what is nikes fastest running shoe

WHAT IS NIKE'S FASTEST RUNNING SHOE?

WHEN WAS NIKE FOUNDED?

The Nike story started in 1964 when Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman created Blue Ribbon Sports with just $1200 in the bank, selling shoes from the back of a van. 

In 1972 Blue Ribbon Sports is reborn as Nike, a last minute decision after Knight's preferred choice of Dimension Six is vetoed.

HOW MANY NIKE STORES ARE THERE?

Fast forward to 1990 and Nike opens its first retail store, Niketown, in Portland, Oregon. There are now more than 1000 stores worldwide. 

HOW MUCH IS NIKE WORTH?

In 2022, Nike celebrates its 50th anniversary. In October, Nike is valued at a staggering $166 billion (around £141 billion). 

ARE NIKE RUNNING SHOES GOOD?

In no particular order, we are going to cover what we think our Nikes fastest running shoe and how to get the best out of them:

  • Nike Alphafly 3
  • Nike Vaporfly 3
  • Nike Zoom Fly 5
  • Nike Invincible
  • Nike Pegasus 41
  • Nike Ultrafly

NIKE ALPHAFLY NEXT% 3

BEST FOR RACE DAY

nike alphafly 3
🇬🇧 £284.99 | BUY NOW FROM NIKE
🇺🇸 $285 | BUY NOW FROM NIKE

The Alphalfy is Nike's most expensive super shoe designed for the marathon but is equally fast at the shorter distances.

These rocket ships propel you to personal bests with a super responsive energy return.

  • PROS: Great all round racing shoe from 5K to Marathon distance.
  • CONS: Expensive.
READ OUR REVIEW

 

NIKE VAPORFLY 3

BEST FOR 5K TO 10K

🇬🇧 £225 | BUY NOW FROM NIKE
🇺🇸 $265 | BUY NOW FROM NIKE

Personally I have always thought this was best suited to 5K and 10K races but the professionals do not seem to think so, as surprisingly is still one of the most used trainers in the marathon.

  • PROS: More aggressive than the Alphafly, you can really feel the spring propulsion
  • CONS: Due to the aggressive nature, some find there calves tighten up and achilles flame up
READ OUR REVIEW

 

NIKE ZOOM FLY 5

BEST FOR BEGINNERS

£154.99 | BUY NOW FROM NIKE

It offers comfort and reliability but with a propulsive sensation that'll help you feel fast and fresh. 

A great training shoe option but equally would be a good entry shoe for racing.

PROS: Super grip. Comfortable

CONS: A little firm

READ OUR REVIEW

 

NIKE INVINCIBLE 3

BEST ALL ROUNDER

nike invincible 3
🇬🇧 £174.99 | BUY NOW FROM NIKE
🇺🇸 $180 | BUY NOW FROM NIKE
The Nike Invincible 3 trainers are designed for runners seeking a plush, comfortable ride with excellent cushioning. These trainers have garnered attention for their innovative construction and performance features, making them a popular choice for both casual joggers and serious runners alike.
READ OUR REVIEW

 

NIKE PEGASUS 41

BEST DAILY TRAINER

nike pegasus 41
£129.95 | BUY NOW FROM NIKE
The Pegasus 41 is the latest release in the Pegasus series. It has been a long-time favourite in the running world for its balance, performance, comfort and durability. I was excited to see that the Pegasus 41 is the first in the Pegasus series to include the full-length ReactX foam midsole and forefoot as well as the infamous heel Air Zoom units. This inclusion is a direct replacement of the React foam and has been included to provide higher energy return.
READ OUR REVIEW

 

NIKE ULTRAFLY

BEST FOR TRAIL

nike ultrafly
£229.95 | BUY NOW FROM NIKE
The Nike Ultrafly is Nike's inaugural trail shoe featuring a carbon plate and Vibram sole. Designed specifically for trail racing, it incorporates the finest speed components from Nike's road running shoes to ensure you secure your victory at the finish line. While some may have expected these shoes to have the same bounce and reactivity as the Vaporfly but with superior grip, they may find themselves a bit let down. Nonetheless, these shoes are still exceptional, although not exactly as one might have imagined.
READ OUR REVIEW

Lastly, we cover some frequently asked questions about Nike running shoes

WHAT IS ZoomX?

ZoomX, made from blown Pebax, is Nike’s most energetic foam and used in shoes like the Vaporfly, Alphafly, and Vomero 16

ARE NIKE RUNNING SHOES TRUE TO SIZE?

I have always found all my Nike running shoes to be true to size and have not needed to size up or down.

WHERE ARE NIKE SHOES MADE?

Almost all Nike shoes are made outside of the United States, with most made in China, Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand. 

WHO DOES NIKE SPONSOR?

Nike sponsors a host of endurance athletes, but is best known for sponsoring Eliud Kipchoge, Jacob Kiplimo and Brigid Kosgei.

WHICH NIKE RUNNING SHOES ARE BANNED OR ILLEGAL?

None of the Nike running shoes are currently banned or illegal for road running races. However IAAF rules ban the use of all super shoes on the track.

QUESTIONS

If you have any questions you would like to ask about Nike running shoes, please ask below in the comments.

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NIKE TRAINER COMPARISONS 

If you found this guide useful, have a look at our other Nike trainer guides:

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