The best Nike running shoes in 2024

The best Nike running shoes have been used by elites to produce remarkable feats in recent years. For instance, in 2023, Kelvin Kiptum shattered the marathon world record with a stunning time of 2:00:35 while wearing the Nike Alphafly 3, surpassing Eliud Kipchoge's previous record of 2:02:42 set in the Nike Air Zoom Alphafly Next% 2.

However, Nike's running shoes aren't solely designed for record-breaking feats; they cater to runners of all abilities. We aren't elite athletes ourselves but know a thing or two about what makes a great running shoe, and we've been testing Nike's top running shoes for years. Our guide aims to help you navigate through Nike's diverse lineup, whether you're a seasoned racer or a novice runner seeking the perfect pair.

Our top recommendation, the Nike Pegasus 41, stands out for its exceptional versatility and affordability for an all rounder running shoe. For any road racing speed demons reading this we recommend the Nike Vaporfly Next% 3 or Nike Alphafly 3 for hitting those PBs.

We’ve got plenty more Nike running shoe recommendations such as the best Nike running shoe for trails, recovery runs and beginners. Keep reading to discover our top picks and why they've earned our seal of approval.

The quick list

Best Nike running shoe overall

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. This 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 enough responsiveness for faster runs. For new runners the Pegasus 41 will be the perfect do-it-all shoe, while more experienced runners who have a few shoes in their rotation will find it best for racking up daily training miles at an easy pace.

The durable design means you will get many hundreds of miles from the Pegasus 41, which has a thick outsole that 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, 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 the Black Friday period.

Best Nike running shoe for road races

From the moment Nike launched its Vaporfly 4% running shoes in 2016, with the claim they would help runners run 4% faster, pretty much every shoe brand out there has experimented with carbon fiber plates.

The Vaporfly Next% 3 is the fourth iteration of the shoe, and it’s become one of the most popular marathon running shoes on the market. The Nike Vaporfly Next% 3 is designed to be more stable underfoot, and you can see this with some of the design changes Nike has made to the shoe.

While the stack and drop are the same, the Vaporfly 3 has a new upper, a tweaked midsole, and a different outsole. Nike say this is to improve stability and increase energy return in the racing shoe. 

The Vaporfly Next% 3 has a redesigned midsole, with more ZoomX foam underfoot. It also has a tweaked upper, which has a lot less structure to the tighter upper on the Vaporfly Next% 2. Finally, the outsole has had an overhaul on the newer Vaporfly Next% 3.

As Nike has added more ZoomX foam to the midsole, it looks as if the brand has removed some weight from the outsole by making it a little thinner. Check out all of the differences between the Nike Vaporfly Next% 2 vs Nike Vaporfly Next% 3 here.

If you’re looking for a shoe that looks and feels fast, and that’ll give you that extra confidence to run a PB, this is it. They are by no means cheap, but if you can afford them, you won’t regret it. 

• Read our Nike Vaporfly Next% 3 review 

Best Nike running shoe for recovery runs

 Of course, there’s no one shoe for easy miles, but these are some of the most comfortable running shoes Nike has ever made. Think easy training miles when you’re working towards a marathon, or just want to relax and enjoy the view without worrying about your pace.

The Invincible Run 3 is an extremely plush shoe thanks to the ZoomX foam. Yes, that is the same foam used in Nike’s speedier shoes, but in Invincible the ZoomX is responsive and cushioned in a way that’s designed to take some of the load off, rather than propel you to your next PB. 

The midsole incorporates the rocker geometry we’ve seen in Nike’s faster shoes, but with no carbon fiber plate, this is far more gentle. The Flyknit upper is robust, built to help you feel supported over all that bouncy foam and the molded tongue is plush and cushioned, almost like those netball trainers you wore at school. 

The third iteration of the shoe sees some tweaks to the heel grip, which is designed to keep the foot in place as you move. The design has also changed — Nike has moved away from the rubber-ring of ZoomX foam surrounding the foot, and instead, has positioned the foam more strategically around the forefoot and the heel.

The upper is also slightly thicker. In a way, this shoe feels more grown up. That said, it's still incredibly fun and incredibly bouncy. However, if you're a completely neutral runner, now is the time to save your money and buy the Nike ZoomX Invincible 2. It's also worth checking out our Nike ZoomX Invincible 2 vs Nike ZoomX Invincible 3 face-off here. 

• Read our Nike ZoomX Invincible 3 review

Best Nike running shoe for beginners

For the past few years, the Infinity has been Nike’s everyday running shoe, designed to give runners a decent amount of support underfoot. When Nike released the first iteration of this shoe, it came with the caveat that it would help runners avoid injuries.

Now on its fourth version, the shoe has had a major redesign and has gained a whole new midsole foam. The midsole of the Infinity Run 4 features Nike’s new ReactX midsole foam, designed by Nike to be more environmentally friendly.

Nike says the ReactX foam cuts down its carbon footprint by at least 43% compared to the Nike React foam used in the Infinity Run 3. Nike says the ReactX foam increases energy return by 13%. 

The shoe still has the same rocker geometry we’ve seen in past versions but is slightly squishier underfoot than the Nike React midsole foam. It’s still nowhere near as soft as the ZoomX foam used in the Invincible 3, but it does feel softer underfoot than the React used in the React Infinity 3.

During testing, however, I did find that the Infinity 4 felt less cushioned in the forefoot than the Infinity 3. If you’re a fan of the Infinity line, or you’re looking for a super-stable, easy running shoe, you’ll enjoy running in the Infinity Run 4.

That said, if you’re a faster runner, or you want a shoe you can wear for long runs and tempo sessions, the Infinity Run 4 feels a little clunky. It’s obviously an excellent move from Nike to focus on their carbon footprint, but the ReactX needs a little tweaking, as it loses its responsiveness in this shoe. 

