Best Nike running shoes 2020: Top picks for every kind of runner – Expert Reviews
If you’re the kind of person who looks at runners’ feet as they line up for a race, you’d once have seen a broad range of shoes in use – but not any more. Now, it’s a sea of green and pink, with emerging as the go-to option for pros and serious amateurs alike.
The Vaporfly is just one of many excellent shoes in Nike’s line-up, though. As well as premium racers, the manufacturer produces great stability, trail and cushioned shoes to suit all types of runner, all of which cost a lot less than the £240 Vaporfly.
How to choose the best Nike running shoe for you
What kind of surface are you going to run on?
If you’re hitting the trails, you’ll need a dedicated shoe with extra grip and some protective elements on the upper to protect your feet from rogue roots and stones. In contrast, if you’re expecting to use the shoe mostly on the treadmill you don’t need to worry so much about grip.
Any road running shoe will work fine on the treadmill, but you might want to consider one of Nike’s gym shoes if you plan to also hit the weights room. These shoes will have sufficient cushioning for short strings on the treadmill while also being better-suited to lifting than normal running shoes.
Are you looking for a trainer, a racer, or a shoe to do it all?
If you only have space for one running shoe in your life, then an all-rounder that’s sufficiently cushioned for training, but still quick enough for racing, is your best bet. Alternatively, you could opt for a cushioned shoe, which will be the most comfortable option for your training if you’re a beginner runner or not too fussed about racing.
If you’re on the lookout for something to help set some PBs, you have the choice of a shoe like the Vaporfly, which has a large stack of lightweight cushioning and a carbon plate, or a traditional racing flat like the Streak, which only has a thin sliver of foam to keep the weight down. The latter can be a better option for those who want to set fast 5K and 10K times, especially as the Streak is much cheaper than the Vaporfly, but the Vaporfly is considerably more comfortable to use in a marathon or half marathon.
Do you need a stability shoe?
If you’ve had gait analysis and have been told you overpronate – roll your foot excessively inwards when landing – then you may well need a stability shoe to provide extra support. Nike has a few great options here. If you don’t overpronate, then a neutral shoe is the best option for you.
How much do you need to spend?
The Vaporfly will set you back £240, which is as expensive as running shoes get, at least until Nike releases its successor, the Alphafly, which could be even more pricy. Nike’s other premium shoes tend to have an RRP of around £120 to £160, but unlike the Vaporfly they will often pop up in sales that take them nearer the £100 mark.
There are even better value options in the range, too, with shoes like the Pegasus and Streak having an RRP of around £100 and usually being available for a lot less than that.
How often does Nike update its shoe lines?
Nike releases an update to popular shoe lines like the Pegasus and Structure every year, so there are usually deals to be had on older versions that might differ only in colour. The Vaporfly is updated less often, but Nike is set to launch the Alphafly in spring 2020, which will supersede the Vaporfly as the best racing shoe in its line-up. However, that’s not going to make the Vaporfly any less amazing, so don’t be deterred from picking it up if you want to set a PB in the near future.
The best Nike running shoes to buy in 2020
1. Nike Air Zoom Pegasus Turbo 2: The best all-rounder running shoes
Price: £160 |
If you want one shoe to do it all then the Pegasus Turbo 2 isn’t just Nike’s best option, it’s the best available from any brand. The shoe offers lightweight, soft and bouncy cushioning, with a midsole made for a combination Nike’s ZoomX and React foams, with the latter increasing the durability of the shoe as well. That makes it perfect for long and easy training runs, while still being responsive and fast enough for speed sessions and races. The only downside to the Pegasus Turbo 2 is its £160 price, although it does regularly drop to nearer £110 in sales.
Key specs – Terrain: Road; Arch support: Neutral; Best Used for: Training and racing; Weight: 220g; Heel-to-toe offset: 8mm
2. Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 36: The best value running shoes
Price: £74 |
While the Pegasus Turbo is a relatively new addition to Nike’s line-up, the standard Pegasus has been around for over 35 years, and it’s been a popular pick for runners seeking a do-it-all trainer throughout that time. Part of the reason for that is the price – you rarely have to pay the still-reasonable RRP of £105, because Nike updates the Pegasus line every year, meaning there’s almost always a sale on the shoe somewhere.
The Pegasus 36 is firmer than the Turbo, but still sufficiently cushioned to tackle your easy training, and while it’s also heavier than its pricer sibling, it still has a quick enough ride to up the pace in, too. While we’d prefer to use a lighter shoe to race in if possible, the Pegasus 36 won’t let you down on that front, even if it’s best suited to the bread and butter training miles you log in the build up to an event.
