Best Nike Running Shoes of 2025

Most runners know Nike’s story and history. Founded by legendary University of Oregon track coach Bill Bowerman and one of his athletes, Phil Knight, the massive sports equipment and apparel company started solely as a running shoe company. The rest, as they say, is history. But with that history and the sheer number of shoes made by the company, finding the best Nike option for your running needs can be challenging. No worries — we’ve got you covered.

The iRunFar team tests a constant rotation of Nike’s newest running shoes. Based on our testing, we created a list of shoes that should meet the needs of just about every type of runner. Looking for a road running shoe that you can also take on dirt and gravel roads for everything from everyday training runs to long runs and light tempos? Check out the Nike Pegasus 41, our best overall Nike road running shoe. Or take a look at our runner-up choice, the Nike Vomero 18. Spend most of your time off-road? Consider the Nike Pegasus Trail 5. Need a stability shoe? We love the Nike Structure 25. Below are our favorite Nike running shoes and what they excel at doing.

Be sure to look at our testing methodology, buying advice, and frequently asked questions below our top picks.

Best Nike Running Shoes

• Best Overall Road Running Shoe: Nike Pegasus 41
• Best Overall Road Running Shoe — Runner-Up: Nike Vomero 18
• Best Overall Trail Running Shoe: Nike Pegasus Trail 5
• Best Overall Trail Running Shoe — Runner-Up: Nike Terra Kiger 10
• Best Road Racing Shoe: Nike Alphafly 3
• Best Trail Racing Shoe: Nike Ultrafly
• Best Stability Running Shoe: Nike Structure 25
• Best Budget Running Shoe: Nike Winflo 11

Best Overall Road Running Shoe: Nike Pegasus 41 ($130)

Pros:

• Excellent value
• Can handle multiple surfaces

Cons:

• Requires a bit of a break-in period

The Nike Pegasus 41 is one of the most classic and approachable road running shoes on the market. Around for more than four decades, the Pegasus has stood the test of time. It remains one of the most versatile running shoes available and an excellent value. After a break-in period, our tester found this shoe very comfortable. Nike made two updates to this model to help boost that comfort, including a redesigned midfoot and a new breathable engineered mesh upper.

Nike includes Zoom Air units at the forefoot and heel to boost spring in your stride. A plush sock liner and tongue add to the shoe’s overall comfort. Nike employs its classic waffle-inspired grippy outsole, which is flexible and holds traction on more than just pavement. Like the Vomero 18 reviewed below, we found the Pegasus 41 very capable of handling multiple surfaces. One tester had no problem taking it onto dirt, which included some unexpected springtime snow and mud. The overall versatility of this shoe has led us to feature it in our Best Road Running Shoes guide.

If you primarily run on pavement but also want to spend some time on dirt or gravel, you can’t go wrong with this shoe.

To learn more, check out our Nike Pegasus 41 review.

Claimed Weight: 10.2 ounces (289 grams) | Drop: 10 millimeters | Support: Neutral

Shop the Men's Nike Pegasus 41Shop the Women's Nike Pegasus 41

Best Overall Road Running Shoe — Runner-Up: Nike Vomero 18 ($150)

Pros:

• Comfortable all-around shoe
• Maximum cushion for a soft ride
• Excellent responsiveness and energy return

Cons:

• Not the lightest
• A 10-millimeter stack height could be too much for some

The Nike Vomero 18 is the Swoosh brand’s premier maximum-cushion running shoe. The only reason it takes the runner-up spot is because we understand that not everyone needs a maximally cushioned shoe, and the Pegasus 41 is a better generalist shoe with more versatility. That said, if you’re looking for maximum comfort and cushion in a soft and responsive shoe, the Vomero is the best option. Nike went all-in on the maximum cushion in this latest version of the shoe, lifting the stack height to 46 millimeters at the heel and 36 millimeters at the forefoot. The other major upgrade is the midsole, with its ZoomX foam on top of its ReactX foam. This midsole is softer and more comfortable than the previous version.

