Nike Running Shoes Ranked: 11 Models Rated From Worst to Best

Introduction

Nike’s running shoe lineup is broad, and the gap between its best and worst models is wider than most brands. This ranking covers eleven currently available Nike running shoes, graded from worst to best based on real testing: ride quality, fit, grip, weight, durability and overall value. Some of these are genuinely excellent; others are best left on the shelf.

Evaluation Criteria

Each shoe was judged on how it feels underfoot, whether the upper locks the foot down properly, how the outsole copes with wet and dry surfaces, and whether the shoe justifies its place in the range. Daily trainers, tempo shoes and trail models were all considered against what they promise rather than against each other, so a budget trainer and a premium racer can sit at similar grades if both do their job well.

The Bottom of the Pile

The Terra Kiger 8 takes the lowest grade here. It arrived feeling unfinished, with missing eyelet holes and an unstable feel underfoot. The larger air unit in the forefoot is unsettling on trails, particularly for taller runners with a higher center of gravity, and the odd lockdown over the top of the foot makes matters worse. Despite changes to the outsole setup, it struggles in wet forest conditions and has grown heavier iteration after iteration.

Next up is the ZoomX Zegama, a trail shoe that showed plenty of promise but failed to deliver. The outsole is next to useless in wet conditions, with plenty of exposed midsole that makes it act like a slide. It is really only suited to dusty gravel or bone-dry mud. The integrated gaiter meant to keep debris out does not work well either, and the ZoomX core feels nowhere near as lively as expected. A real missed opportunity.

The Pegasus Turbo Next Nature also lands near the bottom. Unlike the well-loved Turbo 2, it is firm, overly rigid and poorly locked down in the wrong places, and it slips on wet surfaces. The crushed-up ZoomX scrap in the midsole seems to offer no real benefit, and the ride was noticeably uneven between the two shoes of the pair. It feels more like a lifestyle casual model than the responsive speedster it replaced.

The Also-Rans

The Zoom Fly 5 earns a below-satisfactory grade. It is heavy, rigid and has a strange, canvas-like upper. The ZoomX in the midsole is a shadow of what it should be, and the carbon plate is essentially unnoticeable. For lighter runners it is unforgiving, and there are plenty of better and cheaper options elsewhere.

View more details for Nike Zoom Fly 5

The Streakfly is a step up: light, nimble and genuinely fun for short-range speed work. It feels something like a ZoomX-lite, though it never delivers the propulsive race feel many expected for 5K and shorter distances. The upper runs a little long, so consider going down a half size, and the toe box is not very roomy. A common weak point is the exposed ZoomX area that many runners have torn into and damaged.

The Reliable Middle Ground

The Rival Fly 3 is a budget-friendly shoe that does many things well. Cushlon in the midsole recalls the feel of earlier Pegasus models, the upper keeps weight to a minimum, and grip is genuinely good. It works for both training and the occasional race, and at its price it is hard to argue with.

The Vomero 16 is one of the range’s unsung heroes. When Nike gets the foam combination right, they really nail it: proper ZoomX as a core, caged by a firmer compound around it. The very padded upper feels like slipping your foot into a cushion, it is great for distance while still beating the Zoom Fly 5 for speed and comfort, and the outsole is capable on all kinds of surfaces, including light trails.

The Strong Contenders

The Alphafly 2 is one of Nike’s most expensive running shoes, and while it has been worn for the fastest marathon ever recorded, it may not be what everyone expected from the second version. For mortals, it presents a fantastic marathon option, with even more cushioning and improved stability, but for anything shorter it is pure overkill. Faster reps feel slightly clunky compared to the original, and the outsole showed degradation before even 100 miles.

The Pegasus 39 is the solid daily trainer every brand should have in the lineup, and Nike nailed it this time. The dual air units in the heel and forefoot work well, the outsole grip is fantastic, and the profile is clean and simple. Think of it as a slightly heavier, slightly higher-stacked, more battle-ready take on the Rival Fly 3, better suited to longer distances. It is the running shoe for almost all runners.

The Tempo Next% has now been in the lineup for over two years without an update, and perhaps that is because it simply works. It offers a superb balance of stability and propulsive feel with a smattering of Nike’s best tech, and it is far more durable than the Alphafly 2. The main downside is the premium price it still commands years after release.

The Top Tier

Best Max Cushion: Nike Invincible Run Flyknit 2 takes the highest grade here. The improved upper genuinely made a difference, eliminating the toe blisters of the first version. The huge, compressive ZoomX midsole delivers ridiculous cushioning that is great for recovery runs, easy efforts and long miles, and it is durable too, aside from a vulnerable heel area to watch around metal staircases. Epic waffle-pattern grip and a quirky look round it out. It is one of the more spot-on models Nike has released in years.

View more details for Nike Invincible Run Flyknit 2

Buying Advice

If you want a do-everything daily trainer, the Pegasus 39 is the safest bet. If maximum cushioning is the priority, the Invincible Run Flyknit 2 is the standout. Marathon racers should look at the Alphafly 2 with the price in mind, while the Tempo Next% remains a superb, durable alternative. Budget runners get remarkable value from the Rival Fly 3. Avoid the Terra Kiger 8 and ZoomX Zegama unless you ride exclusively in bone-dry trail conditions, and expect the Zoom Fly 5 to feel rigid and heavy.

Conclusion

Nike’s 2022 lineup rewards careful shopping. The Invincible Run Flyknit 2 and Tempo Next% sit at the top for good reason, the Pegasus 39 and Vomero 16 are dependable all-rounders, and the trail options are the weak link of the range. Match the shoe to your actual use case and most of these models have a clear, honest purpose.