Nike Structure 26 review

We think the ideal buyers for the Nike Structure 26 are:

• Runners who enjoyed the Structure 25 but felt it was outdated—this update brings a fresh look, new ReactX foam and excellent durability.
• Those who prefer a classic stability shoe with a flat-style rocker and moderate stack height.
• Pegasus fans who want just a bit more support.

We believe the Nike Structure 26 is not the best choice if weight is a concern. At 10.4 oz (296g), it feels bulky compared to today’s lighter stability trainers. In our view, models like the ASICS GT 2000 13 or HOKA Arahi 8 offer a more lightweight experience without giving up stability and shock absorption.

Additionally, we think forefoot strikers won’t find enough cushioning here, especially for long runs. We measured lower-than-average shock absorption in the front, which limits comfort over distance. For those landing up front, the ASICS Gel Kayano 32 is a better long-distance alternative.

The Structure 26 offers a noticeably different experience depending on foot strike. Heel shock absorption is strong at 132 SA, enough even for long runs, but the 99 SA measured in the forefoot may feel lacking for extended distances.

For short to medium runs—up to about 1.5 hours or so—the cushioning should be sufficient for everyone.

The switch from Cushlon 3.0 to ReactX in the Structure 26 is a sweet upgrade. While ReactX isn’t the most advanced foam in the market, it’s better than Cushlon 3.0 and offers slightly improved energy return. We measured 57.2% in the heel and 59.4% in the forefoot, dependable figures for a daily trainer.

The Nike Structure series has never been a max-stack shoe, and we’re glad Nike hasn’t followed that trend.

While a stable and maximalist option from Nike could be interesting, we believe the market still needs shoes with reasonable stack heights for versatile use. The 36.1 mm we measured in the heel of this model hits a comfortable sweet spot.

The forefoot stack follows the same approach as the heel, measuring 26.0 mm in height.

This is very close to our current lab average, though we expect that within a year or two it will likely sit at least 2 or 3 mm below these evolving standards.

As with most Nike daily trainers, the Structure 26 lists a 10 mm drop. In our lab, we measured 10.1 mm, an incredibly small variance compared to the differences we usually find.

This confirms Nike’s choice to stick with the “classic running shoe” formula: moderate stack height, a higher drop to suit heel strikers, and probably an emphasis on durability. Whether the last part holds true remains to be seen...

The switch from Cushlon 3.0 to ReactX improves energy return and shock absorption, but the underfoot feel remains quite similar. The foam measured 16.9 HA in our lab, placing it between the plush and average ranges.

From our perspective, going softer wouldn’t make sense for a stability shoe, so this feels like a sensible choice.

The rocker of the Nike Structure 26 looks very classic, sticking to a traditional running shoe profile rather than the exaggerated curves we see in many modern designs.

The heel bevel is mild, while the forefoot shows minimal curvature. Instead of a highly rockered shape, it keeps a flatter geometry that gives a more natural, grounded transition underfoot, and it feels just like you may expect from a regular Pegasus or the previous Structure.

If you’re looking for a roomy running shoe, the Structure 26 won’t be the answer. That was clear from our first impressions, even before measuring. After testing hundreds of shoes, we’ve become quite skilled at spotting this quickly.

But we know that you’re here for lab data, not our guesses. Our first measurement showed 93.7 mm of width—already below the average.

The second measurement is even more telling, taken in the toebox where your toes look for space to splay. In the Structure 26, the classic design continues with a pointed shape, coming in at just 71.9 mm.

The toebox height adds a touch of snugness compared to other shoes you might own.

We measured 25.7 mm, which won't crush your toenails but does create a close fit that can enhance stability for some runners, but feel a bit oppresive for others.

Nike used a "High Abrasion Rubber" compound in the Structure 26, but the name doesn’t translate to outstanding grip.

In our slip test on concrete, we measured 0.37, which is decent but lower than the average. On wet surfaces it may feel slightly slippery, likely a trade-off from reducing rubber coverage in the outsole.

Like we already mentioned, the outsole of the Nike Structure 26 has more exposed midsole foam than expected, helping to slightly reduce weight compared to its predecessor. However, this worries us a bit, as it’s definitely more exposed foam than any other Structure.

Black rubber protects high-impact zones in the heel and midfoot, while the forefoot features bright orange segmented pods with deep flex grooves that improve flexibility.

One interesting aspect of the Nike Structure 26 is that, despite being designed for stability, it still feels like a classic running shoe in many ways. Its rigidity is lower than other options at just 13.8N, making it a bit more comfortable for daily wear.