However, this improvement in comfort comes at the cost of increased weight, adding a full ounce to the shoe in men’s size 10. The shoe was already on the heavier side, but now it’s even heavier. We didn’t dock it a ton for the weight gain because it still has some solid energy return and doesn’t feel like a clunker. Still, we didn’t love that Nike took an already heavy shoe and made it heavier.

We were a little disappointed in the new outsole on this shoe. The previous version had an outsole that was more akin to the Pegasus, with more lugs and a bigger surface area covered with high-abrasion rubber. As folks who often blend road running with gravel roads, crushed limestone paths, and dirt trails, we loved the versatility of the previous version’s outsole. This version loses some of that do-it-all-ness with more exposed midsole foam and smaller pods of outsole rubber. Nike did add some rocker, which helps with stride efficiency, and the upper is more comfortable, with some plushness added to the tongue.

Overall, the Vomero 18 is one of our favorite maximum-cushioned running shoes, and it’s also a great value. If you’re looking for a more versatile shoe, go for the Pegasus 41.

You can read more about the details of this shoe in our Nike Vomero 18 review.

Claimed Weight: 11.5 ounces (325 grams) | Drop: 10 millimeters | Support: Neutral

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Best Overall Trail Running Shoe: Nike Pegasus Trail 5 ($140)

 

Pros:

• Ideal for mixed-surface runs
• Dialed-in upper with a great insole
• Lighter than previous models

Cons:

• We’d like to see a thin rock plate added

The Nike Pegasus Trail 5 isn’t just our favorite Nike trail running shoe — it’s one of our favorites in our Best Trail Running Shoes guide as well. Our primary tester for this shoe calls it her “magic slipper” for daily, non-technical trail running. At 10.2 ounces, they’re not the lightest shoes, and the 9.5-millimeter drop is on the higher end, but for anyone looking for a daily trail runner from Nike, this is as good as it gets.

Let’s start with the upper. Nike used runner-informed data to redesign the previous version, including using breathable engineered mesh. This version keeps Nike’s Flywire technology, which helps boost midfoot security with an extra band. Our tester liked the improvements made to the ankle collar and Achilles notch area. The improved cushioning and heel cup fit helped our tester’s tender heel and Achilles area. We also like the loop added to the heel of the shoe. This is a small change, but it makes it easier to get the shoe on and gives you the option to attach your shoes to a backpack or bag using a carabiner.

The shoe’s midsole features Nike’s ReactX foam — an upgrade from the React foam in the previous version. Nike claims the ReactX foam reduces the shoe’s carbon footprint by 43% and increases its energy efficiency by 13%. On the ground, we found the shoe more comfortable and efficient than the previous version, especially during longer runs of 10 to 20 miles and when transitioning from dirt singletrack to gravel or paved roads.

Nike employs its proprietary All Terrain Compound (ATC) for the shoe’s outsole. It also widened the overall footprint of the shoe by a few millimeters and updated the lug pattern. Overall, this was an improvement for us. The new ATC rubber is more pliable, making it flex better on trails. We also found it stickier than previous versions, improving the shoe’s ability to stick to slabs or other rocks.

Versatility is the central theme of our top three Nike running shoes — the Pegasus Trail 5, Pegasus 41, and Vomero 18. Most runners don’t exclusively run on technical singletrack, paved roads, crushed gravel, or dirt. We run on all sorts of surfaces and trail types, and all three Nike shoes can excel on multiple surfaces. But if you’re primarily running on trails, the Pegasus 5 should be the pick.

Read our full Nike Pegasus Trail 5 review to learn more about this shoe.

