Best Nike Men Running Shoes for 2020

The Next% are without question the best Nike running shoes for men who are ambitious marathoners without budget constraints. This line of racing shoes burst onto the scene with their claims that they give runners a 4% advantage over an average shoe, and the Next% work to take you even further under your personal bests. The big surprise is that many runners have verified the claims through race performances. Four percent may not sound like much, but if you’re trying to crack the 3:00:00 barrier, 4% is the difference between your marathon pace and your half marathon pace. Imagine running a half marathon PR and then being able to immediately run the same distance at the same pace. That kind of improvement requires months or years of high-mileage weeks and strenuous workouts—or one reasonable payment to any shoe store you can find that’s able to keep the Next% in stock.

The Vomero 14 has gained a stable place as the premium version of the Pegasus among the best Nike men’s running shoes. With dual Air bags in the heel and forefoot and a sole formed from both Lunarlon and Cushlon, and the same Flymesh/Flywire combination that was so effective in the (now discontinued) Zoom Elite, the Vomero brings Nike’s full design arsenal to bear on its mission of providing soft cushion and luxurious comfort in a neutral daily trainer. Runners have been moving towards maximum cushioning shoes for years, but some of those options have a pillowy-soft feel that can make you feel like you’re losing energy with each step. The Vomero is here to change that.

For the marathon and the quest for the best Nike running shoes, men’s 2020 models present a dilemma. Do you keep looking for a store that has the Next% in your size? Or do you order the Zoom Fly, which is A) actually available and B) costs $100 less? The dual-density Lunarlon sole provides effective and responsive cushioning and incorporates a nylon/carbon plate based on the Next%s, while the Zoom Fly’s mesh and Flywire upper has proved to be snug, comfortable, and breathable. If you’re more interested in actually wearing a shoe than you are in shopping for it, you may want to go with the Zoom Fly 3.

Yes, I was one of those guys who went out for cross country my freshman year of high school without realizing there was such a thing as “running shoes.” So trying on the Pegasus in a running shoe store came as a revelation. I didn’t realize I was wearing one of the best Nike running shoes men or women would ever wear; all I saw was the Swoosh. Over 30 years later, the Pegasus is still here, but the technology updates along the way have done nothing to diminish the versatility of Nike’s classic neutral trainer. You ran your first race in Pegasuses? Yeah, me too

Some people see a deer trail winding through a forest and over craggy hills and think, “This would be a great place to run.” Other people see the same deer trail and think, “This would be a great place for a 10K/20K trail race.” The Terra Kiger 4, named for Kiger Creek in southeast Oregon and the variety of wild mustang that roams the Kiger Gorge, might be the best Nike running shoe for men of the second variety. The Terra Kiger 6 is a lightweight, flexible trail shoe with a low 4 mm heel-toe offset for uptempo running, and a responsive sole with Air in the heel and a Flymesh/Flywire upper for a snug race day fit.If wilderness brings out your competitive side, or just the urge to run fast, the Terra Kiger might be just what you need.

If you’re looking for the best Nike men’s running shoes, 2020 is not just any year—it’s also the model number Nike wants you to remember. The Nike Free line has been around since the early 2000s and actually predates the natural running movement. The goal of the Free RN 5.0 2020 is to be light and flexible and provides close contact with the ground. You may not want to run like that every day, but letting your feet flex and your toes splay out a couple times a week might be refreshing.

Runners have been enjoying the smooth ride of the Nike Pegasus for more than 30 years, but that hasn’t stopped Nike from innovating on this classic. Runners that have been wearing the Pegasus for years may be a bit confused to see a new Pegasus on the block. Nike added the Pegasus Turbo to its shoe line to add a speedier option for runners that want to add a little bounce to their stride. The Nike Pegasus Turbo is fast. From the first stride in this shoe, you can tell something is different because of how responsive the Pegasus Turbo feels. Nike has received a ton of press for the marathon record-breaking Vaporfly shoes that are propelling distance runners faster than ever before. The Pegasus Turbo takes a page out of the Next$’s book by using Nike’s ZoomX foam in its midsole. That gives the Pegasus Turbo a bouncy feel that gives you an extra boost on the roads. That responsive feel, combined with the shoe’s low-profile design, makes it a great shoe for your faster training days that can hold up for longer training runs and races. 

Running shoe manufacturers are slowly moving away from the traditional categories of neutral and stability shoes. Footstrike and running gait are more complicated than that. But sometimes simple solutions are the best approach to complicated problems, and some runners do well in traditional stability trainers. For those runners, the Structure 21 is the latest incarnation of Nike’s wildly successful support running shoe. The Phylon/Cushlon sole with forefoot Air bag provides more stability than the LunarGlide (and most other support shoes, in fact), while the updated mesh and Flywire upper provides a snug and comfortable fit. If you’re a runner that’s looking for some extra stability in their step, the Nike Structure is always a good option. 

