Best Nike running shoes in 2024 for training, racing, trail running and more (2024)

It really is not that hard to assemble a list of the best Nike running shoes. From the record-breaking Vaporfly series to the fan-favourite Pegasus line, Nike has always been at the forefront of innovation and created shoes that enable athletes to push their performance to their absolute limits.

The company went from being a relatively small brand in the 80s – Michael Jordan famously wanted to launch his basketball shoe line with Adidas initially – to becoming the absolute fitness juggernaut brand it is today. This is due to a number of factors but what made Nike running shoes famous is the company's innovative approach to running footwear design.

Below you'll find what we think are the best Nike running shoes for training, racing, trail running and more. Want to see how Nikes compare to other running shoe brands? Check out T3's best running shoes, best women's running shoes, best trail running shoes and best workout shoes guides. We also have a roundup of the best Brooks running shoes, in case you're interested.

Best Nike running shoes to buy right now

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Best Nike running shoes in 2024 for training, racing, trail running and more (1)Best Nike running shoes in 2024 for training, racing, trail running and more (2)

(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)

1. Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39

Best Nike running shoes overall

Specifications

Weight: 303 grams (men's UK 10)

Drop: No information available

Reasons to buy

+

Roomy but supportive toe box

+

Looks swish

+

Lightweight (compared to other daily trainers)

+

Great value for money

Reasons to avoid

-

Nothing to report

The Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39 is a superb daily trainer for runners who don't mind their shoes looking fly.

Nike perfected the Pegasus formula by doubling the Air Zoom units, adding more React foam and including the Flywire technology for better lockdown. The outsole now has more rubber where needed and less where it's not necessary, reducing the overall weight down a notch.

The Pegasus 39 can be used for any type of running, but it enjoys itself the most at moderate paces; however, joggers will find it equally as comfortable to wear as people who run a bit faster.

Finally, a comfortable Nike trainer without the exorbitant price tag – we concluded in our 5-star Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39 review.

Best Nike running shoes in 2024 for training, racing, trail running and more (3)Best Nike running shoes in 2024 for training, racing, trail running and more (4)

(Image credit: Nike)

2. Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit

Best Nike running shoes for recovery

Specifications

Weight: 323 grams (men's UK 10)

Drop: 9 mm

Reasons to avoid

-

Not the cheapest training shoes

It wouldn't be my first choice for running training, but the Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit has many great features for people who appreciate cushioning and like a bit of extra support when they run. Heck, these shoes might even be an excellent choice for beginner to intermediate runners who prefer a bit of help and don't mind the extra bulk.

The ZoomX foam delivers a premium running experience; it's soft but not unstable and bounces without losing much energy in the process. The 'evolved' Flyknit upper closely follows the foot's contour, and the padded collar and tongue cradle the ankles beautifully.

The Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit might not be the cheapest running trainers, and we're sure the chunkiness of the shoes will put some off, but if you like Nikes and have some money to burn, we'd recommend giving the shoes a try.

Read our full Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit review

Best Nike running shoes in 2024 for training, racing, trail running and more (5)Best Nike running shoes in 2024 for training, racing, trail running and more (6)

(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)

3. Nike Air Zoom Alphafly NEXT% 2

Best Nike running shoes for marathons

Specifications

Weight: 9.48 oz/269 grams (men's US11/UK 10)

Drop: 8 mm drop (heel - 40 mm, forefoot - 32 mm)

Reasons to buy

+

Next level energy return

+

Tweaked midsole feels softer and more responsive

+

Reworked upper provides better lockdown

+

Super lightweight considering the size of the shoes

Reasons to avoid

-

One of the most expensive running shoes on the market

-

Best suited for more experienced runners

-

Less versatile than everyday trainers (best for tempo runs/sprints/long distance racing)

Is the Nike Alphafly 2 better than the Vaporfly NEXT% 2, ASICS METASPEED EDGE+ or the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3? Yes and no. The Nike Alphafly 2 is a superb shoe, but so is the OG Alphafly and even the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly NEXT%. If you’re a fast runner looking for marginal gains, you’ll need the Alphafly 2 to break your PBs. For less speedy runners, there are many alternatives that will help you move forward faster and are also available to buy now for cheaper.