Claimed Weight: 10.2 ounces (289 grams) | Drop: 9.5 millimeters | Support: Neutral

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Best Trail Running Shoe — Runner-Up: Nike Terra Kiger 10 ($170)

Pros:

• Excellent traction
• Fast, light, and nimble
• Solid durability

Cons:

• Relatively narrow toebox and platform

While the Pegasus Trail 5 is an all-around trail running shoe, the Nike Terra Kiger 10 also works as a trail racing shoe. Nike claims the Kiger 10 weighs 9.8 ounces for a men’s size 10, but honestly, it feels a lot lighter than that. This is a fun shoe that is light, nimble, and quick, and one that our main tester continually reaches for when he wants to feel good while cruising on trails and gravel roads. He says it reminds him of some of Nike’s old-school racing flats, in the best way.

Starting at the bottom, Nike uses a Vibram Megagrip outsole that impressed us. It’s one of the grippiest outsole materials on the market and is put to good use in this instance. We took this shoe on all sorts of technical trails in California and Colorado, as well as on crushed limestone and gravel roads in the Midwest. We found that it handled all of the terrain very well. Nike also adds a forefoot rock plate for some extra protection. Moving up the shoe, Nike employs its Cushlon 3.0 midsole foam. It has 29 millimeters of stack height at the heel and 24 millimeters at the forefoot, which is lower than average in today’s world of maximum-cushioned shoes. That lower stack height helps it feel agile and more like a racing flat than a long-distance shoe. The upper is breathable and comfortable, and we had zero issues with any hot spots, blisters, or discomfort.

The Nike Terra Kiger 10 is an excellent shoe for anyone looking for a daily trainer that can double as a trail racing shoe. It is fun, fast, and nimble, and it excels both on technical and non-technical trails and terrain.

An in-depth review of this shoe is coming soon, but until then, you can read more about the previous version in our Nike Kiger 9 review.

Claimed Weight: 9.8 ounces (276 grams) | Drop: 5 millimeters | Support: Neutral

Shop the Unisex Nike Terra Kiger 10

Best Road Racing Shoe: Nike Alphafly 3 ($285)

 

Pros:

• The lightest iteration thus far
• Comfortable, fast, excellent energy return

Cons:

• Seems to sell out immediately

The Nike Alphafly 3 is the brand’s premium, most teched-out road racing shoe. In its third iteration, Nike says it’s the lightest and most-tested version. The first version of this shoe — the Alphafly NEXT% — made waves in 2019 when Eliud Kipchoge wore them while breaking the two-hour mark in an unsanctioned marathon. In 2023, wearing a prototype of the Alphafly 3, the late Kelvin Kiptum broke the world marathon record, running 2:00:35 in Chicago. Simply put, some version of the Alphafly has played a role in the fastest marathons ever run.

What makes them so fast? A ton of proprietary technology. Let’s start with the base, where Nike employs a new lightweight Fast Shot outsole for grip and traction. Previous versions had more of a wave pattern on the outsole, whereas this one has mini-lugs. The outsole rubber is also now continuous, connecting the heel to the forefoot for the first time. This improves the heel-to-toe transition, regardless of pace. The previous version really only felt good at faster paces.

The Alphafly 3 still has dual Air Zoom units in the midsole and now has a wider full-length carbon plate for improved stability. The high-stack midsole is made of ZoomX foam, offering exceptional energy return. The new last design offers improved arch comfort, and a molded sock liner should provide a little more support. A new lace design makes a softer fit on top of the foot.

Put this all together, and we found that this shoe was a faster and more comfortable version of the Alphafly 2. This shoe is also featured in our Best Marathon Shoes guide.

Claimed Weight: 7.1 ounces (202 grams) | Drop: 8.5 millimeters | Support: Neutral

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Best Trail Racing Shoe: Nike Ultrafly ($260)

 

Pros:

• Comfortable and fast
• Crosses over well to roads

Cons:

• Expensive

The Nike Ultrafly is the brand’s first off-road super shoe. Nike was the first to introduce a carbon-plated super shoe to road racing in 2017 with the Vaporfly, and while it wasn’t the first to introduce an off-road super shoe, when it did, it was unsurprisingly one of the best. The shoe has a premium low-profile Vibram Megagrip Litebase outsole, which we found has excellent grip on wet trails and rocks. For the midsole, Nike uses its ZoomX foam and carbon Flyplate. The soft foam and carbon plate provide a soft, responsive, and energy-efficient response.

