Facts
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Terrain
Road
Shoes best for road, track and light gravel. See the best road shoes.
Trail
Shoes best for trail, off road, mountains and other unstable surfaces. See the best trail shoes.
Good to know
As long as you stick to the road or path, and if you want just one running shoe, buy a road running shoe.
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Arch support
Neutral / cushion / high arch
Shoes for runners who do not need any additional arch support (Around 50% of runners). Best for people with normal, high or medium high arches. See the best neutral shoes.
Stability / overpronation / normal arch
Shoes for runners who need mild to moderate arch support (Around 45% of runners). Best for runners with a low arch. See the best stability shoes.
Motion control / severe overpronation / flat feet
Shoes for runners who needs a lot of arch support. Best for runners with flat feet. See the best motion control shoes.
Good to know
- Rule of thumb: If in doubt, buy neutral shoes to avoid injuries.
- More about arch support in this video.
- Find your arch type by following steps from this video. -
Use
Daily running
Cushioned shoes for your daily easy running. Great comfort. See best shoes for daily running.
Competition
Lightweight shoes good for races, interval training, tempo runs and fartlek. Here are the best competition running shoes.
Good to know
If you want just one pair of shoes, buy a shoe for daily running.
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Price$75
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WeightMen: 9ozWomen: 7.4oz
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Heel to toe dropMen: 3mmWomen: 3mm
The height difference from the heel to the forefoot, also known as heel drop, toe spring, heel to toe spring or simply drop.
There are many opinions about what a good heel drop is. We do not recommend any in particular. Lean more in this video.
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WidthMen: NormalWomen: Normal
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Release dateFeb 2017
Rankings
Expert Reviews
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- The changes in the Nike FS Lite Run 4 is concentrated on the upper. Right away, runners will notice that the most obvious change is the removal of the midfoot and forefoot overlays. It gives the shoe a more sophisticated and clean look while support is now provided by an overlay near the ankle that stretches all the way to the back.
- The overlay on the toe box gave way to an internal toe bumper. Besides giving the shoe a neat look, the toe box also gets more volume and height with this update. There should be a slight uptick in comfort with this update.
A more accommodating upper with generous toe box room are the biggest updates where fit goes in the 4th iteration of the Nike FS Lite Run. The heel grip and the midfoot hold are both decent. There is enough space in the forefoot to make runners with various foot types comfortable. Fans of the previous version should generally be familiar with what the latest model brings. It runs true to size.
The outsole of the FS Lite Run 4 stands out because of the unique hexagonal lugs that basically cover the entire underfoot surface. It brings excellent traction on different surfaces, while flexibility is also very good. Nike adds rubber pods in distinct areas that need it the most for durability.
A dual-layer construction of the midsole mixes cushioning, responsiveness, and impact absorption. Nike utilizes a soft foam on top of a firmer foam to get the right blend in this shoe. As both layers of foam covered the entire midsole, these also help the shoe when making the transition from landing to take-off.
The upper of the Nike FS Lite Run 4 is very simple and minimalist in nature. A very breathable mesh delivers breathable coverage and just the right amount of support. An internal heel counter locks down the rear for security. Nike also offers a removable insole for more cushioning. A traditional lace-up closure keeps the fit secured all throughout the run.