6 Best Nike ZoomX Running Shoes in 2023

Nike has nothing to prove. It’s already one of the strongest brands in the running scene. But as it enters the world of super foams, it’s made itself even stronger.
The Nike ZoomX foam is the brand’s cutting-edge tech. It’s Nike’s lightest, bounciest, softest cushioning to date, and runners swear by it.
We have tested all versions of the ZoomX shoes and we are here to help you trim down your choices by selecting the best of the best from various categories. We also made sure that you would get all the information you need in the reviews we produced through our extensive testing procedures.
Best Nike ZoomX running shoes overall





















What makes it the best?
Gaining outstanding ratings in our lab and run tests, ZoomX Vaporfly NEXT% 2 is our #1 Nike ZoomX model. It’s a racer that goes fast and far while giving the best of both worlds in terms of comfort and responsiveness. Its energy is unmatched!
Like all ZoomX models, this shoe boasts an extremely comfortable foam, measuring 21.8% softer than average. What’s special about Vaporfly NEXT% 2 is that it’s the stiffest shoe of all the ZoomX shoes we’ve lab-tested. Resisting with a force of 83.7N in our flex test, it emerged 175.3% stiffer than the average running shoe. This shoe suits forefoot-strikers as we were launched so effortlessly in our toe-offs. The faster we ran, the better the shoe performed.
With a light weight of 6.9 oz (196g), this shoe is meant for racing. It falls 26.9% below the weight of an average running shoe. Contributing to the airy feeling we had is its insanely breathable upper, scoring 5/5 on our breathability test in the lab. Our feet enjoyed the breeze even in our hot and humid runs.
This is not a pair to train in since it won’t last long like most race shoes. With an outsole that’s 47.1% thinner than average, we noticed the rubber can easily wear away. Best to save this pair for races.
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 ZoomX running shoes for wide feet



































What makes it the best?
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 ZoomX trail running shoes

What makes it the best?
Pros
- Dampens impact
- Comfy for long distances
- Stable when bombing downhills
- Breathable on hot days
- Built like a tank
- Form-fitting fit
- Toe protection is awesome!
Cons
- Not for wet trails
- Toe box is not ultra-ready
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Best Nike ZoomX cushioned running shoes





























What makes it the best?
Pros
- Plushness overload
- Protective for long runs
- Smooth and seamless ride
- Adds pep to your step
- Supports tired legs
- Terrific heel lockdown
- Spacious toe box
- Grippy on light trails
Cons
- Not for wet surfaces
- Expensive for a trainer
- Lacks durability
- Poor airflow
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Best Nike ZoomX running shoes for speed training








What makes it the best?
Pros
- True to size
- Fast
- No break-in period
- Super breathable paper-thin upper
- Remarkable durability
- Very comfortable
- Sleek design
- Pushes you forward
- Best for fast long runs (~10 miles)
Cons
- Unstable at sharp turns
- Not for slow runs at all
- Poor traction on wet surfaces
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Best Nike ZoomX running shoes for 5K/10K































What makes it the best?
Pros
- Screams fast and speed-ready
- Nike’s lightest racing shoe yet
- Stable and good at cornering
- Incredible lockdown
- Splendid track workhorse
- Roomy toe box
- Grippy outsole
- Eye-catching design
- Not so expensive!
Cons
- Narrow-footed runners may experience poor lockdown
- Insanely thin laces
- Falls short for racing
- Heavy runners can “bottom out”
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Comparison of the 6 best Nike ZoomX running shoes
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How we test running shoes
We don’t just cherry-pick the shoes we put on this list. To really give you the best, we test them out ourselves and put them through the wringer. How?
- We purchase all the shoes we review with our own money to avoid bias.
- To make sure we’ve done sufficient testing, we log 30-50 miles in each shoe.
- Through our own RunRepeat testing lab, we do a series of tests (e.g. flexibility, durability, breathability tests, etc.). We exhaust our time measuring the different parameters of the shoes so we can completely form our conclusions about each feature. We also slice the shoes into pieces to get deeper into deets!