The shoe’s upper fits and feels like a road shoe, in a good way. The Vaporweave mesh is lightweight, breathable, and comfortable. We also love that Nike continues to expand its toebox, increasingly allowing the toes to splay naturally during the stride. In terms of racing shoes, Nike nailed it with the Ultrafly. We’d place it up with other high-end trail racing shoes like the Hoka Tecton X 3. We took this shoe on runs up and down technical trails in California’s Santa Monica Mountains and on more gradual paths elsewhere within California’s Coast Range. It handles a wide range of surfaces and trail types. Like all carbon-plated shoes, it’s expensive, but it’s well worth the cost if speed is your priority.

Read our full Nike Ultrafly review.

Claimed Weight: 10.5 ounces (300 grams) | Drop: 8.5 millimeters | Support: Neutral

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Best Stability Running Shoe: Nike Structure 25 ($140)

 

Pros:

• Light and responsive
• Excellent fit

Cons:

• Fairly aggressive 10-millimeter drop

The Nike Structure 25 is one of the best stability running shoes we’ve recently tested and is a great option if you overpronate. This shoe is featured in our Best Stability Running Shoes guide, where you can learn more about overpronation and who could benefit from this type of shoe. As a stability shoe, the Structure 25 has a higher level of new foam to boost support and guide the foot into a more neutral stride. The midsole makes a wide platform, and the shoe has an increased rocker, both of which help with its overall stability. While there is a Zoom Air unit at the forefoot for responsive cushioning, overall, this shoe is less springy than others in this guide.

Nike softened the material around the heel and ankle for improved comfort, and a single-layer mesh upper breathes well. We also really liked the grippy rubber outsole and small lugs found on this shoe. We took this shoe on dirt and crushed gravel trails and roads more than pavement, and it performed very well.

Overall, these shoes are on the lighter side of the stability spectrum, so if you need extra-stable shoes or maximum support, you probably want to venture outside of Nike.

Claimed Weight: 11.4 ounces (322 grams) | Drop: 10 millimeters | Support: Stability

Shop the Men's Nike Structure 25Shop the Women's Nike Structure 25

Best Budget Running Shoe: Nike Winflo 11 ($105)

 

Pros:

• Made with sustainable materials
• Affordable

Cons:

• Heavy
• High 10-millimeter drop

While it’s slightly absurd that our best budget shoe still costs more than $100, this seems to be the lowest price point for a reasonable road shoe in 2025, and the Nike Winflo 11 packs in a lot for the price. If you’re new to running, on a tighter budget, or don’t want to spend much on running shoes, it’s a great option. Nike uses its Cushion 3.0 foam for the midsole to save on costs, but adds a full-length Zoom Air unit to help boost the comfort and energy return found in this shoe.

The updated upper is breathable mesh, and the rubber waffle-inspired outsole makes this shoe adequate for gravel roads, dirt paths, and pavement. As part of this update, Nike increased the forefoot and heel width for improved stability. We also love that this shoe comes in extra-wide sizes and features sustainable materials.

Claimed Weight: 11.7 ounces (332 grams) | Drop: 10 millimeters | Support: Neutral

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Comparing the Best Nike Running Shoes

SHOE	PRICE	WEIGHT	DROP	USE
Nike Pegasus 41	$130	10.2 ounces	10 millimeters	Road
Nike Vomero 18	$150	11.5 ounces	10 millimeters	Road
Nike Pegasus Trail 5	$140	10.2 ounces	9.5 millimeters	Trail
Nike Terra Kiger 10	$170	9.8 ounces	5 millimeters	Trail
Nike Alphafly 3	$285	7.6 ounces	8 millimeters	Road racing
Nike Ultrafly	$260	10.5 ounces	8.5 millimeters	Trail racing
Nike Structure 25	$140	11.4 ounces	10 millimeters	Stability road
Nike Winflo 11	$105	11.7 ounces	10 millimeters	Road

Glossary of Running Shoe Terms

These days, the anatomy of a running shoe can be complicated. We try to avoid jargon in our buyer’s guides, but sometimes, it’s inevitable, so we put together a glossary of frequently used terms when describing running shoes.

