Best Nike Running Shoes for Women in 2023

1. Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 40

The Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 40 is one of Nike’s best shoes. It’s an absolute running classic if ever there was one. That “40” means that it is in its 40th iteration. It’s suitable for everyday wear, as well as running.

This classic running shoe continues to improve, showing Nike’s determination to not rest on their laurels.

The midsole features an upgrade with more React foam than ever before. This makes it plusher than previous versions, and with a slightly bouncy feel. The shoes provide a great response. In the forefoot, a Zoom Air bag provides a surprising amount of power for the toe-off.

The tight mesh upper is comfortable but not restrictive. It uses a traditional lacing closure to get your own perfect fit. A midfoot band offers a bit of extra stability.

An unusual beveled heel helps guide the heel in a safe way, keeping proper form throughout your stride. The raised rubber on the outsoles also helps to prevent slipping and makes the shoes durable.

Because of the snugness, some might find that their short socks slide down into the shoe.

2. Nike Air Zoom Vomero 14

If you’re looking for something with plenty of cushioning, the Vomero 14 could be the one for you. The midsole has been redesigned with React foam, to increase its responsiveness underfoot.

When you look at this shoe, you can already see the impressive cushioning in the midfoot and heel. A single full-length Zoom Air unit sits just below the footbed and provides cushioning and rebound.

Your heel will also be very well-cushioned, with foam pods around the heel for both comfort and stability.

The lower-than-average 8mm heel-to-toe drop should mean that less pressure is placed on the forefoot, relieving pain and reducing the chance of injury. To make sure you get the best fit, Nike uses their Dynamic Fit technology to combine Flywire with normal lace-up shoelaces for the most support.

In some cases, the tongue may slip under the shoelaces, as it’s quite short.

3. Nike Air Zoom Structure 24

If you overpronate, you need a stability shoe to keep your foot aligned and protected.

The Nike Air Zoom Structure 24 can be worn daily, and keeps the foot supported and stable. Forefoot and midfoot perforations in the upper provide adequate circulation to keep your feet well-ventilated and moisture-free.

After studying hundreds of runners’ data, Nike has added a crash plate in the heel, which offers cushion and impact-absorption on the foot strike. A foam midsole is soft and airy under the foot, and a Zoom Air unit under the forefoot makes the toe-off more explosive.

Dynamic arch support and a firm but plush midsole give you the support you need to keep your feet in the right position. Nike stays away from the traditional medial post, instead opting for something lighter and more comfortable.

4. Nike Air Zoom Winflo 7

The Air Zoom Winflo 7 is one of the more affordable Nike shoes, but they are still full of technology that both cushions and supports.

A breathable mesh upper is joined by a tighter woven yarn that supports and keeps the foot stable in place.

A heel counter is a new addition to the updated version, and it helps to keep the foot in place and prevent unnecessary movement that could cause pain or lead to injury.

Cushlon foam in the midsole absorbs shock on the footstrike, and this shoe features two Zoom Air units, which is one of the reasons it’s the top value choice. One Zoom Air unit is in the heel, for excellent impact absorption. The other one—which is larger for extra comfort—is situated in the forefoot.

They may not hold up as well as other models on longer runs, especially if you’re running every day and putting a lot of miles onto them quickly.

5. Nike Air Zoom Alphafly NEXT%

The Alphafly NEXT% will forever be remembered as the shoe worn by Eliud Kipchoge when he ran a 1:59:40 marathon in 2019.

This shoe is packed with features that make it fast and nimble. But let’s focus on the two that make it different from other running shoes: the carbon fiber plate, and ZoomX foam.

Both of these features are ultra-lightweight and give a revolutionary level of energy return. So much so, in fact, that World Athletics considered banning them for use of mechanical assistance to runners.

In the end, the shoes are legal. And blazing fast. They reduce muscle fatigue, which means you’ll have plenty of energy to sprint to the finish line.

The design of the sole is also unique, being flared out forefoot and heel, giving the shoe a wider base. This provides much-needed stability when you’re running fast and having to go around tight corners.

The upper is made from AtomKnit, which is a lightweight, engineered mesh upper that has a contoured foot shape. This makes it feel like the shoe is hugging your foot, as it holds it securely in place without creating pressure points or hotspots.

Running in the Alphafly NEXT% takes some getting used to, and some people may find that the feel unstable when cornering.

As with their predecessors, the VaporFly line, these shoes have durability issues. Nike’s new ultralight foam is still a couple iterations away from industry-standard durability. But for a high-end race shoe, there is nothing better currently on the market.

