6 Best Nike Trail Running Shoes in 2023

Nike is a household name in the running world. Although it’s better known for its road running shoes, Nike doesn’t cut corners when it comes to its trail shoes. They’re sturdy, traction-ready, stable, and responsive, helping you can blaze through the trails with no sweat.
Because there’s so much hype over Nike trail running shoes, we tested them out ourselves, and ended up picking the best models from five different categories.
These shoes have been tested meticulously, and we are confident they can help you run the gnarliest terrain with ease.
How we test trail running shoes
We have our independent shoe testing lab to help us identify which shoes are good and bad. And with the data we’ve gathered, our aim is to help you. To do so, we strictly execute the following during our tests:
- Buy all shoes with our own money to prevent bias-filled reviews
- Run in them for 30-50 miles
- Slice each shoe into pieces
- Measure them in 30 different parameters like breathability, sturdiness, cushion, etc.
- Rank them against other shoes through our CoreScore
The CoreScore is a rating from 0-100 that gives you an idea of how good or bad the shoe is. It is generated based on thousands of expert and user reviews.
Best Nike trail running shoes overall
























What makes it the best?
Pros
- Soft, bouncy ride
- Very comfortable
- True to size
- Wide for a Nike
- Wide loop on heel
- Built to last
- Reflective swoosh
- Killer grip on dry trails
Cons
- Not grippy in wet
- Runs warm
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Nike trail running shoes with best cushioning





















What makes it the best?
Pros
- Efficient road-to-trail
- Well-cushioned
- Stable ride
- Excellent, secure fit
- Very breathable
- Great traction
- Unexpectedly light
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- Not for muddy areas
- Not for wide feet
- Could be more stylish
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Best Nike trail running shoes for long distance














What makes it the best?
Pros
- Energetic and responsive ride
- Grippy on light mud, dry rocks & loose trails
- Protective cushion
- Amazing heel hold
- Upper doesn't need break-in
- Airy even during hot days
- Cheaper price
- Stunning looks
Cons
- Poor grip on wet surfaces
- Might hurt feet on hard surfaces
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Nike trail running shoes with best comfort




























What makes it the best?
Pros
- Fantastic waterproofing
- Grips on everything dry and wet
- Great for road-to-trail transitions
- Also for hiking
- Responsive
- Stable on rocky terrain
- Supports moderately flat feet
- Straight-out-the-box comfort
- Lighter than other GTX shoes
- Locked-in heel
- Worth every penny
Cons
- Lacks durability
- Not for summer runs
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Best lightweight Nike trail running shoes






















What makes it the best?
Pros
- Great lockdown
- Fits true to size
- Lightweight
- Comfy
- Affordable
- Sturdy
- Good lacing system
Cons
- Forefoot can slip over the edge of the midsole
- Lack of rock plate
- Grip is pretty bad on anything technical
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Most popular Nike trail running shoes





















What makes it the most popular?
Pros
- Superb grip in dry conditions
- Very rugged and protective
- Smooth transitions
- Perfect for losing trails & soft ground
- Pull tab that actually works
- True to size
- Great for hiking as well
- Awesome looks and colorways
- Perfect for colder days
Cons
- Runs hot
- Not for technical terrain
- Not for wet conditions
- Gaiters look better than they work
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Comparison of the 6 best Nike trail running shoes
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