• Stack Height: The stack height of a shoe is the space between the bottom of the shoe (the outsole) and the bottom of your foot. It’s typically measured in millimeters and runs between 20 and 40 millimeters. Most shoes have a higher stack height at the heel than the forefoot.
• Heel-to-Toe Drop (or just Drop): Drop is the difference in stack height between the heel and the toe of the shoe. As mentioned above, most running shoes have some drop, with the heel slightly higher than the toe. Zero-drop shoes place the heel and toe at an equal level. Most running shoes range in drop from zero to 12 millimeters.
• Outsole: The outsole is the bottom of the shoe that typically features a rubber material.
• Lugs: Lugs are protrusions of material on the bottom of the outsole designed to provide extra traction. They typically appear on trail running shoes, but some road shoes, like the Nike Vomero 18 and Nike Structure 25, will contain small lugs for added traction. The typical lug found on trail shoes is between three and six millimeters deep.
• Midsole: The midsole is the material between the outsole and the sock liner. It is made of foam and provides cushioning for your foot. Most running shoe companies make proprietary foams, and the midsole quality affects how a shoe feels underfoot. Companies tend to create base-level, mid-level, and racing foams, with racing foams being lighter and providing higher energy returns.
• Rock Plate: The rock plate is a protective material that typically sits on top of the outsole of trail running shoes. It is usually made of plastic and keeps rocks, roots, or other sharp objects from digging into your foot. Rock plates vary in length, from covering just the forefoot to running the entire length of the shoe.
• Carbon Plate: Similar to a rock plate, a carbon plate sits between the outsole and sock liner. While the rock plate’s purpose is protection, a carbon plate’s purpose is to increase energy return from each foot strike.
• Upper: The upper is the material covering the sides and top of your shoe. It connects to the midsole and wraps around your foot.
• Toebox: The toebox is exactly what it sounds like — the front of your shoe where your toes go. Shoes have toeboxes of different widths, from narrow to wide. Trying different toebox widths will help you find your preference.
• Rocker: Like a ski or a snowboard, a rocker design is a slight lift at the front and back of the shoe. Shoe companies use rocker technology to improve running efficiency and economy and help runners naturally spring forward using their toes.

Nike Midsole Foams

Running shoe companies often use proprietary materials and jargon to describe different parts of a shoe’s anatomy. Nike uses two types of foam in its running shoes.

• Cushlon: Now in its third iteration, the Cushlon 3.0 midsole foam is Nike’s base-level foam. It’s an EVA-based foam, which is common for many running shoes. Nike places it in its lower-cost running shoes, like our favorite budget option, the Nike Winflo 11.
• React: The React foam was launched in 2017 to help reduce injuries among athletes. Typically found in Nike’s golf, basketball, and running shoes, React foam features Thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) and Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) and is lightweight, soft, and durable.
• ReactX: Launched in 2023, ReactX foam is an upgraded version of the React foam. Nike claims it is bouncier and provides increased responsiveness and energy return compared to React foam. Nike also claims it has a lower carbon footprint than its other foams. You can find it in the Nike Vomero 18.
• ZoomX: The brand’s premium foam cushioning, ZoomX is typically used in its higher-end racing shoes like the Nike Alphafly 3. Derived from aerospace foam, it is Nike’s lightest, softest, and most responsive foam, and Nike claims it provides 85% energy return.

