6 Best Nike Trail Running Shoes in 2023

The Nike React Pegasus Trail 4 is one of the modern wonders of the Nike trail running shoe roster. Superbly cushioned yet highly responsive, exceptionally comfortable, and remarkably grippy—this almost perfect road-to-trail hybrid shoe gets the crown as the best Nike trail running shoe.

With a heel stack of 35.5 mm, the Pegasus Trail 4's midsole is significantly higher than the average of trail running shoes (31.7 mm). We could almost hear our feet thanking us for the protection they gained from the generous midsole.

Nike React Pegasus Trail 4’s lugs provide the shoe with noteworthy and excellent traction. At 3.4 mm, it is almost on par with the average but it provided us noticeably great grip when we tried diverse terrain. Wet or dry, road or trail, the Pegasus Trail 4 conquered them all and made us feel confident with every stride.

Perforations along its upper and tongue also help with the Pegasus Trail 4’s breathability. Running on warm days and humid conditions was less of a hassle and became quite a pleasant experience. 

Overall, the Pegasus Trail 4 definitely excels as a hybrid and no other Nike shoe comes close. However, runners who frequent super muddy and very technical trails could check out alternatives with beefier lugs.

Nimble and lightweight, yet offers protective cushioning and amazing traction. The Nike Zoom Terra Kiger 8 holds all of these powerful features packed in a featherlight package. If speed on the trails is the priority, whether in training or races, the Nike Zoom Terra Kiger 8 delivers. 

The Nike Zoom Terra Kiger 8 feels so light that it's almost cloud-like. Though it weighs 306g (10.79 oz), 10g (0.35 oz) more than the average of trail running shoes, it never felt bulky or heavy even when we covered long distances. 

Although it has a lower-than-average heel stack (28.1 mm vs. 31.7 mm), the Terra Kiger 8 offers plenty of protection for the feet. We could really feel how the segmented rock plate on the heel and the toe bumper overlay on the forefoot worked to protect our feet from roots, rocks, and debris along the trail. 

The outsole on the Terra Kiger 8 is grippy on most terrains and we were able to cruise smoothly on rocks, loose ground, light mud, and trails. The 3.9 mm lug depth is actually 11.42% more than the average, giving it superior flexibility for running on more technical terrain.

Although it has an excellent grip on dry surfaces, its grip on wet terrain is slightly amiss. It is recommended for runners to look elsewhere if grippier shoes are a priority.

The arduous yet fulfilling adventure of long-distance trail running requires top-quality levels of traction, cushion, and comfort. As the Nike Wildhorse 8 excels in all these, it is undoubtedly the cream of the crop in Nike's range for long-distance trail running. 

We have absolutely no complaints about the traction on the Wildhorse 8. It performed valiantly on a mix of terrains even though the rubber outsole is only 2% softer than average. The lugs, on par with the 3.5 mm average of trail running shoes, are spaced accordingly to allow mud to disperse and maintain traction. On our day hikes and trail runs, we rode the Wildhorse 8 with confidence. 

The ‘React’ midsole in the Wildhorse 8 is both chunky and squishy—with the heel stack measuring 34.2 mm (thicker than the average of trail running shoes at 31.7 mm). Meanwhile, our durometer test found the midsole to be 42% softer than average. This stack height and midsole softness protected us throughout all our longer runs. 

A soft inner layer, padded heel, and padded tongue make the Wildhorse 8's upper very comfortable, which is a must for frolicking along the trails for hours. The tongue, 30.65% thicker than the average for trail running shoes, provided us with comfort for every step.

Sad to say, ventilation in the Wildhorse 8 is very poor. Runners looking for trail shoes for the summer may want to look somewhere else.

The Nike Pegasus Trail 3 is a rare and beautiful gem. Its plush midsole comfort and superb durability make it a great shoe for comfortably running trails, roads, and somewhere in between. Definitely worth more than its retail price, the Nike Pegasus Trail 3 is hailed as the best value out of all the Nike trail running shoes.

The Pegasus Trail 3 is priced reasonably with an MSRP of $130. However, considering that the average price of trail running shoes is $136, this is quite the hot bargain with all that it offers.

The “React” midsole in the Pegasus Trail 3 is a magnificent blend of plushness, softness, and bounciness—all without compromising much-needed stability for navigating trails. In the lab, we crunched the numbers to verify what we felt outdoors. The heel stands at 35.3 mm, much more than the average of trail shoes (31.7 mm). It is also 47.46% softer than the average, according to our durometer test. 

Also adding to this shoe's value is its thick outsole that’s also durable. It is almost twice as thick as the average of trail running shoes (5.5 mm vs 2.8 mm). A toe bumper extended from the outsole also helps protect the front of the shoe.

However, having scored a lowly 2/5 in our breathability lab test, the Nike Pegasus Trail 3 is not the best shoe to run in warm weather.

The Nike Zoom Wildhorse 6 is a highly durable running shoe that is suitable for off-road adventures. Many runners have reported that it provides long-lasting comfort and protection. It incorporates an aggressive outsole, cushioned midsole, and breathable top for a comfortable and efficient ride. This trail running shoe is ideal for runners and athletes with neutral gaits or those who do not overpronate.

With the release of a ZoomX-designed trail shoe, "the hype train is immediately at full steam," says one expert. And with the Zegama Trail from Nike, it's definitely worth the hype. It's an ultra-distance running shoe that provides all the protection you need when cruising through friendly and moderately technical trails. And if you want surefooted strides, the Nike Zegama Trail musters up all the confidence you need.