Quick Answer: The Nike Motiva 2 is a cushioned women’s walking shoe for people who like a noticeable rolling sensation underfoot. Its exaggerated rocker helps move the foot from heel to toe, while Nike’s Comfortgroove design lets the foam compress as you walk. Version 2 gets a more breathable layered-mesh upper, more room through the forefoot and toe box and less outsole rubber than the original. It is a strong choice for daily walks, errands and travel, but walkers who need wide sizing, structured stability or a flatter, more flexible shoe should look elsewhere.
The Nike Motiva 2 is unusual because Nike actually designed it as a walking shoe. Most shoes we recommend for walking begin life as running shoes. That is not necessarily a problem, but the Motiva takes a different approach.
Its defining feature is an exaggerated rocker, meaning the sole curves upward and encourages the shoe to roll through each step. If you have wondered what a strongly rockered walking shoe feels like, the Motiva 2 is one of the clearest examples in Nike’s lineup.
That does not mean everyone will like it. Some walkers love a shoe that helps guide the transition from heel to toe. Others prefer a traditional shoe that bends naturally with the foot. For more background, see our guide to what a rocker in shoes means.
What Changed in the Nike Motiva 2?
Nike did not completely reinvent the Motiva. The exaggerated rocker and heavily cushioned walking concept remain the point of the shoe. Instead, Nike concentrated on fit, breathability and reducing some of the bulk.
The Motiva 2 gets a layered mesh upper intended to improve airflow. Nike also says it added room through the forefoot, arch and toe box. That matters because feet can expand during long walks and long days on your feet.
Nike also reduced the amount of rubber on the outsole. The goal is to make the second Motiva lighter and allow the shoe to move more freely as it rolls through the stride. Nike does not publish a current weight figure, so we would not attach a specific number to that improvement.
Nike Motiva 2 Specs
| Shoe type | Women’s walking shoe |
| Support | Neutral |
| Cushioning | Foam midsole with Comfortgroove outsole design |
| Rocker | Pronounced heel-to-toe rocker |
| Upper | Layered mesh |
| Width | Regular |
| Heel-to-toe drop | Not published by Nike |
| Weight | Not published by Nike |
| Best for | Daily walking, errands, travel and walkers who like a rolling stride |
| Original MSRP | $115 | Check latest price |
Cushioning and Comfort
Comfort is the Motiva 2’s main reason for existing. Nike uses a thick foam midsole paired with what it calls Comfortgroove technology. The grooves and raised sections beneath the shoe allow the foam to compress as you load it.
The result should appeal most to walkers who prefer a soft, cushioned feeling between their feet and pavement. This is not a low-profile walking shoe that lets you feel every change in the ground. The Motiva places plenty of material between your foot and the surface.
That makes sense for pavement, sidewalks, shopping centers, airports and other hard surfaces where repetitive impact can become tiring. Walkers who like firmer shoes may find the cushioning excessive. Soft cushioning is not automatically more supportive, and people who feel unstable in softer shoes should pay particular attention to how the Motiva feels when turning, stopping and standing still.
The Rocker Is the Real Story
The Motiva 2 has one of the more obvious rocker shapes among mainstream walking shoes. A rocker is a curved sole that helps the shoe roll forward rather than requiring all of the transition to come from bending through your foot and ankle.
Nike deliberately exaggerates that curve on the Motiva 2, and you should feel it. That makes the Motiva 2 very different from a traditional flexible walking sneaker. Once your weight moves forward, the shape of the sole encourages the shoe to continue rolling toward toe-off.
For some walkers, this makes an ordinary walk feel exceptionally smooth. For others, the sensation takes some adjustment. If you normally wear flat, flexible sneakers, try the Motiva indoors before committing to a long walk. Walk slowly, walk briskly, stop, turn and stand still. You want the rocker to feel helpful rather than as if the shoe is pushing you somewhere you do not want to go.
