Club Benefits
I’ve been testing the best Nike running shoes for almost a decade and at this point I have used multiple generations of most of the popular lines from the brand, like the Pegasus and Vomero cushioned shoes and Alphafly and Vaporfly racing shoes.
There is a shoe to suit every runner in the Nike range. Whether you’re looking for a comfortable daily trainer or a shoe to chase PRs in, the Swoosh has you covered. I’ve picked out the best shoes in multiple categories below, with my overall top pick being the Nike Vomero Plus because of its fun and bouncy ride, while the Nike Pegasus 41 is my standout for beginners thanks to its comfort and affordability.
Nick Harris-Fry has been running regularly for the last 10 years and has tested Nike shoes throughout that time. His first Pegasus was the Pegasus 33, which was a classic, and he's tried every generation of the Vaporfly and Alphafly racing shoes, running three sub-2:30 marathons in Nike super-shoes along the way.
Best Nike running shoe overall
The Nike Vomero Plus is a shoe that makes running more fun, with a towering stack of springy foam in its midsole that helps to propel you through the miles with a smile on your face.
That midsole foam is ZoomX, the same light and bouncy material used in Nike's racing shoes, and given the fact the Vomero Plus stands 45mm tall at the heel, it's surprisingly light and performs well at faster paces for a cushioned shoe.
It's bread and butter is easy daily training runs though, as well as long runs, when the protective, comfortable ride really comes into its own. If you're marathon training in particular this is a shoe that will eat up all the extra miles you have to do, and still be a good option for race day as well, if you're not using a dedicated racing shoe like the Alphafly 3.
The drawbacks to the Vomero Plus are that it's not as light and fast as a plated shoe like the Zoom Fly 6, and more expensive than the Vomero 18, which is another impressive cushioned shoe to consider from the Nike range, though not as springy as the Vomero Plus.
- Read our Nike Vomero Plus review
Best Nike running shoe for beginners
The Nike Pegasus has been one of the most popular running shoes available for over 40 years, and the Pegasus 41 is a significant update on the past few versions of the shoe thanks to the new ReactX foam in the midsole. I found this means it has a softer, springier feel than the React used on the Nike Pegasus 40, and makes the new shoe an even more attractive option for runners of all levels.
It’s a classic workhorse of a shoe, with a versatile ride that means it’s comfortable for long and easy runs, but has some responsiveness for faster runs. For new runners the Pegasus 41 will be the perfect do-it-all shoe, while more experienced runners might want to look at the Pegasus Plus for a lighter, faster option that’s still comfortable for easy runs.
The durable design means you will get many hundreds of miles from the Pegasus 41, which has a thick outsole that I found grips well on wet pavements and even light trails, and it’s also a good-looking shoe that you can use for casual wear and in the gym, increasing its versatility.
It’s also good value compared with many running shoes, including the Pegasus Plus, and Nike has a habit of reducing the Pegasus significantly during big sales, so it’s one you might well be able to pick up for less than $100 during these periods.
With that being said, you should note that the Nike Pegasus 42 is due to be released soon. It promises big updates, including a new full-length Air Zoom unit in the midsole, which promises a bouncier and livelier ride than the Pegasus 41. While it isn't out yet, it may be worth waiting for.
- Read our Nike Pegasus 41 review
Best Nike racing shoe
The Nike Alphafly 3 is the shoe that Kelvin Kiptum used to set the world record at the Chicago Marathon in 2023, but it’s not just a great option for elites, it’s one of the best carbon plate running shoes for anyone and particularly good for long distance events.
While the stack height is the same as the Nike Vaporfly 3 another great racing option, the Alphafly 3 is wider and I found it feels more cushioned underfoot, while still having the ‘tip-forward’ feeling of the Vaporfly that pushes you onto your toes. The Air Zoom pods under the forefoot add extra pop to each step, with the carbon plate and ZoomX foam in the midsole also helping to create a propulsive and efficient ride.
The Alphafly 3 is not quite as bouncy as the original Alphafly or Alphafly 2, but it's lighter and has a faster transition from heel-to-toe because of the new continuous midsole design, and I rate it as a more effective racing shoe overall as a result.
Like the Vaporfly 3, the Alphafly 3 is an excellent option for races at any distance, and we enjoyed doing 5Ks and 10Ks in the shoe, but the way it helps you lock into a pace for long periods makes it especially good for the marathon. It’s a toss-up which Nike racer is better overall, with the Vaporfly perhaps having the edge for short events and the Alphafly being our top choice for the marathon, but I think the extra bounce you get from the Alphafly 3 just pushes it into top spot.
