Facts
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.
Neutral / cushion / high arch
Shoes for runners who do not need any additional arch support (Around 50% of runners). Best for people with high or medium high arches. See the best neutral shoes.
Stability / overpronation / normal arch
Shoes for runners who need arch support (Around 45% of runners). Best for runners with a normal 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.
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.
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.
Neutral / cushion / high arch
Shoes for runners who does not need any additional arch support (Around 50% of runners). Best for people with high or medium high arches. See the best neutral shoes.
Stability / overpronation / normal arch
Shoes for runners who needs arch support (Around 45% of runners). Best for runners with a normal arch. See the best stability shoes.
Motion control / severe overproanation / 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.
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.
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.
Summary
We spent 9.7 hours reading reviews from experts and users. In summary, this is what runners think:
7 reasons to buy
- Many runners described the Nike Zoom Strike as a lightweight shoe.
- The lacing system with Flywire cables was effective in keeping the foot snug and secure, a user stated.
- One wearer noted that the thick heel padding helped with foot stability.
- The featherweight mesh upper maintained foot comfort, a reviewer mentioned. Another user liked how it stretched to accommodate the foot shape proficiently.
- A runner noted that the shoe did not give bruises even at the first wear.
- Majority of purchasers found the Zoom Strike to provide moderate arch support.
- The upper delivered maximum air circulation, a commenter
2 reasons not to buy
- While the shoe’s length was accurate, the fit was still disappointing because of the limited width options, according to a wearer.
- The tongue kept folding over the edges during running and consumed a lot of time putting it back into place, a user experienced. Another said it could have used more fabric in its design.
Bottom line
Although many purchasers commended the Nike Zoom Strike for its attractive appearance, comfortable fit, and functional details, there were not a lot of comments regarding the shoe’s performance. Meanwhile, some found flaws in the structural elements and sizing, yet still none about their running experience. Overall, the Zoom Strike might be a solid choice for wearers who are after comfort first and all other factors in second.
Rankings
Popularity
Ratings
My Rating
Expert Reviews
Experts are runners, 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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Updates to Nike Zoom Strike
- Nike introduces a new running shoe in the form of the Zoom Strike. The shoe aims to attract consumers who are after an affordable yet stylish, and, of course, reliable running wear. The minimally-designed shoe gives a lightweight and breathable support for a fast and problem-free running experience.
- With a single-layer mesh upper, the runner is guaranteed a comfortable and ventilated foot environment. It employs the brand’s Dynamic Fit technology to ensure a locked-down fit – no matter the shape of the foot – like a second skin.
- Lightweight takes another step further with the shoe as it utilizes a compression-molded foam midsole, but does so without sacrificing responsiveness and mobility. It also has a Zoom Air unit in the heel for added bounce and energy return.
- The shoe’s waffle-patterned outsole gives the necessary amount of traction for a grippy and snappy feel with each stride. There are reinforcements on the high-wear areas to prevent damaging.
Nike Zoom Strike size and fit
The Nike Zoom Strike has a standard running shoe length and is available in a variety of sizes. The shoe’s construction enables an accommodating fit for runners with an average foot volume. The Zoom Strike is offered in the men’s and women’s medium width.
Outsole
The waffle pattern on the outsole guarantees shock absorption and multidirectional grip using the least possible amount of rubber. The result is a flexible yet sturdy unit that enables a steady ride on any road surface. The waffle design is further emphasized by pentagon-shaped lugs that give the sufficient grip during road activities.
The high-wear areas – heel and toe – are raised with carbon rubber. These areas help in impact dispersion while enhancing the level of traction provided by the shoe.
Midsole
The Nike Zoom Strike employs a dual-density midsole. On the top layer is injected urethane foam for underfoot cushioning and responsiveness, while the bottom layer is injected Phylon foam for stability and durability.
In the forefoot area are reinforced pockets filled with pressurized air – also known as the Zoom Air technology. This feature augments the shoe’s energy return capability and resiliency.
The sock liner is printed with quotes from Bill Bowerman, one of Nike’s co-founders and the developer of the waffle outsole design. This detail signifies that Bowerman is one of the original innovators in the running shoe industry; it also indicates that the waffle outsole is his proprietary creation.
Upper
A single-layer breathable mesh forms the upper of the Nike Zoom Strike. This material permits airflow in the highest possible amount and the quickest possible turnover.
The Dynamic Fit technology works by eliminating the gap between the foot and the shoe, resulting in added comfort and a contoured fit regardless of the foot size or shape.
With a reverse “T” heel cup shape, there is enhanced foot support that aims to give the runner more speed without having to worry about slipping and sliding.
Flywire cables are supporting the classic lace-up closure system. They are integrated with the shoelaces, which permit more levels of adjusting and tightening the shoe, thus allowing a more accurate fit.
For even more comfort, the tongue and collar are padded with soft foam to prevent bruising that could occur as the shoe rubs against the skin of the foot or ankle.