in LSKD's sale section
• Lululemon: the brand's Mid Year sale has slashed on women's and men's clothing, accessories and shoes
• Matte Collection: save up to 40% off Matte Collection's leisurewear during its anniversary sale
• Muscle Nation: shop up to 30% off sitewide during Muscle Nation's sale
• New Balance: take an extra 20% off select clearance styles on New Balance's website
• Nike: Nike's end-of-season sale slashes 40% off select clothing, shoes and accessories
• P.E. Nation: up to 60% off discounted styles in P.E. Nation's mid year sale
• Puma: shop up to 50% off during Puma's end of season sale right now

Best EOFY activewear deals so far

FAQs

Running a marathon — or even say, a half-marathon or 5km fun run — is a pretty great accomplishment, seeing as jogging long distances is no easy feat for the average person, let alone someone who actually enjoys running.

Many of the major world marathons have come and gone this year, but some Aussies are already prepping for local marathon events, like the Sydney Half Marathon this weekend or the Sydney Marathon in August. And IMO, there's no better motivation to start hitting those running goals than a nice pair of sneakers, especially if you're planning on ticking off a marathon on your fitness bucket list.

While I am no marathon runner, I can appreciate a comfortable yet vibrant pair of sneakers (or joggers, as we Aussies affectionately call them). From Hokas, Asics, to Adidas and everything in between, there's a supportive pair of sneakers for every kind of runner (or walker) below. I've gathered 18 top-rated pairs found on Amazon, including some of the favourites as rated by Tom's Guide's fitness team — the Hoka Bondi 9s, the Nike Vaporfly 4s and the Asics Megablast.

Better yet, the majority of these sneakers can be shipped to most metro cities in Australia within the next two days, thanks to Amazon's expedited delivery. That said, most running experts don't suggest opting for a new pair before a big race weekend (especially if you are competing in the Half Marathon this Sunday, May 3). FWIW, you could view this purchase as a consolation prize for, well, running a marathon.

So scroll on to find the best running shoes worth stepping into, below.

Today, Nike and Beats have announced their first hardware collaboration — the Powerbeats Pro 2 Nike Special Edition. Beats has, for the first time, allowed Nike to put its Swoosh on one of its earbuds. The bright yellow ‘volt’ colored headphones will feature the Nike Swoosh on the right bud, and the Beats ‘b’ on the left.

We’re yet to see the headphones in real life, but keep an eye out for a first look on Tom’s Guide soon. We have run 150 miles in the Powerbeats Pro 2, and we’ve branded them the best running headphones on the market.

Our resident 2:25 marathon runner, Nick Harris-Fry, wrote, “The earhook creates a secure fit no matter how intense your activity is, and the buds didn’t budge at all during 20-mile runs during marathon training runs. They are also slimmer and lighter than the original Powerbeats Pro, which makes them more comfortable to wear and also means they fit easily alongside glasses and other headwear.

“The Powerbeats Pro 2 also offers great battery life of eight hours even when using ANC, and they have physical button controls, which I always find much easier to use on sports buds than touch panels. I also found the sound quality good on the headphones, with the powerful bass-forward profile you expect from Beats.”

The special-edition pair will have all of the same features as the normal Powerbeats Pro 2, but will come wth a matte black, Volt-speckled charging case, with Nike’s ‘Just Do It’ mantra inside the lid.

The Powerbeats Pro 2 Nike Special Edition will go on sale on Friday, March 20, for $249/£249 at Apple and Nike. They will also be available in select Apple Stores in the US and UK.

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• The best running headphones in 2026
• I ran 150 miles with the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 — here are 5 things I like and 3 things I don’t like

• 1.4TB of data was allegedly stolen from Nike by hacker group WorldLeaks
• Only internal Nike data is included; no customer records
• The hackers focus on data theft rather than encryption and traditional ransomware

The massively popular sportswear company Nike is currently investigating a potential breach that could result in the theft of as much as 1.4TB of data. The group of threat actors known as WorldLeaks claims to have obtained internal data and included a sample to demonstrate its relevance to design and manufacturing.

For Nike customers, this is the best possible news, as it means none of their personal information was stolen. Your credit card information, addresses, phone numbers, and other data are secure, though with the recent breach involving Gmail, Facebook, Instagram, and other services, maybe they're not.

What's happening at Nike?

WorldLeaks is a well-known hacker group, and this appears to be its first time targeting Nike. In fact, this is one of the rare cases in which Nike has been involved in a cybersecurity incident.

"We always take consumer privacy and data security very seriously," a spokesperson said in a statement to The Register. "We are investigating a potential cybersecurity incident and are actively assessing the situation."

It's worth noting that in its statement, Nike neither confirmed nor denied the breach, so we're left to wonder if it's legitimate or a false claim from WorldLeaks. Based on the group's track record and the fact that Nike didn't outright deny a breach, I'd assume it's real, but we'll have to wait to see if more information comes out.

Interestingly, WorldLeaks isn't known to use an encryptor or any other form of ransomware. Instead, it just steals the files. Perhaps it could ask Nike for money in exchange for not releasing the files, or it might just be looking to cause some havoc.

For now, the data hasn't been shared anywhere, so we can only take WorldLeaks at its word. And again, it appears to be just internal Nike data that was stolen, with customer data such as credit cards, phone numbers, and addresses remaining secure.

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I test running shoes for a living, and I love my job. I’m a keen marathoner myself, and having exciting new shoes to try out during my training helps keep me motivated to get out there and run each day. In 2025, I’ve tried out more than 65 new sneakers during my 3000 miles of running.

That’s a lot of shoes, and some of them have been pretty forgettable. Many more of those shoes have been fine — they’ve felt good on the run, but aren’t sneakers that I’ve made part of my own rotation after testing them out.

A select few have been very special indeed, and these are the shoes I still use regularly when I’m not testing something new. I’ve picked out my five best running shoes of 2025 below and even put them in order because who doesn’t love a ranking? Drum roll, please…

1. Adidas Adizero Evo SL

An emphatic winner of my favorite shoe of the year, the Adidas Adizero Evo SL offers exceptional performance at a surprisingly reasonable price, which is something that’s becoming a rarity in the running shoe market.

It’s very light and has a generous stack of springy foam in its midsole, and I’ve found the Evo SL great for a wide variety of runs, from track sessions to easy plods. Some might find it unstable for easy runs, though, in which case it still stands out as a great speed shoe for rotation.

Most shoes that can match its performance cost nearer $200, or even over that, while the Adidas Evo SL is $150 and is now sometimes in sales for less than $100.

Asics Megablast

The Asics Megablast is one of the few shoes that I find more versatile than the Adidas Evo SL, but it loses out on the top spot in my ranking because of its high price of $225. The fact that it’s still in my top five at all, given that price, shows just how fantastic it is to run in.

It has a mega-stack of responsive foam in its midsole but is still surprisingly lightweight and stable, and the Megablast is great for anything from easy or tempo long runs to short interval sessions.

I took the shoe away as my only sneaker for my summer holiday this year because I knew it could handle any kind of run I did, and I like the pink/purple color for general use myself. If you have the money, this is a wonderful running shoe.

Nike Vomero Plus

The Nike Vomero Plus is the first max-cushioned daily trainer that I’ve ever really loved, because unlike most shoes in this category, it’s not just built to be as soft and protective as possible on easy runs.

It’s certainly comfortable, but the springy ZoomX foam in the midsole means that the ride is bouncy and fun, rather than feeling like you have to wade through soft foam, a problem I sometimes have with high stack cruisers.

While the Vomero Plus isn’t as effective for faster runs as the Evo SL and Megablast, it’s the perfect option for picking up the bulk of your easier daily training if you have a shoe rotation, and will certainly work as an all-rounder for new runners.

Asics Metaspeed Sky Tokyo

I love carbon plate running shoes and have used them for pretty much all my races ever since I got my hands on the original Nike Vaporfly 4%.

There have been several excellent carbon super-shoes launched in 2025, and I considered the Puma Fast Nitro Elite 3 and Asics Metaspeed Ray for this spot in my top five, but the Asics Metaspeed Sky Tokyo won my heart when I used it to set my half marathon PR and run 2:24 at the Loch Ness Marathon this year.

It’s unbelievably light for such a high-stack shoe, and the combo of energetic foams and the carbon plate in the midsole makes it feel incredibly fast over any distance.

Carbon shoes don’t work for every runner — they’re expensive, unstable and not that durable — but if you use them, this is my favorite of 2025.

Puma Velocity Nitro 4

The Puma Velocity Nitro 4 is not a flashy shoe compared to the other sneakers I’ve picked out here, but that’s partly what makes it so endearing to me. It's simple, but effective, and it will suit a wide variety of runners.

It’s a good value, cushioned enough for easy runs without being overly stacked, has a great outsole that grips well in wet conditions, and uses a lively midsole foam that feels energetic when you push the pace.

I recommend the Velocity Nitro 4 regularly to friends and runners at my club as a result, and I have yet to get a negative report on the shoe (aside from notes that it’s a little narrow).

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Although we spend a lot of time testing running shoes to find out which ones we think are worth your money, we don’t always know what the rest of the running population is enjoying or whether they agree with us. So when Strava sent over its 2025 Year in Sport Trend Report, sharing the most logged shoe brands, we were all ears.

The report, based on data from more than 180 million users, showed that Asics, Nike and Hoka are the three brands runners are logging the most activities in worldwide. All three brands appear at least once in our best running shoes guide, so we can’t say we’re hugely surprised. What we can say is that it makes perfect sense why these brands continue to dominate the roads, and Strava feeds.

The Strava app collects this data through its gear-tracking feature, where runners can log the shoes they use for each activity. Not everyone does it, but for those who do, it’s a mix of showing off new sneakers and, more importantly, keeping tabs on mileage. Since most experts suggest swapping shoes every 300 to 500 miles, it can be a handy reminder of when it’s time for a new pair.

1. ASICS Novablast

The most recorded shoe on Strava was the ASICS Novablast. It’s worth noting that in the Strava app, users can log the brand and model line, but not the specific version number. For clarity, we’ll focus on the most up-to-date model we’ve tested and reviewed here at Tom’s Guide.

The latest model to arrive in the Novablast lineup is the Asics Novablast 5, which we voted the best running shoe for beginners this year. After its launch in summer 2024, the Novablast 5 quickly stood out for its balance of comfort, support and fun, making it a shoe you will actually look forward to running in. It's lightweight, durable and has a soft, springy feel underfoot that helps absorb impact while keeping runs enjoyable.

Asics

2. Nike Pegasus

The Nike Pegasus was the second most recorded running shoe in Strava’s end-of-year report, and the latest version, the Nike Pegasus 41, is the model we currently rate at Tom’s Guide as the best value running shoe.

Our fitness editor Jane McGuire has been writing about the Pegasus since the Pegasus 35, and while she says this makes her feel old, it also means she can say with confidence that the 41 is the best version yet. It’s a reliable workhorse, suitable for beginners and more experienced runners alike. With a lighter, more breathable upper, Nike’s bouncy ReactX midsole, and Zoom Air pods under the heel and forefoot, it’s comfortable and versatile for all kinds of runs.

Hoka Clifton 10

The Hoka Clifton 10 was the third most used shoe in Strava’s 2025 data, and it’s easy to see why. It’s one of the most affordable cushioned shoes from Hoka, and while the foam isn’t super soft or bouncy, it’s stable and reliable for everyday runs. The padded collar, tongue, and structured heel provide a secure fit, and it feels comfortable and stable from the first step at easy, everyday running paces.

When my colleague Nick tested it back in February, he wasn’t wrong: “I can see it remaining as popular as ever as one of the best mid-range shoes available.” Judging by Strava’s data, runners clearly agree. It didn’t feature in our running shoe guide because we don't think it’s the most versatile or lively option, but for reliable comfort and stability, you can't go wrong.

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When Nike launched the original Vaporfly 4% it changed running forever, with the carbon plate running shoe revolution leading to world, national and personal records tumbling in the years since.

Its latest innovation could be similarly transformative for the sport, with the Project Amplify shoe being the first motor-powered footwear design for runners. It’s fair to say those who don’t like carbon plates in running shoes because they provide a level of unnatural assistance on the run are really not going to like Project Amplify.

Nike Project Amplify: 'Move faster and farther'

The Project Amplify system has been created with robotics partner Dephy and is made up of a cuff that sits on your calf that’s joined to a carbon plate running shoe, with a motor and drive belt built-in. It’s designed to help people go further and faster with less effort.

Nike says this is not a system built to help elites in their training, but for everyday athletes looking to run at a 10-minute per mile pace rather than a 12-minute per mile pace, or add an extra mile or two onto the end of their walk or run.

In this way it’s meant to have a similar effect to e-bikes, which make riding further and more regularly more accessible and help with commuting in particular.

“Project Amplify started with a single question: What if we could find a way to help athletes move faster and farther with less energy and a lot more fun?” Says Michael Donaghu, VP of Create The Future, Emerging Sport and Innovation at Nike.

“At its core, Project Amplify is about seamlessly adding a little more power to your stride. The fun comes from realizing you can do more than you thought you could — whatever ‘more’ means to you.”

Pushing boundaries

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I’m going to jump straight in and say one thing — Metcons are finally back. And what a relief that is, because I haven’t slipped on a pair of Metcons for cross training in quite some time.

I was lucky enough to be one of a select group of people who attended the launch of the Nike Metcon 10 at the WIT x Nike Training Lab in London this month, and as such, got to lace up a pair of the 10s for a test ride during a team-based 30-minute hybrid workout (think lunges, calorie machines, burpees and wall balls).

This allowed me to put the Metcon 10 through the sweat test and see how it fares against the previous iterations of the Metcon shoe — and the pretty saturated and very competitive cross training shoe market.

But is this one of the best cross training shoes you can buy this year? I got stuck in to find out.

Nike Metcon 10: Price and availability

The Nike Metcon 10 shoe will be available exclusively at the Nike x WIT Training Lab on 2nd-3rd August 2025, then available online at WIT and Nike from August 4th. It retails at $155 / £129.

I trained in the Nike Metcon 10 cross training shoe — here’s my verdict

“A decade in, we revisited the DNA of what makes Metcon the global standard in training footwear and obsessed over the balanced system of strength that Metcon stands for: stability, grip, lockdown and mobility,” Eric Gleason, product line manager at Nike Training, explains.

“In designing the Metcon 10, we really streamlined the build and focused on going back to the foundation of what makes Metcon great, listening to the voices of athletes across all disciplines and intensities to create a shoe that reflects the way they train today.”

Grip

As someone who mainly does CrossFit for exercise, I really appreciate grip in a cross training shoe, and it’s not achieved that easily when you consider the mix of terrain you train in — outdoor weather, rubber gym floors, sled tracks, rope climbs and even climbing feet up and down walls at times.

I can only speak for my experience during the initial team workout inside a gym setting, but so far, so good. The Wit x Nike team designed a workout to match the shoe, which can handle weightlifting, functional workouts and cross training.

The full-length rubber outsole holds its own with plenty of traction, and interestingly, the pronounced rubber wrap rope guard present in the Nike Metcon 9 (which seriously divided crowds at the time of release) has been pared back “to be effective but not excessive.”

The shoe looks a bit more like the 7 — sleek, unassuming — and retains its grip. Looks were hardly an issue with Metcons in the first place, but the 10 is seriously good-looking.

I always wondered why the rope guard was such a huge feature of the 9, given how rare it was for rope climbs to feature in my CrossFit gym workouts, and funnily enough, athletes reported the same back to Nike.

Versatility

This is where the 10 truly shines, for the first time in a long time. The very definition of cross training is versatility, so your shoe should be versatile, too. This was missing from the Nike Metcon 9, and in my opinion, the Nike Metcon 8, too. In fact, it left a bad taste in my mouth.

I’d argue the entire cross training community was collectively pretty vocal about the 9 — great as a stability shoe for lifting heavy weights, but not for much else. The team says they listened to athlete feedback to revisit and redesign the 10, and they’ve packed flexibility into the shoe wherever possible.

With the redesign, the Nike Metcon 10 is more lightweight and agile, more flexible from the second you lace it up. Yes, it retains that all-important stability for functional training, but the 10 feels entirely different on foot — more pliable, bouncy and fun to wear.

During the 30-minute workout, we moved through a series of exercises in teams of three, sharing the load. Rowing, C2 bikes, lunges, kettlebell burpees, wall balls, and swings all featured, and the shoes handled all of these well. So much so that I actually forgot what I had on my feet, which is a good thing.

Another addition is the flex grooves, which help the foot move more freely and increase agility. I can agree that you definitely get a better sense of freedom during cardio exercises, compared with the 8 and 9 iterations.

I’m relieved the product design team made a change, because I think the 10 could be the best release in a long time.

Fit and stability

The Metcon 10 features a wider forefoot, which allows for better toe splay during lifts. Translated: increased stability and power. I sized up because I like to exercise in sports socks, but even so, the experience of putting the 10s on is that it feels more pliable and roomy.

The Nike team minimized the Hyperlift plate and firmed up the foam in the heel, finishing with dual-density ReactX midsole cushioning. The idea is to reduce the weight of the shoe and its stiffness and boost energy return; the result is a wide flat heel for a more stable base and better bounce, and the difference is really clear if you’re lucky enough to wear the Nike Metcon 9 and 10 to compare.

My main issue — and the reason I switched to the R.A.D. One V2 — is that the stiff, heavy feel of the 8 and 9 actually hindered some exercises like burpees or runs. This added energy return is noticeable and a great addition to the Metcon 10.

Lockdown

Forget about faffing with lace systems, because the lace-lock addition keeps the laces secure so that you don’t find them shaking out during double-unders or runs.

I tend to double lace anyway, so this is the least of my worries, but I’m also not a professional athlete. I had no problems with my laces during testing. Apparently, the design feeds into lateral motion and helps secure the foot better, alongside a padded collar.

My ankles felt supported during lateral kettlebell jumps, but that’s about all the side-to-side motion I can speak for at present.

Verdict

We. Are. Back.

Could this be Nike's best release yet? I think so. I've got a lot more testing to do before I can give my final verdict, but I can say this: the Nike Metcon 10 is more of everything.

Roomier, more flexible and versatile and even more fun to exercise in. It still retains stability, Nike removed the overbearing rope guard and the grip is definitely there.

It's a winner for me, so far.

Starting in June, Nike is planning to increases prices on some of its sneakers and apparel, a growing trend among fitness clothing makers.

While Nike isn't openly blaming President Trump's global tariffs, the company did say it regularly makes "price adjustments."

As the BBC reports, in March, Nike said, "We regularly evaluate our business and make pricing adjustments as part of our seasonal planning."

Most of Nike's products are produced in Asia, especially in Vietnam and Cambodia. While not hit with the 145% tariff that China faced earlier this year, those countries also faced stiff tariffs of between 32% and 54%.

Even with the recent pause of Trump's "reciprocal" tariffs for 90 days, there is still a base 10% tax against most of the globe.

In March, it was reported that the company was "navigating through several external factors that create uncertainty in the current operating environment" including tariffs.

Tariffs by another word

During the March call Nike CFO Matt Friend said the company raising prices was "the impact of this uncertainty and other macro factors on consumer confidence."

While Nike isn't openly blaming tariffs for price increases, it may be because it doesn't want to get on President Trump's radar.

This past weekend, Trump took to the conservative social media platform Truth Social to excoriate Walmart for admitting that price increases are due to the tariffs.

"Walmart should STOP trying to blame Tariffs as the reason for raising prices throughout the chain. Walmart made BILLIONS OF DOLLARS last year, far more than expected," his post read. It added that the company should "EAT THE TARIFFS."

What are the new prices?

Starting June 1, Nike shoes that cost more than $100 will see prices rise as much as $10. Clothing and equipment will go up between $2 and $10.

According to the BBC, shoes like the Air Force 1s and shoes that are under $100, will not get retain their current prices. Children's products and Jordan-branded clothing and accessories are also exempt.

The company also announced a return to Amazon, which hasn't sold products from Nike since 2019.

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It’s the Nike Pegasus, but not as we know it. The Nike Pegasus Premium sits at the top of Nike’s Pegasus range and is a very different shoe to the Nike Pegasus 41 and Nike Pegasus Plus, mostly thanks to the wild midsole design that contains three different materials.

The high stack and combination of materials create a bouncy and enjoyable ride and the Pegasus Premium is the springiest Pegasus I’ve ever tested, but this bounce is undermined by the weight of the shoe, and it’s also quite unstable.

While it’s fun, and a great-looking shoe you can also wear casually, the Nike Pegasus Premium doesn’t match the performance of the best running shoes. In my Nike Pegasus Premium review I’ll explain why and compare it to the best Nike running shoes and alternatives I’ve tested from other brands.

Nike Pegasus Premium review: price and availability

The Nike Pegasus Premium is due to go on sale on 30 January 2025 and will cost $210 in the U.S. and £185 in the U.K., making it considerably more expensive than the other Pegasus shoes in Nike’s range. The price is in line with top max-cushioned shoes like the Asics Superblast 2 and Hoka Skyward X.

Nike Pegasus Premium review: design and fit

The Nike Pegasus Premium will launch in the ‘Airscape’ color I tested, with other colors sure to follow. The shoe has a very high midsole stack of 45mm at the heel and 35mm at the forefoot, keeping the same 10mm drop that you have on the Pegasus 41 and Pegasus Plus.

I found that the shoe fit me well in my normal running shoe size, which is the same size I use for the other Pegasus shoes and have done with all Nike shoes for years. Given the high stack on the Pegasus Premium it isn’t a surprise that it’s a heavy shoe — at 11.6oz in a men’s size 10 it’s over an ounce heavier than the Pegasus 41, and 2.5oz heavier than the Pegasus Plus in my size.

Upper

The Pegasus Premium has an engineered mesh upper with plenty of padding around the collar. The tongue is also well padded, which increases the step-in comfort of the shoe but might make it feel a little hot if running in warm conditions. It was breathable enough for my use in the UK winter though, and overall I found the upper comfortable throughout my testing, with no rubbing or hot spots.

Midsole

Nike has thrown everything at the midsole of the Pegasus Premium, which contains three different materials. The top layer is ZoomX foam, which is the springy, lightweight material used in the Nike Alphafly 3 and Vaporfly 3 racing shoes.

Then you have a full-length Air Zoom unit, which is the main innovation in the Pegasus Premium. Nike has used Air Zoom pods in other running shoes for years, but this is the first time a full-length unit has been put into a shoe, and it delivers a highly-responsive ride feel with the Pegasus Premium.

Underneath the Air Zoom unit there is a layer of ReactX foam running from the heel to the midfoot of the Pegasus Premium. This is likely there to protect the softer foams above and add some more stability to the shoe, which is needed because the high stack and narrow midfoot on the Pegasus Premium does compromise its stability.

Outsole

There is a long cutout on the bottom of the Pegasus Premium which shows off the Air Zoom unit, but the key impact zones on the shoe are covered with a layer of rubber. During my runs in wet conditions the shoe has gripped well, and I don’t expect any problems with the outsole’s durability.

Nike Pegasus Premium review: running performance

I’ve tested all three Nike Pegasus shoes in the current line-up and the Pegasus Plus is a natural step up on the Pegasus 41, with a similar design but a better foam in the midsole that makes it lighter and more responsive.

The Nike Pegasus Premium is, however, something very different to the other two shoes in the Pegasus stable. It’s more akin to max-stack cruisers from other brands like the Hoka Skyward X or Brooks Glycerin Max, and offers a fun and bouncy ride that adds enjoyment to easy runs.

It’s certainly the springiest Nike Pegasus shoe I’ve tried, and it has a lot more foam underfoot than the Pegasus 41 and Pegasus Plus. This is especially noticeable under the forefoot on the run. The Pegasus 41 and Plus sometimes felt a bit flat to me there, and aren’t as comfortable as shoes from other brands with lower drops and higher forefoot stacks, but there’s certainly no lack of comfort with the Pegasus Premium.

All that foam underfoot does come with two considerable drawbacks though. The first is the weight. Even for a high stack shoe, the Pegasus Premium is heavy — it’s much heavier than the Asics Superblast 2, and also weightier than the Hoka Skyward X and Brooks Glycerin Max, and this makes it harder to enjoy faster runs in the Pegasus Premium.

Also, most high-stack cushioned shoes I’ve tested have a wide base to make them more stable, including the Hoka and Brooks shoes mentioned above, but this isn’t the case with the Pegasus Premium. It has a narrow pinch-point at the midfoot and I don’t think it’s a stable shoe — even as a neutral runner I could feel my foot rolling inwards sometimes.

If Nike had made the shoe wider it would have been even heavier, so the Pegasus Premium might be stuck between a rock and hard place on that front. If you’re a neutral runner and running on flat surfaces then the instability shouldn’t be a problem, but if you need any extra support then I’d probably avoid the Pegasus Premium.

Should you buy the Nike Pegasus Premium?

While the Nike Pegasus Premium is a fun shoe and I’m interested to see where Nike takes the Air Zoom tech in its midsole next, it’s not one I recommend to most runners. The combination of the high price, heavy design and instability mean that there are better options available, so unless you really love the look of the shoe and want to use it for general use as well as running, I’d look elsewhere.

