The flat neoprene “tongue” of this shoe is thin but soft and comfortable, and extends down to wrap the entire midfoot like a booty, similar in style to Epic’s knit tongue/bootie/sleeve yet more protective of the upper foot. The Odyssey React Shield has the same kind of full heel cup that the first version of the Epic React has. It also has several reflective details on the upper of this shoe, since Nike expects you to wear this shoe during different weather conditions and when you might be running in the dark. As an all-around trainer, the newer Odyssey version wins hands down. The stability offered is similar, with the Odyssey 2 slightly more stable (which I did not find all that stable in the first place). The Odyssey React feels more like a neutral shoe. They are clearly proud of that at Nike because they even printed it on a label and put that on the heel counter. That said, it’s NOT YOUR TYPICAL STABILITY SHOE, which means that it’ll meet the needs of some while making others question my sanity, with the high ranking.

Sometimes I have to retie the laces once or twice to keep them from digging through the thin tongue, but once the tension is just right, it’s smooth sailing on Odyssey through the odyssey that is every training week and long run. I don’t think the Odyssey React Shield 2 was ever marketed to be a long-run or speed work shoe, but they don’t perform as such. I think the cushion is plenty for daily running, but anything entering double-digit mileage in a single run would lead to some aching feet. And if I pull them tightly the remainder of the laces are a bit too long. It also makes it impossible to lace them any other way, which seems to be a trend in running shoes lately, because I’ve got several pairs that have that same problem. There are no extra eyelets you can use and if you wanted to put other laces in, you’d have to cut the toggle system. Structure is a more stable shoe all around, but it’s heavier, the foam slightly more firm, and the heel a bit more loose. BUT, the Lunarlon foam compresses so fast that any shoe with React has an advantage toward longevity. What is Nike React foam similar to? Really it feels the most like their Lunarlon and kinda like an adidas Boost layer.The upper is made out of two smooth materials, one that makes up most of the midfoot of the upper and another a bit more stretchy material that makes up the toe box, tongue and heel counter of this shoe. It is not a one-piece upper, like the Epic React, but it has a semi-detached tongue. But that wasn’t enough, it is also printed on the insole. And it also says water repellent on the tongue of the shoe. However, to find out what G.90 means wasn’t so easy. Since I was used to the flyknit fabric of the Nike Epic React 2, it took me a while to get used to the Shield upper of the Odyssey React Shield.

Testers who have worn both do not feel a difference in the sole units between the two shoes beyond perhaps a touch more of a firm toe-off from Odyssey’s rubber-patched sending zone. Both shoes contain a full-length React midsole, which is my favorite foam from Nike. It fits slightly small and narrow, so definitely consider going up a half size. The upper is what makes this shoe special and what sets it apart from the other shoes in the Nike React line. It is a water repellent upper with a G.90 rating.

Personally, I liked the Nike React foam, but I didn’t have a pair of water repellent running shoes yet. So, when I found a pair of Nike Odyssey React Shield on sale, I couldn’t resist. I like it on the run, can get uncomfortable during casual use; I’m guessing a flat arch well not prefer this shoe.