Nike Winflo 11 review

We think the Nike Winflo 11 it's ideal for:

• Beginners to running who are looking for a well-cushioned, budget-friendly shoe. 
• Fans of the Nike Pegasus series who prefer not to splurge. The Winflo 11 offers similar benefits to pricier trainers at a more accessible price point.
• Neutral runners in search of a comfortable and plush workhorse without the steep price.

While Cushlon 3.0 is not a bad foam by any means, it lacks the energy return we've experienced with pricier trainers from Nike, like the best-selling Pegasus 41 with ReactX or the premium Vomero 17 with ZoomX.

Additionally, we think the Winflo 11 is not the best option for non-neutral heel strikers, due to its very narrow design in the rearfoot. For those needing a wider, more stable heel area at a similar price point, we recommend the Saucony Axon 3. In our tests, it provided a better fit and support for heel strikers.

The upper is crafted from an engineered mesh that offers a plush feel, and that's typically associated with less airflow. However, we found numerous ventilation holes in the toebox, setting the stage for an intriguing showdown with our smoke machine.

After evaluating the results, we assigned a score of 4/5, consistent with the Winflo 10—a fantastic achievement for such a comfortable and thick upper.

Curious to learn more, we moved the sliced shoe over a powerful light and confirmed its substantial thickness; hardly any light passed through the mesh, even in the toebox area.

Under the microscope, we discovered that Nike has utilised a multi-layered engineered mesh with exceptional precision. This design promises enhanced durability and is a clear step up from the simpler, less expensive mesh used in previous Winflos.

Overall, we believe that Nike has significantly improved the upper, making it one of the best in its category.

The quality has increased, ventilation remains effective, and the comfort level is as high as one could wish for in a pricier shoe. We give it a thumbs up!

One of the key benefits of multi-layered engineered mesh uppers is their durability, so we were eager to test our Dremel on the Winflo 11. Let's go!

We discovered that although the white mesh layer was quickly compromised, the red layer did its job, and the inner fabric was perfectly preserved. We rate this a solid 3/5, a good outcome for such an intense test.

With the Dremel ready and running at 5K RPM, we decided to test it against the heel padding of the Winflo 11, a critical area for many runners.

Here, we discovered a top-notch 5/5 rating. In fact, the Winflo 11 delivered one of the best performances we have ever observed in our lab, showcasing its exceptional durability.

The Winflo features several design elements inherited from the Pegasus saga, including the waffle-style outsole made of hard rubber (93.0 HC).

The forefoot features multiple rows of holes that reduce weight and increase flexibility.

This choice impacts grip, which, while certainly not poor, is slightly less effective than softer compounds. However, we found that traction remains adequate on most surfaces.

And, to be honest, we really believe the average customer of the Winflo will likely prioritise wear resistance over exceptional grip.

Our final Dremel test targeted the outsole rubber of the Winflo 11, and given the impressive results we'd seen so far with this model, our expectations were sky high.

What we found, while not outstanding, certainly met our expectations—an average 0.9 mm indentation. This performance suggests reliable durability, even for those that run on dirt/gravel roads.

The outsole measured a robust 3.6 mm thick when checked with our vernier calliper, highlighting its design focused on wear resistance.

We'll say this without hesitation—we believe Nike has deliberately nerfed the Winflo 11, possibly because it was becoming too competitive for its price point inside their lineup, threatening to cannibalise Pegasus sales.

And we suspect this is the reason why the weight has increased from 9.5 oz to 10.4 oz in this version. Though this adjustment enhances comfort and cushioning, it seems to us that having the Winflo lighter than the Pegasus didn't made sense for them.

Nonetheless, despite this downgrade, the Winflo 11 still appears to be an overall better shoe than its predecessor. However, if weight is a significant factor for you, opting for the previous generation at a likely discount might be a wise choice.

The weight gain wasn't the best news, but at least Nike compensated by adding more cushioning.

In fact, we found that the Winflo 11 is inching toward the maximalist category, especially for rearfoot strikers, with a substantial 37.6 mm stack in the heel. This significant increase in cushioning explains the added weight.

On the contrary, the forefoot maintains the characteristics of a classic daily trainer, featuring just 25.3 mm of cushioning in this area.

This thickness is sufficient for any beginner, and although heavier forefoot strikers might find it a bit minimal for long runs, we think it strikes a good balance for almost anyone.

In our lab, we recorded a substantial 12.3 mm heel-to-toe drop for the Winflo 11. This offset is particularly suited to heel strikers.

Yet, runners who strike more midfoot or forefoot and those dealing with Achilles tendon recurrent issues may also benefit from this design.

The insole is somewhat thin, measuring just 3.6 mm, but there's no cause for concern given the ample foam cushioning provided underfoot.