• Read our full Nike Infinity 4 review 

Best Nike running shoe for trails

The Nike Pegasus Trail 4 is the best trail running shoe to buy if you’re running from your door to the trails. It’s got all the comfort of the classic Pegasus road shoe, but with a grippier outsole to cope with muddy terrains. It looks great too, not that you’ll care once it’s covered in mud. 

Unlike its road cousin, the Pegasus Trail 4 doesn’t have a forefoot Zoom Air unit, although it does have the same React foam midsole for a responsive, cushioned underfoot feel. Forget everything you’ve ever heard about trail running shoes — this totally replaces that old-school stiff midsole with something far plusher.

You won’t feel the stones or the tree roots underfoot, you’ll bounce over them. The main difference between this and the road version is the outsole, which has a pattern designed to mimic mountain bike tires for a good grip on slippy terrains. 

The main drawback with this shoe is the outsole, which some runners find just isn’t grippy enough on wet and muddy terrain. If you’re running on lighter trails, you should be fine in the Pegasus Trail 4, but if you’re off on a more technical adventure, you might be disappointed. 

• If you're after more inspiration, check out our best trail running shoes guide

Best Nike running shoe for trail races

After a year of rumors, Nike’s first super-trail shoe has dropped, and it’s fast. The Ultrafly Trail is Nike’s first trail running shoe with ZoomX midsole foam and a full carbon flyplate, designed to help runners take on the trails at a rapid pace.

For the first time, a Nike trail running show also has a Vibram outsole, with deeper lugs for a grippier run on uneven terrain. I tested these running shoes on a number of different trails and terrains — from a forest track to a gravel path.

I received the shoes in summer, so things weren’t all that muddy and wet, but I was impressed with the grip I got from the Ultrafly Trail. In the past I’ve slipped when wearing the Pegasus Trail in wet weather, and I really hope the Vibram outsole features in more shoes in Nike’s collection in the future. 

There’s no doubt about it — the ZoomX foam and carbon flyplate make for an extremely fun underfoot experience. I felt like I was eating up the trails in these shoes, and I appreciated that there was enough underfoot cushioning to allow me to run from my front door to the trails on concrete. 

• Read our full Nike ZoomX Ultrafly Trail review

Best Nike running shoe for marathons

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 Vaporfly 3, the Alphafly 3 is wider and 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 we 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 having the edge for short events and the Alphafly being our top choice for the marathon, but both are extremely good shoes for all distances.

• Read our full Nike Alphafly 3 review

Best cushioned Nike running shoe

The Vomero 17 blends materials and features from several Nike cushioned shoes to create a balanced and comfortable shoe that will suit all runners well, and it's a good all-rounder option for beginners in particular. 

There are two foams in the midsole, with the top layer made from the bouncy ZoomX found in the Invincible 3 and the bottom layer being made from the firmer and more stable Cushlon 3.0 foam found in shoes like the Nike Structure 25.

This results in a ride that has some softness and spring, but one that is more supportive and stable than that of the Invincible 3. The Vomero 3 shone for us during testing on longer runs in particular, when the comfortable ride came to the fore, and while it’s not a speed-focused shoe it can handle faster running fairly well for a comfort-first cushioned shoe.

We also found the outsole was durable and gripped well in our testing, and while the upper can get a little warm when running on sunny days, the padding on it is comfortable and we had no rubbing or other problems with the fit.

Best stability Nike running shoe

If you are a runner with flat feet or one who overpronates, it might be worth trying out a stability shoe like the Nike Structure 25 which has extra support around the arch to help prevent your foot from rolling inwards when running. The support is fairly subtle on the shoe, and we found it was comfortable to use even for neutral runners, but the foam is quite firm compared to Nike’s other cushioned shoes and less springy with the aim of avoiding instability.

The Structure 25 is a workhorse of a shoe though, and one you can use for your daily miles that will last you a long time. The outsole is durable and grips well on wet pavements, and we also found the shoe was good on lighter trails. While the ride isn’t very responsive, you can pick up the pace in the Structure 25 reasonably well for any speedy sessions on your training plan so it works as a do-it-all shoe for runners who need extra stability.

There is a lot of padding around the collar of the shoe along with a rigid internal heel counter to add stability. This does support the foot well but we found it can also irritate the Achilles tendon, so if you’re sensitive to that it’s something to look out for. Also if you don't need a lot of support from a full stability shoe like the Structure then some of Nike’s other cushioned options like the Infinity Run 4 and Vomero 17 are quite stable for neutral shoes and use livelier midsole foams.

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 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, designed to give you more efficient energy return as your foot hits the ground.

If you're into trail running, a road shoe isn't likely to have enough grip, so you'll want a running shoe with deep lugs to ensure you don't slip as you clamber over rocky or muddy terrains. 

Finally, getting the shoe that best suits your running gait is 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 easiest way to test this is to head to a running shop and have your gait analyzed, but if that's not an option perhaps get a friend to video you, or look at the tread of your old shoes to see which part has worn away fastest.  

How we test the best Nike running shoes

We run in them! Our team of dedicated experts head out in all conditions and put each shoe through it's paces, literally. From sprint sessions on the track to gentle miles on the treadmill, we do our homework so you don't have to. 

When testing a pair of running shoes, we look for how comfortable the shoes are to run in, and how they feel underfoot. We also look at how well the shoe copes with different sessions  —  some shoes will be great on a long run, but feel heavy during a speed session.

Of course, Nike is one of the leaders in the market and are always innovating. During testing, we also look at the size and fit of each shoe and anything that makes the shoe particularly impressive, such as carbon plates, or ultra-lightweight midsole foams.

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