7 Best Nike Long Distance Running Shoes in 2023

Every model of Nike long-distance running shoes on this list accommodates various running styles, training or racing conditions, and budget.
The perfect pair of shoes for an experienced marathoner will be different from a runner who is training for her first 21K race. Whether you are the former or the other, it is best to consider several key factors and decide which specific features are more important for you.
We’ve handpicked 50+ Nike shoes ideal for high-mileage sessions to help you narrow down your options. We have actually obtained them and put them through a series of tests to reduce the choices to only the finest. If you have a specific preference in mind when it comes to overall fit and performance, check out our top picks in a variety of categories.
Best Nike long distance running shoes overall





















What makes it the best?
The second version of ZoomX Vaporfly NEXT% goes lightning fast at any distance. Its soft and stacked cushion oozes comfort and is balanced by an exceptionally responsive midsole, all in a light and airy package. No doubt, it claims the top spot for Nike’s long-distance shoes.
Its ZoomX foam gives a luxurious feel, effortlessly blending comfort and energy return. We couldn’t resist pressing it with our durometer. It emerged a pillowy 19.0 HA, 21.8% softer than average. Its above-average stack is bouncy, spoiling our legs with smooth and fast toe-offs.
This shoe blazes through any distance, fueling our legs with boundless energy and unmatched speed. Putting it against our flex test in the lab, it emerged as one of the stiffest shoes we’ve ever tested — a whopping 175.3% above average! This didn’t go unnoticed in our runs as we immediately felt the spring in every stride.
We feel like flying in these airy shoes weighing 6.9 oz (196g), much lighter than other race shoes averaging 7.5 oz (214g). Adding to the light feeling is the well-ventilated upper that received the highest possible score on our breathability test.
We don’t recommend this pair to heel-strikers as it may feel wobbly and unstable since its heel is 15.2 mm narrower than average.
Pros
- Insanely lightweight
- Very breathable
- Bouncy
- Responsive
- FAST
- No break-in period needed
- Good grip on dry surfaces
Cons
- Not ideal for wide feet
- Unstable
- Forefoot strikers only
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Best Nike long distance running shoes for speed records



































What makes it the best?
Air Zoom Alphafly Next% 2 is our best bet for breaking long-distance PRs. It shines in consistency, insane responsiveness and leg-saving comfort for many miles — all in a lightweight package. It offers everything an endurance runner needs for peak performance.
We’re in awe of the consistent energy this racer provides. It keeps our momentum strong with its rocker geometry launching us forward. It houses a rigid carbon plate that helps us to be quick on our feet. Proven by our 90° bend test, it ranks 131.6% stiffer than average.
Its airy 8.5 oz (240g) build makes it easier for us to run, weighing 10.4% lighter than average. It feels breezy as the air flows in and out freely. Our breathability test in the lab confirms this with a perfect score.
What makes this racer great for long miles is its high and soft stack combination. It dampens the impact of landing — saving our legs from feeling tired after hours of running. It's 5.3 / 9.5 mm higher than average in the heel and forefoot, respectively. The additional foam feels delightful and our durometer confirms this measuring 20.7% softer than average.
The shoe’s length runs 9.9 mm smaller than the standard. We recommend sizing up with this pair.
Pros
- Great for personal bests
- Propulsive ride
- Very comfortable
- Versatile for short and long runs
- Amazing lockdown
- Airy upper
- More stable than v1
- Long-lasting
- Less annoying noise
Cons
- Expensive for sure
- Still slightly unstable on corners
- Hard to slip on
- Heavier and less magical than v1
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Best Nike long distance running shoes for daily training





































What makes it the best?
The 40th version of the Nike Pegasus line brings superior comfort, next-level durability, and unmatched versatility. As such, the Nike Pegasus 40 is crowned the best daily trainer among the Nike long-distance running shoe stable.
Comfort is a priority in the Pegasus 40. Its heel area, gusseted tongue, and dual-layer mesh upper are well-padded and provided an almost heavenly comfort for our feet. When we ran in these shoes, our feet felt fresh and strong even after long runs.
The Pegasus 40 also has a world-class outsole which is both durable and grippy. Even after miles of pounding the pavement, it still has no visible signs of damage. At the lab, we verified it to be 7.6% denser than average confirming the outsole durability—a force to be reckoned with.
The durability of this shoe extends to the upper. In our dremel test (applying exact force and RPMs to every shoe for 4 seconds), it scored 3/5 while the average is only 1.9. With its durability, this shoe will definitely withstand multiple marathon training blocks.
While the Pegasus 40 is indeed reliable, it lacks the punch of a more energetic shoe. Runners may want to look the other way when looking for a more exciting shoe.
Pros
- Plush and comfortable upper
- Breathable
- Secure lockdown
- Has enough toe-box space
- Not overly soft or firm underfoot
- Good energy return
- Great grip on most surfaces
- Incredible durability
- Perfect for everyday miles and LSDs
Cons
- A generally narrow fit
- Heavier than the v39
- Not a very memorable ride
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Best comfortable Nike long distance running shoes














