We currently include the Motiva 2 among our best rocker bottom shoes for walking.
Fit and Sizing
Nike has deliberately made the Motiva 2 roomier than the original through the forefoot, arch and toe box. That is encouraging, but it should not be confused with a true wide-width option.
Nike’s current Motiva 2 lineup is regular width only. If you have genuinely wide feet, start with our best wide shoes for walking rather than trying to solve a width problem by buying an excessively long shoe.
Because foot shape varies, we would also avoid assuming that the added forefoot room means everyone should size down. If you are between sizes or regularly find Nike shoes short, compare two sizes when possible.
Is the Nike Motiva 2 Supportive?
The Motiva 2 is a neutral walking shoe. Nike does not use a medial post, guide rail or other dedicated stability system intended to control excessive inward rolling.
That distinction matters because cushioning and support are not the same thing. The Motiva can feel comfortable and substantial underfoot without functioning like a stability shoe.
If you already know that you prefer added guidance for overpronation, there are better choices. See our walking shoes for overpronation guide. If you are unsure what kind of support you need, the Free Shoe Finder can narrow the choices using your activity, width, cushioning preference and support needs.
Is the Nike Motiva 2 Good for Long Walks?
The Motiva 2 makes considerable sense for long walks if you enjoy its rocker. The thick cushioning helps isolate your feet from hard pavement, while the curved sole keeps the shoe moving rather than forcing a thick midsole to flex sharply.
The roomier second-generation upper should also help as feet expand during longer outings. Where we would be more cautious is fit. A walker who needs a true wide shoe may still become uncomfortable as the miles add up because Nike does not currently offer the Motiva 2 in a dedicated wide width.
Is the Nike Motiva 2 Good for Standing All Day?
It can work, but walking is where the Motiva makes the strongest case. A pronounced rocker becomes useful when the foot is moving from heel to toe. When you stand in one position, that rolling geometry contributes much less.
If your job combines standing with plenty of walking, the cushioning may still feel comfortable. If you remain mostly stationary for long periods, compare it with shoes designed around a more planted platform. Our guide to the best shoes for standing all day includes several alternatives.
The Motiva is also not a certified slip-resistant work shoe, so it should not replace required occupational footwear in restaurants, hospitals or other workplaces with specific safety requirements.
Can You Run in the Nike Motiva 2?
You could run short distances in it, but that is not what Nike designed the shoe to do. Nike classifies the Motiva 2 as a walking shoe.
The pronounced rocker may feel smooth at walking pace, but runners generally need a different balance of weight, flexibility, responsiveness and outsole construction. If your routine mixes walking with regular running, a daily running shoe is probably the more versatile choice.
Nike Motiva 2 vs. Nike Motiva
The Motiva 2 is an evolution rather than a complete redesign. The biggest changes are a layered mesh upper for improved breathability, more room through the forefoot, arch and toe box, and less outsole rubber to reduce weight and improve movement. The exaggerated rocker and Comfortgroove walking concept remain.
If you already own the first Motiva and like it, the biggest reason to move to version 2 is fit. People who found the original restrictive through the front of the shoe may appreciate the added room. If your original Motiva fits perfectly and still has plenty of life left, there is no obvious reason to replace it simply because the number changed.
Nike Motiva 2 Alternatives
The Motiva 2 sits in an unusual part of the walking-shoe market, so the best alternative depends on what you like about it.
Keen WK400 II
Choose the Keen WK400 II if the strong rocker sensation is what interests you most. Keen built the WK400 specifically around a continuous walking curve and adds a nylon plate to help control the transition. It feels more deliberately structured than the softer Motiva.
Hoka Bondi 9
Choose the Hoka Bondi 9 if you want deep cushioning and a smoother, less obvious rocker. The Bondi also has a major fit advantage because it is available in multiple widths.
Brooks Ghost Max 4
Choose the Brooks Ghost Max 4 if you want a broad, stable-feeling platform, a smoother rocker and better compatibility with orthotics. It is technically a running shoe, but walking is one of Brooks’ stated uses for the model.