When it comes to the best Nike running shoes for men, Nike isn’t content with just one innovative midsole foam at a time. What ZoomX is to marathon shoes, Nike’s React line is for Nike’s daily trainers. For the last several years, innovation in running shoe soles has been all about the Boost, Adidas’s space-age sole material with incredible cushion and energy return. The one drawback of Boost is its weight, and Nike’s React foam is designed to have all the cushion, durability, and responsiveness of Boost without its strength-sapping weight. The Epic React, Nike’s first running shoe built on the React platform, comes in at just 7.8 ounces in a men’s size 9, lighter than a lot of racing shoes. The premium Flyknit upper and soft sole are comparable to the comfort of the Vomero, while the Epic React 2 is as light and responsive as the Zoom Fly marathon racer. For managing that feat, the Epic React earns its top spot on the list of Nike’s best running shoes for men.

9 Best Nike Men's Running Shoes

Nike Air Zoom Alphafly NEXT% vs. Nike ZoomX Vaporfly NEXT %

Pros: 
The Alphafly NEXT% is directly based on the shoes Kipchoge wore for his historic run, so they’re clearly built for both speed and distance. It’s both well-cushioned and incredibly responsive, thanks to Nike’s unique combination of materials. A layer of ZoomX foam—designed to provide 80% return, according to Nike—is combined with a full-length carbon fiber plate for additional propulsion, and Zoom Air pods in the forefoot for an additional boost of energy at toe-off. The carbon plate is scaled according to shoe size, meaning that every runner will enjoy the same effect—a design feature that smaller runners will appreciate. For a marathon runner looking to hit a new PR, the Alphafly is a very strong contender. 

The upper is unique as well, made of a new material for Nike that they’ve dubbed AtomKnit. Essentially, this material is steamed, stretched FlyKnit, meaning it’s lightweight, durable, and extremely breathable. While it doesn’t feel tight, it feels secure, as do the knit cups. It also features a reinforced toe to prevent any ripping in the upper. The laces are another interesting innovation from Nike. They are actually slightly serrated, designed to prevent slippage if they get wet. Like the Vaporfly, they are laced asymmetrically to reduce pressure on top of the foot, which does mean that they need to be almost completely unlaced to put on the shoe. 

While this is by no means a stability shoe, the Alphafly does have a slightly flared forefoot to increase the runner’s contact with the ground. The combination of the carbon fiber plate and Zoom Air pods creates an incredibly fast and responsive feel, and the carefully designed curvature of the heel and toe give a rocking feel that makes each stride a breeze. With a 4 mm drop, this shoe will suit runners looking to keep the pressure off their knees and hips during long efforts.

Cons:
This is a pricey and highly specialized shoe, so it’s unlikely to be a good choice for a runner looking for an everyday training shoe, or a runner more focused on finishing a marathon than on their time. 

With its high stack and weight of 7.4 ounces, this shoe is best for races over 10km—below that length, the additional cushion becomes cumbersome.
Though the wide forefoot adds balance, some runners will find that the high stack leaves them feeling unstable.

The shoe’s low drop of 4 mm puts additional pressure on the ankles and calves, a concern for runners with a history of injury in those areas.


The Vaporfly is based on the shoe that Brigid Kosgei wore in 2019 to set the women’s marathon world record in 2019, making it an excellent choice for distance runners looking to up their speed. Like the Alphafly, it makes use of highly responsive ZoomX foam throughout the midsole, though it’s not quite as deep. The shoe features a full-length carbon fiber plate sandwiched between the ZoomX foam, but skips the Air Zoom pods found in the Alphafly. Despite its remarkable energy return and snappy toe-off, runners have flocked to this shoe for its comfortable, well-cushioned feel.

The Vaporfly’s upper is made of Nike’s VaporWeave material, created from a unique mix of plastics, and is designed to be both lightweight and water resistant, a bonus for racers who may face uncertain weather conditions. With a soft heel cradle and offset laces, the shoe is designed to lock in the runner’s foot without putting unnecessary pressure on tendons.

Like the Alphafly, the Vaporfly is designed to promote a rocking motion throughout the stride. And at just 6.6 ounces, this shoe can carry runners through both marathons and through shorter races with panache. However, with an 8 mm drop, the shoe has a more typical distribution of force between the knees and hips and the feet and ankles than the Alphafly. 