In any case, we'd recommend giving it serious thought whether you need the shoes or not. They are far from being cheap, and spending this much money on shoes that should be used for racing and tempo sessions only (to preserve the foam for when you are in peak performance mode) is a big ask from people who run only recreationally. If you have the money, though, by all means, go for it, and go faster for longer than ever before.

Read our full Nike Air Zoom Alphafly NEXT% 2 review

Best Nike running shoes in 2024 for training, racing, trail running and more (7)Best Nike running shoes in 2024 for training, racing, trail running and more (8)

(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)

4. Nike ZoomX Streakfly

Best Nike running shoes for short distances

Specifications

Weight: 185 grams (men's UK size 10)

Drop: 6 mm

Reasons to buy

+

Pebax plate provides subtle propulsion

+

ZoomX is still one of the best foams out there

+

Less taxing on the legs than carbon shoes

Reasons to avoid

-

You want to use the shoes for tempo training and racing only

-

Admittedly less versatile than 'standard' training shoes

Nike has done it again: the ZoomX Streakfly is a brilliant running shoe that's well-suited for the running distances it is designed for. It's nimble, fast as hell and enables you to run fast without completely obliterating your legs in the process.

You know you'll have to pay for such a privilege, but that said, the ZoomX Streakfly is far from being the most expensive Nike running shoe on the market (check out the Vaporfly's price tag below). It's on par with similar shoes such as the On Cloudflash and the ASICS Metaracer. If you can get hold of a pair of Nike ZoomX Streakflys, we recommend buying them ASAP.

Read our full Nike ZoomX Streakfly review

Best Nike running shoes in 2024 for training, racing, trail running and more (9)Best Nike running shoes in 2024 for training, racing, trail running and more (10)

(Image credit: Matt Kollat)

5. Nike Air Zoom Tempo NEXT%

Best Nike running shoes for fast training and occasional racing

Specifications

Weight: 298 grams (men's UK 10)

Drop: 10 mm

Reasons to buy

+

Mixes two different foams well

+

Great for fast training sessions and racing too

+

Great fit

Reasons to avoid

-

Looks funny

-

Not ideal for slower runs

Nike knows how to make gorgeous shoes, but when it comes to pure performance footwear, they tend to end up looking... peculiar. The Nike Zoom Tempo NEXT% is one of these peculiar-looking Nike running shoes. For us, this is the true testament to Nike's ethos: form should always follow function. No need to make racing shoes that look pretty but underperform when the time comes.

Funnily enough, it's not for racing, or more like it wasn't exclusively designed for racing, unlike its stupidly expensive counterpart, the Nike Air Zoom Alphafly NEXT%. No, the Tempo is ideal for – wait for it – tempo runs, but also racing to some degree. It might not be quite as fast as the Vaporfly or the Alphafly, but at least you get more functionality for your money here since you can use the Tempo at other times than just race days.

Read our full Nike Zoom Tempo NEXT% review

Best Nike running shoes in 2024 for training, racing, trail running and more (11)Best Nike running shoes in 2024 for training, racing, trail running and more (12)

(Image credit: Future)

6. Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 38

Best Nike running shoes for jogging and recreational running

Specifications

Weight: 299 grams (men's UK 10)

Drop: 10 mm

Reasons to buy

+

Roomy toe box

+

Comfortable everyday running trainer

+

React foam is resilient and provides good energy returns

Reasons to avoid

-

Not a lot of updates since the Pegasus 37

-

Less aesthetically pleasing than its predecessor

Running shoe reviewers love harping on about the Vaporfly/Alphafly duo, but the shoes you actually want to get are the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 38.We were a bit harsh with the shoes in our original Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 38 review. However, since then, we have put more miles into the Peg 38, and we're happy to confirm that these shoes are indeed lovely and worthy of your attention.

