Nike Structure Plus review

In our opinion, the Nike Structure Plus is a compelling option for:

• Runners loyal to Nike who want the brand’s most advanced stability trainer so far.
• Those who prefer stability shoes with a classic geometry instead of aggressive rocker designs.
• Anyone looking for a daily trainer that blends sneaker-style looks with amazing support.
• Long-time Structure fans who want a step up in tech and comfort. The added ZoomX layer and new upper bring a more premium feel compared to previous versions.

The main drawback of the Nike Structure Plus is its high price. In our view, many runners will struggle to justify that cost for simple daily mileage. We think beginners especially may hesitate too, particularly when more affordable options like the Nike Structure 26 or the ASICS GT 2000 14 deliver reliable support and similar versatility.

We also believe the shoe’s weight hurts its overall experience. During our runs it felt noticeably bottom-heavy and far from a fast-paced trainer when pushing the pace. From our perspective, lighter stability options like the Saucony Tempus 2 or the HOKA Arahi 8 offer a more agile feel and can even handle some tempo sessions.

The midsole of the Structure Plus is clearly thick, so we expected above-average results in our shock absorption test. After completing all procedures, we measured 140 SA in the heel and 110 SA in the forefoot, which is solid for everyday runs but not especially impressive.

However, for runners seeking a bit more cushioning than the regular Structure 26 (132 SA / 99 SA), Nike delivers.

The ZoomX logo looked promising, yet during our runs the shoe felt far from pogo-stick bouncy, if anything the opposite. Indeed, our lab results confirmed this impression, showing just 58.2% energy return in the heel and 65.2% in the forefoot.

The forefoot contains more ZoomX relative to ReactX, so the difference between both measurements makes sense. Consequently, with these numbers the shoe will feel a tiny bit energetic but only for midfoot and forefoot strikers.

At 40.9 mm, Nike went fully maximalist with the Structure Plus, and that is exactly how the shoe feels underfoot. As soon as we started running in it, we immediately noticed how elevated our feet sit above the ground.

However, do not be misled by the massive sidewalls that Nike designed to help prevent the arch from collapsing. The platform is tall, but not that tall.

The forefoot rises 29.7 mm from the ground, offering plenty of foam for easy runs and delivering the solid cushioning as we observed earlier in our shock absorption test.

Most runners are used to Nike deploying a high drop in its daily running shoes, and we found that the Structure Plus follows that same steep geometry. With 11.2 mm of actual heel-to-toe drop, it's clear to us that rearfoot strikers will feel right at home in this shoe.

The ZoomX logo is not as impressive today as it once was. Nike has adjusted the formula using a TPE foam instead of Pebax for training shoes, and many other brands now use premium foams in their trainers.

However, after testing the shoe ourselves we still found that this version of ZoomX performs well for the Structure Plus, delivering a plush and forgiving ride underfoot. Our Asker C durometer measured 29.5 AC for the top layer, which is clearly softer than the average.

The dual-foam design of the Nike Structure Plus places ReactX beneath ZoomX, and that positioning is no coincidence. ZoomX brings softness and energy return, while ReactX adds stability and durability.

However, ReactX also makes the ride feel more muted and less lively. In our durometer test it measured 37.7 AC, confirming its firmer nature, which is expected in a stability-focused shoe anyway.

Some brands are moving toward highly rockered designs on every shoe, but Nike avoids that approach with the Structure Plus. In our view, that is a sensible decision for a stability daily trainer.

This design makes the shoe a strong option for runners who prefer a more classic midsole geometry. It also feels more natural when walking or wearing the shoe casually, which seems like something Nike clearly considered when creating this sneaker-friendly design.

As with every shoe we test, we purchased the Nike Structure Plus in US 9 with standard width. It is also worth noting that Nike offers this model in a Wide version, although availability may vary by market.

That said, we began taking measurements on our pair. With 93.4 mm in our first reading, it shows a classic Nike fit that likely will not suit wide feet well, though we still needed to complete the rest of our measurements.

The second measurement also came in slightly below average at 72.5 mm, though only by a small margin. We consider it a very standard fit, and we believe anyone who has worn Nike shoes before will find the feel familiar on foot.

Toebox height follows the same pattern as the previous two measurements, so there are no surprises here.

At 26.0 mm, the figure feels reasonable to us, especially since stability shoes often benefit from a slightly snugger fit to help contain lateral forces and improve support.

One area that needed improvement from the regular Structure was traction. We previously measured 0.37, and fortunately the Plus version raises that figure to a more acceptable 0.51.

It is still not impressive, but it now delivers dependable grip, even when running in the rain.

The outsole keeps a very similar layout to the Structure 26, preserving most of its design DNA with only small visual tweaks. It combines black "YC O-LITE" rubber in the forefoot with bright green "OG/RS 002" high abrasion rubber panels across the midfoot and forefoot.

