Nike Infinity Run 4 Gore-Tex Review: A Heavy but Comfortable Winter Workhorse

Introduction

The Nike Infinity Run 4 Gore-Tex is the winterized take on the Infinity Run 4, adding a waterproof Gore-Tex upper to a shoe already built around stability and comfort. It is also one of the heaviest road shoes around, which raises an obvious question: is the protection worth the bulk?

What the Nike Infinity Run 4 Gore-Tex Is

The shoe costs £174.95 or $180, weighs 382 g (13.5 oz) for men in a UK size 8, and has an 8 mm drop. The Gore-Tex version takes the latest Infinity Run 4 and adds a new upper designed to protect the feet from rain and other moisture.

Underneath, it shares the ReactX midsole foam of the standard Infinity Run 4, a foam that adds bounce compared to earlier versions and lowers the material’s carbon footprint. There is a roomy toe box for comfort, a curved outsole to promote a rocker experience when running, and a storm tread outsole for grip and added protection for the midsole. Plenty of cushioning surrounds the ankle collar, pull tabs sit on both the heel and tongue, and the toe box gets a reinforced water-repellent layer.

Fit and Sizing

The fit is very comfortable and very roomy. The forefoot is extremely wide, with extra space at the sides of the foot and just before the toe. Runners with average-sized feet will not notice it, but if you have narrow feet you may really notice that space.

In a UK size 8 (US size 9), sticking to your usual UK size is the sensible move. Even with extra room at the front, the shoe stayed comfortable throughout the first run, with no issues at all.

Ride and Midsole Feel

Here is the honest headline: this is a very heavy shoe. At around 380 g in a UK size 8, it feels substantial straight out of the box. The good news is that it does not feel as heavy while running as it does in the hand. Over a 10K, it felt comfortable and not particularly clunky, though longer distances would likely make that weight more noticeable.

The rocker design helps, nudging you forward a little and adding some smoothness to the transition, though not dramatically. The ReactX midsole is dense rather than squishy, with a slight softness compared to the Infinity Run 3 and a comfortable, stable feeling underfoot. What it does not offer is bounce or responsiveness. You get comfort and security, but nothing back from the foam, so this is firmly an easy-pace shoe.

Stability and Handling

This is where the shoe shines. It feels like a workhorse tank: wide toe box, wide platform on the bottom, and a foot that stays firmly held in place. It almost offers the benefits of a stability shoe without actually having stability elements, which suits runners who want a big, supportive base under them.

Maintaining a consistent easy pace, around 5:20 per kilometre, felt completely comfortable. Picking up the pace for a couple of kilometres did not work at all; the shoe is simply too heavy and not designed for faster running. That is fine, as long as you know what you are buying.

Waterproofing and Grip

The outsole is very good. On gravel, muddy paths, and gentle inclines and declines, it felt sturdy and sure-footed with no slipping, and it looks solidly durable. The tread is not particularly luggy, but it handles light trails well.

The Gore-Tex upper is comfortable with generous padding inside. With no rain on test day, the waterproofing was checked by pouring water over the shoe mid-run, and nothing came through, including through the small pockets near the laces. One practical caveat: in heavy, sustained rain, water gets in over the top of the ankle collar anyway, especially if you run in shorts. This shoe is best suited to light rain, dewy grass, and wet paths rather than downpours.

Who Should Buy It

If you want a comfortable, supportive, stable shoe purely for ticking off easy miles in wet conditions, this could work well. It maintains a consistent pace comfortably and feels like it will last. Lighter runners around 70 kg may find the dense midsole underwhelming; heavier runners may get more out of the ReactX foam.

But be realistic about the trade-offs. It is expensive at around £175 in the UK, other shoes cushion better, and it offers no performance benefits for faster running. If you do not need waterproofing or that level of stability, there are lighter or livelier options.

Conclusion

The Nike Infinity Run 4 Gore-Tex is a surprisingly enjoyable wear despite being one of the heaviest shoes in its class. It is comfortable, stable, grippy, and genuinely waterproof for light conditions, but it is strictly an easy-mile workhorse rather than a versatile trainer. Buy it if winter protection and foot security top your list; look elsewhere if you want bounce, speed, or versatility.