NIKE Women's Vista Lite Walking Shoe

Product Information

The current model, the Alphafly 2, features thinner outsole rubber and more ZoomX foam at the forefoot. In our testing, we found the shoe created smoother transitions, felt more responsive, and also moved more quietly. If you want the best of the best for your next race, this is it. Nike has developed two standout upper designs for its shoes: Flyknit and AtomKnit. Flyknit, found on shoes like the Vaporfly and Invincible 3, as well as Nike soccer cleats and some basketball shoes, is a woven upper design where yarn is woven tightly in some areas and more loosely in others. The loose weave allows the shoe to flex with your foot for greater comfort, while the tight weave provides support in key areas where you need it. The Alphafly is the pinnacle of the Nike running shoe lineup, and occupies a vaunted place in the running world. In 2018, elite marathoner Eliud Kipchoge wore an earlier version of this shoe when he (unofficially) became the first person to run a marathon in less than two hours. The latest model, the Vaporfly 3, is a top-to-bottom overhaul with all kinds of revisions to make it lighter, boost its energy return, and increase its stability. Like previous versions, the shoe features Nike’s top-tier ZoomX foam and an embedded carbon fiber plate for stiffness and energy return. In contrast to the ultra-thin uppers found on the Vaporfly and Alphafly, it features a durable double-layer mesh upper, which makes it more suitable for grinding through a training schedule.

Think of the Nike Streakfly as a shrunk down, streamlined version of the Vaporfly. While it isn’t quite as minimalist as an old-school racing flat, it’s Nike’s lightest racing shoe, and it’s designed to propel you through shorter races up to a 10K.Although it’s arguably been eclipsed by the newer, more feature-rich Alphafly line, the Vaporfly remains the most popular choice for marathoners, including elite runners. As the label on the heel proudly states, it’s the original “super shoe,” and it’s still going strong. While it won’t have the same bouncy ride as Nike shoes with React or ZoomX cushioning foams, the Winflo is an approachable, highly versatile shoe. Long runs, short jogs, walking—with its roomy fit and comfy feel, it’s designed to perform well in a variety of situations. The Zoom Fly 5 adds a slightly widened midsole at the forefoot and heel for improved stability. Although it’s significantly heavier than the Vaporfly and Alphafly, it offers a similar springy feel underfoot, and it's a great training counterpart to those shoes (you can save the pricier models for race day). In recent years, running shoe brands have moved toward a more “hands-off” approach to support shoes. Rather than putting firm medial posts or plates in the midsole to counter overpronation, modern support shoes opt for less-intrusive ways to build in support, like adding a wider sole or raised footbed edges on the medial side of the shoe. The relatively thin midsole is made of a full-length layer of ZoomX foam for a plush-yet-springy ride, and instead of a carbon fiber plate, Nike embedded a short PEBA plate at midfoot. The plate helps stiffen the shoe a bit and stabilize your foot as you run.

The Zoom Air units work in tandem with midsole foam to provide cushioning and energy return, and they’re used across the running shoe lineup, from the Alphafly racer to the Pegasus training shoe. Carbon Fiber Plates The forefoot outsole rubber is 2mm thinner, allowing a 2mm increase in forefoot foam for increased cushioning. Nike also scooped out some foam on the sidewall and a channel at the bottom of the shoe to shave off weight. In addition, the medial side of the midsole is shaped to resist compression, which helps the shoe feel less wobbly when cornering. The thin knit upper creates good breathability and saves weight. It’s also reinforced at the forefoot, and foam pods at the heel for a secure fit. Offset lacing keeps the shoe snug on your feet, even when you’re hauling. From introducing runners to EVA cushioning to placing air-filled cells in its shoes, Nike has created some landmark innovations over the years, and it continues to push the boundaries of running shoe design today. To get you acquainted with Nike’s shoes, we’ll walk you through the most important tech found in the brand’s lineup and explain what those features do.

In our testing, we found its stable, smooth ride made it great for longer efforts, and one of our wear testers loved using it for everyday training. “I have a whole host of daily trainers to choose from,” he said, “and with the exception of speed days, I would choose this shoe over and over.” On the upper, the Flyknit material is constructed with breathability zones in high-heat areas to keep your feet cool, and compared to Nike’s race-oriented models, it features a beefier design that’s more durable, so it can withstand high-mileage training routines. The Nike Invincible 3 is perfectly plush, making it great for long runs—or runs of any distance, if you want a soft, bouncy ride.

Show more The Expert: I became a runner in middle school and have covered running and outdoor gear for years, both on-staff at Runner’s World and as a freelance journalist. I’ve written more about running shoes than any other kind of gear, and I have firsthand experience running in models from a range of brands, including Nike. I first wrote this guide in 2018, and update it regularly as Nike releases new shoes and running shoe tech. That yields a bouncy, snappy feel that encourages fast paces. For the ultimate racing shoe experience, the carbon fiber-equipped Nike models are the way to go. How We Selected The Best Nike Running ShoesThe Peg doesn’t come with Nike’s ultra-bouncy and lightweight ZoomX foam, so you might want a different shoe for speedwork days. But for longer efforts and general training runs, the Pegasus offers a smooth ride with enough springiness to keep you surging forward.