The Best Nike Running Shoes for Men

Nike is one of the biggest brands in the sports industry with its swoosh logo being identifiable anywhere in the world. Brought up from humble beginnings, this company is committed to making shoes that help athletes run faster for longer.

With an ever-increasing product line, there is so much more to choose from and we are here to help. To make it simple, we’ve reviewed the best Nike running shoes for men in each running category, and we tell you why it’s the best shoe for that type of running activity.

Here Are The Best Nike Running Shoes For Men:

Product	Details
1. Nike Men's Zoom Pegasus Turbo 2	Top Pick	Upper: Lightweight and breathable synthetic mesh Midsole: Combination ZoomX and React foam Outsole: Carbon rubber Terrain: Road Stability: Neutral Sizing: True to Size	Check Current Price
2. Nike Men's Air Zoom Pegasus 37		Upper: Engineered mesh with inner sleeve Midsole: Forefoot Air Zoom pocket and React foam midsole Outsole: Carbon rubber Terrain: Road Sizing: True to Size	Check Current Price
3. Nike Men's Vaporfly Next% Running Shoe		Upper: Engineered woven mesh Midsole: ZoomX foam with a full-length carbon fiber plate Outsole: High abrasion rubber, foam rubber Terrain: Road & Track Sizing: True to Size	Check Current Price
4. Nike Men's Air Zoom Structure 22		Upper: Engineered mesh Midsole: Dynamic Support technology Outsole: BRS 1000 carbon rubber, Duralon blown rubber Terrain: Road Sizing: True to Size	Check Current Price
5. Nike Men's Air Zoom Winflo 6 Track & Field Shoes		Upper: Engineered mesh Midsole: EVA foam and Zoom Air packs Outsole: Carbon rubber Terrain: Road Sizing: True to Size	Check Current Price
6. Nike Men's Air Zoom Terra Kiger 5 Trail Running Shoes		Upper: Perforated mesh Midsole: React Foam and Zoom Air packs Outsole: Carbon rubber Terrain: Cross country trails Sizing: True to Size	Check Current Price
7. Nike Men's Air Zoom Vomero 14 Running Shoes		Upper: Engineered Flywire mesh with inner sleeve Midsole: Full length Zoom Air and React foam Outsole: Carbon rubber Terrain: Road Sizing: True to Size	Check Current Price

1. Nike Men’s Zoom Pegasus Turbo 2 — Best Men’s Nike Running Shoe

We begin our reviews with the Pegasus Turbo 2. If you’re like most runners, you’ll probably want a multipurpose running shoe that you can use for training and the occasional marathon. It is versatile and it is for this reason that it’s our top pick for the best men’s Nike running shoe.

The Turbo 2 is the newer version of the original Pegasus Turbo with slight upgrades to the midsole and a lighter and more breathable mesh upper. The midsole combines both the Zoom X and the React foams, both of which are proprietary Nike materials.

Nike’s elite running shoes like the Vaporfly also use the ZoomX foam. While the Vaporfly uses a carbon fiber plate underneath to stabilize the shoe, the Turbo 2 uses React foam to provide a supportive base and improved durability. The result is better cushioning for those long miles and 13% more energy return for those fast sprints while training.

The combination midsole provides a perfect blend of cushioning and responsiveness that allows for long runs without fatigue. The low weight and excellent energy return allow for uptempo training.

Overall Rating – 4.2/5

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2. Nike Men’s Air Zoom Pegasus 37 — Best for Everyday Training

Pegasus is Nike’s longest-running trainer, with this being its 37th version. The shoe, as expected, is an upgrade of the Peg 36 with more cushioning and less weight. Let’s look at it with a little more detail. Peg 37 uses a full length React foam midsole with the Air Zoom foam pocket fitted generously underneath the forefoot. The foam is enclosed in a grooved pocket to give it more flexibility as you run.

On the whole, the shoe features more cushioning than previous versions, which make it comfier and more responsive. However, the extra softness makes running at slow speeds a bit laborious. The rubber outsole design allows for good traction on both loose terrain and wet ground.

It features articulated lugs that help with smoother transitions and better grip and, an under heel cavity that assists with stability. Its mesh upper is thinner than the previous version and comes with an inner sleeve that allows for a snug-fitting. However, this also means that the shoe can get warm due to the double layers, as the mesh retains moisture for longer.