Better still, now you can find excellent deals on the Pegasus 38, making the shoe more appealing than ever, especially for runners with wide feet. Overall, the updated mesh upper might not be as comfortable as plush shoes from other brands, but we're sure many people will prefer to wear a Nike nevertheless.

Best Nike running shoes in 2024 for training, racing, trail running and more (13)Best Nike running shoes in 2024 for training, racing, trail running and more (14)

(Image credit: Nike)

7. Nike Pegasus Trail 3

Best Nike running shoes for trail runners

Specifications

Weight: 321 grams (men's UK 9)

Drop: 9.5mm (15mm, 24.5mm)

Reasons to buy

+

React foam is resilient and provides great energy return

+

So much style!

+

Can be used as a hybrid shoe for trail/road runs

Reasons to avoid

-

No rock guard

If Nike still sold the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 36 Trail, we'd probably recommend that as the best Nike trail running shoe. Since that's not the case, we must recommend the next best thing: the Nike Pegasus Trail 3. And to be fair, it's not the worst situation as the Pegasus Trail 3 is a brilliant trail running shoe that delivers an extraordinary running experience both on and off-road.

The main appeal of the Pegasus Trail 3 is the same as what made the Pegasus 36 Trail great: it's an excellent hybrid running shoe that feels fine on forest trails, mountain paths and even on the road. You probably shouldn't use it for technical courses or road racing, but anything between these two extremes, the Pegasus Trail 3, will perform just fine.

Another thing that sets the Nike Pegasus Trail 3 apart from the competition is just sexy this shoe looks. Whatever colourway you end up choosing, these shoes won't let you down. My personal favourite is the Total Orange/Wolf Grey/Obsidian/Signal Blue colourway: it has so much personality.

As well as looking good, the shoes also provide ample traction thanks to their "shockwave-like" outsole pattern that mimics mountain-biking tyres. This, combined with the resilient React foam, should give you enough propulsive force to make it through most running sessions you might have in the Nike Pegasus Trail 3.

Which is the best Nike running shoe right now?

The best Nike running shoe overall is the Nike ZoomX Streakfly. It can be used for fast tempo runs and racing, making it a great choice for short running distances.

For jogging, we recommend the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 38. This shoe has a generous toe box, plus the Air Zoom units provide some propulsion so that you won't feel sluggish either.

For pure racing joy, we would still recommend the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly NEXT% (or NEXT% 2). Now that the stock issues have been sorted, you can actually get hold of this fantastic performance shoe that will help you unlock your full potential.

Need some more support? Give the Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit a try. this Nike running trainer provides a plush ride and will make every running session a joyride.

And if you prefer running off the beaten path, you won't find a better option than the Nike Pegasus Trail 3. Blurring the line between trail and road running shoes, the Pegasus Trail 3 can be used for gravel and tarmac sessions and as a bonus, they look pretty acceptable too.

Make sure you check our Nike discount codes to save on your order.

What is Nike's fastest running shoe?

Theoretically, the fastest Nike running shoes right now are the Alphafly 2s; these shoes combine the responsive ZoomX foam with two Zoom Air units at the front. Eliud Kipchoge wore an Alphafly prototype when he broke the 2-hour marathon record in October 2019.

That said, we would argue that the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly NEXT% is still the best choice for most runners who need fast Nike running shoes. The Vaporfly allows for more manoeuvrability than the Alphalfy, thanks to the lack of Air Zoom units. However, these units do a great job of providing better energy returns which will pay off over long distances.

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Running

Best Nike running shoes in 2024 for training, racing, trail running and more (2024)

FAQs

Best Nike running shoes in 2024 for training, racing, trail running and more? ›

Nike Air Zoom Alphafly NEXT%

Best for: Long-distance races. Two Zoom Air pods, ZoomX foam, and a carbon fiber plate provide a cushioning platform that makes it our fastest racing shoe.

