6 Best Nike Walking Shoes in 2023

Support, stability, and a stunning fit: the Infinity Run 3 ticks all the boxes of the best Nike trainer. It seamlessly transitions from walking to running to lab testing, consistently earning top marks in all of those.

A lovely realm sits underfoot, where zillions of foamy atoms damped each of our footfalls. While securely composed, the React midsole keeps it fairly plush. In fact, our durometer ranks it as a marvelous 38.3% softer than average. But fear not, as stability is not sacrificed! The midsole subtly widens just before making contact with the ground, exceeding the average width by 1.1 mm at the forefoot and 1.9 mm at the heel.

Above, the Flyknit upper ensures a comfy lockdown in the name of the ultimate comfort. Seriously, our toes wiggled with joy when we first tried the Infinity. There’s even room for an extra toe inside the shoe, an unusual feat within Nike’s lineup. To put it in numbers, the toebox boasts a width of 98.6 mm at its widest, beating the 98.0 mm average.

Above-average features come with an above-average price. While the average Nike comes at $130, the Infinity 3 bears a rather heftier $160 price tag.

Forty years later, the Pegasus keeps on a legendary streak. Everybody wants a piece of this absolute workhorse, with the 40s delivering a tidy and dynamic ride that conquered the world and the popularity conquest of Nike walking shoes.

Soft to the touch, the upper has comfort written all over it. The ultra-padded tongue kept our feet nice and steady, as its 8.6 mm blocked any conceivable lacing bites. From behind, the heel lockdown is precise and cushy—on a scale where 5 is the least bendable, our manual assessments earned the Pegasus a 2 out of 5 for heel counter stiffness, affirming the shoe’s commitment to a comfy lockdown.

The Pegasus 40 overflows liberating sensations, and it followed our feet' motion everywhere. Its untamed ride claimed the Pegasus a place among the top 6% most flexible shoes we ever tested, solidifying its reputation as an excellent all-rounder to glide through those brisk walking sessions.  

Unfortunately, we didn’t feel the wings of this horse. It’s rather dull even, lacking the spark and excitement its name and status might suggest.

From our doorsteps to the deep woods, the Pegasus Trail 4 is a shining star. Tons of protection do their job without adding weight to the shoe, making way for the ferocious outsole to grip roads and bumpy paths. Numbers double-checked, this is the best road-to-trail Nike walking shoe.

Asphalt or dirty trails, the outsole lugs rocks it all. Despite its rather sharp and aggressive pattern, it seamlessly transitions between a variety of terrains. Pretty balanced numbers lab-wise, as the 3.4 mm lugs proved only 0.47% firmer than average, underlining its hybrid appeal.

And oh my, the cushioning is remarkable. Tailor-made for heel striking, the Trail 4 boasts 35.5 mm of its React foam at the heel, surpassing the average trail shoe’s 31.8 mm. Still, it remains astonishingly light! Its 272 grams (9.59 oz) look and feel mesmerizing, outclassing the average of 296 grams (10.44 oz).

We do not recommend going all the way to swampy areas. When faced with mud, the Pegasus Trail 4 completely loses its grip and reliable performance.

As it might suggest, the Wildhorse 8 is far from a tamed beast. The outsole stood ready for anything we threw at it, truly coming alive in its habitat. Besides, it’s remarkably comfy on the feet, earning the top spot among Nike’s trail arsenal.

The Wildhorse goes all-in in the traction department, and we gotta say, it’s a won bet. It's absolutely class on any terrain, let it be gravel, sticky mud, or even snowy mountain trails, conquering our hearts and trust. Our durometer found the outsole to be slightly softer than average—2.1% to be more precise—easily sticking to the bumpiest of grounds.

A heavenly match saw us delighting in the Wildhorse’s superior comfort and craving for some extra miles. The Wildhorse falls deep on the plusher side in midsole matters, emerging as 41.6% softer than the average trail shoe. In unison, the shoe reacted with a gentle 21.7N force to being bent at a right angle, meaning it’s 29.5% more flexible than average.

However, this is not a natural when it comes to racking up some pace. It’s fairly clunky even, carrying almost an extra ounce compared to the average trail shoe.

Comfort is a must in the walking-running domain, and that’s precisely where the ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit 3 shows its class. With the marshmallow-like foam warmly hugging our feet and the breezy upper refreshing them, this shoe was a delight to our endless testing miles.

As plushy as it gets, our experience with the Invincible was heart-melting. Each footfall is met with a sinking sensation into the ZoomX midsole, elevating the overall comfort to elite levels. And the numbers check out, with our durometer ranking this foam among the top 10% softest we ever put our hands and feet on.

Unfazed by the seasons, the Invincible’s comfort sees no temperatures. After a chilly 20-minute stay in our freezer, the midsole firmed up by a mere 10.3%, outperforming the average 28.1% increase. Also, smoke pumped into the shoe ushed through the upper with such ease that we couldn’t help but award the Invincible a near-perfect 4 out of 5 for breathability.

However, the Invincible 3 loses its composure on rainy days. We can blame the 6.9% softer-than-average outsole for it, whose grip fades way on wet surfaces.

An honest worker with a heart of gold, the Downshifter 12 emerged as an enjoyable kick for sporty walking sessions. The midsole feels premium, and everything inside the shoe screams comfort. Moreover, this shoe comes at an ultra-modest $70, claiming the “best budget” title among Nike trainers which average $126.

Beneath the feet, the midsole just ticks. With the Downshifter sliced in two, our durometer computed its foam to be merely 7.4% firmer than average, a fairly balanced reading. On our feet, this translated to a composed and pleasantly cushioned ride, with each step evoking premium sensations that don’t break the bank.

There’s a homey feeling to the Downshifter, with its inside boasting unusual amounts of padding for this price range. Our caliper measured a tongue thickness of 10.1 mm, which is a notable 4.3 mm over the average! An overall cozy fit that delighted our strolls, with the heel counter embodying this attention to comfort and earning a 2 out of 5 for stiffness.

However, this is not an exhilarating shoe. Those seeking a fun kick to pick up the pace when necessary might need to look elsewhere.