What makes it the best?
Pros
- All-new ReactX plush midsole
- Soft and stretchy Flyknit upper
- Ideal for heel strikers
- Generously cushioned
- Excellent for easy runs
- Feels like running on clouds
- Durable, long-lasting outsole
- Reduced carbon footprint
Cons
- Average-at-best breathability
- On the heavier side
- Sizes run notably small
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Nike long distance running shoes with best cushioning



































What makes it the best?
If plushness was a Nike shoe, this is it. The Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit 3 has the best plush cushioning out of all Nike running shoes for long-distance. Aside from the heavenly soft midsole foam, this max-cushioned trainer also boasts of a stable platform and great energy return.
During long runs, the Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit 3 felt unbelievably comfortable on our feet with its immensely soft cushion. In the lab, our measurements showed that its stack height is 2 mm more than the average road running shoe (35.2 mm vs. 33.2 mm). Meanwhile, the durometer test showed that the midsole foam is 40.3% softer than average, confirming the otherworldly plushness we enjoyed on our runs.
Although it is a max-cushioned shoe, we could still pick up the pace easily when needed and we greatly enjoyed the pop we felt with every step. For this, we have the ZoomX to thank, which is also the same foam in Nike’s supershoes.
The shoe measures 121.8 mm on the forefoot (9 mm wider than average) and 102.1 mm in the heel (12.2 mm wider). This wider-than-usual platform, coupled with a heel clip, provides stability despite its super soft midsole. True enough, we confidently navigated various terrain
While the 4-mm thick outsole is 0.6 mm more than the average, it lacks the grip on wet surfaces. Runners may look for other shoes for traction on wet surfaces.
Pros
- Way more stable than previous versions
- Tall stack of impact-absorbing cushioning
- Good energy return
- Comfort for the entire foot
- Thicker, more durable outsole
- A solid ride that works for more runners
- Breathable
- Great for recovery days and long easy runs
Cons
- Poor grip on wet roads
- Heel slippage
- Heel clip can be irritating when cornering
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Best Nike long distance road-to-trail running shoes





















What makes it the best?
The Nike React Pegasus Trail 4 is a triple threat: noteworthy cushion, excellent grip, and feather-light. These provide more than enough to tackle roads, trails, and anything in between. Deservingly, the Nike Pegasus Trail 4 is our pick for the best hybrid long-distance running shoes in Nike’s lineup.
It has a generous portion of a midsole. With a heel stack of 35.5 mm, it is significantly taller than the average of trail running shoes (31.7 mm). Our feet felt very cushioned and protected—especially when we switched from roads to trails.
The tread pattern on the Pegasus Trail 4 along with the 3.4-mm deep lugs provide the shoe with traction that works great along various terrain. May it be road, gravel, or rock, these shoes helped us confidently tackle these terrains in both dry and wet conditions.
For a trail running shoe with its capabilities, it was surprisingly lightweight. At 272g (9.59 oz), it weighs so much less than average trail running shoes (296g or 10.44 oz). With less weight to carry in every stride, we felt like we were soaring through trails and pavement.
The Nike Pegasus Trail 4 definitely excels as a hybrid. However, runners could look for shoes with beefier lugs for use in super muddy and technical trails.
Pros
- Efficient road-to-trail
- Well-cushioned
- Stable ride
- Excellent, secure fit
- Very breathable
- Great traction
- Unexpectedly light
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- Not for muddy areas
- Not for wide feet
- Could be more stylish
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Best Nike long distance trail running shoe









































What makes it the best?
Pros
- Bouncy and durable React foam
- Excellent grip on dry terrain
- Built-like-a-tank upper
- Adequate cushioning for long runs
- Fantastic choice for wide feet
- No heel slippage
- Light and agile
- Remarkable value at $150
- Outstanding choice for forefoot strikers
Cons
- Subpar grip performance on wet terrain
- Could be more stable
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Comparison of the 7 best Nike long distance running shoes
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How we test running shoes
You don’t have to personally review over a hundred Nike running shoes available out there. You may, of course, do that if you have the time to read thousands of reviews on the web. At RunRepeat, we simplify everything for you to give you a quick browsing experience of the best Nike shoe for your next 21K or 50K race.
Our entire process to come up with our best selections involves:
- We purchase all the shoes with our own money to avoid bias and brand loyalty
- We run 30 to 50 miles on average in each model both on the road and on trails
- We cut the shoes into their essential parts to get a much closer look
- We measure over 30 parameters that contribute to the shoe’s overall performance
- We summarize all comparable data we’ve gathered for your reading convenience