7 Best Nike Long Distance Running Shoes in 2023

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.

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.

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.

The Nike InfinityRN 4 distinctively differentiates itself from its previous model. Featuring a revamped ReactX midsole, it morphs from being simply versatile to being a luxuriously plush, comfort-centric daily running shoe that can handle bursts of speed when needed. Although it leans a bit towards the heavier spectrum and may not offer the best breathability, it stands out as a top choice for runners in search of a durable, cushioned shoe with a unique aesthetic.

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.

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.

The Terra Kiger 9 is a fantastic trail-blazer, boasting their React cushioning—a shock-absorbing foam that delivers great energy return and durability. Its multidirectional lugged outsole provides stellar traction in dry surfaces, while the engineered mesh upper offers ample room for being a Nike shoe. And what's more, it's impressively lightweight!