Facts

  • Use

    Workout

    Shoes with optimum cushioning, lateral support, and flexibility for daily workouts and studio sessions. See workout shoes

    CrossFit

    Versatile, low-profile shoes for constantly varied exercises including plyometrics, sprinting, weightlifting, and rope climbing. See CrossFit shoes

    Weightlifting

    Heavy-duty shoes with a wedge and an elevated heel that create a sturdy platform and promote ankle mobility. See weightlifting shoes

    Walking

    Shoes for daily wear that ensure a smooth walking gait cycle. Check out walking shoes

  • Arch support

    Neutral

    For people with normal pronation. Also provide support for high-arched feet with underpronation (excessive outward rolling of the foot). See neutral training shoes

    Stability

    For people with low-arched or flat feet and moderate overpronation (excessive inward rolling of the foot). See stability training shoes

    Motion control

    Shoes feature stabilizing technologies for people with severe overpronation. See motion control training shoes

    Good to know

    Stability and motion control add-ons are uncommon for workout shoes and are never present in CrossFit or weightlifting footwear. They are mostly found in walking shoes where the gait is easier to correct.

  • Price
    $65
  • Weight
    Men: 15oz

    Weight

    Training footwear typically weighs between 200g and 300g per shoe to accommodate agile workouts. Minimalist trainers go as low as 150g, while weightlifting shoes can go as high as 500g.

  • Heel to toe drop
    Men: 10mm
  • Width
    Men: Extra wide, Narrow, Standard, Wide
    Women: Standard
  • Release date
    Unknown
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Rankings

Top 43% overall
Best training shoes
Top 40% Nike
Best Nike training shoes
Top 1% most popular
Most popular workout training shoes

Expert Reviews

Experts are training geeks, who post reviews at youtube, directly at RunRepeat or at their own websites. Each expert is categorized from level 1 to level 5 based on expertise. See stats on expert reviews and how we calculate scores here.

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76 / 100 based on 3 expert reviews

  • 88 / 100 | Seth Fowler

    If you're looking for a decent shoe and you're on a budget...eh.

  • 65 / 100 | Watch My Vids Again

    For the amount of money that you pay for these shoes, it doesn't seem right that they should go back.

  • 75 / 100 | Runnerlight

    Considered the leading athletic shoe, the Nike Air Monarch IV is able to meet many different training requirements. It can offer robust support, excellent traction, and lightweight cushioning.

  • First look / Unboxing | Shop Zappos

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Profile of the Nike Air Monarch IV

Nike is known for offering shoes and apparel that cater to a wide range of people: from professional athletes and fitness enthusiasts to casual wearers. The Air Monarch IV is meant to fit somewhere in between, fusing style and performance. It is an iconic Nike workout shoe which has gained the reputation of “the king of dad shoes” with its cumbersome design and the 90s appeal.

At the same time, it is ready to support the wearer during a light workout, a walk, or a Sunday backyard barbecue. While some people may laugh at the shoe’s old-fashioned style, it’s been one of Nike’s best-selling models for years.  

Outsole

A non-marking solid rubber makes up the outsole of the Air Monarch IV. This type of material won’t leave residue on the gym or polished floors when walking across it. The outsole extends to the toe box for additional protection.

In terms of performance, the multi-pattern outsole makes the shoe suitable for use on both gym surfaces and city pavements. The pivot point at the ball of the foot allows the foot to perform quick transitions and change directions smoothly. The outsole also features flex grooves to allow unhindered movement and bending of the foot.

Midsole

The midsole of the Air Monarch IV is made of a full-length Phylon, which is a type of rubber that is lightweight and reactive. Phylon is made from ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam pellets that have been compressed, treated with heat to expand, and then cooled in a mold to get the right shape. EVA is a popular material used in shoes for its durability.

As the name implies, the shoe uses Nike’s proprietary Air-Sole Technology. This unit is embedded into the enitre length of the Phylon midsole. The unit has pressurized air inside it which allows it to absorb impact and immediately return to its original state, ready for the next strike.

Upper

The materials used in the upper unit of the Nike Air Monarch IV vary depending on the color option. Two of the versions (Black/Black and White/Metallic Silver/Midnight Navy) are made with synthetic leather only, while the other two (White/Black/Varsity Red and White/Cool Grey/Anthracite/White) have mesh on the quarter panels and synthetic leather in the rest of the shoe.  

Synthetic leather makes up the entire surface of the Air Monarch IV’s upper. This material makes the shoe stiffer than traditional running or training shoes that use mesh. It has perforations scattered in various parts of the shoe to keep the foot chamber aerated. The fresh in-shoe experience is also enhanced by the mesh tongue and breathable interior lining.

It features a traditional lacing system with rounded laces that also go through a slot on the tongue. This design secures the padded tongue in place and prevents it from slipping to the sides or bunching upfront while walking, running or training.

The heel pull tab makes it easy to put on or take off the shoe. The fabric lining on the inside adds a layer of comfort.

Comparison