What Nike shoes make you run the fastest? ›

Nike Air Zoom Alphafly NEXT%

Best for: Long-distance races. Two Zoom Air pods, ZoomX foam, and a carbon fiber plate provide a cushioning platform that makes it our fastest racing shoe.

Which Nike running shoe has the most cushioning? ›

Among the shoes with the most cushion in this guide is the Nike Invincible 3, which has 40 millimeters of stack height under the heel and a 9-millimeter heel-to-toe drop. Nike's ZoomX foam in the midsole feels bouncy and plush, making this a great shoe for everyday miles for just about any distance.

Do any shoes make you run faster? ›

Additionally, the Nike Vaporfly 4% shoe led to an average of increased stride length of two centimeters, partially due to its higher heel height. Even small changes such as a two-centimeter change in stride length means putting someone more than 200 meters further ahead through the distance of a marathon.

Do certain running shoes make you faster? ›

Well, running shoes can help you run in a faster, more efficient way. No, they aren't magic shoes that make you run faster; they indirectly help you become a better runner. There are many benefits of the right pair of running shoes. These will become apparent once you complete your run.

What is the most comfortable Nike trainer? ›

Vomero 17 emerged as a highly versatile shoe with a premium in-shoe experience thanks to its soft cushioning and breezy upper. It's our most comfortable pick among Nike walking-running shoes in our lab, even offering a supportive ride for a fuss-free experience.

What are the best cushioned running shoes for bad knees? ›

New Balance's Fresh Foam X 1080v12 running shoes are our best overall pick for preventing knee pain because they're supportive, stable, and well-cushioned. We were also pleasantly surprised by how much these shoes helped with plantar fasciitis when we tried them.

What is a trail running shoe? ›

Trail running shoes are specifically designed for running on more aggressive trails with roots, rocks, and uneven terrain. They help runners avoid slipping in the mud or on loose debris with specially designed lugged outsoles, while also offering protection underfoot with a more dense, rigid midsole.

What trainers do marathon runners wear? ›

Best Marathon Running Shoes
  • Best Overall Marathon Shoe: Nike Alphafly 2.
  • Best Overall Marathon Shoe – Runner-Up: Hoka Rocket X 2.
  • Best Marathon Running Shoe for Training and Racing: Saucony Kinvara Pro.
  • Best Marathon Running Shoe for Training and Racing – Runner-Up: New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4.
Feb 22, 2024

Is it OK to run on the road with trail running shoes? ›

Because of the softer rubber, wearing trail-running shoes on the road, where they will regularly pound and rub on hard pavement, can wear the soles out more quickly than if you stick to the softer surface of a trail.

Can you race in trail shoes? ›

At 270g, it hits a sweet spot between cushioning and speed, making it a shoe you can use for all your trail-running purposes, whether training or racing.

Can you use trail running shoes for everyday running? ›

For many trail runners, it's their everyday trail shoe, from a short spin on the roads to an easy run in the local park to a 100-mile race across rugged terrain. For others, it's an excellent daily wear (and occasional run) option for increasing lower leg strength and mobility outside of running.

Do Nike spikes make you faster? ›

Running spikes are ultimately designed to help you run faster on certain, uneven terrain. By providing extra grip to the forefoot you can transfer more force forward, using that stick to push off, improving your stride turnover.

Do Nike spikes make you run faster? ›

The spikes or pins on the bottom of the shoes provide improved traction and stability, allowing athletes to run faster and jump further. This can make a significant difference in races and other events, leading to better times and distances.

What shoes make you 2.5 times faster? ›

The Moonwalkers are motorized shoes that are designed to help you walk around faster and get where you're going in less time. Developed by Shift Robotics, a startup company that was spun out of Carnegie Mellon University, the Moonwalkers claim to be able to increase the average user's walking speed by around 2.5 times.

What is Nike's fastest 5K shoe? ›

Our lightest racing shoe, the Nike Streakfly is all about the speed you need to take on the competition in a mile, 5K or 10K race.

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