How to Choose: A Buyer’s Guide for Nike Running Shoes

Running Surface

When deciding on a pair of running shoes, a good starting point is to determine if you want trail running shoes, road running shoes, or a hybrid that can perform both on pavement and trail. A road shoe will work if you primarily run on streets, sidewalks, or paved trails. You’ll want a trail running shoe if you are mainly running on off-road surfaces, including technical mountain trails. The truth is that most people run on multiple surfaces, which is one of the reasons why we picked the Nike Pegasus 41 as the best overall Nike running shoe. It can handle pavement, dirt, and gravel roads with ease. We also love the Nike Pegasus Trail 5 and Nike Terra Kiger 10 for the low-profile outsole that allows them to handle trails well without losing too much performance on pavement.

The main difference between trail and road shoes is that trail shoes have deeper lugs on the outsole for traction on dirt and uneven surfaces. Some road shoes have small lugs on their rubber outsoles, making them fine for non-technical off-road runs on flat dirt paths or gravel roads. Other road shoes do not have lugs or enough of a rubber outsole, and those are best kept purely on pavement.

Intended Use

Once you decide on your most likely running surface, it’s time to consider the shoe’s intended use. Are you looking for an everyday trainer, a shoe for workouts, something for racing, or something that can do a bit of all three? Some shoes are incredibly versatile and can be used in many scenarios, while others are very specific. The Nike Alphafly 3, for example, is solely a racing shoe. You could also use it for speed workouts, but its range is limited. The Nike Ultrafly, on the other hand, is built a bit differently and could serve as a trail workout shoe as well as a race shoe. And the Nike Terra Kiger 10 is a solid option if the Ultrafly is a bit too spendy for you.

If you’re looking for a more generalist shoe that excels at long runs on pavement or light dirt, everyday training runs, and the occasional speed or up-tempo workout, the Nike Pegasus 41 is a good choice. If you’re looking for a shoe for recovery runs, we recommend the maximum-cushioned Nike Vomero 18.

Cushion

You might’ve noticed that most of our recommended shoes have at least moderate cushioning. The Nike Pegasus 41 has a pretty middle-of-the-road level of cushioning, while the Nike Vomero 18 has maximum cushioning. It used to be that if you wanted a maximum-cushioning running shoe, you had to deal with weight and clunkiness. But those days are over. With technology like Nike’s Zoom Air units, React foam, and ZoomX foam, you can get maximum-cushion shoes that remain lightweight and super responsive.

Like most things in a running shoe, the amount of cushion someone wants is a personal choice. Generally speaking, if you primarily run on harder surfaces, like pavement, we recommend erring on the side of more cushion. Extra layers of softness between your feet and the asphalt can cushion each foot strike and protect your bones and joints. We named the Nike Pegasus 41 our favorite overall shoe for its high level of cushion created by the premium foam.

Support

Most running shoes provide a neutral level of support, which is enough for most runners. However, for some folks, a stability shoe might be necessary. The easiest way to determine if you need a stability shoe is to go to a running specialty store, hop on their treadmill, and have an employee watch your stride to see if you’re an overpronator.

What’s overpronation? Let’s start with pronation, which is the natural inward collapse of the foot’s arch as it absorbs and distributes impact while running or walking. Everyone pronates. Underpronation — also called supination — is when the arch barely collapses and is generally associated with high arches. Those who supinate or have a normal range of pronation are good with neutral shoes. However, if you overpronate, meaning your arch collapses past the typical range, you might consider using stability running shoes. Generally, those with flat arches are more likely to need stability shoes. Again, it’s tough to tell on your own if you exceed the typical range of pronation, so having an employee at a running specialty store take a look isn’t a bad idea. You can learn more in our Best Stability Running Shoes guide.

Stability shoes provide more support with a wider midfoot or overall platform, higher side walls, additional foam, or a rocker profile to help guide the foot into a more neutral gait. Nike doesn’t make many stability shoes, but the Nike Structure 25 is a solid option.

Fit

Fit might be the most important consideration when picking out a new running shoe. If you’re a newbie runner, it’s probably worth going to a running specialty store to have your feet measured and fitted. If this isn’t possible, a general rule for the length of the shoe should allow you to fit a thumb’s width between the end of your big toe and the front of the shoe. Your heel, midfoot, and forefoot should all feel snug without feeling overly tight.