Cons:
Like the Alphafly, this is a specialized distance racing shoe. Runners looking for a daily trainer or a racing flat would be better served by looking elsewhere.

Runners who tend to overpronate may have problems with this shoe, which doesn’t have stability features and which may cause some runners to roll inward over the high stack.

With a drop of 8 mm, this shoe may not be ideal for runners with a history of hip and knee problems. 

Conclusion:
If you’re a distance runner looking to set a new PR, it’s hard to go wrong with either the Alphafly or a Vaporfly—both have become favorites with elite runners, and the two shoes have many similarities, including the use of ZoomX foam and carbon plates. 
The Vaporfly is a lighter shoe, coming in at 6.6 ounces to the Alphafly’s 7.4, with a fairly typical drop of 8 mm. Runners who prefer a slightly lighter feel and plan to use the shoe for distances around the 10k mark as well as longer efforts may find this shoe a better fit. Though this shoe is far from minimalist, it does use a bit less midsole foam than the Alphafly. For runners looking for maximum cushion paired with speed, the Alphafly is an excellent choice. It’s a bit gripper than the Vaporfly, with a slightly wider forefoot that provides a bit more stability around corners. With its Zoom Air pods, it delivers extra energy through the toe-off. And with a 4 mm drop, it’s a good choice for runners with knee and hip problems. Whichever you choose, both shoes are sure to take you to the next level of performance—and you can find them both here at Shoekicker.


Nike Air Zoom Tempo Next% vs. Nike Zoom Fly

Pros 
The Air Zoom Tempo Next% is designed for runners who value speed and want to maximize it in their training. Though a daily trainer, the shoe shares many features with its racing counterpart, the Nike Alphafly Next%, and is designed with the same speed-focused features. 

This shoe is meant to balance springy propulsion with enough cushion for training miles. It comes with durable React foam in the rearfoot, with more responsive ZoomX foam in the forefoot. It also uses Nike’s Zoom Air pods system in the forefoot, which is designed to create an even better energy return. It also features a full-length composite midsole plate aimed at increasing propulsion. Though similar to the plates in Nike’s racing shoes, this shoe’s is more flexible for training. The toe box is fairly wide, and the comfortable Flyknit upper locks down the foot well. Overall, the shoe provides a fast, responsive ride, especially over shorter distances.

Cons
While the Tempo Next% is designed as a daily trainer, is best suited to tempo runs and even speedwork—over longer distances, the firm ride may become tiring for some runners. And at 9.5 ounces, it’s on the heavy side for a speed-oriented shoe. 

Lighter runners may not gain the same benefits from the Zoom air pods as their heavier counterparts, since it’s downward pressure on the pods that produces their characteristic spring. 

The additional height from the air pods and thick stack may make some runners feel unstable. 


Pros
The Nike Zoom Fly is intended to be the daily trainer sibling to the hard-to-find racing shoe Vaporfly, though it is also well suited for longer races. This is not a shoe for a leisurely jog—it’s designed to help you run faster.

The shoe features firm React foam throughout the midsole, and significantly thicker at the heel for a more protected foot strike. That foam sits atop a stiff, propulsive carbon plate.  An upturned toe is designed to keep you rolling quickly through each step, even with the stiffness of the plate. At 8.9 ounces in the men’s shoe, its weight won’t slow you down. 

The Zoom Fly’s upper is made of Nike’s breathable Vaporweave over a thin mesh sleeve, providing a secure fit, with a tapered ankle collar to avoid chafing. 

Cons
The shoe’s profile is quite tall and narrow, especially in the heel, which makes it suitable only for road running and can make some runners feel unstable or lead to an unnatural-feeling stride. 

While the React foam provides cushioning, it also makes the shoe feels less responsive than its counterparts that use ZoomX foam.

The carbon plate may feel overly stiff to some runners, especially during very long efforts. 

Conclusion
Both the Nike Air Zoom Tempo Next% and Nike Zoom Fly are designed as daily-training partners to elite running shoes (the Alphafly and Vaporfly respectively), but the two shoes do have significant differences. The Tempo Next% features a composite plate rather than full carbon, and uses a combination of React and ZoomX foam for a responsive yet flexible feel, while the Zoom Fly has a full carbon plate and React foam throughout for a stiffer spring. Another key difference is the uppers—the Tempo Next % features Nike Flyknit, while the Zoom Fly uses the newer, more breathable and water-resistant Vaporweave. Runners looking for a more stable design will likely do better with the Tempo Next%, while those prioritizing light weight and the speed of a carbon plate will do better with the Zoom Fly. Whichever you choose, both can be found at Shoekicker. 