The Peg 37 is the ideal running shoe for daily training and long runs and on hard surfaces to counterbalance the softness. Also, if you are a forefoot striker, you’ll find the Air Zoom cushioning in the forefoot an advantage.

Overall Rating – 4.6/5

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3. Nike Men’s Vaporfly Next% Running Shoe

On October 12, 2019, the world’s fastest marathoner, Eliud Kipchoge laced up his Vaporfly Next% and went on to be the first human on earth to run a marathon in under two hours. It was an incredible feat, with many arguing that his shoes played a huge role in his success. Vaporfly Next% is an improved version of the Vaporfly 4%, with its success heavily influenced by the feedback Nike got when it had its elite runners test it out.

To begin with, Next% has 15 percent more ZoomX foam than the original. Most of it is packed in the forefoot to maximize toe-off and to make the toe-box wider, which the athletes said was more comfortable. This extra foam added about 4mm of height to the forefoot, which also reduced the heel to toe drop 8mm from 11mm.

Another upgrade that Next% has over the Vaporfly 4% is the improved performance in wet conditions. The previous outsole had little traction that made running on wet ground tricky. In Next%, the outsole features an improved traction pattern, and with the new heel to toe height, the Next% is more stable to run corners with.

It uses a combination of high abrasion rubber at the heel for durability and foam rubber at the forefoot to improve traction and optimize energy return. The mesh upper was redesigned with the new Vaporweave material that is more breathable and retains less water than the previous version.

Nike’s Vaporfly Next% is the fastest running shoe in the world, and the elite athletes have proved it. Many users have said that the shoes propel them to move faster with less effort. But, for the price, it is not very durable, so we advise that you keep it for racing only.

Overall Rating – 4.8/5

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4. Nike Men’s Air Zoom Structure 22 — Best for Stability

Structure 22 is one of Nike’s stability shoes offering and as you can guess, it is an upgrade of the previous Structure 21. For a shoe that has had 21 versions, you’d expect improvement over time. However, this is not to be as the 22 is heavier and with less flexibility for everyday training.

The shoe’s redeeming quality is its outsole. Although Nike maintains the same outsole design for this shoe as it did with the previous three versions, it does perform well on any type of wet terrain. It features blown rubber at the forefoot section for traction and added cushioning and a more impact resistant carbon rubber at the heel.

The upper has had some better updates with an engineered mesh material that provides support to keep the foot in place and breathability. Another plus is that it’s waterproof, which will keep your feet dry running in the rain and is reflective for running in low light.

The shoe features a generous toe-box that users with wide feet and overpronation will appreciate. The lacing structure is replaced with Dynamic Flyway Cables, which are more comfortable on the midfoot and easier to adjust. The midsole is still a little stiff and rigid, which doesn’t help with fatigue but provides excellent support for flat feet.

It features the Dynamic Support technology that is specific to lend stability for overpronation.  Zoom Air packets at the forefoot add extra cushioning and energy return. A padded wrap-around heel counter is included to help with stabilizing the Achilles. However, most users have complained that the shoe doesn’t provide enough heel lockdown for a stable ride.

These shoes work well for people with flat feet, with the midsole specifically designed to provide support for overpronation. A wide toe-box also benefits people with wide feet, but for most users, Structure 22 is too stiff for daily training. With great colors to choose from and a stylish aesthetic, neutral runners can opt to have them for walking or casual wear.

Overall Rating – 4.0/5

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5. Nike Men’s Air Zoom Winflo 6 Track & Field Shoes — Best Budget

Nike’s Winflo 6 is the total package. It is versatile for any terrain, speed, and running for less than $100. It is a budget, entry-level trainer with significant upgrades from its predecessor the Winflo 5. Users have noted that these trainers share a lot of similarities with the Nike Pegasus trainers in the simplicity of design.

It features an EVA foam midsole and Zoom Air packs at the forefoot and heel where the previous version had them at the heel. The shoe has more cushioning but a firmer feel, which contributes to its versatility. The engineered mesh upper is sufficiently breathable during the summer runs but doesn’t offer effective waterproofing in wet weather.

It has partial sleeve midfoot with the laces brought back to replace the Flywire cables on the Winflo 5 model. The toe-box is shallow and narrower than the previous model though you can get the extra-wide version.