The Asics Superblast 2 is the most versatile max-stack shoe I’ve tried, and brilliant for easy, hard, short and long runs alike, while the Hoka Skyward X offers a bouncy, enjoyable ride for easy runs while being more stable than the Nike Pegasus Premium.

Within Nike’s own range the Pegasus Plus is a more versatile daily trainer, if less comfortable, while the Nike Zoom Fly 6 is a fantastic plated super-trainer I love doing all types of run in. The standard Pegasus 41 is a better option for new runners thanks to its stable and protective design, and relatively low price.

Early models of the Nike Zoom Fly set the template for what a plated training shoe looked like, with designs that offered most of the speed of the best carbon plate running shoes but more durability and comfort for everyday use.

The past couple of Zoom Fly shoes have been disappointing, however, being heavy and lacking the bounce you expect from a super-trainer. Fortunately, the Nike Zoom Fly 6 is a huge improvement and one of the best running shoes I’ve tested in 2024 thanks to its comfortable and versatile ride.

I’ve run over 70 miles in the shoe and in my Nike Zoom Fly 6 review I’ll explain why I think it’s one of the best Nike running shoes launched in years, and how it compares with other top plated trainers like the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 and Hoka Mach X2.

Nike Zoom Fly 6 review: price and availability

The Nike Zoom Fly 6 launched in November 2024 and costs $170 in the U.S. and £155 in the U.K., which is good value for a super-trainer given that similar shoes from other brands now often cost close to or more than $200. It’s also cheaper than the Nike Pegasus Plus, and significantly more affordable than Nike’s carbon plate racing shoes, the Vaporfly 3 and Alphafly 3.

Nike Zoom Fly 6 review: design and fit

The Nike Zoom Fly 6 is currently available in four colors, including the white and grape color I tested. The shoe is only available in one width, but doesn’t have a very narrow fit in my experience. I used my usual size and while it’s slightly tighter around the toes than some Nike shoes, I’d stick to your normal running shoe size with the Zoom Fly 6.

Nike increased the stack height on the Zoom Fly 6 compared with the Zoom Fly 5, with the new shoe being 42mm high at the heel and 34mm at the forefoot for an 8mm drop, but the weight has actually dropped considerably. The Zoom Fly 6 is 9.4oz in my men’s size 10, whereas the Zoom Fly 5 was over 11oz in my size.

Upper

The Zoom Fly 6 has a dual-layer woven mesh upper that has more padding around the heel and tongue than you’d get on a full racing shoe like the Vaporfly, in order to make the Zoom Fly 6 more comfortable to use for regular training.

I found the fit and upper on the Zoom Fly 6 to be exceptionally comfortable for a fast training shoe, and it makes it more suitable for easy and long runs as well as fast sessions. The comfort you get helps the Zoom Fly 6 stand out from other plated trainers like the Hoka Mach X2, which has a thin upper that makes it lighter, but also less comfortable than the Zoom Fly 6.

Midsole

The Nike Zoom Fly 6 has a dual-density midsole with a top layer made from ZoomX foam — which is the lightest and bounciest in Nike’s range — and a bottom layer made from SR-02 foam, which is a firmer material used to increase the stability and durability of the shoe.

Unlike the Zoom Fly 5, the Zoom Fly 6 uses fresh ZoomX foam, rather than the recycled material on the 5, and this delivers a much bouncier and more responsive ride. A full-length carbon plate adds more propulsion, but it’s a more flexible plate than the ones on the Vaporfly or Alphafly racers, which means the Zoom Fly 6 is more comfortable for everyday use.

Outsole

To reduce the weight of the shoe Nike has used rubber quite sparingly on the outsole of the Zoom Fly 6, but the forefoot is covered, along with most of the heel, and I’ve had no problems with grip during my testing. The rubber also shows no signs of wear and tear after 70 miles.

There is a cutout in the middle of the outsole that helps to reduce weight and shows off the carbon plate in the midsole. This can accumulate dirt if you take the shoe off-road, but it didn’t pick up stones when I ran on a canal towpath with some gravel sections.

Nike Zoom Fly 6 review: running performance

I’ve tested every generation of the Nike Zoom Fly, and I rated the first two versions of the shoe highly as fast training shoes you could also race in if you didn’t want to splash out on an expensive super-shoe like the Vaporfly.

The last three versions of the shoe have become heavier and less impressive, but the Zoom Fly 6 is a sparkling return to form thanks to Nike improving the materials in the midsole and making the shoe lighter overall.

I did most of my key training runs in the last couple of weeks of a marathon training block in the shoe, including 10 x 1 miles reps at the track, a tempo 90-minute run where I went through the half marathon mark in 1hr 15mins, and a couple of easy to steady progression runs.

Every run I’ve done in the shoe has been a joy. It’s bouncy, if not as squishy and soft as the Nike Alphalfy 3, which has a full ZoomX midsole. And it feels particularly good for locking in on a fast pace and holding it for long distances.

The Zoom Fly 6 is also surprisingly comfortable when running at easy paces, unlike some plated shoes which feel like they’re pushing you to run faster, and I found it to be quite stable for a high-stack shoe as well.

The only time the Zoom Fly 6 felt a little too big and heavy for me compared to lighter plated trainers or racing shoes was in the last few reps of the 10 x 1 mile workout, when I’d have rather been in a nimbler shoe. You can do that kind of session in the Zoom Fly 6, but it impressed me more when doing tempo runs or longer reps, and if looking at racing in the shoe it would be better for half marathons or marathons than 5K and 10K events.

Should you buy the Nike Zoom Fly 6?

If you want a comfortable but fast plated training shoe that can handle the majority of your training runs, and even stand in for a super-shoe on race day, the Nike Zoom Fly 6 is one of the best you can get.

My top picks in this category have been the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 and Hoka Mach X2, which are a little lighter and faster than the Nike shoe for shorter workouts and races, but the Zoom Fly 6 is more comfortable for easy and long runs, and still fast. The Mach X2 is my favorite of the trio overall, but it does have a riskier fit because of its lightweight upper, and can rub around the heel in particular.

Within the Nike range you could look at the Pegasus Plus as a plate-free trainer that is also versatile, though it’s not as fast or as comfortable as the Zoom Fly 6 for me. The Nike Pegasus 41 is a cheaper option that’s comfortable, durable and a good pick for easy runs, but doesn’t have the speed of the Zoom Fly 6.

The Nike Pegasus has long been a favorite at Tom’s Guide, and for good reason. In our guide to the best running shoes, the Pegasus 41 earned the title of best Nike running shoe and secured the number two spot overall. Now, Strava’s 2024 Year in Sport Trend Report has crowned the Nike Pegasus as the most popular running shoe among its users.

Strava’s findings are based on what gear Strava users have been listing in their activities this year, and the Nike Pegasus came out trumps for top recorded running shoe. The report doesn’t specify which model from the Pegasus line is most popular, but the series has earned a longstanding reputation as a reliable workhorse.

Seeing as we witnessed the Nike Pegasus 41 come out this year, I’m going to focus on this model and share my thoughts on why I think it’s such a popular running shoe.

Why the Pegasus wins

Nike's global reputation as a leading athletic brand undoubtedly plays a role in its popularity, and the Pegasus line is one of its longest-running and most successful series. Since its debut in 1983, Nike has consistently worked on improving the Pegasus.

The Pegasus 41, which is the latest version of the shoe, demonstrates this evolution with its lightweight engineered mesh upper for breathability and secure fit, a React foam midsole that delivers a responsive and cushioned ride, and a durable rubber outsole designed for reliable traction across various surfaces.

It's an extremely versatile and reliable running shoe

The Nike Pegasus 41 is the kind of running shoe that caters to a wide range of runners. Whether you’re a beginner lacing up for your first 5K, a seasoned marathoner, or someone simply logging daily miles to keep fit, this shoe delivers.

The midsole features Nike’s ReactX foam, which is softer and offers greater energy return than its predecessor's React foam. Additionally, the two Air Zoom pods embedded within the ReactX foam (one under the heel and one under the forefoot) enhance the responsiveness of the shoe. This helps create a lightweight feel that caters to both steady-paced training runs and faster efforts.

Meanwhile, the outsole, with its thick layer of rubber and Nike’s signature waffle pattern, provides reliable traction on wet pavements and light trails.

It's an affordable daily trainer

While high-performance running shoes can command premium prices, the Pegasus 41 finds the sweet spot between quality and affordability. Priced at $140 when not on sale, it’s more budget-friendly than some of its daily trainer rivals like the the New Balance 1080v13 ($165) and the Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 ($160).

In my role testing shoes, I always strive to consider people’s budgets when recommending a pair, alongside their running habits and goals. The Pegasus stands out as an easy choice for runners seeking a reliable daily trainer that performs well across a variety of runs and doesn't break the bank.

More from Tom's Guide

• The best Nike running shoes in 2024
• How to adjust your Strava privacy settings
• How to buy running shoes, including your first pair

There's nothing quite like the feeling of putting on your self-lacing Nike shoes that you spent $350 on and just knowing they work. The app provides all the custom adjustments you need via Bluetooth, and everything is excellent. That is until Nike reveals it's doing away with the app from Google Play and Apple's App Store. 

Nike explained the details on its support site regarding the Adapt BB sneakers and their companion Adapt app being discontinued. "After five years, we're retiring the Adapt App and removing it from the Apple and Android app stores, globally, on August 6, 2024," reads the support post.

"Don't worry, your Adapt shoes will continue to work without the app." the company continues. However, Nike says that it is "no longer creating new versions of Adapt shoes”

The shoes have plenty of functionality directly on them, which will continue to work as before. But the "smart" part was the ability to connect to a phone via Bluetooth and control everything there. Thankfully, according to Nike's FAQ, at least some form of that will continue to work as long as users have the app on their phones before August 6.

"If you already have the Adapt App installed, it should continue functioning. You'll still be able to enjoy changing lights, lacing your shoes, setting personalized fits, gesture detection, and smart commands," explains Nike.

There are some drawbacks, though. Nike said users won't be able to move the functionality to a new phone, so the Adapt app will be gone if they upgrade or something happens to their existing phone. 

Lighting, one of the core functions of the shoe, will stop working without the app. Nike says, "Your shoes will keep the light pack you selected last. If you didn't install the app, light will be the default color" once the user can no longer access the app. I guess sneaker owners need to be careful which light pattern they select before switching phones or deleting the app, as that's the one they'll be stuck with.

The support page provided a list of the functions that will work without the app: Power On, Check Battery Status, Adjust Your Fit, Save Your Fit, Unlace Shoes and Power Off. 

While it's good that shoes will retain some of their core functionality, losing phone connectivity is a big deal, and it paints a grim picture of the future of smart clothing. These were an expensive pair of shoes, and much of the reason they cost so much is going away, which is bad news for buyers of the current shoes and people who might use this to avoid the next big thing in smart footwear or apparel. 

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Strava is one of the most popular running apps, with more than 120 million users worldwide. As in years past, the app has released its ‘Year in Sport’ report, which looks at fitness trends across Strava’s users. The data analyzes activity uploads on Strava and answers taken from a report shared with Strava users. 

Running saw the highest number of uploads in 2023, followed by cycling and walking. But whether you’re training for a marathon, or a 5K, finding a pair of the best running shoes is essential. We’ve rounded up our top picks and found the best running shoes for women, the best Nike running shoes, and the best carbon fiber running shoes for race day, but read on to find out which shoes were the most popular with runners on Strava in 2023. 

According to new data, these were the most popular running shoes to buy in 2023:

Looking for the most popular running shoes on the market? According to users on Strava who tag their shoes to uploads, the running shoes with the biggest following are:

Hoka Clifton

The Hoka Clifton is a popular neutral running shoe. We’re currently on the 9th iteration of the neutral shoe, which comes in two different widths to suit runners with wider feet. The Clifton 9 is lighter and snappier than the Clifton 8 and is a reliable shoe for easy miles. Clifton fans will still love this, but if you’re new to the line, and want a comfortable running shoe that’ll get you around your first 5K, or your next marathon training long run with ease, this is one to consider. 

Read our full Hoka Clifton 9 review here to find out more. 

Nike Pegasus

Again, the Nike Pegasus is a fantastic neutral running shoe, best suited to easy miles. The current model on the market, the Nike Pegasus 40, is no exception. It’s important to note, this shoe is still, by no means ‘pillowy’ (if you’re after a super-cushioned ride, scroll down to the Nike Invincible Run 3); it’s still got that somewhat firmer snap the Pegasus has always had. It’ll get you around a marathon, or a 5K with ease and will perform well mile after mile. The 10mm drop is good for runners who don’t want to feel the pavement beneath their feet, but equally don't want a huge wedge of foam between them and the road. 

All in all, this is a brilliant shoe for the runner who only wants one pair of shoes in his or her closet. It's also our favorite version of the Pegasus yet. If you're on a budget, now is a good time to snap up a pair of the Nike Pegasus 39, as they are likely to be on sale now the newer shoes have been released. 

Read our full Nike Pegasus 40 review here to find out more. 

Brooks Ghost

Last, but by no means least, is the Brooks Ghost line, which was one of the most popular running shoes with female runners on Strava. The Brooks Ghost is one of the brand’s best-selling running shoes and is now on its 15th iteration. It’s an excellent beginner running shoe, with a soft, safe feel underfoot, and a relatively firm ride. With the Brooks Ghost 15, the brand has added its new DNA Loft v2 midsole foam and tweaked the upper to make it more comfortable and supportive. 

Read our Brooks Ghost 15 review here to find out more. 

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Buying one of the best Apple Watch bands and straps can help you make the most of your Apple Watch — take it from someone who has tried dozens of different straps over the years. No matter which Apple Watch model you have, changing the band or straps can make your smartwatch look more sporty, fashionable or contemporary. The best part? You can switch the style as often as you like.

While some of the best Apple Watch bands I recommend come directly from Apple, there are lots of third-party options available at affordable prices, too. There are Apple Watch bands for women and Apple Watch bands for men — anyone can find the right Apple Watch band for them, and that's what makes the Apple Watch the best smartwatch you can buy.

Because the band can change the look of the Apple Watch, there are sport bands, leather bands, metal bands and rugged Apple Watch bands to consider. Here are all the best Apple Watch bands you can get, tested and rated based on material, comfort, appearance, durability and value.

Sport bands

For a sporty Apple Watch strap that’s not made of silicone, the Apple Sport Loop is the best nylon Apple Watch band. The watchband comes in several two-tone finishes, which Apple regularly updates based on the season. It is made from double-layer nylon with dense loops on the skin side to allow for soft cushioning. The other side is made for durability, and taking a beating.

With help from the hook-and-loop fastener, you should be able to get this band to fit your wrist with ease. We found the Velcro lasted a long time, even with frequent sports and activity. But given the woven material, we discovered the Sport Loop needs to be cleaned more often than silicone. While it somewhat wicks sweat away, it’ll get soaked in a shower (or in our case, when we do the dishes.)

More often than not, when you buy an Apple Watch, the Apple Sport Band is the default, included strap. It’s perhaps the most recognizable of all the best Apple Watch bands we tested, made of an ultra-durable fluoroelastomer material that feels highly substantial compared to regular silicone. We’ve never seen a Sport Band break in all our years of wearing an Apple Watch.

The design is rather basic, though Apple sometimes offers seasonal colors to help shake up the strap’s style. This is a favorite one to collect in multiple finishes and swap out to match your outfit. And while we like the secure, yet discrete pin-and-tuck closure, we have a harder time putting this strap on than many others. It's a similar experience to putting on a bracelet or traditional wrist watch one-handed. But as long as you’re a bit patient, it shouldn’t be a deal-breaker.

Plus, with the launch of the Apple Watch 11, Apple released the sport band in three new colorways to suit every style.

Nike makes the best Apple Watch bands for athletes who love a brand-name. The Nike Sport Band features a blatantly sports-focused design; it's made from fluoroelastomer, which is designed to hold up during intensive activity. The strap is lined with perforations, making this by far the most breathable Apple Watch band on this list.

As you might expect, this band is also water-resistant, so it’s a good choice for swimming or other water sports. Plus, it's smooth enough that it won't be a nuisance while it's on your wrist, while the pin-and-tuck closure (like the one on the basic Apple Sport Band) holds the strap secure. Long story short, this is the Apple Watch band we recommend to those who use their wearable primarily for working out. How else are you going to close those Apple Watch rings?

Any runner will know that when you run, your wrists swell, particularly during the summer, and having to constantly adjust your watch strap at mile 10 of your training run is not ideal. Tom's Guide's fitness editor, Jane McGuire, swears by the Nike Sport Loop for her Apple Watch Series 10, as it's easy to adjust on the go, and it looks beautiful.

Compared to Apple's Sport Loop, you get more design choices from Nike, with five different colors to choose from (Jane is using the Starlight/Pink model in the photo above). The bands are made from nylon waste materials from Nike's past season, so this one is good for the planet too.

On the run, it never leaves you feeling overly soggy, and we've worn this strap for miles without it going stinky. The only downside is, like any light colored band, this one does look grubby after a while, so if you're fussy, opt for a darker color.

Leather bands

Several of the best leather watch bands for the Apple Watch deliver a high-end look, but not always at the best possible value. The Marge Plus Genuine Leather has been one of our favorite Apple Watch bands for several years now because it provides a genuine leather option without needing you to empty your wallet. For under $20, it’s the ultimate bargain.

Made from premium-feeling leather, this band can accommodate most wrist sizes and it's available in 13 colors, from brown and red to pink and teal. There are even multiple options of the same color with different metal clasps, if you want to match your Apple Watch finish. We wouldn’t wear the Marge Plus Genuine Leather band for physical activities, since it absorbs sweat and could deteriorate over time. But look no further for a professional, yet affordable, leather band.

The Nomad Modern Band is perhaps the most purposeful leather Apple Watch band we’ve tested. By that we mean we noticed a deep attention to detail, from the trimming to the shape of the adjustment holes to the subtle indents on the free and fixed loops. We surprisingly like the lack of stitching — it makes for a very modern look, which the Nomad brand is well-known for.

Yet as other Nomad leather products, the Modern Band is subject to patina, or changing color due to oxidation, over time. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, some people might love achieving a one-of-a-kind look. But it’s important to know beforehand, so you’re not confused if the material appears different after a bit of wear. The band comes in brown and black leather options, with the choice of black or silver hardware.

Apple has a long-time collaborative relationship with Hermès on a handful of designer-quality Apple Watch bands. The most recognizable band is the double-wrap Attelage Double Tour, and it’s gorgeous — though very expensive. Popular phone case brand Casetify sells an affordable alternative for those wishing their Apple Watch looked more fashionable. It’s still not Hermès, but it’s the best lookalike we’ve found.

Wrapped twice around our wrist, the stylish Casetify 2-in-1 Italian Leather Watch Band is a total conversation starter. When you want something simpler, an additional attachment turns the strap into a more traditional single-wrap band. This versatility is a major advantage. We found Casetify’s leather a little rigid at first, but after a few days of wear it felt comfortable enough to wear from a long day in the office to a fun night out.

Metal bands

The Apple Milanese Loop has been around for many years now, but remains a modern classic in terms of design. The stainless steel mesh, available in several metallic colors, delivers an elevated look to the Apple Watch that can’t be found with the basic sport bands that come in the box. Better yet, the material melded to our wrist better than perhaps all the best Apple Watch bands on this list.

We also like how simple it is to take the Apple Milanese Loop on and off. The magnetic closure is not only adjustable but surprisingly secure. In fact, the magnets are so strong that they pinched our skin every once in a while, but as long as we were mindful it wasn’t a major issue. Given the combination of style, comfort and ease-of-use, it’s no wonder Apple keeps the Milanese Loop around.

The Milanese Loop might be the best metal Apple Watch band overall, but at $99, it’s not the most affordable. We found the Sonnywoo Metal Stainless Steel Mesh Band the most comparable alternative for under $20, offering a similar look for less. The most obvious difference is that this band’s loop buckle is placed in the middle of the strap, instead of concealed where the strap attaches to the Apple Watch like you’ll see on the Milanese Loop.

As a bonus, it comes in multiple metallic color options, striking a balance of sleek and fun; however, we noticed the colors are subject to chip or fade over time. This is the trade-off for the low price, so we wouldn’t recommend it for working out or rugged activities. We’d consider it a fashion-only strap.

The Fullmosa Stainless Steel Apple Watch Band is the best Apple Watch band for anyone who wants their Apple Watch to look more like a traditional wristwatch. It comes in a variety of metallic finishes, all of which match existing Apple Watch colors, including silver, black and even red and blue. We found it makes the Apple Watch feel more sophisticated than it would with a sport strap.

Better yet, the Fullmosa Stainless Steel Apple Watch Band comes with a length adjustment kit and spare links, so you can custom-fit the strap to your wrist. It’s simple enough to change, so no need to visit a jeweler. While it’s great for a business meeting or nice dinner out, just note we don’t recommend this band for working out. It gets sticky with sweat or humidity, which could irritate your skin.

Rugged bands

Depending on your regular activities, or even your career, it might be difficult to protect your Apple Watch from damage. That’s when you’d want a protective strap that also features a case for keeping your Apple Watch safe from scratches and other damage, like the Spigen Rugged Armor Pro. Thanks to raised bezels, even if you drop your Apple Watch, the screen should remain intact.

It won’t limit how you use your Apple Watch, either. The Spigen Rugged Armor Pro features precise cutouts for the smartwatch’s speakers, digital crown and side button. Our one problem with this band is that it’s only compatible with 44mm or 45mm Apple Watch sizes, so those with the smaller sizes of the Apple Watch (and those with the Apple Watch 3) can’t benefit from the same protective strap option.

If you want a strap that will last a long time, clean easily and look nice all the while, the Carterjett Tire Tread Apple Watch Band is the best Apple Watch band for you. It features a unique tire tread design that’s equal parts rugged and fashionable. It’s very stretchy, yet substantial when secured to your wrist, which is necessary for anyone who might not be gentle with their devices. Similarly, we found it’s a breeze to clean, whether it’s exposed to dirt, crumbs or even paint.

The Carterjett Tire Tread Apple Watch Band has a buckle clasp and comes in multiple color options, including a fun glow-in-the-dark version. Our only concern is that the free loop (the part that holds the extra length of strap in place) felt fragile compared to the the rest of the band.

The Supcase Rugged Band is the best Apple Watch band for construction work and outdoor sports, given its ultra-rugged and ultra-durable design. We feel it’ll protect the Apple Watch no matter what, from tall drops to tough terrains. The design reminds us the most of a G-Shock, a fan-favorite look for outdoor sport enthusiasts. Because, yes, G-Shock watches are still in style.

There are several thoughtful hardware details included in the Supcase Rugged Band design, including cutouts accommodating the Apple Watch’s buttons and speakers, added padding around the corners of the watch face and raised bezels. We wish it also came in a option for the 40/41mm Apple Watch size, but as long as you have the 44/45mm size watch you can benefit from all this rugged and protective Apple Watch band has to offer.

Apple Watch Ultra bands

The Trail Loop is one of the best Apple Watch Ultra bands, designed specifically for those who plan to spend time running outdoors. It prioritizes comfort with a one of the most lightweight designs we've ever tested. It's also extremely secure, keeping the watch strapped to our wrists even when we're moving fast. When we want it to be a little more snug, a convenient pull tab makes it a breeze to adjust the fit quickly.

Perhaps the only downside of this band is that it'll need to washed often, whether it's due to sweat or other elements you might face. But as long as you care for it, it should last you many miles. It comes in a handful of color options that Apple may refresh with the seasons, as it does for some of its other popular sport bands.

The Alpine Loop for the Apple Watch Ultra is the best band for those who enjoy a variety of land-based outdoor sports. It has a comfortable yet rugged feel, wearing rather comfortably while offering extra security with a titanium G-hook that fits in the this band's row of top loops. If you're going to be hiking, climbing or biking, this is a great choice for ensuring a secure fit.

One setback is that the Alpine Loop can get dirty quickly if you're going to be taking it on adventures where dirt, dust and mud might be involved. As long as you take care of it with cleaning, you shouldn't have a problem, though. We also happen to like the color options currently offered for this band, including the orange one which can be spotted easily in wooded terrain.

While it's a great idea to track water sports with your Apple Watch Ultra, you'll want to make sure you have the best Apple Watch band for the activity first. Otherwise, you could risk your Apple Watch falling off due to extreme conditions of things like water-skiing and diving. Speaking of diving, the Apple Watch Ultra has a plethora of diving features — if you plan to take advantage of those, the Ocean Band is what you'll want to get. (We even worked with an expert on diving with the Apple Watch Ultra.)

The Ocean Band has a secondary clasp that secures through the tubular geometry to provide extra security. It's also designed to fit over most wetsuits, though there is the option to purchase an extension if you have an especially thick suit. We will say this isn't the most comfortable band for everyday use, or overnight wear for sleep-tracking. You might want to reserve the Ocean Band for your activity.

What are the best Apple Watch bands?

How to pick

Bands of different colors and materials come from Apple with a purchase of the Apple Watch 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and Apple Watch SE 3. But you might want to purchase some additional bands from either Apple or third-party brands to grow your collection.

