Nike Infinity Run 4 GTX Review: A Waterproof Shoe That Walks Better Than It Runs

Introduction

The Nike Infinity Run 4 GTX takes the latest Infinity Run 4 and adds a waterproof upper to protect your feet from moisture. It shares the same ReactX midsole foam as the standard version, a foam that adds bounce while lowering the carbon footprint of the material by at least 43 percent.

This is a hulking shoe. It weighs 382g (13.5oz) for men in a size 8, has an 8mm drop, and costs £74.95 or $180. After around 50km of testing, largely at easy efforts, the picture that emerges is of a shoe that is far better suited to walking, gym work and tricky conditions than to genuine running.

Fit and Comfort

Stick to your normal size here. The fit is very roomy, with generous space around the midfoot and forefoot. Runners with narrow feet will notice the extra volume, though the lacing system makes it easy to get a secure lockdown. There is plenty of cushioning around the ankle collar, pull tabs on both the heel and tongue, and a reinforced water-repellent layer in the toe box.

Running Performance

This is one of the heaviest shoes tested, and the GTX upper has not changed that much because the shoe was already heavy before the waterproofing was added. The ReactX midsole is thick, stable and hardwearing, but it has no real life in it. There is no propulsion, and it is not possible to run fast in this shoe.

At easy paces it is okay. There is a smooth motion to it, and it is fine for ticking off a 5k or using the treadmill at the gym. It is far too heavy for long distances, sessions, or any kind of performance running. Against other running shoes it simply does not deliver the weight, responsiveness or speed that a road runner wants.

Grip and the Storm Tread Outsole

The storm tread wet-traction rubber outsole looks almost semi-trail at first glance. It is not a full trail shoe, the lugs are not massive, but it is clearly designed for wet traction on trickier surfaces. Running in the rain, it feels very stable and keeps your feet planted.

This is where the shoe comes into its own: wet paths, public footpaths, canal paths and rural roads that are not as smooth or well drained as urban surfaces. As a workhorse for those conditions, it does a very good job.

Who This Shoe Is For

If you are looking for a shoe that keeps your feet dry and handles slippy surfaces while you walk, this is a genuinely great option. It is comfortable, heavily padded, spacious and stylish enough to work as an everyday shoe. It also doubles as an excellent stable gym shoe for weightlifting and general fitness, in the same way the earlier Infinity models did.

As a running shoe, it is harder to place. It is at best a general running shoe for short 5k efforts, treadmill work or light running in tricky conditions, with no performance benefits for speed or distance work.

Verdict

The Infinity Run 4 GTX is best understood as a solid, waterproof walking and general fitness shoe rather than a serious running shoe. The GTX upper does a fantastic job of keeping feet dry in light showers and intermittent rain, water beads nicely on the surface, and the outsole handles wet terrain confidently. It would not keep feet completely dry in sustained heavy rain with water dripping down the legs, but for everyday wet weather it is very impressive.

For walkers and gym users who want one comfortable, stable, weatherproof shoe, it is easy to recommend. For the price, however, runners looking for a genuine road running shoe will find better options elsewhere, since the weight and bulk undermine it as anything more than a casual running option.

Conclusion

Buy the Nike Infinity Run 4 GTX if your priority is a comfortable, waterproof, stable shoe for walking, the gym and occasional short, easy runs in poor conditions. Skip it if you want a proper running shoe, because the weight, bulk and firm, lifeless midsole mean it cannot compete on performance.