In general, Nike running shoes fit similarly to other brands. Meaning, if you wear a women’s size 7 in most running shoe brands, that will likely work for you in Nike as well.

Why You Should Trust Us

The testing team at iRunFar has decades of running experience. To create this guide, we brainstormed and researched the most popular Nike running shoes on the market. We also pulled from our experience with and knowledge of Nike running shoes to create a list of about a dozen shoes to test. We put at least 100 miles on each pair of shoes for testing, and most of our recommendations now have hundreds of miles on them. Our testers are based mostly around the western United States — in Colorado, California, and the Pacific Northwest — and run on pavement, trails, gravel roads, and dirt paths. We evaluated these Nike shoes for fit, comfort, responsiveness, and durability.

Since originally publishing this buyer’s guide, we continue to test newer versions of shoes already included in this guide, as well as new models of Nike running shoes. We generally rate shoes on a few factors, including fit, versatility, durability, comfort, performance, and functionality. We know shoes are increasingly expensive, so we try to put an emphasis on versatility and durability.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nike Running Shoes

What are the best Nike shoes for running?

The best Nike running shoes for you will depend on several factors, including the surfaces you like to run on and the distances you go. If you’re looking for something with a lot of cushion, the Nike Vomero 18 is a great option. We recommend them for anyone primarily running on roads, gravel or paved trails, or non-technical dirt trails. However, at $30 less and with a bit more versatility, the Nike Pegasus 41 is our current favorite.

For trails, we recommend the Nike Pegasus Trail 5. Like its road sibling, it’s a very good generalist trail shoe that can handle quite a bit. If you’re looking for racing shoes, the Nike Ultrafly and Nike Alphafly 3 are the best for trails and roads, respectively.

Is Nike a good brand for running shoes?

Yes, and it has been around for a long time with a great track record for quality shoes. Many new running brands we love have emerged, like Hoka, Topo, On, Altra, and others, but Nike continues to innovate and change the game. Whether you love or hate the carbon-plated super-shoe movement, it’s here to stay — and Nike created it. The Nike Alphafly 3 is one of the best super shoes on the market. And the brand still makes some of our favorite shoes, period. So, while plenty of other companies exist, Nike remains an excellent option for many runners. If you’re curious about other options, check out our Best Running Shoe Brands guide.

What are the best Nike running shoes for racing?

Nike is often considered one of the best brands for road racing shoes. Since the days of Bill Bowerman building his athletes’ personalized racing shoes, the brand has roots in racing shoe innovation. Nike’s racing shoes, like the Nike Alphafly 3 and the Nike Ultrafly, are some of the best racing shoes on the market for roads and trails. But we also appreciate that Nike makes some excellent racing shoes at lower costs, like the Nike Terra Kiger 10 or the Nike Zoom Fly 6.

Are Nike shoes worth the cost?

You’ve probably noticed the high cost of shoes like the Nike Alphafly 3 and the Nike Ultrafly. Yet, if you’ve toed any start lines at a road race recently, you’ve probably noticed the number of Alphafly and Vaporfly racing shoes on the feet of runners. We wouldn’t recommend high-cost shoes unless we believed they were worth it. But we only recommend those shoes for serious racers or experienced runners. If you’re completing your first trail race or local 5k, you definitely don’t need the Alphafly or Ultrafly.

Outside of racing shoes, models like the Nike Pegasus 41 and Nike Pegasus Trail 5 provide an excellent value. Both are highly versatile and durable shoes that will last and perform well for hundreds of miles. They’re some of our favorite shoes to recommend for those reasons and are definitely worth the relatively moderate cost.

Call for Comments

• Do you have any experience with the Nike running shoes in this guide?
• What is your most important element in a great pair of running shoes?
• Tell us about your favorite pair we might have missed so that we can test them.