The best Apple Watch band overall for sports, hitting the gym or general everyday wear is the Apple Watch Solo Loop, available from Apple. It’s among the most comfortable Apple Watch bands overall and can be worn in most situations, like using the Apple Watch for hot yoga or playing tennis with the Apple Watch.

When it comes to nicer-looking materials, the Marge Plus Genuine Leather is the best leather Apple Watch band and the Apple Milanese Loop is the best metal or stainless steel Apple Watch band.

If keeping your Apple Watch safe is your top priority, the best Apple Watch band is the Spigen Rugged Armor Pro. This is both a strap and a case for your Apple Watch, meaning it can protect your smartwatch’s screen from scratches, cracks and other possible damage. For more options, see all the best Apple Watch bands below, listed based by material.

Be sure to check our guides on how to change your Apple Watch band and how to use the Apple Watch for more tips.

How we test

We conduct hands-on reviews of all the best Apple Watch bands considered for this list. We call in a number of Apple Watch bands, then wear them for for several days throughout our normal routines. During this time, we test how easy (or not) the bands are to put on and take off, as well as the overall comfort of the bands. This helps us decide whether they’re fine choices for working, or whether they’re simply for style.

The bands that ultimately earned our recommendation had something unique to offer, whether it’s a stylish design, sporty fit or protective casing. We also take in account the price of all the Apple Watch bands we test, in search of best value Apple Watch bands. Sometimes the bands Apple itself sells are the superior choice, but in certain cases we’ve found that budget options from Amazon and like perform just as well at a lower cost.

As the years roll resolutely by, it becomes more and more important to keep an eye on your general health and fitness. Something that’s made much easier with the help of one of the best fitness trackers or best smartwatches.

But which one to choose? I've been a loyal Fitbit user for over 10 years. Then the company forced my hand and now, more often than not, you’ll see an Apple Watch on my wrist when I lace up for a run. And I'll explain why. 

Fitbit was among the first wave of wearable technology companies to offer trackers a decade or so ago. Along with the likes of the Nike Fuelband and Jawbone UP, the Fitbit Flex was the best way to prod us sedentary types into getting our 10,000 steps a day. And while those two rivals gradually fell by the wayside, Fitbit went from strength to strength.

The company moved on from the Flex to the Fitbit Charge to the Fitbit Surge (President Obama had one of these), adding heart-rate, sleep and GPS tracking to its wearables. All run-of-the-mill stuff today, but it was a big deal at the time.

Isn't it ionic...

In 2017, Fitbit launched a device that, in my estimation, was the pinnacle of its product offering: the Fitbit Ionic. It was a beast of a device; the smartwatch equivalent of Tesla’s Cybertruck. It offered everything that I wanted: multi-day battery life, heart-rate and GPS, offline music storage, third-party apps like games and alarms and a stopwatch.

It also helped that Fitbit’s app was clean, fun and compatible with both iOS and Android. There was a community, challenges and goals you could set for yourself and your friends. All was good in the world of Fitbit. But since Google stepped in, things have taken a turn for the worse.

Fitbit was acquired by Google in January 2021 for $2.1 billion. Google insisted it would leave well enough alone, but things haven’t quite panned out that way. There was never a successor to the Ionic (in fact, the model had to be recalled over burn hazard reports) but instead we got a parade of smartwatches that seemed progressively less competent when compared to the rise of the Apple Watch.

I stuck with Fitbit, though. I liked the app and the battery life and interoperability between Apple and Google platforms. But times change. And in Fitbit’s case, it hasn't been for the better Because the company’s products keep losing features rather than gaining them.

Fitbit features: Going, going, gone

Third-party app support was the first to go. Then the latest devices — the Fitbit Sense 2 and Fitbit Versa 4 wearables — were shipped with Wi-Fi support deactivated and no support for local audio playback. Also, at the end of this month (March 27), Fitbit will switch off community features in the Fitbit app like Challenges and Adventures. Virtual Trophies have already been axed.

It seems like a clear push to wean users off Fitbit devices and push them towards the Google Pixel Watch. 

Meanwhile, Apple has consistently improved and upgraded the Apple Watch models year after year: bigger screens, advanced tracking, Fitness+. Eventually, I took the plunge and moved over to Apple’s wearable.

And now when I head out for a run with an Apple Watch Series 8, I’ve got the same feeling I had with the Ionic years ago. A capable, easy-to-use device with all the functionality I could need built into a software platform that lets me get as granular as I want when it comes to my health.

I want to be able to leave my phone at home when I’m running, cycling or hiking, but I still need capable GPS and offline music/podcast playback. The Apple Watch has that as well as the added security blanket of features like Fall Detection and Emergency SOS. And while I’ve got no idea what future Fitbit updates will look like, I can be reasonably confident Apple will keep its cadence when it comes to improving the Apple Watch. Just look at the Apple Watch Ultra.

Forging ahead with Apple Watch

There are still some things I miss about Fitbit, sure. I don’t like being locked in to Apple’s ecosystem and I still prefer Fitbit’s sleep tracking and the battery life on some of its mid-range fitness trackers. But ultimately, as I said, times change. And Fitbit hasn’t been able to keep pace with Apple.

Whether or not I’ll ever return to Fitbit remains to be seen. More than likely, I’ll end up on a future Pixel Watch model. If you needed further proof of what lies ahead for Fitbit, Google has announced that all existing Fitbit accounts will be migrated to Google accounts by 2025.

In the meantime, perhaps I’ll dust off my trusty Charge 4 for a few more miles before next Monday, when my Fitbit Adventures will come to an abrupt end.

More from Tom's Guide

• I ditched my Apple Watch for the Pixel Watch and no, I’m not crazy
• The best Apple Watch in 2023
• The Apple Watch just saved a man's life — here's how

Can a pair of carbon-fiber supershoes really turn you into a faster runner?

I'm currently training for the London Marathon; it's been 10 years since I've run a marathon, and a lot has changed since then. For one thing, I'm a lot older, and, thanks to my general lack of running the past five years, I'm a good deal slower, too. 

But there's been a revolution in running shoes, thanks to the introduction of carbon fiber plates, which literally put a spring in your step as you run. Carbon fiber running shoes are a must-have among elite athletes. But how would they work for an average joe like me? To find out, I ran in the Under Armour Flow Velociti Elite, the company's first pair of carbon fiber shoes, which will be released on April 13.

The Velociti Elite debuted last year, and were worn by Sharon Lokedi when she won the 2022 NYC Marathon. Surely, these $250 shoes could help me too, right?

I ran for about 20 miles so far in the Velociti Elite — two short runs followed by a 13-mile run — and compared them with the Under Armour Charged Gemini and the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39s, both of which cost around $100, but are some of the best running shoes around. Here's what I found.

I'm faster (I think)

I'm not going to set any course record — at my best, I finished a marathon in 3 hours and 52 minutes — but I definitely felt faster when wearing the Velociti Elites. My stats would seem to back that up; on my short runs of about 3 miles, I averaged around a 9-minute mile, versus 9:24 when wearing the Under Armour Charged Gemini (the company's $100 all-around running shoe).

However, on my 13-mile run, my average pace wearing the Velociti Elite was 10:19, not that much different from the 10:24 pace I had the previous week when I ran 11 miles in another running shoe.

I then went to the track, and ran a mile each wearing the Velociti Elite, the Under Armour Charged Gemini Running shoes, and the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39, which is currently at the top of our list of the best running shoes. When I looked at the results from my Garmin Epix 2 watch, I found that I ran each mile at almost exactly the same pace: 8:25. I did notice that my cadence was slightly faster when wearing the Velociti Elites, though. 

My toes were colder (at first)

In order to shave their weight (my size 12 models weigh 9.3 ounces, compared to 10.95 for the Nike Pegasus 39 and 11.6 ounces for the UA Charged Gemini), the Velociti Elite uses some pretty thin material. How thin? I can read the writing on my socks through the top of the shoe. In the picture above, you can see the light shining through the side of the shoe.

The first time I stepped out on a cold winter's day, I definitely noticed the difference when the wind cut right through, chilling my toes. However, once I had a mile or two under my belt, my feet warmed up, and I didn't notice the cold.

Still, the thin uppers on the Velociti Elite also made me much more conscious about avoiding puddles; I didn't test it, but it looks like any splash of water would go right through to my feet.

I'm not working as hard

The Velociti Elite's carbon fiber plates create a funny sensation when you're running; I felt as if the shoes caused my heels to "pop" off the ground, which made it feel like I had to put less effort into lifting my legs than with other running shoes. 

It definitely made it feel like the shoes were doing a lot more work than other running shoes, and as a result, made it easier for me to move along at a faster pace without working as hard. 

I have to be more careful on corners

Common to many carbon-fiber shoes, the Veloci Elite aren't as stable as other running shoes. I found my ankles rolling a bit more, especially when running around corners, or trying to make a sharp turn.

The lack of ankle support also showed up when I was running along the side of a road; if the road has a camber (meaning, it's highest in the middle, and curves down toward each curb), you'll have more trouble keeping your ankles straight if you're running along the side of the road.

They're not as effective on hills

When going up hills, I found that, because my heel wasn't pressing as hard against the pavement as when I was on level terrain, I wasn't getting the same effect from the Velociti Elite's carbon fiber plate. There wasn't that same bouncy return in my heel. 

That being said, I did notice some benefit compared with the other running shoes; hills did seem a bit easier in general. 

Under Armour Flow Velociti Elite: Overall impressions

I'm still finalizing my review of the Under Armour Flow Velociti Elite, but overall, I'm pretty impressed with the shoe. My times may not seem like I'm running faster, but I certainly feel like I am. These shoes definitely put a spring in your step that lets you run with less effort. 

While an average runner like myself probably won't get as much benefit out of the Velociti Elite as someone with a Boston marathon qualifying speed, I did appreciate their responsiveness as well as their light weight, and look forward to seeing how they feel once the weather gets warmer — and my training miles get longer.

More from Tom's Guide

• I test running shoes for a living and these are the best under $100
• The best strength and conditioning exercises for runners
• The best running apps

When it comes to the best max-cushioned running shoes, it doesn’t get better than the Nike Invincible — it’s a super-comfortable, super-plush running shoe, designed for easy miles on tired legs. Yet as Nike releases the third iteration of the shoe, you might be wondering what’s changed and whether you should shop for the Nike Invincible 2, or the Nike Invincible 3. 

Below, we put the two pairs of running shoes head to head to help you decide which is best for you. Both shoes made it onto our list of the best Nike running shoes, but if you’re not a fan of the Swoosh, you can find a list of the best running shoes here. 

Nike Invincible 2 vs Nike Invincible 3: Price and availability

When launched, both the Invincible 2 and the Invincible 3 cost the same — $180/£170. The Nike Invincible 3 was released on 9 February 2023 online and in stores, and as it’s a new shoe on the market, it’s unlikely to be discounted just yet. The men’s shoe is available in sizes U.S. 6 - U.S. 15 in four different colorways — aqua blue, black/white, white/football grey, and black/dark grey. It is likely Nike will release further colorways at a later date. 

The women’s shoe comes in sizes U.S. 5 - U.S. 12 and also comes in four different colorways — black/gold/pink, pink foam/racer blue, white/blue, and black/dark grey. The shoe only comes in one width but isn’t particularly narrow, so should fit most runners.

As the Nike Invincible 2 is the older shoe, it’s likely to be on sale right now, as is the first iteration of the shoe — the Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit. If you’re on a budget, this is definitely the shoe to shop for. 

Winner: Nike Invincible 2 — although it’s last season's shoe, it’s still a good choice, especially if you’re a neutral runner.

Nike Invincible 2 vs Nike Invincible 3: Design and fit 

Looking at the two shoes side by side, the first thing you’ll notice is that they look slightly different. The Nike Invincible 2 followed the design of the first Invincible running shoe, which had a thick rubber ring of Nike’s plush ZoomX foam around the midsole. Unlike the Invincible 2, the midsole foam seems to be more strategically placed in the Invincible 3. There’s still the same bunion of foam around the ball of the foot, but the rubber-ring design has gone. The heel clip has also changed. Nike says it made the heel clip smaller than the previous iteration and placed it in a more precise location. 

This fit won’t be for everyone — I never had an issue with my heel slipping in the Invincible 2 but found the new heel grip in the Invincible 3 took a bit of getting used to. If like me, you have high arches, you really have to pull the laces tight across your foot to get that locked-in feel in the Invincible 3.  

Talking of the midsole, however, both shoes still use Nike’s ZoomX foam, which is super soft and super-cushioned. It’s the same foam usually reserved for the more expensive super-shoes in the Nike lineup, including the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 2, and the Nike ZoomX Alphafly Next% 2. The Invincible 3 has slightly more ZoomX foam than the Invincible 2, but you don’t really notice this difference underfoot. Both shoes have no Strobel lining underneath the insole of the shoe, so your foot sits directly on top of the ZoomX foam, allowing you to really sink into the shoe. 

When comparing the two shoes side by side, you’ll also notice that the upper is different. While they both use Nike’s ‘Flyknit’ upper, the yarn on the Invincible 3 feels a little tougher and more supportive. While the foot splays slightly in the Invincible 2, it’s held in place more in the newer shoe. 

Finally, the ride feels slightly different in the Invincible 3 — it feels more supportive and almost more grown-up. The newer shoe is slightly more stable and this does take away some of the bounce of the first and second iterations of the Invincible. It’s by no means firmer — you’re still running on the same plush, cushioned foam, but I found the arch support and the tighter upper made the shoe feel a little more protective. Whether this is a good thing or not depends on your running style — if you loved the feel of the previous iterations of the Invincible, but found it a little unstable, you’ll love the Invincible 3. That said if you’re a neutral runner, you might find the support isn’t needed, and almost gets in the way. 

Verdict: This is a tough one, but I personally preferred the underfoot feel of the Nike Invincible 2. While the Invincible 3 will definitely be better suited to a wider range of runners, I miss the freedom of the Invincible 2. The Invincible 3 is still a super-fun, super-enjoyable shoe to run in. It feels sleeker than the Invincible 2, and if you’ve never run in the Invincible line before, you’re bound to love the soft, bouncy ride.  

Nike Invincible 2 vs Nike Invincible 3: Which should you buy? 

Both of these running shoes are excellent choices if you’re looking for a max-cushioned shoe to wear on easy days. Both the Nike Invincible 2 and the Nike Invincible 3 are super plush and comfortable, and most importantly, fun to run in, whether you’re a complete beginner, or you’re training for your next marathon. If you’re looking for a shoe that’ll make you want to go for a run on days you just don’t feel like running, both of these will do just that. 

That said, Nike has made some big changes and the Invincible 3 does feel different to the Invincible 2. If you’re a runner who tends to over-pronate in the final miles of a race or long run, the Invincible 3 is more structured and more supportive, so is probably the better shoe to shop. If you’re a neutral runner, looking for a fun shoe to wear on easy days, save your money and buy the Invincible 2.

When you look at the podium of any major marathon over the past few years, chances are the smiling elite runner will have a pair of the Nike Vaporfly Next% on his or her feet. The original super shoe, the Nike Vaporfly 4% broke the mold six years ago, and fast forward a few years the Nike Vaporfly Next% 2 has been wildly popular with elite athletes and amateur marathon runners alike. But it’s about to receive an update, as Nike’s super shoe gets lighter, and faster.

The Nike Vaporfly Next% 3 is due to drop this March. Here’s everything you need to know about the shoe: 

Nike Vaporfly Next% 3: Price and release date

The Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 3 (we’ll call it the Vaporfly Next% 3 in this article), is due to go on sale on March 6 in a ‘prototype’ white colorway, although there will be more colorways to come. The shoe will cost $250/£225, which is the same price as the Vaporfly Next% 2 when it launched in March 2021. 

Like all of Nike’s super shoes, it’s likely to be hard to get hold of for the first few months. Normally Nike shoes go on sale to members beforehand, so now’s a good time to sign up if you haven’t already. 

If you are on a budget, now is a good time to buy the Nike Vaporfly Next% 2, which is likely to be on sale now the newer shoe has dropped. 

Nike Vaporfly Next% 3: What’s new?

We’re yet to get our hands on the Vaporfly Next% 3 (watch this space), but from the looks of things, the main differences to the shoe are structural, in an attempt to make the shoe lighter. Nike claims the shoe has more energy return than ever before too, but we’re yet to test whether that is indeed the case. 

The shoe has a new, reshaped midsole, with triangular chunks cut out of the side of the midsole, and the heel. This is likely to cut down on the weight of the shoe — the Vaporfly Next% 3 is reportedly 198g (6.98 oz) for a men’s US 10, compared to the Vaporfly Next% 2, which weighed 215.7g (7.53 oz). While 17g (0.6 oz) might not be all that noticeable for the majority of runners, these are designed for some of the fastest runners on the planet, where every ounce makes a difference. 

The upper is also a lot thinner than the Next% Vaporfly 2, and indeed the original Vaporfly, which had an almost plastic-feeling upper. The Flyknit yarn looks to be see-through, and again, super lightweight — more like the upper on the Saucony Endorphin Pro 3. 

One of the main complaints with the original Vaporfly and the Vaporly Next% 2 was that it was a little unstable around corners, especially when running fast — which is what the shoe is designed to do. The midsole foam appears to be covered in small ridges, which Nike says is to rectify these stability issues, saying, “The engine of the Vaporfly 3 remains the same, with the propulsive feel runners love from the pairing of a full-length carbon fiber Flyplate and ZoomX midsole. The Vaporfly 3’s reductive midsole geometry features a convex shape around the forefoot, providing a comfortable and stable ride throughout your transition with Nike’s most resilient foam.” 

While we're yet to run in the Vaporfly 3, we got hands-on with the shoe at a Nike event in February. The shoe felt pretty similar to the Vaporfly 2, however, it now has chunks cut out of the midsole. The upper feels pretty tough, yet also lightweight, similar to the Flyknit we saw on the Alphafly and Alphafly Next% 2. 

We’ll be updating this page with a full Vaporfly 3 review once we have our hands (and feet) on a pair of the Vaporfly Next% 3. A lot has changed in the past six years, and pretty much every running brand out there has designed a carbon fiber running shoe to take on the Vaporfly, so whether Nike still reaches the top spot on the podium remains to be seen. 

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again — if you sent me to a desert island and only let me pick one shoe to take with me, it would be the Nike Invincible. 

When it comes to max cushioned running shoes, it doesn’t get plusher than the Nike Invincible line. Now on its third iteration, this comfortable, bouncy shoe has a huge wedge of Nike’s bouncy ZoomX foam for one of the pillowyest running experiences ever. 

Nike has made some tweaks to its maximum-cushioned shoe from previous generations. It’s a little more supportive, and a little more grown up from the past two versions, which I’ve always described as thick rubber rings of foam around your feet. It’s higher, wider, and heavier than ever before, and the changes between the Nike Invincible Run 2 and the Invincible Run 3 are definitely more noticeable underfoot. 

But how does the Nike Invincible 3 stack up against the best running shoes and the best Nike running shoes on the market? I’ve run about 50 miles in the Nike Invincible 3 over a mix of terrains and during a mix of sessions — from long, easy miles, to faster tempo miles. Read my Nike Invincible 3 review below to find out more. 

Nike Invincible 3 review: Price and availability

The Nike Invincible 3 was released on 9 February 2023 online and in stores, as well as at third-party retailers like SportsShoes. It costs $180/£170 and comes in men’s and women’s sizing. The men’s shoe is available in sizes U.S. 6 - U.S. 15 in four different colorways — aqua blue, black/white, white/football grey, and black/dark grey. It is likely Nike will release further colorways at a later date. 

The women’s shoe comes in sizes U.S. 5 - U.S. 12 and also comes in four different colorways — black/gold/pink, pink foam/racer blue, white/blue, and black/dark grey. The shoe only comes in one width but isn’t particularly narrow, so should fit most runners. As always, it’s worth sizing up from your regular shoes. Confused? Read our how to buy running shoes guide here. 

If you’re on a budget, now is a good time to buy the first or second versions of the shoe, as they are both likely to be discounted now the new shoe has dropped.

Nike Invincible 3 review: Design and fit  

Fit-wise, the Invincible 3 is similar in length to the Invincible 2 — there’s still the same wide, roomy toe-box, although the upper and the heel grip in the shoe has changed slightly (more on that below). I’d still recommend buying your usual size in Nike and sizing up at least half a size from your everyday shoes. 

Upper 

The upper on the Nike Invincible 3 is much firmer than the knit upper of the previous generations. I never had any issues with my foot slipping in the previous iterations of the shoe, but agree that both the original Nike Invincible and the Nike Invincible 2 felt more relaxed, and splayed out underfoot. The tougher upper on the Invincible 3 is tighter around the foot, holding it in place over the thick wedge of foam.

With the Invincible 3, Nike appears to have shifted slightly away from all the cushioning and comfort to something a little sleeker and more supportive. There’s still padding around the collar of the shoe, but it’s less exaggerated. The laces have also shifted to a flatter, wider lace. The tongue remains padded and plush across the top of the foot. 

Midsole 

The midsole contains more of Nike’s ZoomX foam than ever. The Invincible 3 has a higher stack height than the previous versions too, as Nike has packed 1mm more foam underfoot. The magic of this shoe lies in the ZoomX midsole, which is extremely cushioned. Unlike most of the best running shoes on the market, there’s no Strobel lining underneath the insole of the shoe, so your foot is sitting directly on top of the ZoomX foam, allowing you to really sink into the shoe. 

As with previous generations of the Invincible, the ZoomX foam, paired with the rocker geometry, makes for a super comfortable run. Until the Invincible, Nike’s ZoomX midsole was reserved for the faster shoes in its collection, such as the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 2, and the Nike Alphafly Next% 2. Both of these speedier shoes have carbon fiber plates, and without the plate, the foam seems to take on a different meaning in the Invincible. Instead of propelling the foot forward, the bouncy, responsive foam reduces the impact of each step for a more comfortable run. 

Unlike the Invincible 2, the midsole foam seems to be more strategically placed in the Invincible 3. There’s still the same bunion of foam around the ball of the foot, but the rubber-ring design has gone. The heel clip has also changed. Nike says it made the heel clip smaller than the previous iteration, and placed it in a more precise location. I never had any issues with my heel slipping in previous generations of the shoe, but this heel grip does make the shoe feel different — I found I had to stop and tighten the laces a few times in my first few runs in order to help secure my foot into the shoe. 

Outsole 

The outsole of the Invincible 3 now has slightly more grip, with a waffle rubber design and deeper lugs to over some extra traction on wet concrete pavements. It’s not a huge change, but a welcome one, as one of the drawbacks in the first and second iterations of the shoe was that it slipped on wet pavements. Still, this is a shoe best suited to road running, or very light trails.

Nike Invincible 3 review: Run performance 

I’ll admit, I was nervous when I first saw the Invincible 3 — I’ve been a huge fan of this shoe, and was wondering whether I’d need to start stockpiling the Invincible 2. The changes are definitely more pronounced than the differences between the original Invincible Run Flyknit and Invincible 2. The Invincible 3 feels different underfoot — it’s slightly more stable and supportive, and this does take away some of the bounce. It’s by no means firmer — you’re still running on the same plush, cushioned foam, but I found the arch support and the tighter upper made the shoe feel a little more protective.

Of course, this is by no means a bad thing — I often found by the final miles of my long run in the Invincible 2 I’d need a little more support around the ankle, and the Invincible 3 delivers here. That said, it did take me a few adjustments to get used to the new heel grip — I have high arches, and found my heel kept slipping in the shoe until I really pulled the laces tight. The extra support elements make the Invincible 3 more suitable for a wider range of runners, but if you’re a neutral runner, now’s a good time to save your money and load up on the older version. 

The shoe is still a super-fun, super-enjoyable shoe to run in. It feels sleeker and perhaps more grown-up than previous versions of the shoe, but if you’ve not run in the Invincible or the Invincible 2, you’re bound to love the soft, bouncy ride. Again, it’s best suited to long and easy runs — while it can pick up the pace, there are much lighter shoes on the marker that’ll do so without as much effort. 

Nike Invincible 3 review: Verdict 

This is still the best maximum cushioned running shoe on the market. It’s still super plush and super comfortable, and is a go-to for long and easy running. It’s an excellent choice for beginners and marathon runners alike — if you’re looking for a shoe that’ll let you forget about your run and just enjoy the scenery, this is it.

That said, the smaller heel clip and more supportive fit of the shoe won’t be for everyone, and if you don’t need it, save your money and buy the older version of this shoe. The Nike Invincible 2 is likely to be on sale right now and has a slightly more relaxed design. 

Compared to other max-cushioned running shoes like the Asics Gel Nimbus 25 and the On Cloudmonster, the Nike Invincible 3 is much softer underfoot. It’s still an extremely fun shoe to run in, especially on tired legs, and for that reason, in my eyes, it’s still a must-have in every runner’s rotation. 

The New Balance Fuelcell Supercomp Elite V3 is designed for running fast. It has a full-length carbon fiber plate, Fuelcell foam for a propulsive feel and a rocker geometry to help roll the foot forward as you run.

