Nike Winflo 11 GTX review

After testing the Nike Winflo 11 GTX in our lab, we’re confident that:

• This edition is perfect for runners who love the plush ride of the Winflo 11 and need a winter-ready edition for warmth and reliable water resistance.
• It's an excellent choice for those seeking an affordable Gore-Tex shoe, offering protection at a lower price point than most comparable models.
• Works perfect for casual runners in cold, wet climates who want a versatile, weatherproof option for everyday use and easy runs without compromising comfort.

We found the Cushlon midsole loses its plush feel significantly in low temperatures, and this issue is not ideal for a winter-specific shoe. We believe that the Nike Pegasus 41 GTX, with its ReactX midsole, offers a better alternative for those prioritizing cushioning and responsiveness in freezing conditions.

Additionally, the Winflo 11 GTX’s weight might not satisfy runners seeking a lightweight, nimble feel. In our opinion, the Hoka Clifton 9 GTX and Challenger 7 GTX are superior choices if that's a deal-breaker for you. The Clifton excels on roads, while the Challenger serves as a versatile door-to-trail option.

Running shoes keep getting taller, and what once seemed exclusive to premium models has trickled down. The Winflo 11 GTX, a value-oriented shoe, features an impressive 39.0 mm heel stack—just shy of the maximalist threshold of 40 mm.

This is 1.4 mm higher than the regular edition, thanks to the new Storm-Tread outsole. In our view, heel strikers seeking abundant cushioning underfoot at an affordable price are the main target for this shoe.

The forefoot is comfortably cushioned at 25.7 mm, aligning with what you’d expect from other daily trainers in this price range. For this reason, we believe Nike designed the Winflo 11 GTX primarily for heel strikers, though it has enough foam underfoot for all runners.

This shoe is clearly tailored for heel strikers, and the measured 13.3 mm drop reinforces that design. It’s also ideal for runners who prefer a steep heel-to-toe offset, especially those prone to Achilles tendon discomfort.

We mentioned that the 39.0-mm heel stack was unexpected for a shoe in the affordable range of GTX-enabled models, and the midsole softness surprised us even more. Cheaper shoes often feel firmer, but the Winflo 11 GTX breaks that mold.

At 15.4 HA, we found the Cushlon 3.0 foam to be remarkably plush and comfort-driven, delivering a soft and supportive feel for both running and walking. However, where it falls short is in energy return—something we anticipated, as it’s constructed from an EVA material.

One of the biggest trade-offs with EVA foam is its tendency to firm up significantly in cold temperatures compared to advanced materials like TPU or PEBA. Anyway, at the Winflo 11 GTX’s price point, we didn’t expect ReactX (TPE) like in the Pegasus series—it would have overlapped too much and undercut Nike’s higher-end models, which we completely understand.

However, we must point this issue regardless of the shoe's price. After testing, we found that the softness decreased dramatically after 20 minutes in the freezer—dropping by 54.4%, with our durometer showing 23.8 HA. On the upside, thanks to the inherently plush Cushlon 3.0, the midsole remains moderately soft!

The recycled EVA insole is relatively thin at 3.7 mm, which surprised us. However, this isn’t a drawback—it allows for more foam while maintaining the same stack height.

Nike integrates Air technology into their road running shoes in three distinct ways:

• Zoom Air Pods, as seen in the Alphafly 3, delivering superior energy return.  
• Air Zoom units, like in the Pegasus 41, offering a balance between cushioning and bounce.  
• Classic full-length Air units, typically longer and using older Air technology found in Nike’s running and lifestyle shoes, providing solid cushioning but the least energy return.  

The Winflo series utilizes the last option, as shown in our cut-in-half Winflo 11 GTX. While it’s not the best in terms of performance, we found it effective for the price, adding responsiveness beyond what standard EVA foam offers.

We discovered that the Winflo 11 GTX emphasizes simplicity, offering a natural, non-rockered ride.

Its flat forefoot design pairs seamlessly with heel-focused support, making it a good choice for runners with a rearfoot-landing technique.

One of the most significant updates in recent Nike running shoes is a shift in the toebox design. For many daily trainers, Nike now uses the MR-10 last, which delivers a wider, comfort-driven fit in the ball of the foot, while also providing slightly increased vertical room.

Our measurement of 101.9 mm in the Winflo 11 GTX aligns with this trend, showcasing a departure from the narrower designs Nike used in the past.

What hasn’t changed is the tapered toebox. We measured it at 75.4 mm, which we found to still be a snug fit that could feel tight for those with wider feet.

Unlike the regular Winflo 11, the Gore-Tex edition does not come in multiple widths, limiting options for those who need a roomier fit.

The Nike Winflo 11 GTX is unmistakably a neutral running shoe, designed with a high stack height, plush foam, and relatively narrow dimensions—features that don’t provide much support for runners requiring added stability.

For those seeking support, the On Cloudrunner 2 Waterproof is the best alternative. While slightly more expensive, it delivers world-class stability, and kept our feet completely dry too!

When we tested the torsional rigidity of the Winflo 11 GTX, it scored an impressive 5 out of 5, compared to 4/5 for the non-GTX version. That's a subtle yet noticeable improvement resulting from the new outsole and the thicker waterproof upper.

We discovered a surprisingly firm heel counter, comparable to those found in stability shoes. In our testing, we gave it a 5-out-of-5 score, as even with significant force, we could barely move it!

According to our analysis, this rigidity is likely enabled by the heavily padded, weather-resistant GTX upper. The plush padding in the heel area allows for a stiffer, more supportive counter while maintaining comfort.