6. Nike React Infinity Run Flyknit 2

If you’re an everyday runner, and you need something that’s both durable and comfortable, try the Nike React Infinity Run Flyknit 2.

It features the latest version of Nike’s Flyknit technology, which combines with Flywire to give you the best support but also plenty of breathability.

A thick stack height is coupled with a rocker-style sole, to provide support from the heel strike through to the push-off. This can enhance your performance, as it helps you to make faster and smoother transitions without fatiguing as quickly.

The plush, rocking midsole uses Nike React technology to provide cloud-like cushioning and comfort. It’s also light and long-lasting.

The base of the shoe is wider than usual, creating a stable platform for the footstrike. There’s also extra rubber on the outsole, to grip better but also to last longer if you’re using it every day or every other day.

Some may find the toe box to be narrow. Nike is known to run narrow, so you may want to look at ordering half a size larger than your usual size.

7. Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 37 Shield

Running in the rain can be a calming and almost hypnotic experience. But it’s best to run in the rain with shoes that are specifically designed for that kind of weather, to be as safe as possible.

The Pegasus 37 Shield uses all the Nike Pegasus technology we’ve come to know and love, with some useful additions—a DWR finish (durable water-repellent) and a Storm-Tread outsole.

The upper repels water and has sealed seams to prevent water from getting in. And yet it’s still made of mesh, so it’s breathable too. Like the rest of the Pegasus models, it Nike React foam makes up the midsole, offering springy energy return on every step. There’s also a full-length Air Zoom unit for extra cushion.

The Storm-Tread outsole was modeled off of a wet-weather tire. You can run safely in the rain or snow, knowing that your outsole is keeping you safe and steady by gripping hard and shedding water thanks to the multi-directional lugs.

8. Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 37 FlyEase

Women with wide feet may find the unique foot-entry system on the Pegasus 37 FlyEase to be useful. Instead of your traditional lacing system, there’s a zippered opening on the inner side of the shoe that you slip your foot into.

Instead of normal shoelaces, a tensioning cord weaves through bands on the midfoot, and once pulled tight, it’s secured to a Velcro strip near the heel.

This innovative system is useful and quick to use, but some ladies may find that they can’t tighten it enough before they run out of space to hook the Velcro.

The cushioning has been designed specifically for women, with the Air Zoom unit in the forefoot set to a different PSI than the men’s. There’s also Nike React foam in the midsole that delivers an energetic rebound.

9. Nike Air Zoom Tempo NEXT% FlyEase

This is one of Nike’s latest offerings that’s designed specifically for racing. Even the lacing system is made for speed, using a quick lace system you can do up and undo with just one hand.

The step-in heel starts the speedy process. Just put your foot into the shoe, step down on the heel and slide your foot inside. The heel will lift again and your foot will be snug and comfortable.

From there, you can tighten or release the lacing mechanism with just one hand. The tabs are even labeled for easy use, so just pull the one that says “lock” when you want to tighten the laces and pull the one that says “release” to loosen them so you can step out of them again.

The midsole in this shoe features Nike ZoomX foam, with high responsiveness and excellent energy return. Under the forefoot is a visible Zoom Air unit, which not only cushions the ball of your foot but also propels you forward for a dynamic toe-off.

It also has a carbon plate for extra stability and cushion, plus React foam in the heel so the impact is absorbed before it can jar your heel or your joints.

These racing shoes can run small, so you may want to order your pair half a size larger.

10. Nike Wildhorse 6

If you prefer trail running, then you may be interested in shoe more like the Wildhorse. While robust enough for any off-road adventure, it’s still less bulky than many other trail running shoes. It makes for an attractive option for women who are looking for a slightly more feminine trail shoe.

The Wildhorse has a wider toe box to allow for swelling in the feet, especially when doing trail runs that have high elevations or a lot of ascents and descents. The snug woven fit at the heel keeps the foot secure despite the extra space in the forefoot.

The breathable mesh upper keeps air flowing over your feet. It has a bootie-like fit on the ankle instead of a traditional ankle collar, which was designed to keep debris out of your shoes on the trail.

Nike React foam makes an appearance in the midsole, cushioning your feet in a cloud-like softness and offering springy energy return on every step. There’s a little extra cushion in the heel to provide more support and impact-resistance.

To keep you safe and secure on your feet, the rubber outsole has abrasion-resistant materials on and around the heels, and sticky rubber in the forefoot for extra traction. Thick lugs across the sole allow you to run on any surface and in any weather conditions safely.

And when you’re done, if your shoes are muddy or wet, you can pull them off using the heel tab and hang them up to dry! The one thing that some runners may not like is that the insole is not removable in this shoe.