NIKE Women's Vista Lite Walking Shoe

Product Information

With expensive models like the Alphafly and Vaporfly attracting lots of attention, you’d be forgiven for thinking that all Nike running shoes come with eye-watering price tags. 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.

More recent research suggests those benefits may only apply to very fast runners, though. In an independent 2023 study, athletes running in Vaporflys at a 9:40 mile pace saw a running economy boost of less than 1 percent, and some runners actually had worse running economy while wearing the shoes. Nike has developed two standout upper designs for its shoes: Flyknit and AtomKnit. Flyknit, found on shoes like the Vaporfly and Invincible 3, as well as Nike soccer cleats and some basketball shoes, is a woven upper design where yarn is woven tightly in some areas and more loosely in others. 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.

Although it’s arguably been eclipsed by the newer, more feature-rich Alphafly line, the Vaporfly remains the most popular choice for marathoners, including elite runners. As the label on the heel proudly states, it’s the original “super shoe,” and it’s still going strong.

The Peg doesn’t come with Nike’s ultra-bouncy and lightweight ZoomX foam, so you might want a different shoe for speedwork days. But for longer efforts and general training runs, the Pegasus offers a smooth ride with enough springiness to keep you surging forward. The Pegasus Trail 4 Gore-Tex is a road shoe that isn’t afraid of a little dirt. The versatile design features a full-length React foam midsole for a smooth, well-cushioned ride with good energy return. The latest model, the Vaporfly 3, is a top-to-bottom overhaul with all kinds of revisions to make it lighter, boost its energy return, and increase its stability. Like previous versions, the shoe features Nike’s top-tier ZoomX foam and an embedded carbon fiber plate for stiffness and energy return.Battle of The Brands: Best Brooks Running Shoes ● Best Adidas Running Shoes ● Best Mizuno Running Shoes What to Consider When Shopping for Nike Running Shoes From introducing runners to EVA cushioning to placing air-filled cells in its shoes, Nike has created some landmark innovations over the years, and it continues to push the boundaries of running shoe design today. To get you acquainted with Nike’s shoes, we’ll walk you through the most important tech found in the brand’s lineup and explain what those features do. 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 plate helps stiffen the shoe a bit and stabilize your foot as you run. The Pegasus 40 features a redesigned midfoot band that better accommodates varying arch heights, and Nike redesigned the way the layers of the mesh upper fit together and added padding to the ankle collar for a more comfortable fit. The sole features React foam and Zoom Air units at the heel and forefoot for a well-cushioned and responsive ride. In recent years, running shoe brands have moved toward a more “hands-off” approach to support shoes. Rather than putting firm medial posts or plates in the midsole to counter overpronation, modern support shoes opt for less-intrusive ways to build in support, like adding a wider sole or raised footbed edges on the medial side of the shoe.

The forefoot outsole rubber is 2mm thinner, allowing a 2mm increase in forefoot foam for increased cushioning. Nike also scooped out some foam on the sidewall and a channel at the bottom of the shoe to shave off weight. In addition, the medial side of the midsole is shaped to resist compression, which helps the shoe feel less wobbly when cornering.

Flyknit yarn gives the React Infinity 2 more support without sacrificing comfort and flexibility. Nike Cushioning Foams