8 Best Nike Inexpensive Men Shoes

The Lite Run 4 is one of those unloved budget models that can run with the big dogs if you give it a chance. Nike doesn’t list the Lite Run on their website, but you’ll find it wherever Nike discount running shoes are sold. The Lite Run may not contain Nike’s latest miracle foam, but it does have a dual-density sole for responsive cushioning and a modern mesh upper. Not only is the Lite Run 4 the least expensive model on a list full of inexpensive shoes, but it also has a surprisingly low heel-toe drop of just 3 mm. If you’ve thought about experimenting with low or zero-drop shoes, the Lite Run 4 makes it easy to dip your toes (slightly) in.

Everybody loves Nike’s Free Runs, and everybody’s looking for the Nike Free Runs cheap. May I introduce you to the LunarGlide9?  This daily trainer offers moderate stability, plus it’s even more flexible than the latest Nike Free. The Lunarlon midsole has been a reliable source of soft cushioning, while the Flywire filaments help the upper provide a snug fit for any foot.

For Nike running shoes, cheap doesn’t mean slow. The Air Zoom Elite 9 is an uptempo trainer, which means that it hits the sweet spot between cushion and light weight. Most runners will find it best suited to faster workouts and longer races, while some runners will put on a pair for every run. For a midrange price, you get Nike’s Flymesh upper, which has proven effective at wrapping your shoes to your feet so they move exactly where you want them to go without sliding or slippage.

The ageless classic Pegasus 34 is to running what the Air Jordan is to basketball, except the Pegasus is a year older. Decades after the first Pegasus took flight, they’re still hugely popular for their go anywhere, any speed versatility. As a running shoe for all occasions, the Pegasus provides good stability in a neutral shoe, while the sole is both cushioned and responsive. If you’re looking for discounted Nike running shoes, keep a close eye on the Pegasus 34. There are rumors of a “Pegasus 35 Turbo” coming soon, which means there will be great deals on the Pegasus 34 in the meantime.

Trail shoes are often built like a tank, and come with a price tag only a defense contractor could love. Not the Terra Kiger 4, Nike’s lightweight trail running shoe. The surprisingly flexible soles of the Terra Kiger offer fantastic energy return for faster running or racing on any surface. The light weight means less material is used in manufacturing, which helps keeps the price down year round. But people searching for discount Nike running shoes will find even better deals towards the end of the season when new models are about to arrive.

Okay, fine. You’re looking for a cheap Nike Free Run solution, and you’ll accept no substitutes. You want a shoe that’s as light as a pair of finely tuned racing flats, offers a firm ride so you can feel the road, and provides a flexible sole and lots of room for your toes, arches, and foot musculature to flex. The good news is that a minimal shoe like the Nike Free RN keeps material costs low. Nike might be a global conglomerate, but they offer the Free RN with a premium Flyknit upper for the same price that most other companies charge for their standard models.

In their search for Nike running shoes, discount shoppers will find everything from budget models with effective but no-name midsole technology, to Nike’s latest and greatest engineering marvels. The Air Zoom Structure 21 is Nike’s other classic trainer, the highly stable partner of the neutral Pegasus, but that doesn’t make it outdated. The Structure 21 been retrofitted with a dual-density Phylon/Cushlon sole, an Air unit in the forefoot, and a combination mesh and Flywire upper.

Although the company spends millions on sponsoring the fastest athletes on the planet, for Nike, cheap running shoes often mean fast running shoes. The Zoom Streak 6 is a true performance racing shoe, weighing in at just 6.4 ounces in a men’s size 9. That weight allows the Nike shoe wizards to add just enough responsive cushioning for runners chasing a 5K or 10K PR. Bummed out about race entry fees getting so high? Save money on shoes with the Zoom Streak 6, and the time you save might help you earn back that entry fee in prize money.

12 Best Nike Women Running Shoes for 2018

The Nike Free line is famous for shoes that are as light as racing flats, let toes flex naturally, and keep your feet close to the ground. They’re among the best running Nike shoes for women looking for a more natural or minimalist shoe, or who just want to strengthen underused foot muscles a few times a week.

Although the LunarGlide 9 is marketed as a daily stability trainer, it’s engineered less for support than for cushion, flexibility, and a smooth ride. The midsole of the LunarGlide is unsurprisingly based on Lunarlon, a foam designed to provide both soft midsole cushioning and springy responsiveness. The LunarGlide augments its mesh upper with Flywire filaments for a snug, no-slip fit.

