The Nike Wildhorse 10. All photos: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
The Nike Wildhorse 10 ($165) is an excellent high-traction, responsive trail shoe for quick speeds on rough, rocky trails. It excels at anything from workouts to technical 100-kilometer races. It’s a solid choice for those who enjoy the traction and ground feel of the Nike Kiger 9, but want a bit more rugged versatility than the Nike Pegasus Trail 5.
Nike skipped from the Wildhorse 8 to the 10 and didn’t release a new version of the shoe in 2024. That missed year has resulted in an updated shoe that feels like a massive upgrade from the prior model. One of the biggest upgrades is the new ReactX foam midsole, which provides a springy responsive ride. Nike also increased the stack height by three millimeters, to 38 millimeters at the heel and 28.5 millimeters at the toe, to create a shoe with an actual weight of 11.0 ounces (311 grams) for U.S. men’s 9. A slight increase over the Wildhorse 8, the 9.5-millimeter heel-to-toe drop gives the shoe a lovely forward propulsive ride while going easy on the Achilles.
For those who do some road running before hitting the trail, the shoe performs surprisingly well on concrete with a very smooth, flexible, and cushioned ride.
The Wildhorse 10 has consistent sizing with other Nike trail shoes, but it does have a slightly tighter fit in the forefoot. If you prefer a little more roominess in the toebox, you may want to size a half size up. I found that after about 20 miles, the upper fabric loosened up notably. Personally, I would stick with my regular size as I prefer the snugger fit.
Shop the Women's Nike Wildhorse 10Shop the Men's Nike Wildhorse 10
Nike Wildhorse 10 Upper
A lateral view of the Nike Wildhorse 10.
The Nike Wildhorse 10 upper is a mixture of engineered mesh and a slightly more open mesh around the toebox for improved breathability. There is a protective rand around the toes that is an extension of the outsole. I noted no extra moisture buildup or blisters from heat retention while out on exposed trails during sunny, 90-degree Fahrenheit days. On cooler, rainy spring days, the upper breathed well, and it never felt like I was running with puddles inside my shoes. After 150 miles, the upper seems perfectly intact with minimal wear, indicating good durability, especially with my triangle-shaped feet.
The heel cup is sturdy and surrounded by a secure ankle collar that keeps small rocks and sticks out without any rubs or irritation. Occasionally, I’m a lazy shoe donner, and the heel area of the upper stayed intact despite my abuse of slipping on my shoe using the back tab. The tongue volume is just right: not too thick and chunky and not overly minimalist. The laces stay tied even with a single knot.
Nike Wildhorse 10 Midsole
A medial view of the Nike Wildhorse 10.
With the ReactX foam upgrade, the Nike Wildhorse 10 midsole provides a smooth, quick, and lightweight ride that is much appreciated on faster downhill and more technical terrain. According to the brand, the ReactX foam is 13% more responsive than their React foam, which was used in the previous version of the shoe.
Nike also claims that the ReactX foam lasts longer than other options, however, the midsole longevity remains to be seen as I only have 150 miles on the shoes. Likely, I would not be able to get much more than 300 miles out of this shoe, but that is a personal preference and related to my long-time injury prevention belief of changing out shoes frequently.
The Wildhorse 10 has a forefoot rock plate that does its job well with no noted discomfort. I didn’t notice the rock plate adding too much stiffness or decreasing the smoothness of the ride.
Nike Wildhorse 10 Outsole
The outsole of the Nike Wildhorse 10.
The Nike Wildhorse 10 has the brand’s All Terrain Compound (ATC) rubber for its outsole with rugged, mainly chevron-shaped lugs. While the lugs aren’t exceptionally deep, they provide decent traction. When it comes to outsoles, the brand seems to switch between using Vibram Megagrip, such as on the Nike Ultrafly, and their proprietary ATC. Personally, I see a Vibram outsole being a step above in grippiness and durability compared to the ATC. That said, the Wildhorse 10 outsole seems to do its job perfectly well for most trail running situations, and I would feel absolutely comfortable wearing this shoe in races as technical as the Broken Arrow Skyrace or Speedgoat 50k.
After 150 miles, I have noticed some wear and tear on the outsole, perhaps from too much time on the road while getting to the trails, but to me, this seems within the range of normal durability.
Nike Wildhorse 10 Overall Impressions
A top view of the Nike Wildhorse 10.
The Nike Wildhorse 10 is a fantastic upgrade from the Wildhorse 8. Without hesitation, I’ve thrown this shoe into my rotation of daily trainers and would consider it for technical, rocky races between 50k and 100k. If I were to run a 100-mile race where any portion of it was technical, rocky terrain, such as the first 30 miles of the Western States 100, I would use the Wildhorse for those miles and switch out to a different shoe for less technical terrain. If you’re looking for something with more all-day cushion, I would steer you toward the Nike Zegama 2.
In summary, the Wildhorse 10 is an excellent choice for mountain running, technical trails, or for those simply wanting to go fast with a lightweight, responsive ride and a breathable yet protective upper. If you were a fan of prior versions of the Wildhorse, then the new version is definitely worth your while.
Shop the Women's Nike Wildhorse 10Shop the Men's Nike Wildhorse 10
Call for Comments
- Have you tried out the new Nike Wildhorse 10? If you also wore the Wildhorse 8, how did they compare?
- What shoes do you like for mid-distance, technical racing?
Our Favorite Trail Running Shoes
Check out our Best Trail Running Shoes article to learn about our current favorite trail running shoes!