- Read our full Nike Alphafly 3 review
Best Nike all rounder
The Nike Zoom Fly 6 is actually my favorite Nike running shoe overall, which is a turn up for the books given how poorly I rated the previous couple of Zoom Fly models.
Nike made sweeping changes to the Zoom Fly 6 and as a result it's one of the best all rounders from any brand, with a lightweight design that delivers a comfortable but speedy ride thanks to the combination of foams and the plate in the midsole.
The top layer of foam is Nike's springy ZoomX, while the bottom layer of SR-02 stabilizes the shoe for daily runs. The carbon plate is a little more flexible than the ones in Nike's racers, so you get the extra propulsion you want for fast efforts without the Zoom Fly 6 feeling too stiff and uncomfortable on easy runs.
I used the Zoom Fly 6 for a wide range runs over the 70 miles of testing I did for my review, and it always came up trumps. If you want one Nike shoe for everything it's the one I'd get, though the Vaporfly and Alphafly are still faster for race day, and some might prefer a plate-free shoe like the Pegasus Plus for some daily runs.
- Read our full Nike Zoom Fly 6 review
Best cushioned Nike running shoe
The Nike Vomero Premium packs more cushioning into the midsole than any other running shoe we’ve tried, resulting in an extremely comfortable, cushioned, bouncy ride.
If you're looking for the last word in comfort and protection from the impact of running, look no further. The Nike Vomero Premium offers more comfort and bounce than the Nike Vomero Plus and Nike Vomero 18, however you should note that this comes at a higher price.
All of this cushioning also comes with one main drawback — it's heavy, and as such, is not agile. Still, it's joyously bouncy, and I found the experience of the ride outweighed the cons.
Its upper is built for comfort as much as the rest of the shoe is, with a great deal of padding on the collar and tongue of shoe, which makes it feel plush. Its collar is high, which I was concerned about as a potential irritant for my Achilles tendon, but I was pleasantly surprised that I didn't feel any discomfort from it, even on longer runs.
With this being said, this amount of padding may make for a sweaty run during hotter weather and sunny days.
I’ve had no problems with the grip of the shoe in wet conditions, and there are no signs of wear and tear after about 60 miles of running, which has included some spells on off-road paths.
If looking for a max-cushioned, seriously bouncy shoe, this one ticks all the boxes. However, if you’re on a budget or you’re a runner who tends to overpronate, consider looking at the Nike Vomero Plus instead. It's still a plush, comfortable shoe to run in, but it offers more stability underfoot.
Additionally, there are more practical picks for runners looking for a daily trainer to do all their runs in that offer cushioning and protection while being lighter and more versatile, like the Asics Novablast 5 or Brooks Glycerin Max.
- Read our full Nike Vomero 18 review
Best Nike trail-running shoe
The Nike Ultrafly Trail is designed for racing over long-distances on the trails, with a carbon plate inside the midsole, which is made from the bouncy ZoomX foam also used in Nike's road racers. It's not just a great racing option though, with the comfortable and bouncy ride being perfect for all kinds of trail runs on harder surfaces.
It's the first Nike shoe to have a Vibram outsole, which delivers a big upgrade in grip compared with Nike's own rubber, which has been used across its trail range in the past. I found the Ultrafly to offer much more reliable grip on wet surfaces in particular, though the lugs are a bit shallow for mud — the Ultrafly is more built for rocky and hard trails than grass and mud.
I used the Ultrafly for a 30-mile run around the Gower Peninsula in Wales and the second half of a 50-mile ultramarathon on forest paths, and it proved exceptionally comfortable and supportive over these long runs.
It's not a cheap shoe, however, and Nike does have some more affordable trail options like the Nike Pegasus Trail 5 for road-to-trail runs, and the Nike Zegama Trail 2, which also uses ZoomX foam in its midsole.
- Read our full Nike ZoomX Ultrafly Trail review
Best stability Nike running shoe
Nike has used its ZoomX foam for the first time in a stability shoe, creating the Nike Structure Plus — a soft, springy stability shoe.
It's definitely a lot more fun to run in than Nike's previous Structure models, although it still lacks the bounce of neutral options like the Nike Vomero Plus.
The Nike Structure Plus utilizes two foams in the midsole, meaning that the soft and springy ZoomX foam is stabilized by a layer of ReactX foam. This dual-density combination is common in stability shoes nowadays, and it creates a stable, yet bouncy and fun ride.
The shoe helps counter pronation while running by using Nike's midfoot support system of hidden sidewalls of foam at the lateral heel and medial midfoot that support your foot on either side.
Overall, it's a very comfortable shoe, and I appreciated its added support during long runs on tired legs, even as a neutral runner. However, based on my testing, I'd say it's best suited for long and easy runs. The mix of foams in the midsole means it's not bouncy enough for intervals or tempo runs, and it's a little too heavy for faster efforts. While it can be used for everything, I'd pair it with a lighter, faster model if you have a running shoe rotation.
