7 Best Nike Running Shoes, 100+ Shoes Tested in 2023

A shoe that’s it’s nearing its 40th iteration definitely does something right. But we still had to make sure by putting it through some rough wear tests and comparing it to over 200 other Nike shoes. 

And the Nike Pegasus still beats them all!

If you are looking for just one go-to for all your daily runs and walks, this is the one. Slower runs, tempo sessions, treadmill, and even some light gym workouts - this is your workhorse.

We find it surprisingly well-fitting for a Nike shoe (most tend to run narrow) and offering a little bit more toe room than the previous versions. We love its fully gusseted tongue that locks you down so well.

Its cushioning has a fantastic combination of softness (18% softer than average) and responsiveness (thanks to the Zoom Air unit). Together they make you feel so agile that you wouldn’t believe that this shoe is slightly heavier than the average.

Those extra 0.7 oz actually bring the benefit of durability. There was zero wear on the outsole after 30 miles and our lab tests show above-average rubber thickness and stiffness. The Pegasus will serve you well for at least 500 miles.

We are amazed at everything that Nike Pegasus is able to pack for its moderate $120 price tag. This is the GOAT not only among Nike shoes but also made it the top pick of our best running shoes!

The Nike Air Zoom Alphafly Next% is a race shoe that made us zoom through the streets! It's fast, bouncy, and light and - it's everything speed-ready. With its steep price, it's exclusively for runners who only care about beating PBs and nothing else. For a race shoe, it's surprisingly cushy. During landing, our feet felt like they were stepping on marshmallows!

If you set out to run a marathon in less than 2 hours, this is THE shoe. 

The first Vaporfly turned the world of running shoes upside down by introducing a speed-boosting carbon plate and shattering all the previous records. And we have tried and tested the second iteration thoroughly only to make sure that it is still the absolute winner.

This elite racer is insane! It is a speed monster that keeps you on your toes all throughout the run. The carbon plate sets your feet flying while the unbelievable amount of Nike’s best cushioning foam (ZoomX) will bounce you off to a new PB.

Incredibly lightweight, the Vaporfly is among the lightest racing shoes in history. At 6.9 oz it weighs close to a racing flat while packing a crazy 38.6 mm of cushioning in the heel.

This shoe is not for everybody. It is too narrow and unstable to make a daily trainer but it was never meant for that. 

If you are looking for the most cutting-edge Nike shoe for going beyond fast, the Vaporfly Next% is the brand’s number one.

Oh, how soft! Oh, so sexy! The Nike Pegasus Trail 3 won over our hearts and feet as one of the plushest, max-cushioned trail shoes out there.

There is so much joy in landing on these bad boys that it feels more like its cushy road brother (Pegasus 38). It also has a wider platform than other Nikes: our lab measurements show 116 mm (forefoot) and 92.6 mm (heel) compared to the average 112.8 and 89.3. Nice and stable!

It is also a lasting one. The shoe’s rubber outsole scores above-average on our hardness test, reaching 86HC over the average 79.2HC. It is not wearing out any time soon and we expect it to last as good 500 miles and beyond.

It is definitely a shoe for dry conditions and is also a great door-to-trail shoe. It’s going to feel comfortable even on a walk in a park when you take a break from trails.

If you want to stay away from the stiff, utilitarian off-road trainers, the Nike Pegasus Trail 3 is our absolute favorite. Its ultra-soft landings will make it love at first step for you!

Nike Zoom Fly 3 is the down-to-earth version of the Vaporfly elite racer. But once we put it through our tests, we found nothing “down” about this shoe.

It is a real speedster! It looks fast even when simply standing on the shelf. Visually it is very easy to confuse with the Vapofly.

Packing a similar carbon plate that’s used on the top-tier racers these days, we were impressed with how close it feels to the more expensive models. It sets you flying and at the same time feels stable enough to do your train runs for a marathon or a tempo workout.

This shoe is so versatile, we also find it by far the best value for money option from Nike. You get a hybrid of an elite racer for a price that’s slightly above-average for a regular training shoe.

This shoe passed our long-distance tests (10K) with flying colors that we can also recommend it for running a marathon.

So, if you are not yet ready to ride the insanely fast Vaporfly but want to start getting a feel for it, the Nike Zoom Fly 3 is the best starting point.

Nike Winflo 8 packs so much comfort into a $90 running shoe you wouldn’t tell it apart from a more expensive one!

We chose this shoe above 60+ other budget Nike’s as this is the closest that a cheaper shoe gets to the more advanced models. If you are looking for a stylish Nike shoe that you can take on daily runs, casual walks, or athleisure, this one will exceed your expectations.

The shoe feels so light and breathable that it makes a perfect pair for warmer weather (up to 80F!).

With its supportive cushioning you can go up to 10K at a time or even wear it all day long. We haven’t noticed any bottoming out of the sole after hours of running and walking.

For the style-oriented runners out there, the shoe is an eye-catcher with its visible Flywire on the top and the sculpted midsole underfoot.

It doesn’t get any better for $90!

With plenty of flex, a vented, breathable mesh upper, and a price tag at $60, the Nike Downshifter is a serious bargain for a daily trainer.