The Elite V3 is the newer version of the Fuelcell RC, and is New Balance’s long-distance racing shoe in the brand’s Supercomp range. The range also features the Supercomp Trainer, which is a max-cushioned training shoe, and the Supercomp Pacer, which is a flatter shorter distance running shoe. 

But how does it compare to some of the best carbon fibre shoes on the market? To find out more, I’ve been running in the New Balance Fuelcell Supercomp Elite V3 for the past few weeks. I’ve covered around 50 miles in the shoe, over a mix of long runs, tempo runs, and faster sessions on the track. Read my New Balance Fuelcell Supercomp Elite V3 review to find out more. 

New Balance Fuelcell Supercomp Elite V3 review: Price and availability

The New Balance Fuelcell Supercomp Elite V3 costs $229/£220, which is about standard for a carbon fiber racing shoe. For example, the Nike Vaporfly Next% 2 is $250/£230, and the Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 is $225/£210. 

The shoe comes in men’s sizes US 7 - US 14 and women’s sizes US 5 - US 12. The shoe comes in two colorways — white with victory blue, and bright mint with pixel green. New Balance also released a bright red colorway to celebrate the New York City Marathon. 

The shoe is available now from New Balance directly and from other retailers. 

New Balance Fuelcell Supercomp Elite V3 review: Design and fit 

The New Balance Fuelcell Supercomp Elite V3 is designed to go fast — the shoe has a bootie upper, and a two-layer midsole with New Balance’s ‘Energy Arc’ technology (this mainly refers to the carbon fiber plate). It’s a lightweight racer, which shows in the shoe's design. 

When it comes to the fit, it comes up true to size to New Balance. I usually size up in New Balance, as I find the shoes can be a lot smaller than other brands. However, I went for a UK 5 in these shoes, as unlike my everyday running shoes like the New Balance 1080v12, I want racing shoes to fit tight to my foot. I didn’t have an awful lot of room in the toe box on this shoe. if you’re between sizes, I’d always recommend sizing up. Confused? Here’s how running shoes should fit.  

Upper 

The upper of the SC Elite V3 has a bootie style, with one sock-like piece of material wrapping around the foot to keep it secure as you race. It doesn’t have a huge amount of give and is thicker than that used on the Nike Vaporfly, or the Saucony Endorphin Pro 3. I enjoyed the locked-in feel on the shoe and didn’t have any issue with my foot moving, even after a longer 8-mile tempo session on the track. 

The only complaint with the upper is that the collar sits pretty high on the ankle, which can rub a little uncomfortably at first. I found I had to wear a thicker, higher sock with the shoe to prevent this, but it could do with being a couple of millimeters shorter for a more comfortable fit. 

Midsole 

The midsole of this shoe is where the magic happens. The carbon fiber plate sits between two layers of foam, designed to feel soft and springy underfoot. The shoe definitely feels firmer than the Fuelcell RC running shoe, but this isn’t necessarily a bad thing — the Fuelcell RC always felt a little spongey on the run and a little unstable around the corners. While I loved it for training sessions, it didn’t feel responsive enough for me to reach for this shoe on race day. 

That said, it’s by no means too firm — this still has the plushness and cushioning you’d expect from a racing shoe. The 4mm drop feels fast, but if you’re here for a dramatic rocker, you won’t find it here — there’s no aggressive toe spring here, and it feels more relaxed than other carbon fiber racing shoes. 

Outsole 

The outsole of this shoe is definitely designed for concrete. There’s not a massive amount of grip, and what’s there is focused around the heel and toe, with a bit of protection around the cutout to protect the carbon fiber plate. That said, during testing, I wore these shoes on a completely frozen running track, and on wet sidewalks, and didn’t experience any problems with slipping. 

New Balance Fuelcell Supercomp Elite V3 review: Running performance

I enjoyed running in the SC Elite V3, and would go as far as to say this is New Balance’s best carbon fiber running shoe to date. It’s definitely got more pop than the RC Elite and feels much more stable around corners. It’s also similar in feel to the Supercomp Trainer, without the massive (illegal) stack height. It’s a forgiving ride, with enough cushion for long runs. I enjoyed wearing this on the track and found I was able to pick up the pace with ease. 

That said, New Balance still need to do a little more fine-tuning to make me reach for this over say the Vaporfly Next% or the Endorphin Pro 3 for my next marathon. It has a gentler rocker, which makes it feel a little more relaxed than some of the other super shoes on the market. 

New Balance Fuelcell Supercomp Elite V3 review: Verdict 

The New Balance Fuelcell Supercomp Elite V3 is an excellent running shoe and a huge improvement on last year’s version. You could easily run a marathon in this shoe — it’s stable, has a good amount of snap, and feels bouncy underfoot. That said, the upper won’t be for everyone, and the rocker is more relaxed than other carbon fiber shoes on the market. 

If you’re in the market for a shoe to run fast on race day in, the Nike Vaporfly Next% 2 and the Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 are two of the most popular carbon fiber shoes on the market, both around the same price point. 

If you’re looking for a bit more bounce on your long runs, and you’re not planning on making the podium on race day, the New Balance Supercomp Trainer is also worth looking at. If you’re looking for a shoe to wear for your everyday miles, you won’t want one with a carbon fiber plate, as they aren’t very durable. Check out the best running shoes on the market in our guide. 

I don’t believe in New Year’s resolutions, especially when they’re fitness related. All too often I see people set unrealistic goals and injure themselves in the process. Finding joy in movement is about finding the type of exercise you love, and if that’s running, welcome to the club. Whether you’ve got a 5K or a marathon in mind, or you’re just clocking miles for fun, a pair of the best running shoes is a must. But what should you buy? 

As a fitness editor and marathon runner, I review running shoes for a living. For the past six years, I’ve written about carbon fiber plates, bootie uppers, and the midsole foam of some of the best shoes on the market. Yet whenever anyone asks me for a personal recommendation I’m stumped — like finding the best sports bra, shoes are subjective, and what works for me might not work for you. That said, if you’re looking to buy a pair of shoes this January, there is one pair I fall back on time and time again — the Nike ZoomX Invincible Run 2. 

Check out the best deals on the Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit 2 here: 

These running shoes are designed for clocking easy, relaxed miles. They’re not going to set you a PR on race day, but if you’re just starting out, or you’re looking for a shoe that’ll let you glide along, while listening to a killer podcast on these cold winter mornings, the Invincible Run 2 is for you. It’s bouncy, it’s fun, and I own four pairs. (Yes, you read that right — if you’ve been in this game long enough, you’ll know the heartbreak of your favorite shoe receiving drastic changes).

When Nike launched the first version of this shoe, the Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit, it positioned it as a shoe for runners training for a marathon, looking for a soft, cushioned shoe for easy running days. After miles of testing, I concluded that the shoe was far more than that — there’s no reason why beginners couldn’t get a lot out of this shoe. Designed for maximum shock absorption, it’s packed with bouncy, responsive foam that feels spongy and comfortable from your first step. 

The magic of this shoe is in the ZoomX midsole, which is extremely cushioned and smooth underfoot. Unlike most of the best running shoes on the market, there’s no Strobel lining underneath the insole of the shoe, so your foot is sitting directly on top of the ZoomX foam, allowing you to really sink into the shoe. 

The ZoomX foam is usually reserved for the faster shoes in its collection, such as the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 2, and the Nike Alphafly Next%. Both of these speedier shoes have carbon fiber plates, and without the plate, the foam seems to take on a different meaning in the Invincible Run. Instead of propelling the foot forward, the bouncy, responsive foam reduces the impact of each step for a more comfortable run. The shoe also has the same rocker geometry we’ve seen in a lot of Nike’s newer innovations, but again, this is to make easy running easier, rather than aid a faster toe-off. 

All in all, this is a super plush, super comfortable running shoe, and it's the one I pack for a holiday where I’m restricted on space. I spend a lot of my time testing running shoes, but this is the pair I always return to. 

Not for you? Check out the best Nike running shoes, the best women's running shoes, and the best trail running shoes here. 

Not content with just offering movies and TV shows, Netflix has been branching off into a bunch of different areas. The latest one is a partnership with Nike, and will see Nike Training Club classes hit Netflix from December 30.

Netflix will release the content in two separate batches, to offer a combined total of 30 hours. The first of those batches will launch next week, and the second will arrive at an unspecified time in 2023. The workouts on offer promise to be suitable for people of all fitness levels and interests, easily accessible from the Netflix library.

Among the programs launching next week are: 

1. Kickstart Fitness with the Basics (13 episodes) 
2. Two Weeks to a Stronger Core (7 episodes) 
3. Fall in Love with Vinyasa Yoga (6 episodes) 
4. HIT & Strength with Tara (14 episodes) 
5. Feel-Good Fitness (6 episodes)

For those that don’t already know, Nike Training Club is one of the best workout apps around — offering nearly 500 free workouts led by certified Nike trainers. Many of them are bodyweight workouts, which don’t require any equipment, while Nike says others are best done at the gym. Classes range from 5 to 50 minutes in length, offering yoga, strength training, cardio and HIIT.

Like many home fitness services, the idea is to workout wherever and whenever you like — no matter what devices you actually use. Adding those workouts to the Netflix library means you’ve got a little bit more choice, and can transition from exercise to bingeing the latest Netflix hit pretty quickly.

It’s not the first time Netflix has shifted away from its traditional entertainment focus either. Last year saw the service offer mindfulness and meditation, courtesy of Headspace. And since the new year will see many people renew their fitness ambitions, now is the perfect time for Netflix to expand into this new area.

While the Nike Training Club app has more content right now, this could be the start of a wider rollout of fitness content for Netflix. Considering the company has been having a few problems this year, thanks to loss of subscribers and a bunch of high-profile cancellations, the more appealing content it offers the better. How it could expand is another matter entirely, and a topic for a different day.

We all know how important it is to wear a good pair of running shoes to avoid injury, feel comfortable, and perform at our best. But with so many options out there, how do you decide which women’s running shoes are right for you?

At Tom’s Guide, our female runners have put countless pairs to the test, logging miles and assessing performance to bring you the best recommendations. When choosing the right pair, it's essential to consider whether they fit well, provide the right support for your foot type and running style, and suit the surface you’re running on—whether that’s road, trail, or track.

If you're in a hurry, check out our quick picks. But if you have time, dive into our in-depth guide to the best women's running shoes, where we share hands-on insights to help you find the perfect running shoes.

Best women’s running shoe overall

If you want a no-fuss, everyday running show, look no further than the Nike Vomero Plus. While it has been designed for everyday runs, it's versatile, too, and can pick up the pace when you want it to.

The Vomero Plus is a maximum cushioned shoe, with a thick wedge of Nike’s bouncy ZoomX foam in the midsole, giving you sink-in comfort and energetic bounce.

You can get started straight out of the box, thanks to its padded tongue and collar preventing heel slipping and rubbing. I didn't experience either, even when on my initial eight-mile run. It's got a lightweight and breathable upper, too, which is perfect for summer workouts.

It's available in a range of different sizes, too, from US 5 to US 12. Plus, it comes in both a regular width (which I found to be pretty generous) and an extra-wide version.

The cherry on top (for me) is the number of different colorways this shoe comes in. You're sure to be able to find one to suit your personal style, from hyper pink to cool mint.

It's pretty stable, although you should keep in mind it hasn't been designed with maximum stability in mind, so it's more suitable for road running than track or trail. Still, this is a solid daily trainer that will work for beginners and seasoned runners alike.

• Read our full Nike Vomero Plus review.

Best women's running shoe for beginners

The New Balance 1080v15 is an excellent choice for beginner runners, offering a reliable and comfortable ride with significant improvements over its predecessor. The shoe is a lighter and more impressive daily trainer than its predecessor, thanks to its new brand-new midsole foam called Infinion.

This new Infinion midsole replaces the Fresh Foam X foam used on the past few models of the shoe. I found it to be lighter and more responsive, while not sacrificing any of the comfort we've come to expect from the 1080 line.

The upper is soft, stretchy, and really well ventilated, and the foam is soft and cushy underfoot — although I did notice my heels sinking while walking. Despite this, while running, I didn’t find myself feeling like I was fighting to rebound or to keep up a strong momentum. Additionally, the rocker felt light and responsive when hitting any inclines.

My one gripe with the New Balance 1080v15 is that, despite its relatively high price point, it doesn't really look like a $170 shoe. Out of the box, it looked pretty cheap and flimsy.

With this being said, it's exceedingly comfortable, lively, versatile, and makes running feel easier, no matter what training you're doing.

• Read our full New Balance 1080v15 review

Best women’s running shoe for speed

The Adidas Adizero Evo SL is a new addition to the Adidas range. It's a lightweight daily trainer at an affordable price that still includes the features of the Adidas Pro Evo 1 carbon plate running shoe.

Its a versatile, comfortable ride that can handle almost any kind of run. Plus, its stylish enough to wear when not running, although you may find that the pronounced forefoot rocker makes walking around feel a bit odd.

The Adidas Adizero Evo SL avoids one of the issues I usually have with Adidas shoes, namely that they usually come up feeling a bit tight. This shoe, however, fits me well in my normal running size. I ofund it to be fairly roomy and also a bit more padded around the heel, unlike other Adidas models — for example, the Adidas Boston 12.

Its lightweight and breathable mesh upper has enough padding to make it comfortable for regular use, too.

It does not have a carbon plate, which may be a dealbreaker if you prefer more propulsion when you run. However, its lockdown is still secure enough to use the shoe for fast runs without any slippage. You should keep in mind that it is a more relaxed fit than you get on racing shoes or many plated trainers, though.

• Read our full Adidas Adizero Evo SL review

Best all-rounder women's running shoe

A redesigned midsole makes the Puma Velocity Nitro 4 a lighter and more enjoyable than the Velocity Nitro 3.

It has an engineered mesh upper that’s reinforced with Puma’s PWRTAPE to add more support and structure.

One thing I found really impressive is that, despite the padding on the tongue and collar of the shoe, it still felt lightweight and was breathable enough to run in during a heatwave.

It's great for running on anything from light trails to wet roads thanks to its PumaGrip rubber outsoles, with a layer of rubber that's impressively thick considering how light the shoe is.

As with most Puma shoes, the fit tends to run a little narrow. This may be great news if you have a narrow foot, but if you prefer a wider toe-box, you might find it's a bit tight.

Another thing to keep in mind is the fact that while it is cushioned, it is not as cushioned as shoes like the Asics Novablast 5. So, if maximum cushioning is what you like in a shoe, you may not find it to be enough. It's also not built for stability, so if this is of the utmost importance, it may not be right for you.

Overall, the Puma Velocity Nitro 4 is an everyday trainer that can handle whatever you throw at it, from easy runs to tempo runs and sessions.

• Read our full Puma Velocity Nitro 4 review

Best cushioned women’s running shoe

The Asics Novablast 6 is the latest version of the Novablast trainer, a cushioned daily trainer that offers a winning blend of comfort and bounce at a reasonable price.

It's one of our favourite shoes of 2026 so far, with an upgraded midsole containing a 'puck' of FF Turbo Squared foam under the forefoot — the same foam found in the Asics Megablast. This makes the ride overall livelier and more energetic, as well as better at fast paces than the Novablast 5, while also retaining the same amount of comfort.

It's even lighter than the Novablast 5 (which was already impressively light for such a cushioned shoe), weighing in at 9.2oz versus 9.6oz, which is impressive considering its stack height of 41.5mm at the heel and 33.5mm at the forefoot. It's more responsive than the Novablast 5, too, which was one of its predecessor's downsides.

During testing, it worked well for a range of different runs, all of which it worked well for. While it may not be able to handle all-out intervals or races, it can handle all your other training runs.

Overall, the Asics Novablast 6 is an excellent, well-cushioned daily trainer that you can use alongside faster shoes for workouts and racing, or as a do-it-all everyday shoe.

• Read our full Asics Novablast 6 review

Best women’s running shoe for the city

The Saloman XT-6 is more of a walking than a running shoe, but it would be remiss of me not to include it in this list as an excellent option for those who want a fashionable and functional shoe that stays comfortable no matter how much you walk around the city.

Thanks to its secure quickLACE system, the shoes stayed firmly on my feet all day, and the lack of a required break-in period made them comfortable and easy to wear right out of the box.

This comfort was only heightened thanks to the Salomon XT-6's perfect arch support and shock absorption, which provided ample cushioning for uneven terrain during testing — including uneven cobblestones on the streets, wonky steps, and steep city hills.

You should keep in mind, however, that they do have a narrow fit. If you usually go for a narrower shoe, this won't be an issue, but if you're someone who finds regular sneakers to be on the snug side or needs a wider option, you may find them a little too tight.

Additionally, there is no waterproofing on the shoe, so if it's a particularly rainy day, you might want to leave them at home.

Still, if you're looking for a super comfortable, reliable shoe that will keep your feet comfy all day, no matter where you're trekking to in the city, consider getting the Salomon XT-6s.

• Read our full Salomon XT-6 review

How to choose the best women's running shoes

When it comes to finding the best pair of running shoes for you, there are a few different things to consider. Firstly, how you run — like finding the right sports bra, there will be certain brands that just fit your foot better than others, so it’s a good idea to head down to your local running store and try on as many brands as possible. It’s also worth knowing whether you’re prone to overpronating when you run, as you might find you need to buy a pair of stability shoes to help this.

Secondly, it’s a good idea to think about the type of running you plan on doing. If you’re looking to PR on race day, you’re probably going to want something lighter, snappier, and faster. If you’re just trying to get around your first 5K, you’ll just want something comfortable and supportive, that won’t rub or leave you with blisters on the finish line.

Finally, the type of surfaces you’re running on mostly. Most road shoes will be able to cope with wet pavements, treadmills, and light trails, but if you’re planning on heading out on more technical terrains, you’ll probably need to invest in a pair of trail running shoes, which will have a deeper, grippier tread.

After you've picked out a pair of running shoes, you may want to consider one of the best running hats to keep you cool and protected on sunny runs.

How we test the best women's running shoes

We test the best women’s running shoes by running in them; we’ve clocked at least 50 miles in all of the shoes mentioned on this list. We also look at the fit of the shoe as well as the feel underfoot. We’ll test the shoes on several different sessions, from faster runs on the track to longer training runs — some shoes will be great on a long run, but feel heavy during a speed session. We also look at any impressive features of the shoe, such as carbon fiber plates, or ultra-lightweight midsole foams.

Also tested

Eliud Kipchoge, the fastest man in the world and two-time Olympian, bettered his own marathon world record at the 2022 Berlin Marathon on Sunday, crossing the finish line in 2:01:09, shaving 30 seconds off his previous record of 2:01:39, set on the same course in 2018. 

“My legs and my body still feel young,” Kipchoge said after crossing the line. “But the most important thing is my mind, and that also feels fresh and young. I’m so happy to break the world record.”

The Kenyan runner set off at a rapid pace for the fast and flat 26.2-mile course through Germany’s capital city. He covered the first 10 kilometers in 28 minutes and 23 seconds and passed the 15-kilometer marker in 42 minutes and 32 seconds. At one point, it looked like the marathon great might be shooting for another sub-two hour attempt (Kipchoge broke the two-hour marathon barrier during a race in Vienna in 2019, running a 1:59:40 marathon. (This doesn’t count as a world record, as the race didn’t conform to regulations.) 

While his pace slowed a little in the second half of the race, he still ran hard to better his own world record. In the women’s race, a 28-year-old Ethiopian runner, Tigist Assefa, crossed the line in 2:15:37 — the third-fastest female time in history. 

What running shoes was Eliud Kipchoge wearing? 

Of course, a world record isn't down to shoes and shoes alone — Kipchoge works exceptionally hard on his physical and mental strength, but if you're wondering what shoes he had on his feet on Sunday, we're here to answer your questions. 

Sponsored by Nike, Kipchoge wore a prototype of the Nike Alphafly Next% for his 1:59 marathon in Vienna back in 2019, and it seems they’re still his go-to carbon fiber racing shoe. 

Kipchoge crossed the finish line of the Berlin Marathon 2022 wearing a bright orange pair of the Nike Alphafly Next% 2 — Nike’s newest version of the Alphafly, released earlier this year. The shoe is designed for setting PR’s, with a carbon fiber midsole, and Nike’s fastest midsole foam. 

Out of the box, the Alphafly Next% 2 looks very similar to the original Alphafly, with a few minor tweaks. The most noticeable change is in the midsole — there’s still a huge stack of Nike’s Zoom X midsole foam and two Zoom Air units, which sit under the ball of the foot, but in the second version of the shoe, there’s also foam underneath these units. Nike says this is to offer more energy return and “ensure a smooth transition from heel to forefoot as runners go through their stride.” If you can’t choose between the two shoes, take a look at our Nike Alphafly Next% vs Nike Alphafly Next% 2 face-off here. 

Although they’re up there with some of the best Nike running shoes on the market, they’re not the only popular racing shoe in Nike’s collection — the Vaporfly Next% 2 still being a popular choice for many runners taking on 26.2. Read out the main similarities and differences between the two shoes in our Nike Vaporfly Next% 2 vs Nike Alphafly Next% 2 face-off here. 

So you’re looking at the best carbon fiber running shoes and have settled on the Nike Alphafly Next% 2 or the Nike Vaporfly Next% 2. 

Both running shoes are designed for going fast on race day, not on gentle plods around the park — in fact, both feel pretty unstable when running slowly. While Nike says they’ll last longer than a couple of races, you definitely wouldn’t want to be doing all of your training or long runs in either of these shoes. They both have a carbon fiber plate and the same Zoom X midsole foam, but which Nike racer do you want on your feet for your next race? 

I’ve been lucky enough to do a good amount of running in both shoes over a number of different sessions. 

You can read my in-depth Nike Alphafly Next% 2 review here, and my Nike Vaporfly Next% 2 review here. If you're looking for a more affordable or a more durable shoe, check out our best running shoe guide, or take a look at my Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39 vs Pegasus 38 face-off. 

So which should you choose? Read our Nike Alphafly Next% 2 vs Nike Vaporfly Next% 2 face-off to find out. 

Nike Alphafly Next% 2 vs Nike Vaporfly Next% 2: Price and availability

The Nike Alphafly Next% 2 is the newer of the two super shoes, released in limited numbers from June 15, 2022. Its predecessor, the Nike Air Zoom Alphafly Next%, was first seen on the feet of Eliud Kipchoge, as he became the first man to run a marathon in 1:59. The Next% is now widely available, and likely to be discounted following the release of the newer shoe. However, with the second iteration of the shoe, Nike has addressed some of the stability issues that runners experienced with the first iteration of the shoe, attempting to make it more stable underfoot for the everyday runner, not just the elite. 

Like the original Alphafly, the Alphafly Next% 2 doesn’t come cheap. Sure it’s designed for the everyday runner, but the everyday runner with a spare $275/£274.95 in their pocket for a racing shoe. By comparison, the Nike Vaporfly Next% 2, which was released in March 2021, costs $250/£229 in the men’s version and £224 in the women’s shoe. 

Nike Alphafly Next% 2 vs Nike Vaporfly Next% 2: Design, fit and feel 

While both shoes are designed for racing, they feel very different underfoot. Let’s start with the stack height: the Alphafly Next% 2 has a stack height of 40mm in the heel, and 32mm in the forefoot. This is slightly different from the first iteration of the shoe, which had a heel drop of 4mm. 

The Vaporfly Next% 2 also has the same 8mm drop, with a stack height of 40mm in the heel and 32mm in the forefoot. The two use the same ZoomX foam, which is bouncy and responsive underfoot, and both have a full-length carbon fiber plate. 

That said, where the Vaporfly Next% 2 has a pure foam midsole, the Alphafly Next% 2 has two Zoom Air units, which sit under the ball of the foot to deliver a real bounce as you toe-off. In the second version of the shoe, there’s also foam underneath these units and Nike says this is to offer more energy return and “ensure a smooth transition from heel to the forefoot as runners go through their stride.” These Zoom Air units give the shoe a completely different feel to the Vaporfly Next% — the toe-off is slightly firmer thanks to the addition of the Zoom Air units, and on your first run, you really feel like you’re flying forwards in it. 

Both shoes have a similar, knitted-style upper; in the Alphafly Next% 2, this is the AtomKnit, Nike’s latest version of its FlyKnit upper. Both uppers are super lightweight and breathable, with minimal water absorption on the run. They also both have an asymmetrical lacing system, which is designed to put less pressure on the top of the foot, and a pillow around the back of the shoe to give you extra cushioning on the heel.

When it comes to the outsole, both are designed for road running and don’t have a huge amount of traction. On both shoes, there are two strips of rubber on the back of the shoe, and rubber on the forefoot, covering the key impact zone. There’s also exposed foam on both the shoes. 

Fit-wise, I found the Vaporfly Next% 2 to fit true to size, although I wear a full size bigger than my normal everyday trainers when buying running shoes (confused? Read our guide on how to buy running shoes). In the Alphafly Next% 2, I found the shoe comes in “unisex,” or men’s sizing. This could have been because I received my shoe in a small release, but I found I had to go up a half size. 