The Winflo 6 is a versatile trainer with good cushioning and firmness for different kinds of runs with an outsole that provides excellent traction. It is better priced than most trainers in its class.

Overall Rating – 4.7/5

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6. Nike Men’s Air Zoom Terra Kiger 5 Trail Running Shoes

The Kiger 5 offers the perfect trail shoes for cross country runs and rocky climbs. It features a generous toe box that may users like and a more responsive React foam that gives you more softness on difficult trails.

Kiger’s double-layered mesh upper is soft and breathable but loses out on effective waterproofing. The lacing structure is worth mentioning because it’s designed to give your foot a snug fit without feeling tight. The padded tongue helps to reduce lace pressure leaving your midfoot comfortable throughout.

The midsole is also comfortable with Zoom Air packs at the heel paired with React foam to deliver more bounciness. The forefoot is protected with a segmented rock plate, while the carbon rubber outsole features angled lugs for better traction. The middle of the outsole is padded with rubber to reduce the impact of sharp stones on the trails.

Kiger 5 is suitable for running trails in dry conditions. The upgraded midsole provides better energy return and sufficient padding to protect the feet, while the mesh upper allows for quick drying and breathability.

Overall Rating – 4.5/5

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7. Nike Men’s Air Zoom Vomero 14 Running Shoes — Best for Speedwork

Like the Kiger 5 that we’ve reviewed above, the Vomero 14 is a completely redesigned trainer. It is now designed to compete with its more popular contemporaries like the Hoka One One in regards to the midsole cushioning.

The midsole is meant to be the defining feature of the shoe. Unlike all the other Zoom Air shoes we’ve reviewed above, which feature two bags of Zoom Air foam, the Vomero 14 features a full-length Zoom Air and React foam combination. By stretching out the Zoom Air, the design compromises on its thickness. And, when you combine this with a carbon rubber outsole, the shoe becomes more firm than soft.

It then works better for shorter runs in your daily training and speedwork but loses out on its objective to provide a plush trainer. The full length cushioning allows for a lighter and flexible carbon rubber outsole, lighter than the previous version. It has a rubber free cavity between the lateral and medial parts of the shoe that provides good support.

Its Flywire mesh upper is also upgraded with a seamless design with a padded heel counter and collar that allows for a secure fitting. It comes with an inner sleeve and a lightly padded tongue which helps to provide comfort in the toe box area. However, dual layers also mean less breathability, so it takes longer for the moisture inside the shoe to dry out.

As a highly cushioned shoe for long runs, the Vomero 14 falls short. It is best suited for heel strikers and short runs in your daily training. A firm forefoot makes it excellent for speedwork.

Overall Rating – 4.3/5

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How We Chose Our Best Nike Running Shoes For Men

Getting the best running shoe will improve your speed, help you to run for longer because your feet are comfortable, and protect you from injuries that can restrict your mobility.

Here are some of the factors we considered to come up with the best Nike running shoes for men list:

Terrain

Consider where you are planning to run. Road shoes are designed for paved roads, sidewalks, treadmills, and tracks. These shoes are light and flexible with ample midsole cushioning and a smoother outsole to reduce fatigue of the constant pounding on a hard surface.

Trail running shoes have deeper lugs to give you better traction over loose and uneven terrain. Some trail shoes may have plates added to the carbon rubber outsole to protect your feet from sharp rocks.

Comfort and Stability

The comfort of your running shoes will determine how long you run in them without getting fatigued. Shoes designed for long runs and marathons will have a plush midsole compared to the firm midsole of a cross-trainer.

There are three kinds of pronation, and Nike running shoes are designed to give you support depending on your pronation. This level of support is classified into:

• Neutral shoes for neutral, mild pronators and supinators and,
• Stability shoes for overpronators. Stability shoes often include stability devices such as guide rails and medial posts to help control pronation.

Final Thoughts

One final tip is that you get a shoe that fits securely from the start. When it comes to the perfect fit, comfort, and stability, Nike’s running shoes tick all the boxes. We’re sure you’ll find the running shoe you need from our list and we especially recommend our top choice, Nike Men’s Zoom Pegasus Turbo 2 Running Shoes.

Most people have one running shoe, and the Turbo 2 is it. It has all the flexibility and versatility for all your running requirements packaged in one shoe.