NIKE AND RUNNING go hand in hand. For many, Nike is the first brand that comes to mind when they think of running and is their first port of call when they need a new shoe. This level of faith isn’t unwarranted. From moon shoes and waffle trainers to Michael Jordan’s iconic kicks, Nike has always been at the forefront of innovation.
It was Nike that kickstarted the current supershoe craze when the Alphafly 4% – so-called because extensive Nike research showed that it helped runners run four per cent faster on average – debuted in 2017. The addition of a carbon plate in a shoe’s thick-stacked midsole was a revelation, and the trend quickly caught on. Today, every major footwear brand has a carbon-plated supershoe, but it was Nike that was ahead of the curve.
Although, this illustrious history has not been without its shortcomings and outright failures. Many of Nike’s longer-lived silhouettes have endured underwhelming iterations, like the Pegasus line, which has survived many consumer complaints to remain a bestseller after 41 editions. The Nike Ovidian also remains the butt of many jokes in the sneakerhead community for attempting to be the first two-in-one shoe back in 2000. Ostensibly, the Ovidian was a performance/skate shoe, but by removing the insole and flipping the entire shoe inside-out, it took on a more casual appearance for daily wear. Unsurprisingly, it wasn’t popular.
The point we’re trying to get across is that, even in the case of a venerated brand like Nike that has a very high success rate, it pays to be discerning when choosing your next running shoe. Every brand has hits and misses, which is why we’re here to help you navigate what is deserving of you hard-earned coin and what is best left to the amateurs by ranking the best Nike shoes you can get in 2025 from ten to one.
What are the best Nike running shoes?
10. Nike Winflo 11
Let’s face it, it’s tough to find a quality running shoe for less than $200 these days. Less than $150 feels like a pipedream, but that’s how much the uber-affordable Winflo 11 goes for. But at that reduced price point, is it actually any good?
It is. As a budget friendly option, the Winflo 11 can be a great daily trainer and is obviously a lot cheaper than most of its rivals. It’s not as light or responsive as the other shoes on this list – and it certainly doesn’t have a carbon plate – but it does enough to justify the minimal expense of getting one. The Winflo 11 uses a Cushion 3.0 midsole, making it very soft, but not too bouncy. A full-length Zoom Air unit in the midsole does add some responsiveness, however. And at that price, it’s about as good as you’ll get.
9. Nike Zegama Trail 2
Judging by the fact that the brand only has three lines of trail running shoes, we can assume that Nike doesn’t place as high of a priority on trail running as road running. The Alphfly and Vaporfly lines are prized among road runners, but long distance trail runners tend to look elsewhere for their needs. That being said, the few Nike trail runners that do exist are all very good. Zegama is the most technical of the bunch, with a ZoomX midsole enclosed within a durable carrier foam for longevity purposes, a Vibram MegaGrip outsole for increased off-road traction, and a protective upper to deflect debris.
8. Nike Streakfly
The Nike Streakfly is a pacey, old-school racer designed for faster 5-10km efforts – perfect for your yearly fun run. The heel collar is minimal and it has a thin upper to shave weight, with the effect that the Streakfly has a barely there feel when wearing it. It has a far lower profile than most of the other shoes on this list, with a low stack height that’s rare to see these days. But even with that low stack height, Nike have managed to squeeze in a Pebax plate to make the shoe springy.
7. Nike Invincible 3
The most cushioned of all Nike shoes, the Invincible 3 is perfect for people who struggle with foot, ankle or knee soreness after a run. Running in the Invincible 3 feels like operating with cruise control, with an abundance of comfort for those longer efforts. The Invincible 3 owes its supreme comfort to a ZoomX foam midsole, which is paired with an oversized footprint and breathable Flyknit upper. It’s not the fastest shoe, but if you’re focus is simply getting to the finish line rather than doing it quickly, the Invincible 3 is an attractive option.
6. Nike Pegasus Trail 5
Like we said earlier, Nike doesn’t make too many shoes for trail running, but when they do, they’re always high quality. The Pegasus Trail 5 is the everyman’s trail running shoe. Whether you’re just dipping your toe into the experience or have been blazing trails for as long as you can remember, the shoe will give you what you need.