In the original Alphafly, I wore a UK 5, in the Alphafly Next% 2, I wore a UK 5.5 to get the same fit, although this is likely because of the unisex sizing — none of the male runners I know went up half a size in the newer shoe.  

Nike Alphafly Next% 2 vs Nike Vaporfly Next% 2: Differences underfoot 

So here’s where it gets interesting. Both shoes have a rocker geometry, which encourages you to roll onto the ball of your foot as you move, helping you run faster — and both do just that. After running in both shoes, I’d say the main difference between the Vaporfly Next% 2 and the Alphafly Next% 2 is in the Zoom Air units and the cushioning. The Vaporfly Next% 2 feels slightly more nimble underfoot — it allows you to really attack the corners and sprint out of them, and I’ve comfortably worn them for some speed sessions on the track without any issue. 

By contrast, the Zoom Air units paired with the thick wedge of ZoomX foam on the Alphafly Next% 2 really do make you feel like you’re flying, but only on those long, straight parts of your long run. Nike has made some huge improvements to the shoe when it comes to making it feel more stable underfoot — the heel is wider, and the less aggressive heel drop does remove some of the wobbles I felt when running in the first shoe, but it’s still not the best around corners. That said, while I wouldn’t wear it on the track, I have found during long runs, my pace surprised me, and it felt easier to run fast, which is exactly what you want from a super shoe. 

Nike Alphafly Next% 2 vs Nike Vaporfly Next% 2: Which is best for you?

Both the Alphafly Next% 2 and the Vaporfly Next% 2 are absolutely fantastic running shoes, but which should you choose for your next race? It’s hard to pick — both will definitely help you run faster, and probably PR your next race, but I’d say while the Alphafly Next% 2 is a huge improvement on the original Alphafly, its weaknesses are still the same. It definitely feels more stable than the first version, but it still struggles around corners, and fans of the Vaporfly Next% 2 are unlikely to be converted.

That said, the Alphafly Next% 2 comes into its own over longer distances, and if you’re running a fast, flat course, like the Berlin Marathon, it’s a brilliant shoe to have on your feet. The Vaporfly Next% 2 could easily cope with a quick 5K or 10K, and you wouldn’t need to worry about doing fast, twisty laps in this shoe. 

Of course, the cost comes into play here too. The Alphafly Next% 2 is the newer shoe, and therefore, the more expensive. Whereas you might find the Vaporfly Next% 2 on sale, the Alphafly Next% 2 is unlikely to drop anytime soon, meaning if you’re not willing to spend the better part of $300, the Vaporfly Next% 2 is the shoe for you. The original Alphafly might be discounted, and you can read my Nike Alphafly Next% vs Nike Vaporfly Next% 2 comparison here. 

Either way, both are excellent choices for race day. If you’re looking for a cheaper shoe, the newly released Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 is also a brilliantly fast, carbon fiber running shoe worth checking out. 

If you’re currently in education then the excellent Nike student discount could be just the thing for you. The iconic sportswear and sneakers brand gives students up to 10% off “most items” on its online store. 

That means you can save on everything from the latest trainers to gym clothes and even sports apparel. As far as student discounts go, it's definitely one of the more generous, so we recommend taking advantage of this offer while you’re eligible. 

Here's how to get the Nike student discount, whether you're in the U.S. or U.K. Plus, make sure to check out the season's best back to school sales.

• How to get an Apple student discount
• Best running apps for 2021
• Plus: How to get a Best Buy student discount — and save big

Who is eligible for a Nike student discount?

In the U.S., the Nike student discount website/portal is available to eligible high school, college, and university students over the age of 16. Often, student discounts aren’t open to high school students, so credit to Nike for making its discount available to a wider range of students.

In the U.K., the Nike student discount website/portal is only available to students in higher education or at university.  

What Nike products get a student discount?  

Nike offers a 10% student discount off “most items.” While there isn’t a complete list of excluded items, when you attempt to checkout you will be informed of any items in your basket that are ineligible. 

On the Nike website, you’ll find a wide range of products available from running shoes to yoga wear. Whatever your sporting needs, you’ll find something suitable from Nike. 

It's worth noting that the discount cannot be used in Nike retail stores — it’s only applicable to its webstore. 

How to claim your Nike student discount in the U.S.  

If you live in the U.S., in order to claim your student discount you must be signed up to SheerID, a third-party platform that verifies your student status. After filling in the signup form you will receive a single-use promo code which you enter at checkout to get the 10% discount. 

You can request a promo code every 30 days, so Nike’s student discount isn’t a one-time offer. Receiving a new code will require you to be verified again, but the process is streamlined after the first time. 

How to claim your Nike student discount in the U.K. 

If you live in the U.K., you will need to be signed up to UNiDAYS in order to claim your Nike student discount. This third-party platform is used by a wide range of retailers to offer student exclusive discounts and promotions, so you may already have an account. 

If you don’t already have an account, you can sign up for one on the UNiDAYS website. Be aware you will need to use your university or college email address in order to prove your eligibility. 

Once you’ve got a UNiDAYS account you will be given a unique discount code that can be used on the Nike website to get a 10% discount. 

• How to get a Microsoft student discount

The fastest running shoe in the world just got an update. Meet the Nike Air Zoom Alphafly Next% 2. Its predecessor, the Nike Air Zoom Alphafly Next%, was first seen on the feet of Eliud Kipchoge, as he became the first man to run a marathon in 1:59. It captured the attention of runners all over the world, as we speculated about whether the shoe had two carbon fiber plates, or a mini-trampoline in the midsole to propel Kipchoge to his historic finish. The shoe had neither. Instead, it had the single plate we’ve seen in most of the best carbon fiber running shoes, as well as two Nike Zoom Air units, and Nike’s responsive Zoom X midsole foam.

While the first shoe was undeniably spectacular, for those of us who aren’t blessed with an athlete’s lower leg strength, it felt a little unstable, especially when running around corners. With the second iteration of the shoe, Nike addressed these issues, attempting to make it more stable underfoot for the everyday runner, not just the elite. But how does it compare to some of the best Nike running shoes on the market? Read my full Nike Air Zoom Alphafly Next% 2 review to find out. 

Nike Air Zoom Alphafly Next% 2 review: Price and availability

Like the original Alphafly, the Alphafly Next% 2 doesn’t come cheap. Sure it’s designed for the everyday runner, but the everyday runner with a spare $275/£274.95 in their pocket for a racing shoe. There are definitely more affordable options on the market, such as the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 2, or the Saucony Endorphin Pro 3, although you can get a slightly better price with our Nike promo codes.

The shoe is available in limited quantities in the UK from 15 June 2022 and in the U.S. from July 2022. At launch, the shoe is only available in an all-white colorway, which Nike calls the "prototype colorway." The company has confirmed the shoe will be released in more colors in the future. 

At the time of writing, it’s extremely difficult to get your hands on a pair of these super shoes, but as we saw with the first iteration of the shoe, they are likely to become more widely available by the time we get to fall marathon season. The shoe comes in unisex (men’s) sizing, from a UK 3.5 to a UK 14 (a U.S. 4 to a U.S. 15). 

Nike Air Zoom Alphafly Next% 2 review: Design and fit 

Out of the box, the Alphafly Next% 2 looks very similar to the original Alphafly, with a few minor tweaks. The most noticeable change is in the midsole — there’s still a huge stack of Nike’s Zoom X midsole foam and two Zoom Air units, which sit under the ball of the foot, but in the second version of the shoe, there’s also foam underneath these units. Nike says this is to offer more energy return and “ensure a smooth transition from heel to forefoot as runners go through their stride.” I’ll go into the other tweaks below.  

Fit-wise, as mentioned, the shoe comes in “unisex,” or men’s sizing. This could be because it’s a small release, and Nike might release female-specific sizing in the future, but right now there’s not. In the original Alphafly, I wore a UK 5, in the Alphafly Next% 2, I wore a UK 5.5 to get the same fit, although this is likely because of the unisex sizing — none of the male runners I know went up half a size in the newer shoe. 

Upper 

Nike has slightly tweaked the upper of the super shoe, which now features an Atomknit 2.0 upper, designed to wrap around the foot. Nike says the upper is “engineered for containment in the forefoot, breathability above the toes, and comfortable padding under the laces.” 

The shoe definitely feels breathable, and during testing, I appreciated the knit padding under the laces, which definitely added extra comfort across the top of the foot. There’s still a nice amount of padding around the collar of the shoe as well — during testing, I didn’t have any hotspots or issues with blisters. It’s a comfortable, well-fitting upper.  

That said, it’s not an easy shoe to get on. I had to use the pull tabs to wiggle my foot into the shoe. 

Midsole 

As mentioned above, Nike has tweaked the midsole of the barely legal running shoe. The drop on the Alphafly Next% 2 is 8mm, compared to the 4mm drop in the original Alphafly. What does this mean though? 

The heel stack (the measurement from the ground to the top of the shoe’s insole) is already 40mm on the Alphafly, which is the World Athletics limit. In fact, the Alphafly is the reason why World Athletics introduced the new rules about stack heights in racing flats. In order to increase the drop (the difference between the midsole height of the shoe in the heel and the midsole height of the shoe under the ball of the foot), Nike needed to eliminate 4mm of foam. This is probably why Nike played around with the foam around the Zoom Air unit. 

The second iteration of the shoe is also slightly wider at the heel, in an attempt to increase the stability of the shoe. That said, a shoe with such a high stack height and a bouncy midsole is never going to be as stable as some of the other popular running shoes on the market.

Outsole 

The outsole of the Alphafly Next% 2 has also undergone a slight redesign. Nike has changed the pattern on the rubber and used a thinner material in an attempt to reduce the weight of the shoe (the second iteration is heavier than the first). There’s also a more dramatic midsole cut-out, which shows more of the carbon fiber plate. This is still very much a road racing shoe. 

Nike Air Zoom Alphafly Next% 2 review: Performance 

So how does all of that tech feel on the run? Fans of the original Alphafly will be pleased to hear that the essence of the shoe is still the same — it still makes you feel like you’re flying and it’s still super-responsive. I tested this shoe on a faster tempo run and a long run. I raced in the original Alphafly a number of times, clocking my half marathon and 10K PR in the super shoe. 

Like its predecessor, the Alphafly Next% 2 isn’t designed for easy, or slower running. It’s almost clunky at a slower speed, as the carbon fiber plate naturally rocks you forward as you run, making it a challenge to run slow. But this isn’t necessarily a bad thing — you don’t buy this shoe for jogging around the park. 

While I loved the original Alphafly I had two issues with it — firstly, how unstable it felt around corners. During a fast half marathon that involved laps in lockdown, I felt like I was going to topple over when turning in the shoe and that instability made me opt for the Vaporfly Next% 2 over the marathon distance. Secondly, the shoe put a lot of strain on my calves, which were in pieces the day after my race. I put this down to the fact the shoe was designed for an athlete, not a mere mortal like me, who tends to overpronate in the final miles of a race. 

During testing, I found the second version of the shoe solved these issues. It definitely feels a lot more stable underfoot, however it does still struggle around super twisty corners. I wouldn’t wear it for a track race, for example. That said, most road marathons aren’t asking you to constantly twist, and this makes an excellent shoe choice for a fast finish over 26.2. 

Nike Air Zoom Alphafly Next% 2 review: Verdict 

For the masses, this is an improvement on the original Alphafly. It’s a joy to run in, and if you could bottle and sell the feeling of flying along in perfect conditions in this shoe, everyone would want to run a marathon in it. That said, it’s super expensive, and for a lot of people, far too expensive to justify. 

If you are in the latter, now is a good time to invest in the original version of the shoe, which is likely to be on sale following the launch of the Alphafly Next% 2. If you’re looking for a more affordable racing shoe, take a look at the Nike Vaporfly Next% 2, the Asics Metaspeed Sky+, or the Saucony Endorphin Pro 2, all of which are bouncy and responsive racing shoes. 

Finally, if you’re looking for an everyday running shoe, this definitely isn’t one worth spending your money on. Instead, opt for something more durable, such as the Nike ZoomX Invincible Run 2, which has the same midsole foam as the Alphafly, but is built for easy, comfortable training miles. But, if you want one of the fastest shoes around, definitely check out the Alphafly Next% 2

Saucony just officially entered the super shoe chat. The Endorphin Pro 3 sees Saucony completely overhaul its most popular carbon fiber road racing shoe. The brand has changed the upper, and added more PWRRUN PB foam underfoot to completely change the ride of the shoe — it’s extremely fast, yet comfortable on the run. 

But how does it compare to some of the best carbon fiber running shoes on the market? The max stack height and $200 plus price put this shoe in the same league as the Nike ZoomX Alphafly Next% 2 and the Asics Metaspeed Sky+. How does it compare to its speedy counterparts and is it worth saving money on the Endorphin Pro 2, which is bound to be on sale now the newer shoe has launched? Read my full Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 review below to find out more. 

Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 review: Price and availability 

The Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 is available now at saucony.com and select running retailers such as sportsshoes.com. At launch (June 2022), the Endorphin Pro 3 is available in a pink colorway, named "Prospect Quartz" in both the men's and women's sizes. The Endorphin Pro 3 will be available in men’s sizes US 7-15, and women’s sizes US 5-12.

The shoe will cost £210/$225, which is more expensive than the Endorphin Pro 2, which cost £190/$200 at launch. The Endorphin Pro 2 is likely to be cheaper now that the newer shoe has been released; if you’re looking for a cheap carbon fiber running shoe, now’s a good time to buy. That said, as I’ll outline below, there are some big improvements on the Endorphin Pro 3.

Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 review: Design and fit 

Saucony has completely overhauled the design of the Endorphin Pro 3, which straight out of the box looks like a different shoe, not an updated version. The stack height has increased to 39.9mm, making it just legal in the World Athletics guidelines, and similar to the stack of the Nike ZoomX Alphafly Next% 2. The upper has also been overhauled to more of a mesh — it’s pretty much see-through and during testing I found it to be one of the most breathable uppers on the market. 

Fit-wise, I found the shoe came up a little short — I wear a UK 5 in most running shoes, and wear a UK 4.5 in my everyday sneakers. I found I didn’t have an awful lot of room between my big toe and the end of the shoe in the Endorphin Pro 3, and wish I’d sized up an extra half size. That said, you don’t want racing shoes to be overly huge, as you don’t want to be stopping to tighten them when you’re trying to set a new personal record. 

Upper 

As mentioned above, the upper is designed to be super lightweight. The mesh is thin, with a good amount of stretch. The tongue is minimal — there’s no plushness or padding across the top of the foot — in fact, Saucony have cut huge holes in the tongue to save on weight. That said, there was a good amount of lockdown in the shoe. The mesh isn’t overly tight across the top of the foot, and I didn’t experience any hot spots during testing. The shoes did stain my white socks bright pink on the first run, but I won’t hold this against them; maybe I’m just a runner with particularly sweaty feet (nice). 

Midsole 

The midsole of the Endorphin Pro 3 is where the magic happens. Saucony has added a thick stack of its PWRRUN PB foam, giving the shoe a completely different underfoot experience to the Endorphin Pro 2, which just didn’t have enough pop to compete with some of the better racing shoes on the market. The Endrophin Pro 3, on the other hand, is bouncier and faster than its predecessor — it’s far softer due to the higher stack height, but it’s not overly plush. It’s comfortable and efficient, and it’s easy to pick up the pace when you need to in this shoe. 

The second element worth mentioning in the midsole is Saucony’s ‘Speedroll technology’ which is the geometry of the shoe, designed to keep you rolling forward onto the ball of your foot for a fast transition. There’s also a full-length, S-shaped carbon fiber plate in the midsole of the shoe, designed to propel you forward as you run. 

While Saucony market this as a neutral shoe, it's used a few design features to add some stability to the racer, especially as many runners find their form suffers during the final miles of a marathon. There are sidewalls in the midfoot on both the medial and lateral sides of the shoe, which add some support through this area of the shoe. The midfoot is also wider than on previous versions, adding more stability. I find I overpronate when running on tired legs, but didn’t in this shoe, making it a solid marathon shoe for my autumn race. 

Outsole 

The outsole of the shoe is made from Saucony’s XT-900 rubber for a grippier ride than previous versions. There aren’t huge lugs on the bottom of the shoe — it’s definitely still designed for the road, but during testing, I had no issue with slipping on the pavement as I ran, even in wet conditions. After 30 or so miles clocked in the shoe during testing, there’s no signs of wear on the outsole, but like most carbon fiber running shoes, you probably wouldn’t want to wear this for all of your training miles. Carbon plated shoes are not designed to last miles and miles — they’re built for racing, but by adding a more durable outsole, I’d guess Saucony is trying to increase the endurance of this shoe. I’ll report back on signs of wear and tear after running more miles in it. 

Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 review: Performance 

Until now, I’ve not been a fan of the Endorphin Pro. For me, the second version of the shoe just didn’t feel that good to run in — the foam was too firm, and the shoe just felt a little unstable underfoot when I tried to run fast in it. I wasn’t looking forward to running in the Pro 3, despite it looking like a different shoe when I lifted it out the box, and I’m the first to admit I’ve been pleasantly surprised by it. 

The shoe feels light and fast underfoot. I’ve worn it for a tough kilometer repeat session, and found I was easily able to run faster without feeling it in my legs — even my cooldown session was at an 8.15 minute mile rather than my normal 8.30 minute mile. On a long run, the shoe felt a little clunky running at a slower speed, but I find carbon fiber running shoes always do, and as my legs warmed up, I soon found the run turned into more of a progression run, with the shoe encouraging me to run faster. 

I really enjoyed running in this shoe, and would say it’s definitely more of a contender for those shopping for a racing shoe. Alongside this, I’ve been testing the Nike ZoomX Alphafly Next% 2 and the Ascis Metaspeed Sky+, and the Endorphin Pro 3 had a similar amount of bounce and responsiveness underfoot. 

Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 review: Verdict 

This is an excellent carbon fiber running shoe. Fans of the Saucony Endorphin Pro 2 might not recognize this as an update — it feels and looks like a completely different running shoe. It’s fast underfoot, has an excellent amount of cushioning and is an enjoyable ride on days where you really want to pick up the pace. 

While it’s not the cheapest carbon fiber running shoe on the market, especially compared to the previous version of the shoe, in my opinion the higher price tag is well worth the changes made. It’s around the same price as the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 2. But as Nike’s racer has been around for a few years now, if you’re looking for a cheaper alternative, you’re more likely to be able to find a last-season colorway at a discounted price. 

If you’re looking for a running shoe that’ll last for an entire marathon training plan, you’re going to want to shop for one without a carbon fiber plate. Check out the best running shoes on the market here, which includes the Saucony Ride 15 — a comfortable, reliable workhorse, that will get you from A to B comfortably, whatever speed you decide to travel.

So you’re looking for a new running watch, and don’t know whether to add the Garmin Forerunner 245, or the newly released Forerunner 255 to your shopping cart. The Forerunner 255 is the updated version of the Forerunner 245, released in June 2022. Both watches are positioned as midrange running watches in the Garmin range, but which is the best Garmin watch, and which should you invest in? 

Below, we put the Forerunner 245 and the Forerunner 255 face-to-face to help you work out which is best for you and your training. If you’re a complete beginner looking for a more basic running watch, check out the Garmin Forerunner 55, which is the best entry-level running watch on our list. 

Garmin Forerunner 245 vs Forerunner 255: Price and availability

The Garmin Forerunner 255 comes in two different sizes — a 42mm (the Forerunner 255S) and a 46mm; both cost the same. The Forerunner 255 also comes with the option to store music, or not. The Forerunner 255 without music costs $349/£299, and the Forerunner 255 Music costs $399/£349. 

This is slightly more expensive than the Forerunner 245, which hit the market at $299 without music, and $349 with music. Yet following the launch of the Forerunner 255, the Forerunner 245 is likely to be in the sale, so if you are on a budget, now is a good time to invest in the cheaper watch. It's also worth looking at our Garmin coupon codes to see if you can save a little extra.

Both watches are still readily available, however as Garmin will have stopped making the Forerunner 245, it won’t be around forever, so if you do have it in your basket, it’s worth checking out soon. 

Winner: Forerunner 245 — as you’ll read below, the Forerunner 255 has a number of features that make up for the $50 difference, but on price alone, the Forerunner 245 is the cheaper option. 

Garmin Forerunner 245 vs Forerunner 255: Specs at a glance 

Garmin Forerunner 245 vs Forerunner 255: Design and display 

The design and display on the two watches are very similar — both look almost identical on the wrist unless you opt for the Forerunner 255S, which is a lot smaller and neater. Both are controlled using five buttons — three on the left and two on the right. Neither have the touchscreens of the Fenix 7, Garmin Venu 2 Plus and Forerunner 955, but I’d argue that the lack of a touchscreen isn’t all that much of a loss, as the touchscreen is automatically turned off when you’re actually exercising using the watch. Plus, anyone who has ever tried to swipe with a sweaty finger on a touchscreen will know they’re not often worth the price tag.  

Both the Forerunner 255S and the Forerunner 255 have a color MIP display that we found easy to read in all conditions, even in direct sunlight. The larger of the two watches also has a higher resolution than the Forerunner 245 — the Forerunner 255 has a 260 x 260 resolution compared to the Forerunner 245’s 240 x 240 pixel resolution. It’s not a difference you’d really notice unless staring at the two watches side-by-side, but the screen on the newer watch definitely looks a little brighter and more colorful. 

When it comes to customizing the display on the newer watch, however, things are slightly easier, as like with other newer Garmin watches, it can now all be done from the Garmin Connect app, as well as from the wrist. It’s not all that big a deal, but it does make things a lot easier. 

Verdict: Forerunner 255 — design-wise, the option to have a smaller watch on your wrist is a huge plus, especially for more petite runners. Display-wise, things are ever-so-slightly better on the newer watch. 

Garmin Forerunner 245 vs Forerunner 255: Battery life 

When comparing the battery life on the Forerunner 245 and the Forerunner 255, it’s easiest to think of the watches as three different models. The Forerunner 245 has a very similar battery life to the Forerunner 255S — 24 hours without music and six hours with music, and 26 hours without music and 5.5 hours with music respectively. In smartwatch mode, the Forerunner 245 will last 7 days, whereas the Forerunner 255 will last 12 days. 

The Forerunner 255 will last 30 hours without music, and 6.5 hours with music. In smartwatch mode, it will last 14 days. 

Verdict: Forerunner 255 — sure, it’s not that dramatic a difference, but the battery life is definitely better on the newer watch. That said, if you do opt for the Forerunner 245, you’ll still be able to run without having to charge your watch for about a week (a huge improvement on the likes of the Apple Watch Series 7). 

Garmin Forerunner 245 vs Forerunner 255: Fitness and tracking features 

When it comes to the fitness tracking features, both watches will track everything you’d expect — indoor and outdoor runs, indoor and outdoor bike rides, swimming, cardio, elliptical sessions, and yoga. They’ll both also track your daily steps, heart rate, stress, sleep, and menstrual tracking. They also both use the same Garmin Connect app, which is a valuable tool and helps make it easy to see all of your health data in simple graphs and graphics. 

Both watches are able to tell you things like your VO2 max, your recommended recovery time after a run, and your body battery — a useful tool that looks at your activity levels, heart rate variability, and stress levels to help you see at a glance how prepared you are for a difficult workout. Both also have the PacePro feature, which stops you from starting a race too fast, and suggested workouts, as well as the LiveTrack and Incident Detection safety features. 

That said, the Forerunner 255 has some key upgrades — the watch has Garmin’s latest Elevate V4 sensor — the green light records heart rate, the red light records blood oxygen levels (referred to as Pulse Ox on the watch). This sensor is used to calculate breathing rate, HRV, and stress. It also has the Morning Report feature, which gives you a snapshot into how well you slept, how hard you’ve been training, and a look at the weather for the day ahead. 

Finally, the most significant difference when it comes to fitness tracking is the fact that the Forerunner 255 has the ability to track multisport activity profiles and triathlon. Until now, the ability to track brick sessions and triathlons has been reserved for more expensive watches in the Forerunner range. Garmin has also added the ‘Up Ahead’ feature (which allows you to see predefined markers such as aide stations and climbs in a race) and the race day specific performance prediction (which allows you to see if you’re getting faster or slower during a race) to the Forerunner 255.

Verdict: Garmin Forerunner 255 — The addition of multisport activity tracking on the mid-level watch is huge. Even if you think you’ll never use it, the fact you have the option to train for a multisport challenge is great.

Garmin Forerunner 245 vs Forerunner 255: Smartwatch features 

Smartwatch-wise, the two watches have pretty much the same features. Both are designed to be worn 24/7 and allow you to see smartphone notifications from your phone on the watch on the move, see weather updates, calendar reminders, and things like find my phone and find my watch. The music versions of both the Forerunner 245 and Forerunner 255 give you the ability to download up to 500 songs and playlists from Spotify or Deezer to the watch and leave your phone at home.

The main difference from a smartwatch perspective is that the Forerunner 255 has the addition of Garmin Pay contactless payments, which allow you to keep your phone in your pocket when commuting. 

Verdict: Garmin Forerunner 255 — The addition of Garmin Pay is useful.  

Garmin Forerunner 245 vs Forerunner 255: Which should you buy? 

