Blister Brand Guide: Nike Trail Running Shoe Lineup, 2023

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Blister Brand Guide: Running Shoe Lineups

Intro

When considering a new running shoe, there are so many similar-looking shoes on the market being made by so many different companies, it is virtually impossible to (1) know where to begin; (2) quickly figure out which one or two products from a given brand might work well for you; and (3) determine what products from other brands might be the most similar and also worth considering.

So in our “Blister Brand Guide” series, we provide an overview of the entire product lineup of a brand; highlight how each product stands out from the rest of that brand’s lineup; and help you figure out quickly and easily which shoe might work best for you.

In our individual product reviews, we go very deep into the details of particular products. With these Brand Guides, the goal is not Depth, but Breadth. Our Brand Guides and full reviews are designed to complement each other — provide a broad overview of entire company lineups, and then also very detailed reviews of individual products.

See our other running shoe Brand Guides

Nike: Brand Background

Nike is one of the biggest names in road running, but they’re still trying to establish themselves more widely in the trail running world. Nike has dabbled in the trail shoe market in the distant past, but their current line of “Nike Trail” shoes launched in 2014 with the release of the Zoom Wildhorse. Since then, their trail lineup has grown to include several other models for all types of distances and terrains.

While Nike’s trail shoe lineup might seem fairly limited compared to brands like Hoka or Salomon at a first glance, each shoe in Nike’s lineup has a distinct set of features that cater to a specific type of runner. In this brand guide, we’ll outline these features and provide an idea of what each Nike Trail shoe is designed to do best. As Nike continues to release models throughout 2023, we’ll regularly update this guide to reflect new additions to their lineup.

NIKE TRAIL SHOES

(Most Cushioned to Least Cushioned)

Nike Zegama

Most Cushion

Blister Brand Guide: Nike Trail Running Shoe Lineup, 2023
Nike added a completely new model to their lineup late last year, the first time they’ve done so in quite awhile. The Zegama addresses the absence of a dedicated performance shoe in the brand’s quiver and features premium materials and a maximalist design for ultra-distance efforts. The centerpiece of the shoe is its beefy midsole made from “ZoomX” foam, a material that’s known for being lightweight and incredibly energetic, but likely not as firm or durable as the “React” foam found in models like the Pegasus Trail 4. Because the Zegama has the highest stack height out of any Nike trail shoe, it’s built on their widest platform for increased balance. Particular attention is also paid to its outsole design, which is dominated by aggressive, multidirectional lugs suited for stability on technical terrain. An upper consisting of engineered mesh, a protective toe rand, and a built-in ankle gaiter further strengthen the Zegama for these types of conditions, so if you’re looking for an aggressive trail racer for ultra-distance runs on rough trails, consider checking out a pair.

Stack Height

  • Heel: 37 mm
  • Toe: 33 mm
Drop: 4 mm

Stated Weight

  • Men's: 289 g
  • Women's: 256 g
MSRP: $160.00

Nike Pegasus Trail 4

Blister Brand Guide: Nike Trail Running Shoe Lineup, 2023
With the Pegasus Trail 4, Nike returned to some of the design features that made the first version of their road-to-trail shoe so popular. The Pegasus Trail 4 features a remodeled upper equipped with Nike’s patented “Flywire” lacing system and a lighter mesh, which Nike pairs with a halfway gusseted tongue for improved fit. The outsole also received a complete redesign, including a switch in rubber compounds and specific cutouts between lugs to save weight. Like in Nike’s other trail models, the Pegasus Trail 4 is also outfitted with a soft and flexible “React” foam midsole for better cushioning on longer efforts and improved ground feel on off camber surfaces. However, with 10 mm of heel-to-toe drop and 4 mm lugs, it’s probably not the best option for super technical trails. That said, if you’re after a shoe that performs excellently transitioning between roads and dirt, the Pegasus Trail 4 should be on your list.

Stack Height

  • Heel: 36 mm
  • Toe: 26 mm
Drop: 10 mm

Stated Weight

  • Men's: 295 g
  • Women's: 244 g
MSRP: $140.00

Nike Pegasus Trail 4 GORE-TEX

Blister Brand Guide: Nike Trail Running Shoe Lineup, 2023
The GORE-TEX version of the Pegasus Trail 4 has all of the same features as the standard version but includes an allegedly waterproof Gore-Tex upper along with a raised bootie construction. The combination between the two should simultaneously help keep feet dry / warm in wet / cold conditions as well as prevent debris from entering the shoe. Weatherproofing to the upper will come with a bit of added weight and reduced breathability, but if you often run on a mix of pavement and dirt in inclement weather, the Pegasus Trail 4 GORE-TEX could be worth checking out.