Boasting a sole design adept at tackling various surfaces, from smooth roads to rugged trails, the PT5 offers an impressive balance of traction and comfort. The grippy underfoot lugs ensure stability on uneven terrains, while Nike React technology provides a responsive and supportive ride from the get-go. And at 295 grams, they’re lightweight yet remarkably sturdy.
5. Nike Vaporfly 3
One of Nike’s two primary carbon-plated race day shoes, the Vaporfly 3 is a speedster. It’s lighter than Nike’s other carbon-plated racer, the Alphafly 3, but not as cushioned or supportive.
The key difference between the Vaporfly 3 and 2 is the extensive weight shaving measures that have been implemented to make the Vaporfly 3 one of the lightest shoes on the market. The midsole has been reshaped, excess foam removed and a slab of underfoot rubber discarded in favour of lighter lugs. So yes, the Vaporfly 3 is very light and very fast, making it ideal for speed and tempo work. But given the lack of cushioning, we’d recommend using the Alphafly 3 for a longer effort like a marathon.
4. Nike Zoom Fly 6
For the most part, road running shoes can now be demarcated by whether they’re designed for race day or daily training, as the advent of supershoes has led to a widening gap between the two categories. There is, however, a third discipline emerging: the super trainer. The hybrid category combines the high stack and carbon plate of a racer with the durability and comfort of a daily trainer. Super trainers are designed to be a versatile go-between for those who are either training for a marathon or looking to elevate their usual 5-10km hit out but aren’t prepared to splash some cash on a supershoe.
The Zoom Fly 6 is Nike’s answer to the super trainer emergence. It features two layers of foam, with ZoomX foam on top and SR-02 EVA foam underneath. Sandwiched in between is the all-important carbon fibre FlyPlate, delivering a responsive, speedy ride.
3. Nike Pegasus 41
Look, not many shoes get to 41 iterations, so the fact that the Pegasus has should be enough to show you that it’s a good shoe. The quality of the Pegasus line has fluctuated with each version – and it has had to survive some heavy criticism over the years – but for the 41st time around, Nike has produced something special.
You might be wondering how much can really change after 41 attempts at creating the perfect running shoe. Well, quite a bit actually, as technology continues to advance and consumer interests continue to change. The focus for the latest Pegasus was on responsiveness, with a new ReactX midsole which provides 13 per cent more energy return than the Pegasus 40. Ultimately, the Pegasus 41 is stable, well-cushioned and durable. It can take quite a pounding without losing effectiveness, making it perfect as the daily trainer that you’ll rack up plenty of kilometres in.
2. Nike Vomero 18
The Vomero silhouette is made for those long, easy runs, with heavy cushioning and a plush ride. The next shoe in the Vomero line, the Vomero 18, is set for release on February 27th 2025 and promises to deliver Nike’s most cushioned run yet.
Supportive touchpoints at the ankle and heel have been added to improve the shoe’s softness, and the stack height in the 18 will be higher than any other Vomero shoe, meaning there’ll be even more cushioning squeezed into the midsole. The Vomero 18 makes use of a layer of Cushion 3.0, a super soft material used to reduce impact on your body. It isn’t the bounciest material, but another layer of ZoomX foam adds some responsiveness.
It’s positioned as a shoe for easy recovery runs, but the Vomero 18 has applications in just about every field. Whether you’re going for a 5K there-and-back burst or a full-on marathon, every type of run stands to benefit from superior cushioning and comfort – especially if you you’re battling soreness.
1. Nike Alphafly 3
Kelvin Kiptum set the marathon world record in 2023 while wearing a prototype of the Alphafly 3. Could there be a better endorsement? This shoe helps you move faster by propelling you forward and saving on energy, maximising the chances of securing a PB. And although it released roughly one year ago, it’s still the best Nike shoe you can get.
For the latest Alphafly iteration, Nike added stability with a continuous outsole and a new mould around the midfoot, making it a lot more comfortable than its predecessors. Running in the Alphafly 3 feels exceptionally light, with punch applied to each stride for an overall propulsive feeling.
The Nike Alphafly 3 may be the best Nike shoe on the market, but it’s not for everyone. This is a shoe you’ll want to save for race day, and its high price point (a whopping $370) will likely deter many amateur runners. But if you’re looking for the very best, this is it.
What are the best Nike shoes for daily training?
What are the best Nike shoes for race day?
What are the best Nike shoes for trail running?
What are the best Nike shoes for beginners?
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