The rearfoot and midfoot rubber provide solid protection, especially because the rubber sits clearly higher than the exposed foam. We also noted a very deep cutout in the centre of the heel that helps with foam compression too.

To enjoy the Nike Structure Plus, you definitely need to be a fan of longitudinally stiff shoes. With 19.3N in our lab test, it quickly becomes a no-go for runners who prefer a more flexible feel underfoot.

The Nike Structure Plus is only 1% lighter than the Structure 26, coming in at 10.3 oz or 292g. That small reduction hardly changes the experience, and the shoe still sits on the heavier side of the current market.

For daily mileage it can work, yet during our testing the shoe felt somewhat bottom heavy. In our opinion, this is a missed opportunity for Nike to gain ground against strong rivals like the ASICS Gel Kayano 32.

One thing we all should demand from Nike is amazing materials in the Plus and Premium versions of its daily trainers. In this case, we think the Structure Plus delivers on that expectation.

The upper feels noticeably better than the one found in the regular version. It improves breathability to a 4 out of 5 score while maintaining the same comfortable overall feel.

Nike organises the upper into three clear zones: a well-ventilated forefoot, a very dense heel designed for stability, and a balanced construction through the midfoot area.

When we examined the upper with our digital microscope, the jump in quality became clear. The mesh looks softer and more refined, and the ventilation holes appear well distributed.

Handling the shoe confirms that comfort was a clear priority here. The heel padding is extremely generous, and all the materials feel soft and pleasant to the touch.

The Nike Structure Plus continues to use Nike’s Midfoot Support System to help stabilise the ride and limit pronation. It worked well on the regular Structure, and here Nike made it more pronounced to match the higher stack height of this version.

The support feels unobtrusive, and it's a good option for those who overpronate as well as neutral runners seeking a more controlled ride, without the harsh feel of older stability shoes.

The Structure Plus has a more flexible structure than many stability shoes, which also makes it more comfortable for everyday wear as a sneaker. We rated it 4/5.

The heel counter also scored 4/5 instead of the maximum rating, which is uncommon for this type of shoe. We appreciate having an alternative like this in the market, offering solid stability without that overly stiff feel on foot.

The midsole width follows the same pattern we saw in previous tests, showing a moderate rather than extreme design.

We measured 119.4 mm, which is clearly wider than a neutral trainer but still narrower than some max-stack stability options.

Moving our callipers to the heel, we measured 94.7 mm. Once again, this reflects what we consistently observed in this shoe, a less aggressive and more beginner-friendly approach to stability.

After evaluating the breathability of the Structure Plus, we moved to the durability section of our lab to see how the upper holds up under stress. Ventilated uppers like this often struggle here, and this one followed that pattern with a modest 2/5 result.

Fortunately, the super-plush heel padding performed much better in our test. This time it earned a solid 4 out of 5.

Nike has rarely been a market leader in outsole grip or durability when relying on its own compounds... and yes, Vibram-equipped trail models like the Ultrafly do not count here. With the Structure Plus, however, we were satisfied, as our test showed solid durability with only 0.9 mm of rubber worn away.

The outsole also offers a generous thickness of 3.4 mm. Combined with the durability result we observed, we believe runners can feel confident about the long-term wear of the shoe.

The insole is quite basic, made from EVA foam, and adds 4.9 mm of cushioning to the Structure Plus.

Removing the insole from the Structure Plus is quick and easy. And yes, we know it is a road shoe, thanks Nike!

Runners planning to use the Structure Plus in very cold weather will appreciate this lab result. It became only 2% firmer after spending 20 minutes in our freezer.

Nike includes reflective elements on the heel, but we did not find them particularly impressive. If anything, they felt rather underwhelming.

We noticed that Nike slightly updated the lacing system compared to the regular Structure, yet the overall fit feels very similar. The laces also pass twice under a central tongue loop, helping reduce unwanted tongue movement during runs.

The step-in feel is comfortable thanks to a thick tongue with 7.9 mm of padding, which feels more than sufficient for running and everyday wear. Considering the already high weight of the shoe, adding more padding looks like a bad idea.

The tongue is not gusseted to the sides, which feels disappointing for a shoe at this price point. It is a tough pill to swallow.

The heel collar curves inward with plush padding, delivering secure ankle lockdown while skipping the a finger loop tab.

The Plus label in the Structure name does not bring encouraging news for the price, just as we saw with the Pegasus Plus. Consequently, the cost can feel quite steep given its performance and relatively muted ride.

However, it can be a worthwhile upgrade for runners seeking the next step beyond the regular Structure, as it introduces an approach to stability that Nike has not offered before with the use of ZoomX foam. And the fact that the shoe also works so easily as a sneaker helps with the high price too.