Nike Infinity Runs wrecked my legs!

First off, who diagnosed you? Dr. Google?

I have had a rather mediocre experience, but was hoping for a winner.

I have been a Peg runner for years, but have lately been less satisfied with the 36 and 37, so I went for the Infinity React Run.

I actually like the shoe, but the back digs into my achilles like a son of a b**** and the outsole was worn out after ~100 miles.

I think they're about 75% of the way to a great shoe.

the worst running shoes I've ever had. (Nike React Infinity Run Flyknit)

after about 80km of running, I started using them for walking around only, they're good sneakers but not running shoes for me.

Sounds like you overrated yourself.

You believe you developed not one, but two overuse injuries over a "few weeks" running about 35 miles in those shoes? 35 miles over weeks? Are you 400 pounds and previously "running" two miles per week?

The shoes are not your problem. You should take up another hobby, like bird watching or knitting.

itsnottheshoes wrote:

You believe you developed not one, but two overuse injuries over a "few weeks" running about 35 miles in those shoes? 35 miles over weeks? Are you 400 pounds and previously "running" two miles per week?

The shoes are not your problem. You should take up another hobby, like bird watching or knitting.

Did you even read the original post?

3000 miles this year without these shoes. No issues. Wear these shoes for ~35 miles. Issues. Do you see why I think think the shoes might be at least partly to blame here?

It is clear that you like these shoes and are upset that I am slandering them.

Not an injury but they are super uncomfortable after about 6-7 miles into a run. I expected to enjoy them based on all the reviews but they are just not the shoe for me.

On the contrary, I think these are the best training shoes of 2020. I've put over 1,000 miles wearing these shoes this year and I love them.

good shoe imo wrote:

On the contrary, I think these are the best training shoes of 2020. I've put over 1,000 miles wearing these shoes this year and I love them.

Same here. I love them, from slow recovery runs to long runs with marathon pace. I wear mine 2-3 times a week.

good shoe imo wrote:

On the contrary, I think these are the best training shoes of 2020. I've put over 1,000 miles wearing these shoes this year and I love them.

Would love your input because aside from my comments above, I really like the shoe.

Do you have any issue with the rear rubbing on your achilles? The top of the flyknit seems to bend into the achilles and after an hour or so of rubbing on the skin it just really chafes. A small pad or forming it "away" from the achilles (similar to the Peg) might be the answer.

Is the outsole wearing out fairly quickly? The midsole is so big that I don't think it is too big an issue, but I had wear spots on the bottom pretty quickly.

Hoping they keep refining this one because I enjoy it as a distance trainer.

Agreed. I've got over 2,000 miles this year (multiple pairs) and love them. And I'm a guy who had never before found any Nike training shoes that I liked over many years of running. But I had some plantar issues and a few friends recommended them, so I gave them a try. To the OP: just another lesson that there's no such thing as a perfect shoe. Pretty much all shoes will work well for some and not as well for others.

good shoe imo wrote:

On the contrary, I think these are the best training shoes of 2020. I've put over 1,000 miles wearing these shoes this year and I love them.

You need to remember, those shoes you buy off the shelf are not designed for your particular foot. Like most shoes, unless you are an elite runner under contract with a shoe company, they are designed for the general public. Usually, I can tell if a shoe does not like me, after about 10 miles because I do not feel right in an orthopedic sense. I used to test shoes for Nike and they did have some dogs which I sent back immediately and told them why. Point is, if it doesn't feel right, it's not...get your refund.

College Football Talk wrote:

I have had a rather mediocre experience, but was hoping for a winner.

I have been a Peg runner for years, but have lately been less satisfied with the 36 and 37, so I went for the Infinity React Run.

I actually like the shoe, but the back digs into my achilles like a son of a b**** and the outsole was worn out after ~100 miles.

I think they're about 75% of the way to a great shoe.

The achilles thing has been an on and off problem with nikes for a decade now. I assume there has to be some reason they do it . As far as it causing injury, thats on the runner not the shoe. Picking a shoe that doesn't fit you or not taking the time to adapt isn't something the manufacturer can control....

YES actually. This happened to me exactly one time for each new infinity react I've bought. This might sound weird but I think it happens if you have a heel strike rather than a forefoot strike. I tend to notice the rubbing only when my toes are pointed up. But this rubbing also went away completely after a couple of days.

I don't have the chaffin/rubbing or excessive wear issue. Rubber looks great on mine at ~350 miles. Way better than the rubber on my brooks or saucony shoes.

My $.02 is that the Infinity is one of the best junk mile shoes I've ever worn. My experience is it does OK at moderate speed, but really shines on easy days. It just soaks up tons of miles and never feels awkward at slower paces. React never feels mushy and has just the right amount of cushion for me. Broad platform makes this a very stable

Durability is outstanding, by far the best I've ever seen for a Nike shoe--guess the extra rubber adds some of that excess weight. Here's the soles of a pair of the original colorway with 700+ miles, then a side by side with a new pair with less than 50 miles, plus a side view for foam stress (for reference, 5'11", 160lb, slight underpronator, narrowish foot).

https://ibb.co/CHx2wq0

https://ibb.co/2t01B12

https://ibb.co/f108j89

One minor complaint is they get a little squeaky, especially if you swap the insoles for something firmer. Another complaint (potentially more major) is that I never see anyone in them, so I'm worried it will be a one and done for Nike. =(

OP: Honestly, based on your mileage, I don't see how any significant problem could develop in just 35 miles. That's what, 3-4 runs? You could probably do the same thing in cowboy boots and it's not like you would suddenly have PF, PTTD, etc. On the flip side, anything that developed that quickly should be easy to get over with a little bit of rest. Hope you fell better soon.

zdf wrote:

One minor complaint is they get a little squeaky,

Amen to this. Drives me crazy every single time I put these on. Not a fan of all the plastic in the upper. Wish it was more like the original Epic React flyknit.

I do experience the heel chafing issue others have noted, and that limits me to using the Infinity React for easy days, just two or (max) three days a week.

Love the durability of both the midsole and outsole.

Thank you for the pictures. My outsoles are WAY more worn out, so who knows what I am doing wrong. I am a neutral runner, fairly skinny, but I do wear them daily. I don't do much speed work anymore. Maybe the daily use wears them out faster...?

Anyway, I will stick with them for a while and grab another pair soon.

LOL at the squeak. My wife laughs at me. I wonder if they do this for people who buy them for normal non-running wear.

That is not a "serious" running shoe. It's a shoe that is designed for 9 minute miles or slower. The flyknit upper is very light and all of the weight in concentrated in that wide, bulky sole. It is the opposite of nimble.