


Flyknit, Flywire, FlyEase? All meaningless, insider-y jargon until Nike turned them into household terms, simultaneously making the technology they represent industry standard in the process. That level of attention is a crucial part of Nike's story, the special sauce that enables the type of innovation snapped up by the sneaker-wearing masses-and shamelessly replicated by the brand's competition. When you buy one of Nike's racers, you're buying a product that's been tinkered with to a fanatical degree: the foam midsoles, the treaded outsoles, the mesh uppers-every detail has been specially engineered for performance at the highest caliber, on long distance trails, 10-second sprints, or meandering uphill climbs.

Nike's running shoes are some of the best in the world because what they offer-from their cushioning, to their durability, to their energy return-is the opportunity to feel like Eliud Kipchoge, whether you're an amateur enthusiast looking for a new daily trainer or a hardcore half-marathoner in the market for racing shoes that'll help you smash your last PB. Today, the Portland-based operation churns out athletic wear of all types, but sneakers are still its bread and butter, and its running shoes work overtime to uphold that legacy. See, before Nike was a global superpower practically synonymous with sports, it was a small-time operation founded by a former college track star and his coach with one eventual mission: Design a better running shoe. The Swoosh is a multibillion-dollar behemoth for many reasons, but none more compelling than the brand's stellar reputation when it comes to performance footwear. If you've considered hitting the pavement, the track, or the trail this summer, coming across the best Nike running shoes on the market was probably inevitable.