For us, the weakest point of the Nike Structure 26 is its heavy build. While 10.4 oz (296g) might have been acceptable some years ago, many brands now deliver much lighter options in this category.

If weight isn’t a concern because you prefer reliable stability and don’t focus on speed, this won’t bother you. But we tested it thoroughly, and if you dislike a heavy-underfoot feel, the Structure 26 might not suit you.

The Structure 26 is, unsurprisingly, a shoe built with support as the main priority, with other features like weight and breathability taking a back seat.

In our smoke test, it scored a decent 3/5, which should be fine for most of the year unless you run in very hot places like Austin, Athens, or Córdoba... during summer.

Using our light test to examine ventilation holes, we saw only a few, and find out that the upper is definitely thick. The toebox includes some openings that help achieve this score, but don’t expect an airy, lightweight design.

Under our digital microscope, the upper revealed a dense engineered mesh with super-small ventilation holes that are barely visible, even under magnification.

From our perspective, this no-nonsense setup matches the character of the Structure 26. Something has to give to improve stability and comfort, and in this case breathability is one of the main trade-offs.

The Midfoot Support System in the Structure 26 uses a sidewall design that wraps around the arch to stabilize both the midfoot and heel. It clearly doesn’t focus on forefoot strikers, but that's something we already noticed during this lab review.

In our tests, the ride felt stable as a table, and we think runners who enjoy classic, old-school stability shoes will find it very familiar, almost like a traditional medial post.

Thanks to the deep flex grooves in the outsole, the Structure 26 bends more than the average stability trainer, earning a 4/5. This reduces rigidity and gives the shoe a slightly more pleasant feel underfoot.

The heel counter of the Structure 26 feels softer and less intrusive than in past versions. In our lab tests, it scored 3/5, making it more comparable to a Pegasus than to earlier Structures.

Want more classic design? Here it is. With 114.4 mm of forefoot width, the Structure 26 shows itself as a pure “daily trainer with stability” rather than a full stability shoe, as it's well below the 120 mm we often see in other brands’ models like the HOKA Gaviota 5.

The heel measured 92.4 mm, placing it very close to the average running shoe.

For context, the Pegasus 41 comes in at 89.2 mm. That's a super-small difference that highlights the Structure 26 as more of a neutral daily trainer with enhanced stability rather than a solution for severe stability needs.

With its small openings and dense upper, we expected the Structure 26 to hold up well in our first durability test. Our results confirmed this with a solid 3/5 score—good enough to pass, but not particularly remarkable, much like the rest of the shoe.

The heel padding also proved reliable, showing no signs of early wear. In our second Dremel test, it earned a strong 4/5 score, confirming its solid durability.

We pushed the Dremel to 10K RPM with the same 2N of force to test the outsole, and the result was excellent. The rubber held up remarkably well, showing only 0.6 mm of damage, proving the Structure’s long-lasting build.

We measured 3.2 mm of outsole thickness, which feels like a safe choice. However, based on the strong Dremel results, Nike could consider trimming it slightly in the next version to make the shoe lighter.

The insole measures slightly thinner than average at 3.9 mm, though this small difference is hardly noticeable underfoot.

We found that the insole is removable and, as with many stability shoes, slightly flared to help keep the foot centered. It also clearly indicates the type of running this shoe is designed for, leaving no room for doubt.

ReactX handles cold slightly better than EVA, though it falls short of the excellent performance we often see in Pebax foams. In our test, we measured a 25% increase in firmness after 20 minutes in the freezer.

We found some reflective elements on the Structure 26. They aren’t large or highly visible from far away, but they do provide a bit of added safety and it's better than having none at all.

We discovered that another important part of the DNA of the Structure 26 is the comfort of your feet inside the shoe. This is yet another trade-off for weight, as Nike used thicker padding inside the whole shoe to make your feet feel like between pillows. And the 10.2 mm of the tongue padding verifies that.

The tongue is not gusseted, which is a slight letdown. It’s not a deal-breaker for a mid-priced shoe, but we think Nike could have included it without much trouble.

The Nike Structure 26 comes with a small price increase, likely due to the switch to ReactX foam, which costs more than the Cushlon 3.0 used in its predecessor. However, it remains reasonably priced compared to its peers, and we believe the Structure is unlikely to face a significant price hike in the coming years.

The Nike Structure 26 does not feature a finger-loop heel tab. Instead, it uses a reguar heel collar with light padding that curves outward to reduce pressure on the Achilles and make entry easier. We also liked the reinforced overlay that improves durability and adds a nice touch.