Are Nike Air Max good for long distance running?

Every model of Nike long distance running shoes on this list is engineered to accommodate various running styles, training or racing conditions, and budget.

The perfect pair of shoes for an experienced marathoner will be different from a runner who is training for her first 21K race. Whether you are former or the other, it is best to consider several key factors and decide which specific features are more important for you.

We’ve handpicked 100+ Nike shoes designed for high-mileage sessions to help you narrow down your options. If you have a specific preference in mind when it comes to overall fit and performance, check out our top picks in a variety of categories.

Table of contents

Overview

How we test running shoes

You don’t have to personally review over a hundred Nike running shoes available out there. You may, of course, do that if you have the time to read thousands of reviews on the web. At RunRepeat, we simplify everything for you to give you a quick browsing experience of the best Nike shoe for your next 21K or 50K race.

Our entire process to come up with our best selections involves:

• Purchasing all the shoes with our own money to avoid bias and brand loyalty
• Running 30 to 50 miles on average in each model both on the road and on trails
• Cutting the shoes into their essential parts to get a much closer look
• Measuring over 30 parameters that contribute to the shoe’s overall performance
• Gathering feedback from experts, long-distance runners, and regular users
• Summarizing all comparable data we’ve gathered for your reading convenience

To complete the whole process, we use our proprietary CoreScore system that reflects all the information above. Each model of Nike shoes is assigned a final score that ranges from 0 to 100.

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Best Nike long distance running shoes overall

Nike ZoomX Vaporfly NEXT% 2

Men

Size

Any color Color

Sportitude

Free shipping

A$430A$310

See deal  

Running Warehouse

No stock  

The Athlete's Foot

No stock  

eBay

A$430A$260

See deal  

Verdict

The Nike ZoomX Vaporfly NEXT% 2 is probably one of the fastest shoes on the market, but it has some problems that the majority of runners agree with. It’s unstable, a bit too narrow still, looks ridiculous, and hits the pocketbook hard. If your job is to run fast, or you’re a sponsored athlete I think these shoes may be the tool to help you win, but for the average joe who wants to drop two minutes off their 5K time, it may be too much tech in a shoe designed for the 1% club.

Best Nike road long distance running shoes

Nike ZoomX Invincible Run

Men

Size

Any color Color

eBay

A$340A$189

See deal  

Running Warehouse

No stock  

The Athlete's Foot

No stock  

Verdict

Now, this is what we call FUN! The Nike ZoomX Invincible Run literally made us feel like each step was made of springs. It's NOT going to pace you, but it will make your runs lively and effortless! If you want a premium daily trainer that's going to work best on long, easy days on the road, we tell you, this is THE best of its kind.

Best Nike trail long distance running shoes

Nike Pegasus Trail 2 GTX

Unisex

Size

Any color Color

eBay

A$300A$158

See deal  

Running Warehouse

No stock  

The Athlete's Foot

No stock  

Verdict

The Nike Pegasus Trail 2 GTX is a trail shoe that REALLY impressed us. It kept our feet dry all throughout the wet conditions we ran! It's made for training runs so don't expect anything fast. Instead, expect a superbly bouncy and comfortable shoe that will mute out all the rocks and roots underfoot. Even better, in areas of grip and durability, this shoe will wow you!

Best Nike neutral long distance running shoes

Nike Pegasus Trail 3

Men

Size

Any color Color

ASOS

Free shipping & returns

A$250A$230

See deal  

Running Warehouse

No stock  

The Athlete's Foot

No stock  

eBay

A$250A$164

See deal  

Verdict

The Pegasus road series just holds a special place in many runners' hearts (feet?), and now it is ready for some trail action too. The Nike Pegasus Trail 3 has won many people over with its uber-plush landings as well as the cloud-like comfort and stability. As long as you stay away from slick surfaces, it is an excellent option.

Best value Nike long distance running shoes

Nike React Pegasus Trail 4

Men

Size

Any color Color

Sportitude

Free shipping

A$270A$190

See deal  

The Athlete's Foot

Free shipping

A$270A$190

See deal  

ASOS

Free shipping & returns

A$270A$230

See deal  

Running Warehouse

No stock  

Verdict

The React Pegasus Trail 4 is one of the top road-to-trail options from Nike. Cushiony and responsive on the roads yet grippy and stable on the trails, the shoe makes a perfect hybrid. It also remains surprisingly light given all the features packed into it. Experienced runners are happy that it feels a lot like the original Pegasus Trail 36 but with an enhanced grip.

Most popular Nike long distance running shoes

Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 38

Men

Size

Any color Color

The Athlete's Foot

Free shipping

A$230A$140

See deal  

Running Warehouse

No stock  

eBay

A$230A$139

See deal  

Verdict

If there's one thing that can't be taken away from the Pegasus 38, it's that it's the GOAT of all workhorse shoes on the market! It oozes plushness, stability, and pop. It can do slow days, tempo sessions, and even gym workouts. If you want a fun ride, take the Pegasus 38!

Author

Jens Jakob Andersen

Jens Jakob is a fan of short distances with a 5K PR at 15:58 minutes. Based on 35 million race results, he's among the fastest 0.2% runners. Jens Jakob previously owned a running store, when he was also a competitive runner. His work is regularly featured in The New York Times, Washington Post, BBC and the likes as well as peer-reviewed journals. Finally, he has been a guest on +30 podcasts on running.

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