While both the Forerunner 245 and the Forerunner 255 are fantastic running watches, if you’re looking to upgrade your running watch, the Forerunner 255 is the better watch to have on your wrist. The Forerunner 255 is superior from a fitness tracking standpoint, with the option to track multisport profiles from your wrist, it’s also got a better battery life, and better trackers. 

That said, if you’re on a budget, or you’re convinced you’ll absolutely never do a duathlon or triathlon, you’re still getting a brilliant watch with the Forerunner 245, and it’s very likely to be on sale right now. At the time of writing, it’s only $20 or so more than the Forerunner 55 — here’s the Forerunner 55 vs the Forerunner 245 if you’re trying to decide between the two. 

If you sent me to a desert island and only let me choose one running shoe, I’d grab the Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit 2. Sure, there are lighter running shoes to be had (and probably shoes better designed for running on sand), but none of the other best running shoes on the market come close to the squishy, soft, underfoot comfort given in this shoe. 

When Nike launched the first version of this shoe, the Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit, it positioned it as a shoe for runners training for a marathon, looking for a soft, cushioned shoe for easy running days. After miles of testing, I concluded that the shoe was far more than that — there’s no reason why beginners couldn’t get a lot out of this shoe. Designed for maximum shock absorption, it’s packed with bouncy, responsive foam that feels spongy and comfortable from your first step. I was nervous about testing the second iteration — how would it compare and would the tweaks have ruined one of the best Nike running shoes on the market? Read my Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit 2 review to find out more. 

It's worth noting, there's a new version of this shoe — the Nike Invincible 3, which will be available on February 2 for Nike Members, and February 9 online and in-stores. We're currently testing the shoe, and will have a full review on Tom's Guide soon. If you're looking to save money, now is a good time to invest in the Nike Invincible 2, as it's likely to be discounted with the new shoe release.

Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit 2 review: Price and availability 

The Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit 2 hit the market in June 2022. The shoe retails at £164.95/$180, which is definitely at the more expensive end of the everyday running shoe market, but is the same price as the first version of the shoe. As with the first version, the price is justified as the shoe contains Nike’s ZoomX foam, which is the premium foam used in Nike’s faster running shoes (although its goal in this shoe is to be lightweight and responsive in a way that takes some of the load off your legs, rather than propel you to a new PR). You can also soften the blow to your wallet with one of our Nike promo codes.

At the time of writing, the shoe is available in three different colorways in the men’s and four in the women’s version. In the men’s shoes, the Invincible 2 comes in red, black, and white, and in the women’s it’s teal, white, black, and baby blue. The Invincible Run 2 only comes in one width, but is, by design, a wider shoe, so it should be ok for all runners, unless you have especially wide feet. The shoe runs in sizes US 5 to US 12 in the women’s version and US 6 to US 15 in the men’s shoe. 

If you are on a budget, now is a good time to buy the first version of the shoe, as not a lot has changed, and it’s likely to be on sale now. 

Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit 2 review: Design and fit 

The Invincible Run 2 follows the design of the original shoe, which has a thick layer of outsole foam that almost wraps around your entire foot like a rubber ring. The shoe has a wide toebox, which has been made ever-so-slightly wider in the second version, which has what looks like a bunion of foam sticking out from the side. There’s also a wide heel, with a centimeter of foam around the heel. Fresh out of the box it’s extremely comfortable — you sink into this shoe in a way I never have with any other running shoe. 

The shoe fits true to size for Nike. I am a UK 4 in my regular sneakers but wore a UK 5 in this shoe. Confused? Check out our guide to buying running shoes and how they should fit here.

Upper 

The upper on the Invincible Run 2 has been tweaked slightly compared to the first version of the shoe. The second iteration has thinner laces, which I found during testing were better at staying tightly laced on the run. The first version of the shoe had thicker, “rope” laces, whereas it seems Nike has gone back to the more traditional running shoe lace on the newer shoe. 

Nike has also reduced the amount of padding around the collar of the shoe and slightly tweaked the tongue. They are small changes — underfoot the shoe felt very similar to its predecessor, and had the same locked-in feel on easy running days and when I picked up the pace. 

Midsole

The magic of this shoe is in the ZoomX midsole, which is extremely cushioned and smooth underfoot. Unlike most of the best running shoes on the market, there’s no Strobel lining underneath the insole of the shoe, so your foot is sitting directly on top of the ZoomX foam, allowing you to really sink into the shoe. 

The ZoomX foam is usually reserved for the faster shoes in its collection, such as the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 2, and the Nike Alphafly Next%. Both of these speedier shoes have carbon fiber plates, and without the plate, the foam seems to take on a different meaning in the Invincible Run. Instead of propelling the foot forward, the bouncy, responsive foam reduces the impact of each step for a more comfortable run. The shoe also has the same rocker geometry we’ve seen in a lot of Nike’s newer innovations, but again, this is to make easy running easier, rather than aid a faster toe-off. Nike says it has added more ZoomX foam to the Invincible Run 2, although it feels very similar underfoot. 

The plastic rails that wrap around the heel of the shoe are designed to give the shoe additional support. As a runner who tends to overpronate when running on tired legs, I appreciated this. 

As I mentioned in the intro, Nike designed this shoe for marathoners clocking easy miles during long runs, but feedback and the popularity of the shoe have proved it’s suited for far more than this. The ZoomX foam is bouncy and responsive, while also cushioning your stride, reducing the impact through the hips, knees, and ankles. You probably wouldn’t want to race in this shoe, but there’s no reason why you couldn’t do an easy run and a tempo session in it.

Outsole 

My main issue with the Invincible Run was the outsole — while being flexible, the tiny nubs didn’t do much to prevent me from slipping when running on wet concrete, and wore down quickly. Unfortunately, the outsole looks identical to the Invincible Run on the Invincible Run 2. 

Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit 2 review: Performance 

While Nike hasn’t on the surface changed much with the Invincible Run 2, for once, I’m glad. It’s a fantastic running shoe that can easily fill two roles in your shoe collection — it will keep your legs comfortable and help with the pressure of distance training. That said, the ZoomX foam is responsive enough to let you pick up the pace on longer tempo sessions. There’s no reason why you couldn’t race in it, but there are probably better shoes on the market for that. 

If you’re looking for a super-plush shoe for maximum impact protection, you’re bound to love this shoe. I stockpiled the first Invincible Run (I have three pairs) in the fear that Nike would change the shoe, but different laces aside, they feel almost identical underfoot, which is fantastic news for fans of the shoe. 

The downsides are the same as they were with the first version, however. The outsole really needs to be grippier and more durable, especially for the cost of the shoe.

Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit 2 vs Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit: Which should you buy?

Is it worth investing in the newer model? When looking at the shoes side-by-side, and when running in both, not a lot has changed. For once, that's a good thing — both shoes are super comfortable and super plush, but if you're on a budget, save your money and buy the Nike ZoomX Invincible Run. 

As a test, I ran with one of the older versions of the shoe on the left foot, and the Invincible 2 on the right. After a mile, I didn't notice any difference between the two shoes. I'm sure passers-by did, but hey, who cares. 

Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit 2 review: Verdict 

This is an excellent running shoe for beginners and more experienced runners alike. If you’re looking for a cushioned running shoe that’ll keep you comfy on the run, it doesn’t get better than this. 

If you don’t fancy spending so much on an everyday running shoe, now is a great time to grab a pair of the Nike ZoomX Invincible Run, as we mentioned above, the two shoes are very similar, but the older shoe is likely to be in the sale. That said, there are other cushioned running shoes out there for a lower price point, including the Brooks Glycerin 20. 

While no shoe can prevent you from getting injured, Nike has created a super plush, supportive running shoe for those days when you’re running on tired legs. For that reason, I believe the Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit 2 has a place in every runner's shoe collection. 

For a shoe to be on its 20th iteration, it’s doing something right. The Brooks Glycerin has a solid fan base — it’s one of Brooks' most cushioned running shoes, and it’s a firm favorite for beginners and marathon runners alike. I ran my first marathon in a Glycerin, and always recommend it to runners as a solid, reliable running shoe. 

With the Glycerin 20, Brooks has tweaked the midsole, which now features the brand’s nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3 foam. The result? In my opinion, the best Glycerin yet. But how does it compare to some of the best running shoes on the market for everyday miles? Read my Brooks Glycerin 20 review to find out more. 

Brooks Glycerin 20 review: Price and availability

The Brooks Glycerin 20 was released in the UK in May 2022 and is expected to be released in the U.S. in July. It retails at $190/£155, which is around the same price as other cushioned everyday running shoes like the Nike ZoomX Invincible Run and the New Balance 1080v12. 

The shoe is available as a neutral shoe or in a ‘GTS’ version, which contains Brooks’ GuideRails to add extra support and prevent overpronation. This is rare in the running shoe world and something that really makes Brooks stand out in my opinion. The Glycerin 19 is available in three different widths in the neutral version: medium (which is the standard), wide, and narrow. In the GTS version, the shoe comes in two widths — medium and wide. 

Color-wise, in the neutral version, the shoe comes in seven different colorways in the female shoe and six in the men’s shoe. In the support version, the shoe comes in three different colorways for both men and women. 

Brooks Glycerin 20 review: Design and fit

During testing, I found the Brooks Glycerin 20 to be true to size. It fits well and has a good amount of cushioning around the collar and tongue to sit comfortably on the foot. It’s roomy, but this isn’t an indicator to size up — you definitely want some room in the toe box to allow for your feet to swell as you run (confused? Check out our guide to buying running shoes here). 

Design-wise, the Brooks Glycerin 20 doesn’t look like the coolest shoe on the market. It’s a little clunky and a little old-school, but don’t let this put you off. The best-looking shoes aren’t the ones you want on your feet at mile 21 of a marathon — the most comfortable ones are.  

Upper 

Determined to give runners all the options they could possibly need, the Glycerin 20 also comes in a ‘Stealthfit’ version which has a lighter upper, which is more bootie-like. We tested the regular version for this review, but Brooks says the Stealthfit version has a more adaptive, distraction-free fit. 

For the regular version, the upper has been tweaked slightly from previous iterations. It’s more lightweight and breathable (the Glycerin 20 is lighter than previous versions, which weighed in at a half-ounce more), without feeling too sock-like. It does everything you’d expect, and during testing, we had no issue with rubbing or hot spots. 

Midsole 

The midsole of the shoe is where we see the biggest difference between the Glycerin 20 and previous iterations. Brooks has replaced the DNA Loft midsole foam with the DNA Loft V3, a lighter, poppier, nitrogen-infused midsole foam that Brooks first brought to market last year in the Aurora-BL. 

With DNA Loft V3, Brooks said it was able to fine-tune where you feel the softness underfoot. The foam is designed to react to your stride and where you need cushioning. It’s definitely a cushioned shoe, but you don’t sink into it when you first put the shoe on. Compared to the likes of the Nike Invincible Run, it doesn’t feel too cloud-like when you’re walking in it, although this isn’t necessarily a bad thing — it’s still cushioned and has a good amount of responsiveness. 

Outsole 

The outsole of the Glycerin 20 is built for road running or a light trail. There’s not a great amount of grip, but I had no issue during testing, even when running on wet sidewalks. That said, Brooks has made the midsole and outsole of the shoe slightly wider in the Glycerin 20 to allow for a smoother transition and toe-off on the run. 

Brooks Glycerin 20 review: Performance 

I’ve found the past few iterations of the Glycerin a little ‘meh’, but all this has changed with the Glycerin 20. It’s an excellent shoe for long, easy training miles, and definitely allows you to finish with enough in the bank, as it doesn’t lose its bounce over the course of a run. While the shoe is comfortable when you step into it, the DNA Loft V3 definitely takes a good few miles to break in, as I mentioned above, it’s not overly plush from the get-go. 

That said, no shoe is perfect, and while I loved the Glycerin on long runs and easy runs, I wished it had a little more of the DNA Loft V3 for faster sessions. It’s not an overly versatile shoe, and there are definitely better running shoes on the market when it comes to picking up the pace. That said, if you’re a beginner or you already have one of the best carbon fiber running shoes, I wouldn’t let this put you off.  

Brooks Glycerin 20 review: Verdict 

In my opinion, this is one of the best versions of the Brooks Glycerin yet. It’s responsive, it’s cushioned and it has the pop you want underfoot in the final miles of a long run. That said, I wish it had a little more foam underfoot and was that little bit more reactive to allow me to grab this for progression runs. Compared to the Aurora-BL, the Glycerin feels a little more sluggish and heavy. 

That said, there’s no reason why you can’t do speed sessions in this shoe. It’s a perfect marathon training shoe if you’re looking to only buy one running shoe, and it’s durable enough to get you through most of your training. 

It is on the expensive side for an everyday running shoe, and if you’re looking for something cheaper, check out the Nike Zoom Air Pegasus 39 or the Saucony Ride 15. That said, if you’re a Brooks fan or a Glycerin fan, this is a fantastic upgrade to an already reliable running shoe.  

So, you want to buy a super shoe, but can’t decide between the Nike Air Zoom Alphafly Next% and the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 2? Both are brilliantly fast shoes and some of the best Nike running shoes that have amassed many records and wins at World Marathon Majors.

Although I definitely can’t claim to have stood on the podium, or even remotely near the leading pack in either shoe, I have been lucky enough to run in both. I ran my half marathon and 10K PR (personal record) with the Alphafly Next% on my feet, and PR’d my most recent marathon wearing the Vaporfly Next% 2. It’s a tricky choice, but one I’ll attempt to make easier with this face-off. Read my full Nike Vaporfly Next% 2 review here, my full Nike Alphafly Next% review here, and below is my face-off between the Nike Air Zoom Alphafly Next% vs the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 2.  

Before drilling down into the similarities and differences, it’s important to note that these are not the latest version of either shoe. The most up to date Nike racers are the Nike Vaporfly 3 and Nike Alphafly 3, which are both among the best carbon plate running shoes available.

It's also worth saying that as racing-focused shoes, the Alphafly Next% and Vaporfly Next% 2 are not ideal for your daily training. A more durable and comfortable shoe like the Nike Pegasus 40 is better for that. If you are looking for more of an everyday running shoe, we’ve rounded up the best running shoes on the market here. 

Looking for the latest running shoes?

The latest version of the Alphafly, the Nike Alphafly 3, came out in January 2024, while the Nike Vaporfly Next% 3 was released in March 2023.  If you're not bothered about running in the latest version of the shoe, you might well be able to find a deal on the Alphafly Next% or the Vaporfly Next% 2, though stocks of both are now dwindling.

Can't decide between the newer and older models? We've written a Nike Alphafly Next% 2 vs Nike Vaporfly Next% 2 face-off here, as well as this comparison of the Nike Vaporfly Next% 3 vs Nike Vaporfly Next% 2.

Nike Alphafly Next% vs Nike Vaporfly Next% 2: Price and availability 

These two shoes are similarly priced, and both at the top end of what you’d probably expect to pay for a pair of running shoes. The Alphafly Next% is $275, whereas the Vaporfly Next% 2 is $250. While both come in a number of different colorways, you have slightly more choice when it comes to the Vaporfly Next% 2. In terms of availability, the Alphafly Next% comes in U.S. 6 to U.S. 15 in men’s sizing, and U.S. 5 to U.S. 12 in women’s sizing. The Vaporfly Next% 2 comes in unisex sizing from a men’s U.S. 3.5 (a women’s U.S. 5) to a men’s U.S. 15 (a women’s U.S. 16.5). Both only come in one shoe width, regular. 

Both shoes are increasingly hard to find available because they have been superseded by newer models, but when stock does crop up they are usually discounted. Look out for them in sales periods like Black Friday in particular.

Nike Alphafly Next% vs Nike Vaporfly Next% 2: Design, fit and feel 

Here’s where things get a little different, while both are racing shoes with the same ZoomX foam, the design and feel of both shoes is different. The Vaporfly Next% 2 is the updated version of the Vaporfly Next%, which was released in March 2019. The ZoomX foam is soft, yet extremely responsive underfoot and the full-length carbon-fiber plate and rocker-geometry help for a faster toe-off. It feels fast and stable underfoot, and with the second version of the shoe, Nike made some slight changes to the upper to make it wider and more comfortable. 

While the Alphafly Next% also has Zoom X foam, the most noticeable difference is that the shoe has two Zoom Air bags in the forefoot, which sit underneath the carbon-fiber plate. These really do the job and you notice the bounce under the ball of your foot on every toe-off. The stack height is also higher on the Alphafly Next%, which has a height of 35mm in the forefoot and 39mm in the heel, compared to the Vaporfly Next%, which has a height of 32mm in the forefoot and 40mm in the heel. Although the difference is merely a few millimeters, I definitely feel higher off the ground in the Alphafly Next%. 

Both shoes have a knitted-style upper, in the Alphafly Next% this is the AtomKnit, Nike’s latest version of it’s FlyKnit upper. Both uppers are super lightweight and breathable, with minimal water absorption on the run. They also both have an asymmetrical lacing system, which is designed to put less pressure on the top of the foot, and a pillow around the back of the shoe to give you extra cushioning on the heel.

When it comes to the outsole, both shoes are designed for the road and don’t have a huge amount of traction. There’s enough there to get you round a road marathon in the rain, but I wouldn’t take either shoe off-road in any capacity. Both shoes also have a rocker geometry, which we are seeing more from brands at the moment. This is definitely more pronounced on the Alphafly Next% due to the Zoom Air bags, but both shoes work to propel you forwards faster.

Fit-wise, both fit true to size. Although, by this, we mean your regular running shoe size, which should be at least a half size bigger than your day-to-day sneakers. I wear a U.K. 4 in my everyday shoes but ran in a U.K. 5 in both the Alphafly Next% and Vaporfly Next% 2.

Nike Alphafly Next% vs Nike Vaporfly Next% 2 Differences underfoot 

While we’ve covered how the two shoes are similar, there are also some key differences to note when looking at the Vaporfly Next% 2 next to the Alphafly Next%. Firstly, the Zoom Air bags in the midsole and the higher stack height of the Alphafly Next% make the shoe feel very different underfoot. I felt much higher from the ground, and a little less stable when running on the track, or around corners. That said, putting the Alphafly Next% on for the first time is magic. You really do feel like you’re flying and they definitely give you that extra snap on race day.

Unsurprisingly, perhaps, that extra foam and those airbags mean the Alphafly Next% is slightly heavier than the Vaporfly Next% 2. The Vaporfly Next% 2 weighs in at 6.9 oz, whereas the Alphafly Next% is 7.4 oz. That said, unless you’re trying to reach the podium, it’s unlikely you’ll really notice this difference underfoot.

Nike Alphafly Next% vs Nike Vaporfly Next% 2: Which is best for you? 

So, between the Nike Alphafly Next% and Nike Vaporfly Next% 2, which do you choose? It’s hard to pick — both are truly excellent shoes that will definitely help you run faster, and probably PR your next race. On one hand, the Alphafly is the most super of the super shoes on the market right now. The air pods make it feel faster than the Vaporfly Next% 2, plus the fact that Kipchoge wore it for, what Nike called, "the ultimate test run" proves how groundbreaking the shoes are. 

That said, when it came to choosing a shoe for my last marathon, I opted for the Vaporfly Next% 2. As exciting as I found the Alphafly Next%, I found them a little bit too much. They were too bouncy and propelled me forwards more than I was expecting. And, in all honesty, I didn’t feel that my legs were strong enough to cope. After PR’ing my half marathon by 15 minutes, my calves and shins ached and I felt like I didn’t have the leg strength to handle the bounce the shoe gave me. I feel like they are designed for the best of the best, not a middle-of-the-pack runner, like me. 

By contrast, I was wearing the Vaporfly Next% 2 when I PR’d my latest marathon by six minutes and loved how responsive they felt for the entire race. I also found that my legs didn’t feel as fatigued the next day as they had after past marathons. 

If you’re looking for something cheaper, the Nike Air Zoom Tempo Next% is also a brilliant shoe for race day. Designed as the training partner for the Alphafly, the Tempo Next% has the same ZoomX foam and Zoom Air unit under the ball of the foot, designed to give a spring to your stride. It’s fast, comfortable, and built to last for miles.

While there will be plenty of runners that are fitter and faster than I, who upgrade to the Alphafly Next% and run their best race yet wearing them, there will also be lots that stick with the Vaporfly, and I don’t blame them.

The Nike Pegasus is a brilliant everyday running shoe, designed for daily miles. It’s a workhorse and could get you around everything from a 5K, to a marathon. While it might not be the fastest running shoe on the market, it’s responsive enough to allow you to pick up the pace when you need it, and is a good running shoe for beginners, and those clocking out longer miles alike. 

For a shoe to be on its 39th iteration, it must be doing something right, but if you’re struggling to choose between the new Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39, or saving your money on the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 38, I’ve put the two shoes head to head below. As well as looking at the similarities and differences between the two shoes, I’ve weighed up the pros and cons of both. Both shoes made it onto our list of the best Nike running shoes and the best running shoes to shop right now, but which is best, and which should you buy?  

Nike Pegasus 39 vs Nike Pegasus 38: Price and availability

Both the Pegasus 38 and the Pegasus 39 costs £109/ $120, and are available in sizes US 6-15 (UK 5.5-14) in the men’s version and sizes US 4.5-12 (UK 2.5-9.5) in the women’s.

As the Pegasus 39 launched in April 2022 and are still not widely available, you’re unlikely to find it discounted anywhere just yet. By contrast, as the Nike Pegasus 38 is now last-seasons stock, it is likely to be on sale at a number of different retailers. That said, even at $120, the shoe is cheaper than other popular everyday running shoes such as the Adidas Ultraboost 22, and the New Balance 1080v12. 

Winner: Nike Pegasus 38. If you’re looking for a good-quality everyday running shoe without the price tag, opt for the Pegasus 38. 

Nike Pegasus 39 vs Nike Pegasus 38: Design and fit

Both the Pegasus 38 and the Pegasus 39 have similar designs, with the same React midsole foam, a comfortable, durable upper, and a light grip on the outsole, designed for running on concrete rather than trail. That said, during testing we found that the Pegasus 39 came up a little bigger than the Pegasus 38. 

The Pegasus line underwent some big changes with the Nike Pegasus 37, when Nike added React foam to the shoe for the first time. Fans of the shoe struggled with the fit, which had a slightly shallower heel, causing rubbing. It appears it’s third time lucky for Nike, and the Pegasus 39 fits more true-to-size than the Pegasus 38. 

The upper of the Pegasus 39 is more stripped-back than that of the Pegasus 38 — there are fewer overlays, and the upper feels slightly more breathable. Nike says it has placed engineered mesh throughout the upper, which is stronger and more flexible than regular mesh. There’s also “Flywire technology,” which is a band of wires that wrap around the midfoot of the shoe from the laces to keep the foot in place.

The tongue of the Pegasus 39 is still padded, and there’s a good amount of cushioning around the collar of the shoe.

Winner: Nike Pegasus 39. All-in-all, we found the Pegasus 39 a better fitting shoe.

Nike Pegasus 39 vs Nike Pegasus 38: Performance

Here’s where things get a little different — during testing, I found the Pegasus 39 had a lot more ‘pop’ underfoot than the previous iterations of the shoe. Nike has added a second Zoom Air unit to the heel of the Pegasus 39; the 38 has a forefoot unit for a responsive toe-off, but the Pegasus 39 has both a forefoot Zoom Air unit and a second in the rear of the shoe. This gives the Pegasus 39 more of a snap and a little more energy return. 

Although both shoes are fantastic for easy miles, the Pegasus 39 definitely has enough bounce to pick up the pace during tempo sessions, whereas the Pegasus 38 just felt a little heavier underfoot. Talking of weight, the Pegasus 39 is lighter — the women’s US 8 weighs in at 231g, compared to the 235g in the Pegasus 38. Obviously this is a marginal difference, but combined with the double air unit, the shoe definitely feels faster. 

Neither shoe feels overly plush underfoot — the React foam isn’t particularly soft, especially compared to the Zoom X foam used in the Nike Invincible Run 2. That said, I’d argue the firmer midsole gives the shoe a certain versatility that you want from an everyday running shoe 

Winner: Nike Pegasus 39. When it comes to underfoot feel, the Pegasus 39 just feels more exciting. I’m not sure whether this is due to the lighter weight, or the second Zoom Air unit, but it’s springier underfoot. 

Nike Pegasus 39 vs Nike Pegasus 38: Which is best for you? 

During my testing, I found the Pegasus 39 to be a huge improvement on the Pegasus 38 both in fit and feel underfoot. Compared to similar shoes in the price range, such as the New Balance 1080v12, or the Brooks Glycerin 19, I’d argue that for a cheaper price tag, you’re getting a much more versatile shoe in the Pegasus. 

It’s still definitely best suited to easy miles but has enough snap to cope with faster sessions, although quicker runners might find it a little hefty. Again, this is a brilliant bigger shoe and has enough durability to last for miles. 

That said, if you’re looking for the same durability and responsiveness of the Pegasus without the price tag, the Pegasus 38 is still a decent choice for training miles. 

What do we know about the Nike Pegasus 40? 

