One thing I’ll always remember from my early days of running is my shock at just how many running shoes each brand has in its line-up. Having spent 10 years as a running shoe reviewer, I understand better how different shoes suit different runners, but frankly, there are still way too many shoes, so let’s cut the Nike line-up down to three.
I’ve tested almost all of the sneakers in Nike’s current road running line-up, and there are some absolute corkers to consider, as well as a couple of stinkers to swerve. I’ve picked out three of the best Nike running shoes to cover different bases below.
Nike Vomero Plus — Best Cushioned Daily Trainer
There are a lot of cushioned sneakers to pick from in the Nike range, but the Nike Vomero Plus is the one I’d pick as the standout. I think it’s the best Nike running shoe for most people.
It’s exceptionally comfortable thanks to the high stack of soft and springy ZoomX foam in its midsole, and the high amount of rebound in the foam means that you can also do faster runs in the Vomero Plus easily enough. It’s also just a lot of fun to run such a bouncy shoe, and I didn’t find the Vomero Plus unstable despite the soft midsole foam.
New runners will find the Vomero Plus great for doing all their runs in, and if you’re an old hand with a shoe rotation, it’s ideal for logging all your easy miles. If you crave even more cushioning, the Nike Vomero Premium is also great, but it’s very expensive and not as versatile as the Vomero Plus.
Nike Zoom Fly 6 — Best Speed Shoe
The Nike Zoom Fly 6 is a plated running shoe that offers a fast, propulsive ride, but also a high level of comfort. It’s perfect to use either as a training partner for a full carbon plate racing shoe like the Nike Alphafly 3, or as your race shoe itself, since it’s more affordable, durable and stable than a super-shoe like the Alphafly.
I loved using the Zoom Fly 6 for pretty much any kind of training run, so it would also be a good all-rounder option for runners who don’t mind using a plated shoe for everything.
The good all-rounder/speed shoe in the Nike range to consider is the Nike Pegasus Plus, but it’s not as comfortable and springy as the Zoom Fly 6, in my opinion. If you’re a keen racer who wants the fastest shoe possible and doesn’t mind the price, then I’d look at the Alphafly 3, but the Zoom Fly 6 is a great training and racing option for most runners.
Nike Pegasus 41 — Best Value Shoe
The Vomero Plus and Zoom Fly 6 were clear picks for me, but for my last pick, I toyed with the idea of a stability shoe — Nike’s Structure line-up covers that base — or a pure racer like the Alphafly, but settled on the Nike Pegasus 41 because of the value it offers.
It’s a good price at MSRP, but also often in sales, and the Pegasus 41’s value is increased by the fact that it’s a highly durable shoe you can use for walking and gym workouts as well as your runs.
On the run, it’s comfortable, supportive and has a little pop, though it’s less springy and fun than the Vomero Plus. It’s a good pick for new runners because of its supportive ride and a great outsole that grips well even on wet and slushy roads in the winter.
While it’s not the most exciting shoe Nike makes, the Pegasus 41 is the brand’s most popular option for a reason. It’s reliable, durable and good value.
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