Nike ZoomX Invincible 2 Review: Still the Plush Easy-Run King

Introduction

The Nike ZoomX Invincible 2 costs the same as the original Invincible: £164.95 in the UK or $180 in the US. It weighs 303 grams (10.7 ounces) in a UK size nine, and while Nike has not published official stack specs, the drop appears to be the same nine millimetres as the first version.

Not a huge amount has changed, and that is largely the point. There is slightly more foam in the midsole, with extra foam in the forefoot that widens the platform a little. A plastic heel clip around the back adds a touch of stability to what is a very high stack of very soft foam, and the Flyknit upper is a little more ventilated than before with less excess padding around the heel. The laces have changed too, but the waffle rubber outsole carries over exactly.

Who This Shoe Is For

This is designed to be a go-to steady everyday running shoe. The cushioning is Nike’s ZoomX foam, the same material used in its racing shoes, but there is no plate here. The idea is a very soft, cushioned and bouncy ride for easy training rather than racing.

Nike originally marketed the first version heavily as a marathon training and injury-prevention shoe. That messaging has been dialed back this time around, which is fair, because the shoe works for more people than that. A beginner could do most of their sessions in it, and testers found it even handles tempo runs acceptably thanks to the responsive foam, even though it is not designed for the track or fast speed work.

For experienced runners with a rotation, it slots in naturally as the easy-day shoe for logging base miles. For newer runners, there is enough bounce here that it can plausibly serve as an only shoe, which is unusual for a max-cushion trainer.

Main Strengths

The ride is the headline. Over roughly 50k in the Invincible 2 and around 120k in the original, the shoe delivered a uniquely soft and bouncy feel that very little else on the market matches. Easy runs are genuinely a joy, and it is the kind of shoe you want to pull on for a relaxed run, often finishing wanting to go a little further than planned.

During a marathon training block with high mileage and a 15-mile long run, it saved the legs nicely and made easy runs during heavy weeks more enticing. It is also stable for a shoe this tall on smooth ground: the widened forefoot foam and heel clip do their job, and one tester who pronates slightly when tired found the rubber heel ring helped keep things in check. Nike markets it as a mild stability shoe.

The fit is comfortable and true to size for most testers. There is plenty of room in a really wide toe box, good padding around the heel, a nicely padded tongue, and laces that stay put. The new Flyknit upper is slightly thicker in its weave but still breathable, with no overheating reported and no rubbing or digging in.

It is versatile enough within its lane: roads and treadmill both work well, the midsole ride stays consistent from short to long, and the upper has held up through miles and miles of testing with no real wear issues.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The outsole is the main complaint, and frustratingly it has not changed. Several testers found it slippery, with incidents of slipping forward when stepping up onto wet pavements. Given that the shoe line was originally marketed around injury prevention, that is a legitimate concern. On genuinely wet days, this may not be the shoe to reach for. The outsole is also not the most durable, though testers covered serious mileage before visible wear appeared, so do not let that alone put you off.

The toe box runs spacious. One tester in a UK size eight found it a little too roomy up front and would go half a size down, while others found it true to size with a secure hold around the heel and midfoot. If you like a snug forefoot, consider trying a half size down.

On uneven ground, the big soft stack can introduce a bit of wobble. On the road it has been trouble-free for neutral runners, but off-road easy running is not this shoe’s strength. It is also heavy, and the look itself is bulky out of the box, even if comfort quickly makes you stop caring.

Finally, there is the price. At £164.95 or $180 for an easy-day shoe, this is expensive, and it is a lot of money for a shoe built almost purely for long and easy runs.

Buying Advice

If you want an alternative in the max-cushion category, the Brooks Glycerin 20 is the other standout option, with a firmer foam that gives a little more control, which may appeal if stability concerns you. The Saucony Triumph 19 also remains a strong plush choice for going easy and long, and some testers find it more true to size. The Puma Velocity Nitro has an excellent upper but a slightly less plush midsole due to firmer elements, and cheaper options around the £100 mark like the Puma Velocity Nitro or Nike Pegasus are more versatile for the money.

If you are not wedded to having the newest version, here is the practical takeaway: the Invincible 2 is very, very similar to the original. The differences are mostly the upper and the laces. Because the new version is out, the first Invincible is likely to be discounted, and finding it closer to £100 gets you a genuinely fantastic shoe at a much friendlier price. For the money saved, some runners would rather put the difference toward a carbon-plated racing shoe.

If price is no obstacle and you simply want the plushest, most fun easy-day experience available, the Invincible 2 earns its place. As one tester put it, sinking into this shoe out of the box is a level of plushness they have not experienced in any other running shoe, including the Hoka Bondi they previously used for long runs.

Conclusion

The Nike ZoomX Invincible 2 is a brilliant running shoe with almost no meaningful changes from the original, which is good news for anyone who already loves the first one. The soft and bouncy ZoomX ride remains in a class of its own for easy runs, the upper is comfortable and breathable, and the shoe holds up well across high-mileage training. The slippery outsole and spacious toe box are real gripes, and the price is steep, but as a pure comfort machine for steady miles it is hard to beat. If you can find the original on sale, take the deal. Otherwise, this remains one of the top picks in the max-cushion easy-trainer category.