If Nike follows it's usual tradition of releasing a Pegasus in the spring, we can expect the Pegasus 40 to be released around April 2023. As this will be the 40th iteration of Nike's most popular running shoe, we can expect a big fanfare, and perhaps some big changes. 

The New Balance 1080 has been the brand’s most popular running shoe for the past few years, and the v12 lives up to the hype. What was once a shoe that was only suited for slow, easy miles, has evolved into a versatile all-rounder suited to a speedy 5K or a steady marathon. 

But how does the 1080v12 compare to some of the other best running shoes on the market, and the likes of other new everyday shoes such as the Nike Pegasus 39, or the On Cloudmonster? To find out more, I laced up in the New Balance 1080v12 and wore it for a number of different sessions — from steady, easy miles, to faster tempo runs. Read on for my full New Balance 1080v12 review below to find out more. 

New Balance 1080v12 review: Price and availability

The New Balance 1080v12 was released in April 2022 and costs $159/£145. It’s available in women’s sizes U.S. 5-13 (U.K. 3-9) and comes in three different shoe widths — standard, wide, and extra-wide. The women’s shoe is available in four different colors — white, purple, black, and apricot. 

In the men’s, the 1080v12 is available in sizes U.S. 7-16 (U.K. 6.5-14) and comes in the same standard, wide, and extra-wide widths. At launch, the shoe is available in five colors — black, grey, navy, orange, and blue. 

New Balance 1080v12 review: Design and fit 

Design-wise, the 1080v12 is a huge improvement from previous versions of this shoe. New Balance has abandoned the molded heel counter of the v11, which widely divided runners, and has added a Hypoknit upper. On a run in the Peak District with one of the shoe’s designers, New Balance explained how it's listened to runner’s feedback, and switched back to a more traditional heel counter for the v12, and it works. 

Fit-wise, the v12 comes up big, almost half a size too big, in fact. I typically run in a U.K. 5, and tested the 1080v12 in a U.K. 4.5 and they still feel roomy. They definitely come up wide and long in the foot, and I’d be tempted to buy half a size down if you’re shopping online and can’t try these on beforehand. 

Upper

The upper on the New Balance 1080v12 is made from the brand’s “Hypoknit” material and it’s stretchy and comfortable across the top of the foot. There are reinforced areas to offer extra support in areas you’d need it most. But overall, the bootie construction is lightweight and hugs the foot nicely. During testing, I found the upper to be a good mix of breathable and supportive.

As mentioned, the heel counter has also been completely redesigned in the v12, removing the hard plastic and replacing it with a more traditional heel, complete with a padded collar. This is a huge improvement and prevents the tightness and blisters around the heel many runners experienced with the v11. 

The tongue is also nicely padded, and I was able to wear these straight out of the box without any rubbing, hotspots, or blisters. 

Midsole 

The midsole contains New Balance’s Fresh Foam X, which has a good amount of cushioning to feel plush underfoot, yet still enough responsiveness to allow you to pick up the pace should you need it. During testing, I found the shoe had a good amount of versatility — while it’s definitely best suited for longer, easy miles, there’s enough snap to wear this shoe while picking up the pace. There’s a good amount of bounce underfoot when wearing this shoe, and I enjoyed running in it. 

If you’re a seriously speedy runner or a runner who prefers to run in a lighter shoe, you might find the heft of the 1080v12 off-putting. But if you’re not, this is a good do-everything shoe. 

Outsole 

Similar to the previous iterations of this shoe, the outsole confirms the 1080v12 is still best-suited to the roads. The lugs aren’t deep or grippy enough to cope with technical trails, but on wet sidewalks and light tracks, there’s definitely enough traction to keep you safe. 

New Balance 1080v12 review: Performance 

I’ve tested these running shoes on a number of different runs and have been impressed with the versatility of the shoe. While it’s not the kind of shoe I’d normally wear for a faster tempo run, it coped well. And on slower, easy miles, the shoe was plush, bouncy, and exciting. It’s a fantastic all-rounder, and a perfect shoe for beginners looking for something soft and supportive.

Until now, I’ve never really understood the hype with the New Balance 1080, but with the v12, I finally get why this shoe has such a dedicated following. It’s a good, durable running shoe, that could easily be worn for anything from a 5K to a marathon. It’s a brilliant example of what you’d expect from an everyday running shoe and a reminder that you don’t need multiple running shoes in your closet to train well for a race.

The downside is that the 1080v12 is a little heavier than previous iterations of the shoe, although this could be down to the sizing issues. 

New Balance 1080v12 review: Verdict 

If you don’t fancy forking out hundreds of dollars on two pairs of running shoes, the 1080v12 will meet most of your training needs. The shoes are comfortable enough to wear on long runs, responsive enough to wear on race day, and the Fresh Foam has enough snap to cope with speedier training sessions. 

The 1080v12 is a huge improvement on the v11, and hopefully the molded heel is gone for good. That said, the sizing is a little wild, and I’d definitely recommend going down half a size to avoid being in a too-big, clunky running shoe. 

If you’re looking to spend less, I’d opt for the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39, which has also received some big improvements and is $40 cheaper than the New Balance 1080v12. If you’re looking for something more exciting for race day, I’d check out the New Balance RC Elite v2, which is on our list of best carbon fiber running shoes.  

When it comes to the Nike Pegasus there are two camps of runners — those who long for the return of the Pegasus 36, and those who prefer the updated version of the shoe, with React foam in the midsole. After a week of testing in the Pegasus, I’d go as far to say that the Nike Pegasus 39 might just be the one that reunites Pegasus fans everywhere. 

Nike has improved the fit, made the shoe lighter, and added a Zoom Air unit to the heel of the shoe as well as the forefoot. It’s got all of the features of the Pegasus — a durable all-rounder built for long runs and everyday miles, but it’s slightly more responsive, allowing you to pick up the pace should you need to. How does it compare to some of the other best Nike running shoes on the market? Read our Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39 review to find out.

Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39 review: Price and availability

The Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39 was released in April 2022 and costs £109/$120. In the UK, it is currently available on the Nike website, and on retailers like sportsshoe.com. This is the same as the Nike Pegasus 38, although you’ll likely be able to pick up a pair of last year’s shoes at a discount right now. In the world of super shoes, the Pegasus has always been a more affordable running shoe, popular with beginners and more experienced runners alike. If you're looking to save on your next Nike pair, our Nike promo codes can help you bring the price down.

At launch, it’s available in five different colorways in the men’s version — red, white, all black, light blue, and black and white, and seven in the women’s — mint, grey, all black, white and pink, pink, white, and black and white. That said, being one of the most popular Nike running shoes on the market, it’s very likely that the Pegasus will be released in more colorways in the future. 

The shoe is available in sizes US 6-15 (UK 5.5-14) in the men’s version and sizes US 4.5-12 (UK 2.5-9.5) in the women’s.

Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39 review: Design and fit 

So, what’s new? Nike has made some tweaks to the upper in the Pegasus 39 — there’s still a good amount of cushioning, but Nike has used an engineered mesh to make it stronger and lighter. It’s also added a Zoom Air unit to the heel of the shoe, which is probably the most noticeable change underfoot. 

Fit-wise, the Pegasus 39 seems to address some of the issues runners experienced with the 37 and 38. It’s more true to size, which we found during our testing, and the heel has been slightly changed to prevent heel slip. The toe box feels roomier than on the Pegasus 37 and the Pegasus 38. It comes in a regular and wider width, but unless you’ve got particularly wide feet, the regular shoe should be suitable for most runners. 

Upper 

The upper on the Nike Pegasus 39 is lighter than that on the Pegasus 38. Nike says it has placed engineered mesh throughout the upper, which is stronger and more flexible than regular mesh. There’s also “Flywire technology,” which is a band of wires that wrap around the midfoot of the shoe from the laces to keep the foot in place.

The tongue of the Pegasus 39 is still padded, and there’s a good amount of cushioning around the collar of the shoe. I also appreciate the new laces, which are similar to those used in the Nike Vaporfly Next% 2 (although not as exaggerated), with grooves along the outside of the laces to prevent them from loosening or coming untied on the run. 

Midsole 

The midsole contains Nike’s React foam, which is a lightweight, durable foam, the same as that used in other everyday Nike running shoes, such as the Nike Infinity Flyknit 3. In the Pegasus 39, Nike has added a second Zoom Air unit to the heel of the shoe. The 37 and 38 both had a forefoot unit for a responsive toe-off, but the Pegasus 39 has both a forefoot Zoom Air unit and a second in the rear of the shoe. This gives the Pegasus 39 more of a snap and a little more energy return. 

The React foam isn’t overly plush, so don’t put this shoe on and expect a soft, cushioned ride. Unlike the ZoomX foam used in shoes like the Nike Invincible or the Nike Vaporfly Next% 2, the Pegasus 39 isn’t bouncy or plush, but for an everyday workhorse, it’s got a good amount of responsiveness.  

Outsole 

The outsole is similar to previous iterations of the Pegasus — Nike calls it “waffle inspired” and there’s a good amount of grip for wet concrete and light trails. The lugs are by no means deep enough to take this on a technical trail (we’ve found the best trail running shoes for that), but it’s a stable all-rounder for those everyday runs. 

Like other Nike running shoes, the Pegasus 39 has slightly more of a flared heel — Nike says this is to optimize landing, helping for a faster heel-toe transition. 

Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39 review: Performance 

I wore the Pegasus 39 for a number of different runs — from slower, easy commuting runs with a backpack, to recovery runs, and a six-mile tempo session, with two-minute repeats. I’ve been impressed with the versatility of this shoe — while there are definitely better shoes for faster sessions (I’d normally opt for the Nike Air Zoom Tempo Next%), the Pegasus 39 is reactive enough to pick up the pace should you need it. 

My main issue with the Pegasus 37 and Pegasus 38 was that I felt like they didn’t quite have enough energy return underfoot. Both versions felt a little sluggish and a little heavy. Whether it’s the extra Zoom Air unit or the fact the Pegasus 39 is a lighter shoe, it definitely feels more responsive. 

The fit is a massive improvement on previous iterations. Out of the box, I was able to run for about 20 miles in the shoe without any blisters or hot spots. While I’ve never experienced heel slipping in the Pegasus, it definitely has a good locked-down feel.  

Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39 review: Verdict 

Would I go so far as to say this is my favorite Pegasus since the 36? In a word, yes. After falling out of love with the Pegasus for the past few years, I feel like the 39 is a big improvement. Compared to similar shoes in the price range, such as the New Balance 1080v12, or the Brooks Glycerin 19, I’d argue that for a cheaper price tag, you’re getting a much more versatile shoe in the Pegasus. 

It’s still definitely best suited to easy miles but has enough snap to cope with faster sessions, although quicker runners might find it a little hefty. Again, this is a brilliant bigger shoe and has enough durability to last for miles. It’s wonderfully reliable, and could easily get you around your first 5K, or your first marathon. 

If you’re not willing to spend more than $100 on a pair of running shoes, now is a good time to buy a pair of the Nike Pegasus 38, which should be on sale. But for a little bit more, the Pegasus 39 will more than satisfy most runners.

When Nike released its Infinity Flyknit running shoe, it came with the caveat that it would help runners avoid injuries. Two years later, Nike is back with the third iteration of its easy, everyday running shoe, with some more tweaks to the upper to provide a smooth ride underfoot. But how does it compare to some of the best Nike running shoes on the market? I’ve run 30 miles in the shoe, over a number of different terrains and types of sessions, to put it to the test. 

Fans of the Infinity will be thrilled to hear not all that much has changed between the second and third versions of this shoe. Nike says it has added more cushioning around the heel and ankle for support, and has added Flyknit to the upper. It’s still a comfortable all-rounder, but in my opinion, it lacks the versatility of the original version of this shoe and is about $50 too expensive for most beginners. Read my full Nike Infinity Flyknit 3 review below to find out more. 

Nike React Infinity Flyknit 3 review: Price and availability

The Nike React Infinity Flyknit 3 is £144.95/$160 and has been available in the UK and the US as of April 2022. The shoe comes in five different colorways for both men and women and is available in sizes US 5 to US 12 (UK 2.5 to UK 9.5) in the women’s sizing, and US 6.5 to US 15 (UK 6 to UK 14) in the men’s. 

The shoe is more expensive than the likes of the Nike Pegasus 38 (and Pegasus 39, also released in April 2022), which cost $120. 

Nike React Infinity Flyknit 3 review: Design and fit

Nike calls this its “most tested shoe.” There’s a bit of a background story here — when Nike first released the Infinity, it came alongside a body of research that looked at how runners ran, and what they needed from a shoe to prevent common running injuries. The findings of the study, conducted by the British Columbia Sports Medicine Research Foundation, found that the runners wearing the React Infinity had a 52% lower injury rate than those in the motion control shoe (Nike’s Structure 22), with wearers confirming that they felt less pain in their knees and feet.

The changes in the second iteration of this shoe echoed this research — with the introduction of a sturdier upper to give runners more support. Personally, I missed the lighter, sock-like upper of the initial Infinity Run, which I used for a lot of long, easy training miles. The thicker upper somehow made this shoe feel heftier, and less versatile. With the third iteration, Nike has tweaked the upper again, and added more cushioning around the heel and ankle for a more supportive feel underfoot.

Upper 

The upper on the Nike React Infinity Flyknit 3 is made from Nike’s “Flyknit” material, which is designed to be sock-like, and hug the foot for a secure feeling. As mentioned, the upper changed in the second iteration of the shoe, in an attempt to make the shoe more supportive and comfortable. In the Infinity Flyknit 2, Nike added padding to the collar and tongue, and incorporated ‘Flywire cables’ to offer additional support in areas of the shoe. 

The upper of the Flyknit 3 feels very similar to that of the second version of the shoe — it does feel a little lighter, but is still not anywhere near as sock-like as it was in the first version of the shoe. 

Midsole 

The midsole of the Nike React Infinity Flyknit 3 contains Nike’s React foam, which is firmer and more supportive than the ZoomX foam used in shoes like the Nike Invincible Run, or the Nike Vaporfly Next% 2. It’s the same foam as that used in the Pegasus 38, and gives you a snappy feel underfoot, without being overly bouncy. Like with other React shoes, I found I had to almost break these shoes in, and it wasn’t until I’d done a few miles in them that I found the foam to be cushioned rather than firm.

Again, like previous versions of the shoe, the silhouette is the same — there’s a wider toebox for a stable feel underfoot, plus a rocker geometry to help support the stride, and aid a natural toe-off. This rocker isn’t all that exaggerated, but it’s definitely there.  

Nike says it has added more cushioning around the heel and ankle in the third iteration of the shoe, and these were comfortable straight out the box. However underfoot, they felt very similar to the previous shoe. 

Outsole 

The outsole of the Nike Infinity Flyknit 3 is definitely built for the roads rather than the trails. There’s no deep lugs here, but they are definitely gripper on the pavement than say, the Nike Invincible Run, and during testing, I had no issue with these on wet concrete, the treadmill, or light trail. 

Nike React Infinity Flyknit 3 review: Performance 

Like the Infinity Flyknit 2, this is a decent shoe for everyday miles. It’s comfortable enough to wear on your long runs, and it could be responsive enough for speedier tempo sessions, although faster runners might find them a little hefty, and there are better shoes out there for that (check out our best carbon fiber running shoes). 

If you’re not comparing them to previous versions, as I am, you’re bound to enjoy the responsiveness of the React foam, and the stability added to the shoe to help mild overpronators in the final miles of a long run. 

They also look great too, which isn’t all that important for a running shoe, but in my opinion, if you’re spending $160 on a shoe, you want to be able to wear it to the gym or in the office as well. 

Nike React Infinity Flyknit 3 review: Verdict

While the third-generation Flyknit is great  for easy training miles, my heart longs for the underfoot feel of the original Infinity Flyknit, which I found to be far more versatile, and far less hefty. I’d also argue that not all that much has changed since the Flyknit 2, so if you’re on a budget, snap the previous version up in the sale and you won’t be disappointed. 

If you’re not looking to spend $160 on a shoe, the Pegasus 38 shares a lot of the qualities of the Infinity Flyknit 2 — reliable, built for long training miles, and comfortable underfoot, for $40 less. What’s more, the Pegasus 39 is due to drop any day now, so you’ll likely be able to snap the 38 up for even cheaper. It's worth checking our Nike promo codes to see if there are any savings to be had.

If you’re looking for something more exciting, the ZoomX foam in the Nike Invincible Run is far more responsive and bouncy, and feels great, even when running on tired legs.

If you’re looking for a simple training app then Nike Run Club could be a perfect fit. While it’s not as flashy as some of its competitors, it does all the basics. Training plans, run tracking and social leaderboards are all included. There’s no cost involved, either – no hidden subscriptions or premium membership tiers. 

You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to guided runs, too. We rate it as one of the best running apps available, but it doesn’t quite nick the top spot in our list - partly because it doesn’t have the in-depth features of competitors like Strava. It’s also a bit glitchy, occasionally failing to record distances. Here’s what we made of the app, after running with it for several months.

Nike Run Club review: Features

The guided runs are the real standout feature on the Nike Run Club app. These function like podcasts, so you simply switch them on at the start of your run and a narrator will talk you through your session.

Many other apps also feature this kind of content, but Nike does it particularly well. There are guides on how to run in hot weather, or you plug into “mindful” runs that will encourage you to destress while you jog. Alternatively, you can challenge yourself with some intense interval training.

You'll also find a handful of detailed training plans, which can coach you up to half marathon distance.

The breadth and depth of this free content feels generous, especially when you consider that Strava now hides this kind of stuff behind a paywall. Occasionally, some of the narration veers into being cheesy, but we found the upbeat run coaches were a solid source of encouragement.

Other than this, a lot of the features on the Nike Run app are fairly basic. You can set up a run goal, monitor your speed and track your distance. You’ll also find your past jogs recorded in the activity section, with each session broken down into 1km time splits. Elevation is recorded, along with your heart rate if you’re connected to a compatible fitness tracker.

There are a few neat extras built into the tracking process. If you stop running at any point, the app will detect this and automatically pause recording. A handy assistant will also call out your progress as you pass each kilometer.

Unfortunately, there’s no suggested route function on the app, so you can't drop a pin somewhere and ask the app to guide you towards it. And the social features are fairly limited, too. 

We also experienced a couple of glitches where the app failed to record that we were running, which is a shame as otherwise the GPS tracking was generally spot on. Other users report similar problems on Google Play – and some mention that the app failed to save their data at the end of a run. If this happens you can manually record your distance and time, but it doesn’t feel as satisfying.

Nike Run Club review: Interface

It’s really easy to navigate around the app. To get the ball rolling, you simply need to open the quickstart screen, enter your goal (in either time or distance) then set off. It’s also easy to scroll through your recorded data and look at your average times. When you hit a personal best – or if you smash certain Nike challenges – you’ll find special badges applied to your recorded runs. 

We really like that the app displays your rolling speed and covered distance, even on a lock screen. Other apps we tested (such as Zombies, Run!) only show these metrics on an unlocked device, so you can’t glance at your screen to check your progress. It’s a small touch but makes a big difference if you’re keeping an eye on your speed on the move.

You can also add a lot of detail to your recorded runs. Once you’ve completed your session, you can note where you ran (on roads, trails or a track), your perceived effort during the run, and the shoes you wore too.

Shoe tracking is a handy little extra that’s hidden away on the app. You can record how far you’ve run in a certain pair, which is a good way to keep track of usage. You can even ask the app to notify you when you’ve completed a certain distance in the shoes, giving you a nudge to buy a new pair when necessary. 

Nike Run Club review: Smartwatch apps

You can find a dedicated Nike Run Club app on Apple Watches and Google Wear OS devices. This means that any data recorded on your watch should get stored in the Nike Run Club app, too. You can also pair the app with Garmin, Polar, TomTom and Wahoo devices, which will allow you to get your heart rate data during a run.

If you use a Fitbit, however, then you're out of luck here, as you won't be able to make your wearable play nice with the app.

Nike Run Club review: Social

The social side of the app feels like a bit of an afterthought. You can add friends and family who are using the app, then compete with them for leaderboard titles. You can also create challenges and get your friends to battle it out for the best times or distances.

This is nice, but unless your friends are as into running as you are it might be tricky to set up much of a social network. It certainly doesn’t feel as well thought through as the Strava design, where you can compete with other people in your local neighborhood to get the fastest time along a particular stretch of road. 

If you open the club section of the app, you’ll find a leaderboard (for your friends) and an events page that shows local run events happening near you. We tried this out for London, however, and only found one race scheduled for the month. 

Nike Run Club review: Verdict

This is a well designed running app with all the guided runs you could ever need. Sure, it might not be as flashy as Strava, but if you just want something to accurately log your miles then this is an excellent choice. 

Small features (like the autopause in the running mode) show that real care has been taken with the design of this app – and the regularly updated audio content keeps things feeling fresh. 

There are occasional glitches, but these are usually resolved with a quick reboot. You'll also find, unfortunately, that the social side of things feels fairly basic.

Strava has turned Apple Watch syncing back on, following its decision to remove the option to sync activities that have been not been recorded directly with Strava to Apple Health last week. The change meant you couldn't record a run or ride on a Garmin, upload it to Strava, and sync it to your watch. 

In a statement today, Strava said, "Our attempt to prevent duplicate activity uploads from posting to Strava created unintended consequences for our athlete community. After listening to their feedback and assessing the situation we have decided to turn syncing back on for third-party applications to Apple Health."

Last week, Strava support team told us that the update to Health Kit integration meant only activities recorded directly with the Strava iPhone or Apple Watch app will push to Apple Health. The move was to prevent duplicates of your activities being sent to your Strava account from both Garmin and HealthKit.

It's nice to see the brand, which has for a long time been withheld as a social media for athletes, has listened to its users' feedback on the decision. 

How do you turn on syncing from Strava to Apple Health? 

To allow your Strava activities to sync to your Apple Watch, you need to turn on syncing between the two devices. On the mobile Strava app, open your settings from the gear icon in the upper right-hand corner of the Home, Groups, or You tab. Then select Applications, Services, and Devices > Health > Select the plus sign icon.

Tap Connect on the next screen, and you'll be taken to the Health Access page, where you can enable the sharing of data from Strava to Health. You can control which types of information Strava will read and write to Health. You'll need to enable Workouts if you want your data to be shared, be that your bike rides, runs, or calories burned.

Looking to upgrade your tech? We've found the best Apple Watch to buy in 2022, as well as the best Garmin watch and the best fitness trackers.

If you’re looking for a fast training shoe, I think I’ve found it. The Nike Air Zoom Tempo Next% Flyknit has the speed of a racer, but the durability of an everyday running shoe. Designed to be the training partner to some of Nike’s speedier running shoes, such as the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 2, the Air Zoom Tempo Next% is built for long training miles, not race day. But who is the Air Zoom Tempo Next% built for, and how does it compare to some of the other best Nike running shoes on the market? 

The Nike Air Zoom Tempo Next% contains the same ZoomX foam and Zoom Air unit as featured in the Nike Alphafly Next%, but the outsole of the shoe is far more durable than the famous racer. I’ve run more than a hundred miles in the Air Zoom Tempo Next% and found them seriously snappy and responsive — they feel fast, and help you get that faster toe-off, even on tired legs. Read my full Nike Air Zoom Tempo Next% review below.

Nike Air Zoom Tempo Next% review: Price and availability 

The Nike Air Zoom Tempo Next% retails at $200 (or less with a Nike promo code) and is widely available on the Nike website and other running stores. The good news is that as the shoe was released in September 2020, you can often find last-season colorways on sale for a cheaper price. At the moment, Nike has not released any information about an update to this shoe. 

The Nike Air Zoom Tempo Next% comes in a number of different colorways for both men and women. The men’s shoe runs in sizes US 6 to US 15, the women’s shoe runs in sizes US 5 to US 12. The shoe only comes in one width — regular, but unless you have especially wide feet, they should fit most runners. 

Nike Air Zoom Tempo Next% review: Design and fit 

These running shoes are designed to be fast. The Zoom Air unit in the forefoot helps propel you forwards with every step. There are two different midsole foams: the faster, bouncier ZoomX foam at the front of the shoe, and Nike’s more durable React foam at the back of the shoe. The shoe also has a carbon composite plate, which helps rock the foot forward for a faster toe-off, but again, the plate is more durable than that you’d find in Nike’s faster running shoes. 

There is a slight downside to these shoes: they are not technically legal. In 2020, World Athletics released new rules regarding the stack height of running shoes, which can not be over 40mm for road races. The Nike Air Zoom Tempo Next% has a stack height of 46mm on the heel of the shoe, and 36mm at the front of the shoe. This means if you’re planning on reaching the podium at your next race, you definitely won’t be able to wear these on race day. 

Upper 

The upper of the Nike Tempo Next% is paper-thin, as you’d expect from a racing shoe. In fact, the lightweight Flyknit design is very similar to that found in the Alphafly. The upper is designed to wrap around the foot, offering support where it needs it, but aside from that, there’s not much going on. It’s designed to be thin and breathable, and it ticks those boxes — there’s no danger of your feet overheating wearing these shoes. 

Another feature worth mentioning is the sideways lacing of the Tempo Next%. Nike says the asymmetrical lacing is designed to keep the foot securely in the shoe and prevent any hotspots on the top of the foot as you move. It does this well — having run hundreds of miles in the shoe, I’ve never experienced any slipping. 

