The upper incorporates a Gore-Tex membrane to ward off light rain and splashes, and a soft, stretchy fabric at the ankle blocks dirt and debris. In addition, the medial side of the midsole is shaped to resist compression, which helps the shoe feel less wobbly when cornering. The loose weave allows the shoe to flex with your foot for greater comfort, while the tight weave provides support in key areas where you need it.

If you like a versatile, cushioned shoe that doesn’t weigh you down and feels peppy enough for faster paces, you should be looking at Nike. In recent years, running shoe brands have moved toward a more “hands-off” approach to support shoes. But it doesn’t have to be a trainer: With its premium cushioning and carbon fiber plate, it makes a solid value-oriented pick for longer races as well. The current model, the Alphafly 2, features thinner outsole rubber and more ZoomX foam at the forefoot.

Though it’s now a dominant presence in the world of sports, Nike comes from humble beginnings rooted in running: It all started with University of Oregon runner Phil Knight selling imported shoes from the back of his car. While it won’t have the same bouncy ride as Nike shoes with React or ZoomX cushioning foams, the Winflo is an approachable, highly versatile shoe. The Pegasus line has been around for decades, and it’s a workhorse training shoe that offers some of the brand’s best tech. Kipchoge used his Alphaflys to set the current official marathon record—2:01:09—in 2022, and he also wore them while winning his second Olympic marathon gold medal.

In my testing, the Peg Trail 4 provided lockdown grip on the dirt, didn’t create lug feedback on pavement, and kept my feet dry and warm, too. The rocker sole encourages smooth transitions from touchdown to toe-off so you can roll through your stride efficiently. The Vaporfly totally upended the basic tenets of that design with its tall stack height and hefty layer of light-but-bouncy foam cushioning. It’s held up through countless hikes and trail runs, and I especially appreciate the springy feel of the React foam and the outsole’s lockdown traction.While it isn’t quite as minimalist as an old-school racing flat, it’s Nike’s lightest racing shoe, and it’s designed to propel you through shorter races up to a 10K. The latest version, Winflo 10, sports a few notable tweaks, including a wider toe box, with added padding on the tongue and around the collar for a more accommodating and comfortable fit.

That isn’t the case, though: The Winflo is a notable bargain in the brand's running lineup, and a capable performer for everyday running. But for longer efforts and general training runs, the Pegasus offers a smooth ride with enough springiness to keep you surging forward.The relatively thin midsole is made of a full-length layer of ZoomX foam for a plush-yet-springy ride, and instead of a carbon fiber plate, Nike embedded a short PEBA plate at midfoot.

The Nike Invincible 3 is perfectly plush, making it great for long runs—or runs of any distance, if you want a soft, bouncy ride. To select them, I reviewed the Nike shoe lineup and talked with a brand representative to learn about its latest shoes. The Wildhorse is a capable all-terrain trail shoe that serves up reliable traction and a cushioned ride. On the upper, the Flyknit material is constructed with breathability zones in high-heat areas to keep your feet cool, and compared to Nike’s race-oriented models, it features a beefier design that’s more durable, so it can withstand high-mileage training routines.These include cookies that allow you to be remembered as you explore the site within a single session or, if you request, from session to session. Nike’s top running shoes, including the Vaporfly and Alphafly, feature carbon fiber plates embedded within their midsoles. The midsole contains the winning combo of propulsive ZoomX foam and an embedded carbon fiber plate: Together, they create a snappy feel underfoot that helps you push the pace.