Stack Height

  • Heel: 36 mm
  • Toe: 26 mm
Drop: 10 mm

Stated Weight

  • Men's: 310 g
  • Women's: 266 g
MSRP: $160.00

Nike Wildhorse 8

Blister Brand Guide: Nike Trail Running Shoe Lineup, 2023
The updated Wildhorse 8 is a nearly complete departure from its previous iteration. The shoe’s upper trades in the Wildhorse 7’s elaborate gaiter and protective overlays for one made from engineered mesh that’s much more toned down. Nike also took the opportunity to rethink the line’s outsole, this time around outfitting the shoe with one made from a new, tacky rubber compound and organized with a more conventional lug layout. Perhaps the only area of the Wildhorse 8 that’s carried over from past versions is the shoe’s midsole, which still uses Nike’s firm-yet-resilient “React” foam, the same material that’s used in both the Pegasus Trail 4 and Kiger 9’s midsole; however, while not as broad as the Zegama, the Wildhorse 8 should fit wider than both of those shoes. If you’re in search of a maximal trail model that’s amply cushioned, can be used as a training workhorse, and you’re not overly concerned about weight, consider checking out the Wildhorse 8

Stack Height

  • Heel: 35.5 mm
  • Toe: 27.5 mm
Drop: 8 mm

Stated Weight

  • Men's: 323 g
  • Women's: 278 g
MSRP: $130.00

Nike Kiger 9

Blister Brand Guide: Nike Trail Running Shoe Lineup, 2023
The Wildhorse wasn’t the only Nike model to receive massive updates this year. It’s sibling shoe, the Kiger, also benefited from some needed adjustments, including a lighter weight engineered mesh upper that balances breathability with high abrasion overlays; a thicker “React” foam midsole for shock absorption; and a reworked outsole made from stickier rubber and covered with multi-directional lugs. Also noteworthy, the “Zoom Air” pods that had been positioned under the forefoot in the Kiger 8 have been removed to increase ground feel. The Kiger 9 is still optimized for faster days out on technical trails, but because Nike added just a bit more cushion to the shoe’s midsole, its range should increase. However, if you’re looking to dip into ultra-distance runs, the Wildhorse 8, Zegama, and Pegasus Trail 4 are probably better options, namely because of their roomier fits and taller stack heights. Consider the Kiger 9 as a versatile option in your rotation, a model that is in many ways designed to eat up technical singletrack but should still be able to navigate tamer trails and fire roads with ease.

Stack Height

  • Heel: 31 mm
  • Toe: 25 mm
Drop: 6 mm

Stated Weight

  • Men's: 286 g
  • Women's: 235 g
MSRP: $150

Nike Juniper Trail 2

Least Cushion

Blister Brand Guide: Nike Trail Running Shoe Lineup, 2023
The Juniper Trail 2, Nike’s most affordable, entry-level trail shoe, did go up a bit in price between iterations, but with an MSRP of just $85, it’s still a bargain. Whereas the first version kept a pretty low profile, with a moderate stack height, minimal lugs, and not a ton of structure, the Juniper Trail 2 sees the shoe move in more of a maximal direction. Its midsole has been beefed up quite a bit; an internal cable system integrates with its laces to provide foot security; its new mesh / synthetic leather upper has been strengthened; and more aggressive, tapered lugs now line its outsole. It’s also worth mentioning that the Juniper Trail 2’s midsole incorporates recycled materials, specifically “Nike Grind,” scraps reclaimed from the footwear manufacturing process. Compared to models like the Zegama and Pegasus Trail 4, the Juniper Trail 2 likely won’t share the same performance potential, but if you’re looking for a simple, straightforward trail shoe for moderate terrain that won’t break the bank, it could be a good option.

Stack Height

  • Heel: N/A
  • Toe: N/A
Drop: N/A

Stated Weight

  • Men's: N/A
  • Women's: N/A
MSRP: $85.00

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