To determine the best Nike shoes for running, women vote with their feet. If we determined the ranking simply by millions of miles run, the Pegasus would undoubtedly come out on top. The classic Nike neutral trainer celebrates its 35th anniversary this year, and it seems like every runner has tried them at some point. Although the upper is now a Flymesh knit, the Pegasus 34 has preserved its reputation for versatility. If you own one pair of shoes for daily running, workouts, and races from the 5K to the marathon, there’s a good chance it’s the Pegasus.

When fond memories of the Pegasus clash with sore muscles or aching joints, some of us wish for a shoe with a bit more cushioning. Nike has just what we need in the Vomero, the premium Pegasus. A Lunarlon and Cushlon midsole supplemented with Air bags in the forefoot and heel provide luxurious padding, while the Flymesh upper is supplemented with Flywire for an extra comfortable fit. The extra heel cushion suggest the Vomero is the place to turn if you need the best women’s Nike running shoes for plantar fasciitis.

To find the best Nike running shoes, women are looking not just for comfort but also for performance. The Vomero may be great for easy days and long runs, but some days you want to go fast. Whether it’s a road workout or a race, you’ll appreciate the light weight of the Zoom Elite 9, the second-lightest model on this list. What many runners especially notice about the Zoom Elite 9 is the precise fit. The Flymesh and Flywire upper matches the shape of your foot and avoids slippage, giving you ultimate control over where your foot lands and how you push off from the ground.

The Terra Kiger 4 and the Wildhorse 4 are both trail shoes from Nike named for, well, wild horses: the Kiger is a variety of wild mustang native to southeast Oregon. Other than that, though, they’re very different shoes. The Terra Kiger 4 is a lightweight trail shoe that’s perfect for offroad races, with an aggressive 4 mm heel-toe drop more typical of a racing flat. The Air bag in the heel and Phylon midsole are flexible and responsive, while the combination of Flymesh and Flywire is as effective in the Terra Kiger as it is in the Zoom Elite.

Compared to the Terra Kiger, the Wildhorse 4 is a more traditional trail shoe. Although it uses the same Phylon and Air combination, the sole includes a rock plate to protect your foot from hazards underfoot, and the heel rises 8 mm above the toe, closer to a typical trainer. Sometimes it’s best to slow your pace a littleso you can enjoy nature—or so you can avoid the hazards lurking on or off the trail.

For the best Nike running shoes, women’s 2018 models require decisions about both fit and function. If the natural feel and flexible Phylon sole of the Free RN sound intriguing, but you’d prefer the latest Flyknit upper, Nike is happy to accommodate you. The lightweight Flyknit is one of the ways Nike shaves over an ounce off the Free RN Flyknit, making it the lightest shoe on this list, and letting your feet move even more freely.

If you’re shopping for the best Nike shoes for women, running doesn’t have to be an expensive hobby. The Winflo 4 is the low-cost junior sibling of the Pegasus and Vomero, but with the same mesh and Flywire technology in the upper and an Air bag heel, and women in our survey rate the Winflo highly. If there’s one complaint about the Winflo, it’s the name: it sounds like a childhood illness, as in, “Billy came down with a bad case of the Winflo and has to stay home today.” It’s hard to believe the Nike branding and marketing folks can’t do better. Nike Perseus? Nike Apollo? Maybe in 2019.

At the moment, there’s no question whatsoever about the best Nike running shoe for women with serious marathon aspirations, whether that’s a BQ or an OTQ. Nike’s engineers sound like they’re promising the impossible from the ZoomX foam midsole with an embedded carbon plate, but early reports from real-world testers have ranged from glowing to awe-struck. For a 2:51 marathoner, a 4% improvement puts her close to the 2:45 Olympic Trials standard, and for that, $250 is a bargain. If you’re trying to hit the A or B standard for the Trials marathon in Atlanta by the 19 January 2020 deadline, you’re probably refreshing all your favorite shopping sites twice a day to see if any new stock in your size has arrived.

LunarEpic Low? If you’re wondering, there’s a high-top version, the LunarEpic Flyknit Shield with water-resistant features for all-weather running. The LunarEpic Low is an uptempo trainer with broader appeal. The Lunarlon and Phylon sole is both stable and flexible, while runners praise the LunarEpic Low’s plush cushion and smooth ride.

If you’ve been scanning the list for a support shoe, the wait is over. Recent studies of biomechanics have called into questioned the neutral/support model of footstrike and running gait, and shoe companies are developing new approaches to running shoes categories. But for a lot of runners, support shoes feel right, and Nike’s Structure 23 is going on its third decade of successfully meeting these runners where their feet are. The Structure 23 provides excellent stability and, like the Pegasus, has been updated with the newest technology, including a knit mesh and Flywire upper. Who needs support shoes? The runners who voted the Structure 23 to the top of the list of best women’s Nike running shoes, that’s who.

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