We were already impressed by the soft Cushlon 3.0 foam of the v10, but Nike has taken it further in this update with an even more plush formulation, registering 13.9 HA on our durometer.

While this undoubtedly provides a comfortable ride, it also introduces some challenges in terms of stability and responsiveness. Being composed of EVA, the energy return is notably low, which often results in a spongy, mushy sensation underfoot. However, the Winflo partially counters this with its Air unit.

The philosophy behind "if something works, don't touch it" is exactly what Nike has adopted with the Winflo Air cushioning. 

We discovered the same full-length unit extending from the heel to the forefoot. It certainly delivers a unique ride—potentially even more captivating than that of the Pegasus!

The insole is somewhat thin, measuring just 3.6 mm, but there's no cause for concern given the ample foam cushioning provided underfoot.

To evaluate how Cushlon 3.0 foam performs in cold conditions, we chilled the shoe in a freezer for 20 minutes prior to our tests. Our findings indicated a 28.8% increase in firmness, which is a fairly good outcome for an EVA-based foam.

We typically see that Nike's entry-level shoes offer a more traditional ride without a pronounced rocker, and that held true with the Winflo 11. It features a noticeable heel curve to support heel strikers, yet the forefoot maintains a classic, flat design without a significant rocker.

The Nike Winflo 11 is categorised as a neutral trainer by Nike, making it unsuitable for those who require enhanced stability features, and we agree.

In fact, this model presents a slim design with minimal guidance features, so we wouldn't suggest it for runners in need of significant support. If that's you, we suggest the ASICS GT 1000 12 instead.

Upon twisting and bending the shoe, we discovered it to be somewhat more rigid than desirable, earning a score of 4/5.

Typically, we prefer a more flexible design in a daily trainer. However, it's crucial to note that the increased heel height—nearly 40 mm—inevitably reduces the shoe's overall flexibility, leading to this stiffer outcome.

The heel counter of the Winflo 11 strikes an optimal balance, neither too firm nor too pliable at 3/5. We believe this 80/20 approach suits most runners well, including those who are heel strikers.

Upon unboxing the shoe, we immediately observed that it was significantly narrower than most of the running shoes we tested in 2024, prompting us to measure it with our digital callipers.

We started with the forefoot, where we recorded a width of 108.0 mm. While this narrowness may not be ideal for stability, it does contribute to creating an agile and nimble ride. It's all about trade-offs...

However, the most significant change in the Winflo 11 occurred in the heel, which we found to be extremely narrow at 84.6 mm. For context, it was 92.5 mm in the Winflo 11.

Again, we believe that Nike intentionally designed it this way to set it apart from the Pegasus, which is broader than ever. This design confirms that the shoe is specifically intended for neutral runners.

Previously, we noted an increase in the torsional rigidity of the shoe. The question was, would a thicker midsole also impact longitudinal stiffness? Unfortunately, yes.

Despite the outsole cutouts, our 90-degree bend test showed an increase in the force required to bend the shoe, from 21.7N to 27.8N. This suggests that the Winflo 11 might be less comfortable for everyday use, particularly for those who prefer a more flexible sole underfoot.

In cold conditions, the shoe became 29.2% stiffer, an outcome that aligns well with our expectations for Cushlon 3.0 and is not unfavourable at all.

Shifting to the toebox, we have exciting news for those with wide feet.

The Winflo 11 boasts a notably spacious design (103.8 mm) in the widest part of the upper, even in the standard size D that we tested. Additionally, Nike offers a Wide size in most markets, making it arguably one of the best Nike models ever created for those with broader feet.

In typical Nike fashion, we observed that the toebox tapers significantly, narrowing to 78.8 mm at the big toe area. While it remains quite comfortable, it doesn’t offer the expansive feel of any Altra model, of course.

Additionally, we found that the vertical space in the toebox is reasonably generous, providing sufficient room for toe movement.

We were thrilled to find that the tongue is fully gusseted—a feature rarely seen in budget-friendly shoes. This reinforces our view of the Winflo 11 as offering tremendous value.

During our initial run with the Winflo 11, we discovered exceptionally high comfort in the instep area, typically attributed to a generously padded tongue. However, we hadn't measured it in the lab until later.

We discovered an integrated lacing system that functions effectively, although it doesn't perform quite as well as the traditional system with classic eyelets.

Once we measured it and confirmed the massive thickness at 8.2 mm, we nodded in approval. However, we feel that Nike could slightly reduce the padding to cut down on weight, but overall, it's a solid tongue!

In line with the design trends of recent Nike trainers, the Winflo lacks a heel tab altogether.

The insole is fully removable as it is not glued to the midsole, allowing you to easily take it out and replace it with third-party footbeds. This is made even more convenient by the standard shape of the last.

It's often disappointing when brands omit reflective elements, even on premium shoes. So, it was a delightful surprise when we found that Nike has finally included them in the Winflo series!