You can compare these and other models in our rocker bottom shoe guide.
Who Should Buy the Nike Motiva 2?
The Motiva 2 makes the most sense for a specific kind of walker. Consider it if you:
- Walk primarily on pavement or other hard surfaces.
- Prefer generous cushioning.
- Enjoy a noticeable rolling transition.
- Want a shoe specifically designed around walking.
- Have standard-width feet.
- Want a relaxed daily walking shoe rather than a running trainer.
Who Should Choose Something Else?
There are also several reasons to pass. Choose something else if you:
- Need wide or extra-wide sizing.
- Need a dedicated stability shoe.
- Prefer flat or highly flexible footwear.
- Dislike a strong rocker sensation.
- Need certified slip-resistant work footwear.
- Want one shoe primarily for running.
Nike Motiva 2 Pros and Cons
Pros
- Purpose-built for walking.
- Strong, smooth rocker sensation.
- Deep cushioning for hard surfaces.
- More forefoot and toe-box room than the original.
- More breathable layered mesh upper.
- Competitive $115 original U.S. price.
Cons
- No dedicated wide-width option.
- Strong rocker will not suit everyone.
- No dedicated stability system.
- Nike does not publish weight or heel-to-toe drop.
- Less versatile for running than a daily trainer.
Final Verdict
The Nike Motiva 2 is not trying to be another running shoe that happens to work for walkers. That is its strongest quality.
Nike has built the entire shoe around cushioning and forward rolling motion, then improved the second version with a roomier, more breathable upper and a lighter outsole design. The result makes the most sense for women with standard-width feet who spend plenty of time walking on pavement and genuinely enjoy a rockered shoe.
The main question is not whether it has enough cushioning. It does. The question is whether you like the way a strong rocker feels. If you do, the Motiva 2 is one of the more interesting purpose-built walking shoes around its price. If you want a flatter, firmer or more traditionally flexible shoe, you will probably know within a few minutes that this is not the one.
Women’s version: Nike Motiva 2 on Amazon
Frequently Asked Questions About the Nike Motiva 2
Is the Nike Motiva 2 a walking shoe?
Yes. Unlike many shoes people use for walking, Nike specifically markets and designs the Motiva 2 as a walking shoe. Its major features include a highly cushioned midsole, Comfortgroove outsole design and an exaggerated rocker that encourages a rolling stride.
Does the Nike Motiva 2 run small?
Nike does not officially say that everyone should size up. The second version has more room through the forefoot, arch and toe box, but people who are between sizes may still want to compare two sizes.
Does the Nike Motiva 2 come in wide sizes?
No. Nike currently lists the Motiva 2 in regular width. The shoe has more internal room than the original Motiva, but that is not the same as a dedicated wide-width version.
Is the Nike Motiva 2 good for plantar fasciitis?
The Motiva 2 provides substantial cushioning and a rocker that may feel comfortable for some people, but a shoe cannot treat or cure plantar fasciitis. Fit, heel stability, arch comfort and individual gait all matter. Persistent or severe heel pain should be evaluated by a qualified health professional.
Is the Nike Motiva 2 good for standing all day?
It may work well if your day combines standing with a lot of walking. Its cushioning helps on hard floors, but the pronounced rocker is most useful while moving. People who stand mostly in one place may prefer a firmer and flatter platform.
Can I run in the Nike Motiva 2?
Occasional short running is possible, but the Motiva 2 is designed as a walking shoe. If you regularly combine running and walking, a daily running shoe will usually be more versatile.
What makes the Nike Motiva 2 different from a regular walking shoe?
The biggest difference is its exaggerated rocker. Instead of relying entirely on the foot to bend through each stride, the curved sole helps the shoe roll from landing toward toe-off. That produces a more noticeable forward-rolling sensation than a traditional flat walking sneaker.