Nike has also added heel pods around the heel of the shoe for comfort. Again, these feature in the Vaporfly Next% 2 and the Alphafly Next%. They’re meant to prevent rubbing and blisters in racing shoes you might not have run a lot of miles in. That said, the heel of the Tempo Next% literally tore my feet to shreds on the first few runs. Granted, I am pretty blister-prone and this isn’t all too rare an experience for me, but it wasn’t comfortable, or pretty. I definitely found the tougher Flyknit upper took some ‘breaking in’, but once you’ve done this, you’re good.

Midsole 

The midsole of the Nike Air Zoom Tempo Next% contains two different types of foam. In the front of the shoe, there’s Nike’s ZoomX foam, which is lightweight and responsive and used in the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 2 as well as the Nike ZoomX Invincible Run. Under the heel of the shoe there’s Nike’s React foam, which is a little firmer and more supportive and used in the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 38. 

As well as the two different foams, Nike has added an Air Zoom unit to the midsole. This sits underneath the ball of the foot and helps for a faster toe-off. It’s the same Air Zoom unit in the Alphafly Next%, and it definitely works — the sensation is almost like running on a bouncy castle at first, you definitely feel the push off as you run, and it takes some of the efforts out of running fast.

There’s also a carbon composite plate, which isn’t as harsh underfoot as the carbon plates you’d find in Nike’s other racing shoes, but it still gives that rocker-geometry we’ve come to expect from Nike. The carbon plate is also more durable in the Tempo Next%, allowing runners to clock higher mileage in the shoes before they are ‘worn out’. 

Outsole 

The outsole of the Tempo Next% is designed to be durable. Nike says the placement of the rubber is based on data from hundreds of runners, putting traction under the parts of the foot that most need it. This shoe is durable and will last you a long time (I did about 500 miles in my first pair, and only replaced them because the inner ripped when I slipped my shoe off without untying the laces). That said, it’s definitely a road shoe. There’s not an awful lot of grip on uneven surfaces, although the stack height of this shoe means you probably wouldn’t want to put it to the test on anything other than concrete. 

Nike Air Zoom Tempo Next% review: Performance 

The result? This shoe helps you run fast but is also able to keep up with the training schedule required of marathon runners. It’s quick enough to wear for speed sessions and durable enough to run long distances at race pace. They definitely feel a little clunky and stompy when you’re trying to run at a slower, easier pace, but they’re not really designed for that kind of running, so this isn’t really something to judge the shoe on. 

The Tempo Next% definitely feels a little firmer underfoot compared to the Vaporfly Next% 2, or the Alphafly Next%, but they’re also built to last in a way that the racing shoes definitely aren’t. I found they had enough bounce underfoot to give me the energy I needed on tired marathon training runs, but also, I didn’t worry about wearing them day after day, like I would with the Vaporfly Next% 2.

I will say, for runners who need a shoe with support, I’d steer clear of the Tempo Next%, as the stack height does make this shoe a little unstable, especially on tired legs, or around corners. I’d also opt for a shoe with a lower stack height for easy runs, as you want more comfort and cushion on easy days. 

Nike Air Zoom Tempo Next% review: Verdict 

Despite the (illegal) stack height, the blisters, and the slightly sketchy grip, these are one of my favorite running shoes ever. I wore them solidly for my last marathon, and then raced in the Vaporfly Next% 2 with zero issues on the day. They’re the perfect mix of durability and speed, and they look great, which doesn’t matter, but also kind of does. 

Faster runners will love the Air Zoom unit and the ZoomX foam at the front of the shoe, as it really does propel you forward with each step. Really fast runners might feel like they’re cheating when they’re training in these. If you can’t afford one of the more expensive racing shoes in the Nike line, you could race in these — I won’t tell anyone. 

That said, if you’re a beginner, or you’re after a running shoe that will cope with easy, slow miles, I’d opt for the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 38, or the Nike ZoomX Invincible Run over these, as they’ll be more comfortable in the long run (pun intended). 

When it comes to finding the best running shoes, every runner will have a slightly different set of requirements based on how often they run, where they run, and what kind of shoe they enjoy running in. That said, if you’re after a seriously plush, comfortable running shoe, I think I’ve found one of the best on the market. 

The Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit is designed for marathon runners looking for a shoe for their easy, recovery miles. That said, there’s no reason why beginners couldn’t get a lot out of this shoe — it’s not just for slow, easy miles; this shoe can comfortably get you around your first 5K. Designed for maximum shock absorption, it’s packed with bouncy, responsive foam that feels spongy and comfortable from your first step. But how does it compare to some of the other best Nike running shoes on the market? Read our Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit review below to find out more. 

Nike ZoomX Invincible Run review: Price and availability 

The Nike ZoomX Invincible Run costs $180, which is definitely at the more expensive end of the running shoe market. The shoe contains Nike’s ZoomX foam, which is the premium foam used in Nike’s faster running shoes (although its goal in this shoe is to be lightweight and responsive in a way that takes some of the load off your legs, rather than propel you to a new PR). 

The good news is, the Nike ZoomX Invincible Run is often on sale, so you might be able to pick up a pair at a discounted price. It was released in January 2021, so it’s likely Nike will be updating the shoe early 2022, so we can expect this shoe will get cheaper in the next few months. It's well worth looking at our Nike promo codes page for deals you might be able to apply to your order too.

The Nike ZoomX Invincible Run is available in a wide variety of colorways for both men and women. It only comes in one width, but is, by design, a wider shoe, so it should fit all runners. The shoe runs in sizes US 5 to US 12 in the women’s version and US 6 to US 15 in the men’s shoe. 

Nike ZoomX Invincible Run review: Design and fit 

Nike had comfort in mind when designing this shoe, and this runs through pretty much every feature — from the upper to the outsole. When you first get the Nike ZoomX Invincible Run out of its orange cardboard box, you’ll think you’ve ordered the wrong size — this shoe is huge. The thick, outsole foam almost wraps around your entire foot like a rubber ring, encasing you in soft foam. The shoe has a wide toebox, with what looks like a bunion of foam sticking out from the side. There’s also a wide heel, with a centimeter of foam around the heel. It’s extremely comfortable, but an alien experience. 

Aside from looking bigger than your other running shoes, the Nike ZoomX Invincible Run fits true to size. However, like all running shoes, it’s a good idea to go up half a size, or full size, from your everyday shoes. (For more guidance on getting the fit right, take a look at our how to buy running shoes guide).

Upper 

Nike described the Flyknit upper of this shoe as “robust,” and it's not wrong. It’s built to support the foot as it sits on the thick wedge of bouncy foam, helping you feel stable as you move. It does this well — I’d go as far as to say the upper on this shoe reminds me of the thick, well-built upper on my old netball shoes: it’s reassuring and supportive. It also feels a lot more substantial than the typical Flyknit uppers we’ve come to expect from Nike, which are more bootie-like, but it's still breathable, even in hot weather. 

Nike added padding to the tongue to avoid any hot spots and cushioning around the heel of the shoe to stop blisters. The result is a plush, comfortable feel when you’re running in this shoe. Of course, all this cushioning does add to the weight of the shoe, but we’ll come to that later. 

Midsole 

The midsole of this shoe is where the magic happens. Nike has used its ZoomX foam, which is usually reserved for the faster shoes in it's collection, such as the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 2, and the Nike Alphafly Next%. Both of these speedier shoes have carbon fiber plates, and without the plate, the foam seems to take on a different meaning in the Invincible Run. Instead of propelling the foot forward, the bouncy, responsive foam reduces the impact of each step for a more comfortable run. 

The shoe has the same rocker geometry we’ve seen in a lot of Nike’s newer innovations, but again, this is to make easy running easier, rather than aid a faster toe-off. It’s an everyday, high-mileage running shoe, intended to act as a training partner to some of Nike’s speedier racing shoes. The result? It’s super comfortable and it does seem to make running on tired legs a little bit easier. 

Around the top of the midsole, Nike has added a guide rail, designed to offer some support to tired runners, and prevent overpronation. In recent years we’ve seen brands like Nike move away from the classic structured running shoe, but if you find you need that support in the final miles of a long run, or when you’re running on tired legs, this guide rail stops the inward roll of the foot. It’s subtle, and might not be enough for some runners, but it’s reassuringly supportive. 

Outsole 

The outsole of the Invincible Run, in my opinion, is the part of the shoe that needs some work. It’s designed for road running, so you wouldn’t expect an awful amount of grip, but there’s almost no tread on the bottom of the shoe, which makes it slippery on wet sidewalks or when running in icy conditions. This can easily be solved, and won’t be too much of a problem for runners in warmer conditions, but running in rainy London, I’ve skidded a couple of times wearing this shoe, which is far from ideal. 

Nike ZoomX Invincible Run review: Performance  

Right out of the box, the shoe was extremely comfortable on the run. In fact, it’s one of the most comfortable, cushioned running shoes I’ve ever worn, and I’ve been writing about running shoes for most of my career. I had no issues with blisters or rubbing and have completed hundreds of miles in this shoe without any discomfort. The shoe also looks great, in my opinion, making it a versatile shoe for wearing on your run commute, then with jeans in the office. 

This shoe does exactly what it says on the box — it reduces the pressure going through the legs on easy runs. It’s not going to help you break records, but it might help you get to the start line of your next race with fresher legs, and that’s important for marathon runners. 

That said, I’m hesitant to put this shoe in the ‘marathon runner’ box, as I think it’s far more versatile than that. In my opinion, there’s no reason why a beginner couldn’t pick this shoe up and do most of their miles wearing it. It can pick up the pace when you need it to, it’s just not as fast or light as other shoes in Nike’s collection.

Faster runners might question the weight of this shoe, but having run hundreds of miles in it, I’d say it doesn’t feel overly heavy underfoot thanks to the ZoomX foam. When you compare this shoe to say, a Hoka Bondi, which has a similar wedge of foam, the Nike Invincible Run feels a lot lighter and a lot more responsive.

Nike ZoomX Invincible Run review: Verdict 

This is one of the best cushioned running shoes on the market for most runners. It’s extremely plush and extremely comfortable and if you’re looking for a running shoe that’ll make easy miles feel easier, this should tick the right boxes for you. 

Although Nike says this is a shoe for marathon runners, there’s no reason why runners who aren’t training for a long-distance couldn’t wear this for most of their miles. Faster runners probably wouldn’t want to wear this for a tempo session, but if you’re not doing that kind of running, don’t let this put you off. For me, this has replaced the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 38 as my easy run shoe, as it seems to help my legs recover faster. If you don't want to spend $180 on a soft, cushioned running shoe, there are more affordable options out there, such as the Brooks Glycerin 19 which is almost half the price.

The downside with the Invincible Run  — aside from its price — is the outsole, which just isn’t grippy enough on all surfaces. This hasn’t stopped me from using it for most of my miles, but it’s something I’m hoping Nike will improve in future iterations of this shoe.

Whether you’re after a new pair of running shoes, or a top to wear to the gym, Nike Black Friday deals are worth waiting for. Although we might still be a few days out, a number of brands have started their Black Friday deals early this year, and Nike is no exception. 

Whatever you’re training for, the right kit can make all the difference. Perhaps you desperately need to invest in some reflective running kit now the clocks have gone back, or your favorite sports bra needs replacing, Nike is one of the most popular sports brands around, and their kit is worn by some of the best athletes in the world. 

While some of the best Nike running shoes are well over the $100 mark, we can expect prices to drop this Black Friday. The right pair of running shoes can get you around your first Turkey Trot, or power you through a marathon training plan, so if you are ready to upgrade your kicks, you’ve come to the right place.  Not for you? We've hand-picked the best Gymshark Black Friday deals here, as well as the best things to buy in the Peloton Apparel Black Friday sale.  

Nike Black Friday deals — best early sales

Can’t wait until Black Friday? Don’t stress, we’ve hand-picked some of the best Nike deals out there right now: 

Best Nike Black Friday deals — what to expect 

We can definitely expect prices to drop on new, and older, running shoes this Black Friday. Last year, Nike did a site-wide sale, meaning you could pick up the newest version of some of their most popular shoes, like the Nike Pegasus 38, for a cut-price. It's also very likely we'll see older, discontinued shoes, re-surface, as brands try and get rid of old stock, for newer models being released in 2022. Look out for the first Vaporfly Next% and the Nike Pegasus 37 in the sale. 

Other retailers are also likely to follow Nikes' lead and cut the price of sports kit and athleisurewear this Black Friday. As more of us work from home, the demand for comfortable gym leggings and joggers you can lounge around the house in has increased, so they are definitely likely to feature in Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. 

Will Nike have a Black Friday sale? 

Almost definitely. Last year, Nike had a huge sale across their entire site from Black Friday to Cyber Monday, so we can expect the same this year. If you’re a runner hoping to grab a pair of Alphaflys in the sale, however, you might not be in luck, as often Nike’s most expensive running shoes are left out of the sale.

When Eliud Kipchoge set the official men’s marathon world record at the Berlin Marathon in 2018, he was wearing original Nike Vaporfly 4% on his feet. When Brigid Kosgei broke Paula Radcliffe’s 16-year women’s marathon world record a year later, she was wearing the Nike Vaporfly Next%. And when I ran the London Marathon in 2021 in the Nike Vaporfly Next% 2, I beat my personal best by six minutes. 

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These controversial shoes made waves in the running world for two reasons — the thick wedge of ZoomX foam and the carbon fiber plate, which helped for a faster toe-off on the run. This is a fast shoe, it’s designed for speedy marathons and it lives up to its promise. The Vaporfly Next% 2 is pretty much the same as the Vaporfly Next%, with small tweaks to the upper to make the shoe more breathable. Nike also made the Next% 2 slightly cheaper —  a rare move for the shoe giant — but perhaps a reaction to the market, with most running brands launching their own carbon-fiber plate racing shoes. Read our Nike Vaporfly Next% 2 review to find out more about Nike’s most popular racing shoe.

Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 2 review: Price and availability 

There’s no skirting around the price of this shoe — it’s expensive. The Nike Vaporfly Next% 2 was released in March 2021 and costs $250, which is $25 cheaper than the Vaporfly Next%. The Next% 2 is available in men’s sizing, from a US 6 to a US 15, and from a US 5 to a US 12 in the women’s sizing. In terms of colorways, the shoe launched in white and turquoise, but there’s now a couple of other special edition colorways to choose from. 

At present, there is no word from Nike about when we can expect upgrades to this shoe, or indeed a release date for the Vaporfly Next% 3. Keep up to date with all the latest releases in our best Nike running shoes guide here. 

Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 2 review: Design and fit

The Vaporfly Next % 2 is designed to help you run fast. The ZoomX foam is soft, yet extremely responsive underfoot and the carbon-fiber plate and rocker-geometry help for a faster toe-off. 

Fit-wise, the Next% 2 is slightly wider than the Next%, meaning runners with wider feet should no longer feel their little toes rubbing against the edge of the shoe in the toebox. I found the shoe to fit true to size, although I wear a full size bigger than my normal everyday trainers when buying running shoes (confused? Read our how to buy running shoes guide). 

Compared to the Next%, the Next% 2 also has some more padding around the tongue, which helps relieve the pressure of the laces across the top of the foot. There’s also a thick wedge of cushioning at the heel of the shoe, which stops the back of the shoe from rubbing against your ankle as you move. I liked this addition, as I’m one of those unlucky runners that struggles from blisters, but other runners found this gap meant they really had to pull the laces tight to feel like their foot was secure in the shoe. 

Upper

Another big change between the Next% and the Next% 2 is the upper — the transparent, plasticky upper of the Next% was replaced with a fine knit for a more breathable feel. I’m not a runner who struggles with particularly warm feet, however, I’ve noticed on colder mornings, if I stand around too long before I get going in the Next% 2, my feet feel numb for the first few miles, so they’re definitely on the lighter, more breathable side of the scale than their predecessor. The knit hugs the foot and feels supportive and flexible on the run. 

The shoe has reinforced areas along the forefoot to add extra durability to high-impact areas of the shoe. While this is definitely still a shoe you’d want to save for race day rather than hammering in training, compared to the Vaporfly 4% (which was thought to only last around 100 miles), the Vaporfly Next% 2 is far more durable. 

Midsole 

The midsole is where the magic happens with this shoe. It’s extremely responsive underfoot and almost propels you forward, helping you to run faster. This is down to the ZoomX foam and the carbon-fiber plate, which runs along the full length of the shoe. There’s no doubt about it: this shoe feels fast and is that little bit better than pretty much every other carbon shoe on the market. 

Some testers have described this shoe as feeling like you’re running on a trampoline and I’d have to agree. I made a last-minute decision to run in the Vaporfly Next% 2 for my last marathon and ended up beating my personal best by 6 minutes. Of course, it’s not all down to the shoes, but my feet didn’t rub or hurt once and I felt great running in them for 26.2 miles, having only worn them for a few speed sessions in training. 

Outsole 

The outsole of the Next% 2 remains pretty much unchanged — this is definitely a shoe that has been designed for fast road marathons. I’ve worn the Vaporfly Next% on wet pavements and found the grip copes well, but I definitely wouldn’t want to test it on more difficult terrains, as the tread is very flat. That said, compared to the first Next% Nike has added some more ‘flexibility grooves’ on the outsole to give more traction in bad weather, but it’s still very much made for the roads. 

Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 2 review: Performance

As mentioned above, this shoe lives up to the hype — it’s fast, it’s bouncy and there’s a reason why most of the elite runners at the front of the marathon have it on their feet. Compared to the more expensive Alphafly Next%, which Eliud Kipchoge wore for his 1:59 marathon in Vienna, the Vaporfly Next% 2 is much more stable underfoot. With the Alphafly, I felt like my ankles were going to give way running around corners and that my lower legs weren’t strong enough to deal with the propulsiveness of the shoe, however, I’ve comfortably run a marathon in the Next% 2 with zero complaints.

Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 2 review: Verdict

If you could bottle the feeling of putting on the Nike Vaporfly Next% 2 for the first time, I’m convinced it would be enough to persuade even non-runners to sign up for their first race. If you can afford it, this shoe will help you run faster and even get that PR you’ve been dreaming of. It’s definitely expensive, and of course, isn’t an alternative to training and fuelling well, but it’s a fantastic shoe to race anything from a 10K to a marathon in. 

If you’re looking for something cheaper, the Nike Air Zoom Tempo Next% is also a brilliant shoe for race day. Designed as the training partner for the Alphafly, the Tempo Next% has the same ZoomX foam and Zoom Air unit under the ball of the foot, designed to give a spring to your stride. It’s fast, comfortable, and built to last for miles. 

For less than $200, you can also get the Nike Zoom Fly 4, which is similar to the Next% 2 in design and feel but has React foam underfoot, not ZoomX, so is cheaper. I’ve run a marathon in the Zoom Fly 3 and loved the cushioning and bounce and find them very similar in feel to the Next% 2. 

To sum up the Nike Pegasus 38 in one word would be to say 'reliable.' This is a workhorse of a running shoe that is perfect for beginners but also would suit any level of runner. In all, a brilliant all-rounder. 

When the Nike Pegasus 37 hit the market last year, I made a very bold claim, saying it was my favorite Pegasus yet. Compared to previous versions, I thought the 37 had more 'pop,' yet like many other runners, I struggled a little with the fit of the shoe. Then came the Pegasus 38, which fixes those fit issues, while still keeping the same bounce underfoot. I've run upwards of 50 miles in this shoe; for this Nike Pegasus 38 review, I'll take a look at the upper, the midsole, the outsole and the fit and appearance of the shoe, as well as how it felt out on the road.

If you're looking for an affordable pair of running shoes, now is a good time to buy as the Nike Pegasus 39 just dropped, so the Pegasus 38 is bound to be on sale. 

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Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 38 review: Price and availability

The Nike Pegasus 38 was released in April 2021, and costs $120. The Pegasus 38 is available in a number of different colorways, with Nike often releasing special-edition versions of the shoe. Whether you're after an all-black shoe for your next race or fancy the limited edition A.I.R. Kelly Anna London design, Nike has something for everyone. In the men's version, the shoe is available from a U.S. size 6 to a U.S. size 15; for women, the Pegasus 38 starts at a U.S. size 5 and goes up to a U.S. 12.  

The Pegasus 37 was released around the same time the year earlier. Based on this, we can predict that the Nike Pegasus 39 will drop in spring next year. 

Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 38 review: Design and fit

Like the Pegasus 37, the Pegasus 38 contains Nike’s responsive React foam, which is lightweight and offers a good amount of underfoot cushioning. 

In fact, the only real differences between the Pegasus 37 and the Pegasus 38 can be found in the fit and the upper — the toe box is wider, the laces do up slightly differently and there’s cushioning beneath the tongue for a comfier fit. They’ve also fixed the shallow heel cup of the Pegasus 37, which many runners found caused blisters on the run. 

The Pegasus 38 fits true to size (although, as with all running shoes, it’s worth sizing up compared to your daily trainer). Right out of the box, it’s a comfortable shoe and should fit most runners well (unless you have an especially high instep or wide foot). 

The shoe looks great on and off the run, making it a popular choice for runners who want a shoe they can wear in the gym or on hikes at the weekend (although this might shorten the life of the running shoe). 

The Pegasus 38 features Nike's Flyease entry system. The laceless design allows all athletes to slip the shoe on and off with one hand using the zip, and then tighten the webbing across the foot for the perfect fit.  

Upper

The Pegasus 38 has a breathable mesh upper, that is similar to the Brooks upper on the Glycerin 19 in terms of thickness and plushness. This plushness has also spread to the tongue of the shoe — Nike has replaced the racing-style tongue of the Pegasus 36 with a thicker, padded design to protect the foot from pressure and hot spots.  

The Pegasus 38 also has a new lacing system; the soft, midfoot webbing system is designed to spread any pressure across a wider area of the foot. 

Midsole

The Pegasus 38 has the same full-length React foam midsole and Zoom Air unit as the Pegasus 37. It’s got noticeably more cushioning than previous versions of the Pegasus, but unlike say, the Infinity Run Flyknit 2 or the Nike Invincible Run, the React foam still has a firmness, so don’t expect the Pegasus 38 to feel too bouncy or springy underfoot. 

Outsole

The Nike Pegasus line is well-known for its hard-wearing outsole. This is a running shoe that’s designed to keep going for miles, without needing to be replaced. 

The outsole itself is similar to that of the Pegasus 37. It’s definitely a road shoe, with an outsole that is grippy enough to wear on pavements and grass but it wouldn’t be a great choice for trickier terrains or especially slippery surfaces. 

Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 38 review: Performance

Out of the box, the Pegasus 38 was extremely comfortable; I found I was able to run in it straight away, with no pressure or blisters. 

The Pegasus 38 was absolutely brilliant during my warm-up and for easy miles, but unlike other versions of the Pegasus, it didn’t have the same energy return during faster sessions. This doesn’t mean it can’t pick up the pace when you need it to; it just means old-school Pegasus fans might pine for the firmer snap of the Pegasus 36 on faster days. 

When testing the Pegasus 38, I clocked upwards of 50-miles in the shoe and spotted no signs of wear or tear to the outsole. 

Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 38: Verdict 

For a shoe to be in its 38th iteration, it must be doing something right. With the Nike Pegasus 38, Nike has built on the updates made to the Pegasus 37. This is a wonderfully reliable shoe — you can wear it for your first 5K, or your fifth marathon, and pretty much everything in between. It’s also well-built and durable, so for $120 you can expect to get hundreds of miles out of this shoe. 

This is a fantastic shoe for beginners who want to feel comfortable, stable, and supported as they move. We gave this shoe our best overall running shoe in our roundup of the best Nike running shoes due to its versatility and durability, but if you're not willing to spend upwards of $100 on a pair of running shoes, now might be a good time to pick up a pair of the Nike Pegasus 37's, which are last season's stock, so will be discounted. 

Alternatively, the Hoka One One Rincon 3 is also a brilliant all-rounder and was the most affordable shoe in our roundup of best running shoes for 2021. But if you pick up the Pegasus 38, you won't be disappointed.

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Can't get your hands on a PS5? You may be able to get your feet in the next best thing. Playstation 5-themed Nike sneakers are expected to drop this May for $110.

A collaboration between LA Clippers star Paul George, Nike, and Sony, the Playstation 5 sneakers will be blue and white, and have PS5 branding on the back, the tongue and elsewhere — as well as the iconic Nike swoosh.

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The PS5 sneakers — also known as Nike PG5 — first appeared on LaceUpHK, a sneaker-centric Instagram account back in late March.

The PS5 sneakers will be available in two versions: One that's mostly white with blue accents, and another model that features blue more predominantly. The bottom of the sneakers has a swirling ridged pattern with a cutout in the stylized shape of the PS5 logo.

Other than a May release date according to SneakerFiles, there's no other information on when exactly the PS5 sneakers will be available. 

While not as technologically advanced as the Nike FlyEase or the self-lacing Nike Adapt, they're sure to be just as in-demand. At an estimated price of $110, they're certainly mode affordable than the console itself, but we suspect the shoes will be just as hard to come by.