At the beginning of this section, we mentioned the narrow dimensions of the Winflo 11 GTX, and now we’ve confirmed it with our digital calipers. The forefoot measured 109.6 mm—noticeably narrower than most shoes on the market.

The heel measured just 83.4 mm, continuing the same narrow trend. In our view, Nike could have opted for a slightly wider design.

While the current width enhances agility and nimbleness, we believe a broader landing platform would better serve heel strikers, aligning with the shoe's target user. However, every design decision involves trade-offs, and increasing the width would likely have added extra weight...

Based on previous results here in the lab, Gore-Tex shoes often show a slight increase in longitudinal stiffness, but that's not true for the Winflo 11 GTX.

At 27.6N, it delivers nearly identical results to its non-GTX counterpart. This balance makes it well-suited for everyday wear and walking. However, we think a touch more flexibility would have been appreciated.

One significant change Gore-Tex typically brings is added weight, often quite noticeable. For example, the Pegasus 41 GTX gained 1.2 oz (34g), raising our concerns for the Winflo 11 GTX. However, Nike surprised us with a much smaller increase of just 0.5 oz (15g), which we found to be an impressive result.

We believe this lighter gain is due to the Winflo 11's outsole and upper already being heavier than those in the Pegasus 41.

As with nearly every Gore-Tex upper we’ve tested in the lab, breathability is significantly worse than brands claim. In our view, airflow is practically nonexistent, and the video comparing both Winflo 11 models proves it beyond doubt. That’s a clear 1/5 for us, period.

For added evidence, we moved the Winflo 11 GTX upper over a powerful light source—virtually nothing passed through. This confirms that airflow is almost entirely blocked. While this lack of ventilation can be an advantage for a winter-oriented shoe, we do wish the Gore-Tex upper had allowed for just a tiny bit of airflow.

Next, under the microscope, we discovered an ultra-thick, densely woven material that offers complete protection from water infiltration.

The structured fabric is a prime example of design prioritizing insulation over everything else.

And despite the lack of airflow, we have to credit Nike for the impressive comfort of this upper.

Generous padding throughout the entire shoe creates a warm, cozy fit, making it an excellent choice for cold weather especially at this price point.

After testing its (lack of) breathability, we moved to another part of our lab for starting our durability assessments, where the Dremel was ready for action.

We observed a strong start with a 4/5 score, highlighting the Gore-Tex upper’s added layers and durability-focused design.

We found that the positive momentum continued with the heel counter, showcasing another standout performance in our tests.

This result secured a strong 4/5 on our scale. So far, the Winflo 11 GTX has performed impressively, offering reassurance to those concerned about upper durability—this shoe truly delivers!

Some might assume the Gore-Tex upper is the sole upgrade in the Winflo 11 GTX, but there's another significant change—the Storm-Tread outsole.

This specialized rubber (77.6 HC) excels in providing outstanding grip on wet surfaces, making it a top performer in rainy conditions. However, it falls short on dry roads.

After testing the outsole with our Dremel, we found a significant 2.4-mm wear in the rubber. 

In our view, while this level of damage might raise concerns in other shoes, it aligns with the Storm-Tread outsole's purpose—designed for wet conditions like snow or rain, and therefore less resilient on dry roads.

The Storm-Tread outsole features a solid thickness of 3.5 mm, which helps mitigate its reduced durability on dry surfaces.

Nike’s Storm-Tread rubber makes an unexpected appearance in this more affordable shoe—and we’re impressed to see it here. If Nike had chosen to reserve it exclusively for the Pegasus series, we would have completely understood.

In our testing, we found the Storm-Tread outsole features a carefully designed lug pattern with v-shaped lugs that channel water away effectively. This design simply excels in wet environments, whether you’re facing rain or light snow. However, remember that on dry surfaces, the Storm-Tread compound underperforms in both grip and durability.

The price of the Winflo 11 GTX left a bittersweet impression here in the lab. This shoe undeniably offers exceptional value, but the $25 premium Nike charges over the regular Winflo 11 feels steeper than we initially expected.

The Winflo 11 GTX offers exceptional features for its price, and we were pleasantly surprised by its incredible reflectivity—a thoughtful detail we highly value, especially for winter use when running or walking after dusk.

We found two reflective elements: a small front piece and a cool, eye-catching triangle with a lightning bolt on the heel. Nonetheless, we can’t help but wonder—what if Nike had included a reflective swoosh on the side? That would have been the icing on the cake.

At first glance, the tongue of the Winflo 11 GTX, measuring 8.1 mm, should be identical to the 8.2 mm tongue in the regular Winflo 11. However, cutting the shoe in half revealed key differences, highlighting the value of our methodology.

We discovered that instead of a single foam slab extending across the instep, as seen in the non-GTX version, Nike strategically redesigned this tongue. Two foam sections are used in the top section while a lighter 4-mm layer covers the rest, effectively reducing weight.

Keeping feet dry is the priority for all Gore-Tex shoes, and therefore, a fully gusseted tongue essential to block leaks into the toebox. Luckily, the Winflo 11 GTX addresses this need with a tongue that fixed to both sides, creating a seamless barrier against moisture.

The heel showcases the "Gore-Tex Invisible Fit" branding and includes an extended collar designed to support the Achilles tendon. This practical feature also makes it easier to grab and slide your feet into the Winflos effortlessly.

The insole features a cool design that showcases the shoe's technologies and adds an encouraging message to keep running, which is a thoughtful touch. However, it’s fairly basic, so replacing it won’t leave you with any second thoughts.

Nike has completely overhauled the upper in this version, and that comes with a redesigned lacing system. The absence of an extra eyelet prevents water from seeping into the shoe, while side lace loops also eliminate the possibility of tying a runner's knot. In our view, the trade-off is justified.