Key specs – Terrain: Road; Arch support: Neutral; Best Used for: Training; Weight: 283g; Heel-to-toe offset: 10mm
3. Nike ZoomX Vaporfly NEXT%: The best racing shoes
Price: £240 |
Nike is about to launch the successor to the Vaporfly NEXT% – the Alphafly NEXT% – but there’s no need to wait for the latter if you want an incredible racing shoe right now. The Vaporfly has been the shoe of choice for elites and amateurs alike when aiming to set world records and personal bests in the past couple of years, thanks to the magical combination of a carbon plate and Nike’s lightweight, bouncy ZoomX in the midsole. That tech means the Vaporfly makes you a more efficient runner, so you burn less energy maintaining your race pace and you’re fresher at the end of long races. You’re also able to sustain your pace to hit your target, whatever it might be.
Key specs – Terrain: Road; Arch support: Neutral; Best Used for: Racing; Weight: 187g; Heel-to-toe offset: 8mm
4. Nike Zoom Fly 3: The best affordable alternative to the Vaporfly
Price: £140 |
The Vaporfly is an incredible shoe, but it costs £240 and isn’t all that durable, so needs to be saved for race day. If that sounds like an unwelcome proposition, then consider the Zoom Fly 3 instead. It’s £100 cheaper, has a carbon plate and Nike’s React foam in the midsole. That React foam is firmer and less bouncy than the ZoomX foam in the Vaporfly, but it’s still pretty lightweight and responsive and, crucially, it’s also more durable, so you can log many more miles in the Zoom Fly 3 before needing to replace it. It’s not the Vaporfly, but it’s a good approximation and will help you speed through the finish line on race day. If you also have the Vaporfly, the Zoom Fly 3 is a good option for your fast training.
Key specs – Terrain: Road; Arch support: Neutral; Best Used for: Racing and fast training; Weight: 274g; Heel-to-toe offset: 11mm
5. Nike React Infinity Run: The best cushioned running shoe
Price: £140 |
When it comes to racking up the miles in comfort, few shoes can match the feel of the Nike Infinity Run. The large stack of React foam protects you from the impact of the pavements you pound, while a rocker moves you from heel to toe quickly and smoothly. There’s a band around the ankle to provide a small amount of stability, but not so much that it’s intrusive for neutral runners. The wide forefoot also adds to the stable feel of the shoe, which makes it a great workhorse for serious runners as well as a top option for heavier people just getting into the sport who will value the extra support.
Key specs – Terrain: Road; Arch support: Mild stability/neutral; Best Used for: Training; Weight: 291g; Heel-to-toe offset: 9mm
6. Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 36 Trail: The best trail-running shoe
Price: £115 |
While the Pegasus 36 Trail isn’t best suited to very muddy or grassy paths owing to the fairly shallow lugs on its outsole, it is a brilliant option for harder tracks, with that outsole using sticky rubber that finds purchase on rocky trails. It’s also a great road-to-trail shoe, with the cushioned midsole providing enough protection when you’re on pavements rather than off-road. That means it’s a great pick for city runners who like to run to the trails of a local park or wood, as well as anyone whose trail-running is mostly on harder tracks.
Key specs – Terrain: Trail; Arch support: Neutral; Best Used for: Training and racing; Weight: 291g; Heel-to-toe offset: 10mm
7. Nike Air Zoom Structure 22: The best stability running shoe
Price: £105 |
The Structure has been a popular pick for overpronators for more than two decades, and the latest version of the shoe is full of features that help support the foot and guide it into a neutral position upon landing. There’s extra support around the heel and firmer sections on the inside half of the midsole to prevent overpronation. The Structure isn’t the most innovative shoe in Nike’s line-up and it doesn’t provide as much stability as something like the Brooks Adrenaline line, but it does support the foot in a non-intrusive way and is a great workhorse for daily trainers.
Key specs – Terrain: Road; Arch support: Stability; Best Used for: Training; Weight: 326g; Heel-to-toe offset: 10mm
8. Nike Air Zoom Streak 7: The best racing flat
Price: £67 |
Before everyone started wearing the Vaporfly, the Streak was one of the most popular racing shoes on the market, with elites using it right up to marathon distance. If you’re not as light and efficient as an elite athlete, the Streak 7 might not be quite cushioned and supportive enough for the full 42.2km, but it’s still a great, lightweight racer for 5K and 10K in particular. It’s also good value, especially as it’s usually on sale somewhere.
Key specs – Terrain: Road; Arch support: Neutral; Best Used for: Racing; Weight: 196g; Heel-to-toe offset: 8mm