Best Nike Running Shoes 2023

Nike makes some of the most versatile and dominant running shoes on the planet.

From the groundbreaking carbon-fiber plated running shoes that launched a new generation of speed to the consistent everyday training shoes runners have relied on for decades, we picked out the best Nike running shoes for every situation you’ll find yourself in.

These are the best Nike running shoes for every occasion:

[This article is part of the Fleet Feet Buyer's Guide for The Best Running Shoes 2023. Find all the best running shoes from the top brands for all situations.]

Ready for every run and any workout, few shoes offer versatility and reliability like the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 40.

This trusted workhorse is a neutral running shoe that uses a full-length React foam midsole for an energetic and bouncy ride. Then, two Zoom Air units in the forefoot and heel add some extra pop to your run.

Compared to the Pegasus 39, the Pegasus 40 sports a brand-new upper that wraps around your midfoot for a more secure fit. One thing hasn’t changed, however—the Peg is still one of the best Nike running shoes of all time.

With a speedy look and nimble ride, the updated Nike Pegasus 40 is the perfect tool for easy miles after work or fast days on the track.

Break the tape crossing the finish line and set personal records with the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next%. Perfect for racing half-marathons or marathons, this shoe is incredibly lightweight and made to help you race your best. It uses Nike’s innovative ZoomX foam to give you amazing energy return, cushion and spring from start to finish.

The full-length carbon fiber plate gives you a smooth and responsive ride so you can pick up the pace for your final kick. The flyknit upper is lightweight and breathable, conforming to your foot for a secure fit. Designed to perform, crush your next race in the Nike VaporFly Next%2.

You asked and Nike delivered. The Nike ZoomX Streakfly is the perfect racing shoe for 5K and 10K distances. It uses Nike’s signature ZoomX foam that is lightweight, cushioned and provides amazing energy return. Plus, it has a midfoot shank for stability so you can run through twists and turns with ease.

The lightweight and breathable upper will have you ready to race. It has offset lacing for a secure fit to prevent your foot from sliding as you sprint towards the finish line. Breakaway from the pack in the Nike ZoomX Streakfly.

Nike’s best trail running shoe takes the brand’s innovative technology off-road in the Air Zoom Terra Kiger 7.

Ready for any trail, the Terra Kiger 7 has great ground feel and traction from the forefoot to the heel. Multidirectional rubber lugs on the outsole give you the right grip whether you're climbing up or down your favorite trail while a rock plate between your foot and the ground protects your feet from jagged rocks and hard landings.

To keep you comfortable for long adventures on the trail, designers used Nike’s React foam for a soft and smooth underfoot feel and added a Zoom Air unit under the forefoot for better responsiveness and feedback on uneven terrain.

When you lace up this Nike trail running shoe, a lightweight mesh upper hugs and supports the foot as you run on rocky trails.

If you’re a fan of shoes like the Nike Pegasus or React models, the Nike Air Zoom Terra Kiger 7 is the perfect trail running shoe for you.

Nike’s new ReactX midsole gives the Infinity Run 4 a supremely cushioned feel underfoot and 13% more energy return than its predecessor.

Designers carved the midsole into a rocker shape to help smooth out transitions for an effortless stride, while a wide base gives runners who overpronate or have flexible arches some extra stability. The Flyknit upper is breathable and provides extra support and security with a locked-down fit throughout the midfoot. Plus, Nike widened the toe box to accommodate more footshapes.

The Nike Metcon 7 is the perfect shoe for weightlifting, CrossFit, HIIT classes and more. Nike’s React foam gives you an extra bounce and pop when you are doing burpees, while the wide and flat base is stable for lifting weights.

A new rubber outsole provides traction for side to side movement, and the rubber wraps up the medial side, so you have grip if you are doing rope climbs. The lightweight mesh upper is breathable and has integrated Flywire cables that keep your midfoot locked down.

The Nike Zoom Fly is made for propulsive speed. It has Nike’s ZoomX foam combined with a carbon fiber plate to give you a smooth, responsive stride. The ZoomX foam is both lightweight and propulsive.

The upper of the Zoom Fly 5 has a sock-like fit with a lightweight mesh for flexible and breathable performance, and Nike FlyKnit around the collar to make the shoe easier to put on and take off. This shoe has the propulsive feel of a racing shoe with the durability and comfort of a training shoe, making it perfect for speedwork.

Nike upgraded the foam to ZoomX in the Nike Vomero 16 to give you a softer underfoot experience. This lightweight foam gives you high energy return throughout your run, and Zoom Air cushioning pods in the forefoot deliver a snappy feel as you toe-off.

The upper of the Vomero is comfortable the moment you step in. A new band at the midfoot gives you a secure while extra ventilation in key hot spots keep your feet cool on the run.

How We Chose the Best Nike Running Shoes

We used data from our fit id® outfitting process, interviews with designers and real-life wear testing to determine the best Nike running shoes for most runs and the most runners.

You can shop with confidence at Fleet Feet: We offer free shipping and returns on all running shoes, and you have 60 days to return any gear if you don’t like the way it looks, fits or feels. Plus, with our price-match guarantee, you can make sure you never pay too much for a new pair of running shoes.

Best Running Shoe Brands

Nike makes some of the best running shoes in the business, but there are plenty of excellent shoes from other brands. See the best running shoe brands 2022 for more great shoes.