The Nike Structure Plus is a very good option for runners seeking a comfortable, stable shoe with a bit of bounce. With that being said, one of the shoes in the Vomero line-up will likely suit you better than the Structure if you're a neutral runner.
How to choose the best Nike running shoes for you
When it comes to choosing the best Nike running shoes, you'll need to think about how you run, how far and fast you're going, and the type of surface you prefer to do your miles on. There's no one-size-fits-all with running shoes, but certain shoes will be better designed for the type of run you have in mind.
For example, if you're looking to go fast on race day, you'll probably want to look at Nike's shoes with carbon plates and ZoomX foam — the Nike Vaporfly 3 and Nike Alphafly 3, both of which are designed to help you run more efficiently so you can log your quickest times.
Those shoes are not suitable for easy training, however, when you want a more cushioned, comfortable and durable shoe, like the Nike Pegasus 41 or Nike Vomero 18. For faster training runs a lighter and more versatile cushioned shoe is better, like the Nike Pegasus Plus.
Getting the shoe that best suits your running gait is also important. Nowadays, running brands are moving away from 'neutral' and 'support' shoes, but some shoes will offer more structure if you do overpronate when you run. The best shoe for you is generally the one that feels right, so getting to a running shop and trying out a few different Nike shoes is certainly worthwhile.
Finally, if you're into trail running, a road shoe isn't likely to have enough grip and support, so you'll want a running shoe with deeper lugs to ensure you don't slip as you clamber over rocky or muddy terrains.
How we test the best Nike running shoes
To test out Nike's running shoes I usually run 40-100 miles in them, trying them for a range of different runs depending on what they're designed for. So I rack up the easy miles in cushioned shoes like the Invincible 3 to test comfort and durability, do interval sessions and race in super-shoes like the Vaporfly 3 to test their speed, and do a bit of everything in daily trainers like the Pegasus to test their versatility.
I also look at the fit of each shoe to see if it runs true to its stated size, and check the comfort of the upper. When testing Nike shoes I also compare them to the best running shoes from other brands, to see if they're truly the top option overall, or just the standout pick in Nike's range.
FAQs
What is Nike's fastest running shoe?
The Nike Alphafly 3 is Nike's fastest running shoe for marathons, as evidenced by the incredible success Nike pro runners have had with the shoe. It was worn by Kelvin Kiptum when he set the men's world record at the Chicago Marathon in 2023, and Ruth Chepng'etich when she ran the women's world record at the Chicago Marathon in 2024. The Nike Vaporfly 3 is also a contender for the title of Nike's fastest shoe though, and is a better option for 5K events than the Alphafly 3.
Are Nike shoes good for running?
Nike is one of the biggest brands in running for a reason, and it makes some of the best racing shoes you can get in particular — both the men’s and women’s marathon world records were set in the Nike Alphafly 3, though of course that has as much to do with the athletes involved as Nike’s great shoes.
Whether you find Nike better than or as good as other brands will largely be a matter of personal preference. There is a wide range of Nike shoes to suit all types of runners, and their range is not objectively better or worse than other brands.
One difference would be that Nike shoes tend to have a more traditional design with high heel-to-toe offsets of 8-10mm and less of a rocker profile than other brands. This is not the case for all Nike shoes, but a trend I’ve noticed when testing and reviewing their shoes compared to other brands.
Having tested a lot of running shoes from all the major brands, at the moment I’d rate Nike among the best for racing shoes and a little behind the top options from Asics, Hoka and Saucony in particular for training shoes. That’s my take though and partly down to the fact I usually prefer more rockered shoes. If you love racking up the training miles in shoes like the Pegasus 41 or Invincible 3, then they’re the right shoe for you.
Will Nike running shoes make me faster
Nike's groundbreaking Vaporfly and Alphafly shoes are touted for their potential to enhance running efficiency. Engineered with plush foam midsoles and rigid carbon plates, these shoes aim to reduce muscle fatigue and optimize performance.
But what does the research say? Well, one study published in 2017, funded by Nike themselves, found that Vaporfly boosted running economy by 4 percent.
However, independent research carried out on the performance of Nike running shoes revealed that the benefits were more marginal for runners at slower paces and some even had worse running economy while wearing the shoes.
Research continues into the benefits of super-shoes, but the real-world evidence certainly suggests that most runners do benefit from using the best carbon plate running shoes for races, but to different extents.
The bottom line is, while speed is important in running, it's not the sole factor to consider when choosing the right pair of running shoes for you. Look for a shoe that adequately supports your foot type and running style, while also prioritizing comfort
