Haven't run consistently in 10 years. these new nike react trainers look crazy!

There's no simple answer. Lots of people love Nike. Lots of people hate Nike. Lots of people get paid to wear Nike. Lots of people would gladly pay $300 for a pair of Nikes.

For me, I think they have an absolutely gigantic product range, which includes everything from cheap department store beaters, to high end elite professional level performance products. There's a lot to choose from, so most people could find something they like (assuming they can get over personal bias, but some people can't.)

For my money, I think they make some of my favorite running shoes. The Pegasus is always solid. The Vaporfly/% family of shoes are cutting edge in terms of performance and technology. And actually for me, their best shoe is the Epic React, which works just as well for a casual shoe. It's just straight up comfy to run in and blast through long miles. Light enough, easy fitting upper, midsole with a nice blend of cushion and pep, and a smooth transition. Very good shoe, that's largely underrated by runners due to the casual nature of the shoe.

Also I think their trail shoes, although not the most technical out there, are very user friendly and comfy as well.

They make a lot of trash too. Joyrides were a failed experiment, any Jordan shoe labeled as a running shoe is more fashion than function, same with Air Max, and the Free series went off the rails, etc.

So now, because I like Nike, someone will call me a shill and accuse me of being a Nike plant sent here to advertise, then someone will bring up cheaterflys, then someone will call Nike evil and bring up sweatshops and ignore that their favorite brand uses cheap Asian labor too, and then someone will bring up Colin Kaepernick, and then it'll get political, and so on and so forth.

They have a large portfolio but most of it has a ridiculously high drop. I don't need a zero drop shoe, but their only choice for something less than 8mm is the Streak LT.

the duude wrote:

They have a large portfolio but most of it has a ridiculously high drop. I don't need a zero drop shoe, but their only choice for something less than 8mm is the Streak LT.

That's fair. They obviously cater to the masses, and higher drop shoes fit that mold. Even though it's more common these days, low/zero drop is still kind of a niche thing. Runners are aware, but ask a handful of random people on the street, and they won't know what you're talking about.

Speaking of drops, I do really like New Balance too. They offer a lot of shoes in that 4-6mm range, which is right in that sweet spot for me.

BackAtIt wrote:

during quarantine ive worked up my miles to about 35 per week, a place they haven't been since high school! excited to get a new pair of trainers once the stores open up later this week.

10 years ago i was focused on asics, saucony, new balance and having pretty "minimally cushioned" trainers that weren't so thick. but all these new nike react training shoes have dam thick midsoles, and i see them worn by a lot of pros and elites. kind of against what i thought i wanted in a trainer.. do we like these nike shoes?

I like the Zoom Fly 3 (has react foam) a lot. I thought the Epic React and the Odyssey React were both extremely meh, and I have heard very mixed things about the React Infinity Run or whatever it's called. From looking at it, it seems a lot like a more stable version of the Odyssey. I don't find it that appealing.

I also got back into running a few years ago after a long layoff. My favorite shoes are Hokas, hands down. I like the Arahi because I want some light stability, but the world's your oyster. It's the perfect trainer. I do use the Zoom Fly 3 for tempo runs and track workouts though.