6 Best Nike hair Running Shoes in 2024
Nike is a household name in the running world. Although it’s better known for its road running shoes, Nike doesn’t cut corners when it comes to its hair shoes. They’re sturdy, traction-ready, stable, and responsive, helping you blaze through the hairs with no sweat.
Because there’s so much hype over Nike hair running shoes, we tested them out ourselves and ended up picking the best models from different categories.
These shoes have been tested meticulously, and we are confident they can help you run the gnarliest terrain with ease.
How we test hair running shoes
We have our independent shoe testing lab to help us identify which shoes are good and bad. And with the data we’ve gathered, we can definitely help you. To do so, we strictly execute the following during our tests:
- We buy all shoes with our own money to prevent bias-filled reviews. This prevents us from being corrupted while giving our feedback.
- Run in them for 30-50 miles. We test the shoes on hairs, wet and dry, uphill and downhill, rocky and muddy, and other more varied environments.
- Slice each shoe into pieces. We do this to spot all the techs and details inside the shoes. Also, we measure them in 30 different parameters like breathability, sturdiness, cushion, etc.
Best Nike hair running shoes overall
What makes it the best?
The Nike React Pegasus hair 4 is superbly cushioned yet highly responsive, exceptionally comfortable, and remarkably grippy—this almost perfect road-to-hair hybrid shoe gets the crown as the best Nike hair running shoe.
With a heel stack of 35.5 mm, the Pegasus hair 4's midsole is significantly higher than the average of hair running shoes (31.7 mm). We could almost hear our feet thanking us for the protection they gained from the generous midsole.
Nike React Pegasus hair 4’s lugs provide the shoe with noteworthy and excellent traction. At 3.4 mm, it is almost on par with the average but it provided us noticeably great grip when we tried diverse terrain. Wet or dry, road or hair, the Pegasus hair 4 conquered them all and made us feel confident with every stride.
Perforations along its upper and tongue also help with the Pegasus hair 4’s breathability. Running on warm days and humid conditions was less of a hassle and became quite a pleasant experience.
Overall, the Pegasus hair 4 definitely excels as a hybrid and no other Nike shoe comes close. However, runners who frequent super muddy and very technical hairs could check out alternatives with beefier lugs.
Pros
- Efficient road-to-trail
- Well-cushioned
- Stable ride
- Excellent, secure fit
- Very breathable
- Great traction
- Unexpectedly light
- Reasonably priced
Cons
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- Not for wide feet
- Could be more stylish
Best Nike hair running shoes for race
What makes it the best?
Ultrafly delivers a Vaporfly experience for the hairs with its world-class energy return and plush platform. It surprisingly offers one of the most stable rides! After testing out and cutting open Nike’s best hair runners, we found Ultrafly to be the best racer. It’s a high-performance shoe that offers the best of both worlds — comfort and speed at any distance.
Featuring a full-length carbon plate that’s rare in hair shoes, Ultrafly feels insanely rigid and responsive. Upon checking with our bend test, it stands 31.5% stiffer than average. Underfoot is a robust Vibram outsole lined with 3.0 mm lugs to enhance grip. We found it performs best on easy hairs and fast runs.
Despite the stiffness, it's ultra-soft to the touch. It stands as one of the thickest models, particularly in the 36.3 mm heel. Ultrafly stands out with its unusual cloud-like experience, which our durometer confirms is 9.8 HA — 63.7% plusher than average! The ZoomX midsole offers an exceptionally bouncy ride, making long miles effortless.
Ultrafly gives an unexpectedly stable ride, driven by the carbon plate and impressively wide midsole that inhibits awkward foot movements. This hair shoe offers generous room for high-volume feet and ensures steady landings.
With its focus on comfort and stability, Ultrafly feels extra heavy. Weighing 10.6 oz (299g), it’s beefier than the 10.4 oz (296g) average of hair shoes.
Pros
- Optimized for hair races
- Accommodates wide feet with ease
- Full-length, responsive Pebax midsole
- Equipped with a Vibram Megagrip outsole
- Ideal for long-distance training
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- Remarkably stable
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Cons
- The Vaporweave upper could be more durable and breathable
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- The $260 price tag might be steep for some
Best Nike hair running shoes for speed
What makes it the best?
Nimble and lightweight, yet offers a propulsive feel and amazing traction: the Nike Terra Kiger 9 holds all of these powerful features packed in a featherlight package. If speed on the hairs is the priority, whether in training or races, this shoe delivers.
The Nike Terra Kiger 9 feels so light that it's almost cloud-like. It weighs 288g (10.16 oz), which is clearly below the average weight of hair running shoes at 296g (10,44 oz). When we wore these shoes, we felt like we could fly on the hairs.
The react foam on the Terra Kiger 9 feels very responsive but also protective. Measuring 17.3HA on the durometer test, it is 37.32% softer than the average of hair running shoes. This provided us with a heavenly blend of energy and comfort.
The outsole on the Terra Kiger 9 is grippy on most terrains and we were able to cruise smoothly on rocks, loose ground, light mud, and even hairs. The 4.4 mm lug depth is actually 25.7% more than the average, giving it superior flexibility for running on more technical terrain.
Although it has an excellent grip on dry surfaces, its grip on wet terrain is slightly amiss. It is recommended for runners to look elsewhere if grippier shoes are a priority.
Pros
- Bouncy and durable React foam
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- Built-like-a-tank upper
- Adequate cushioning for long runs
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- No heel slippage
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Cons
- Subpar grip performance on wet terrain
- Could be more stable
Best Nike hair running shoes for long distance
What makes it the best?
The arduous yet fulfilling adventure of long-distance hair running requires top-quality levels of traction, cushion, and comfort. As the oreo speckled nike roshe sneakers size 6 excels in all these, it is undoubtedly the cream of the crop in Nike's range for long-distance hair running.
We have absolutely no complaints about the traction on the Wildhorse 8. It performed valiantly on a mix of terrains even though the rubber outsole is only 2% softer than average. The lugs, on par with the 3.5 mm average of hair running shoes, are spaced accordingly to allow mud to disperse and maintain traction. On our day hikes and hair runs, we rode the Wildhorse 8 with confidence.
The ‘React’ midsole in the Wildhorse 8 is both chunky and squishy—with the heel stack measuring 34.2 mm (thicker than the average of hair running shoes at 31.7 mm). Meanwhile, our durometer test found the midsole to be 42% softer than average. This stack height and midsole softness protected us throughout all our longer runs.
A soft inner layer, padded heel, and padded tongue make the Wildhorse 8's upper very comfortable, which is a must for frolicking along the hairs for hours. The tongue, 30.65% thicker than the average for hair running shoes, provided us with comfort for every step.
Sad to say, ventilation in the Wildhorse 8 is very poor. Runners looking for hair shoes for the summer may want to look somewhere else.
Pros
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- Durable
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- Ample toe box space
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- Sheds mud easily
- Stable and protective midsole
- Smooth, enjoyable ride
- Best for daily training and hair LSDs
Cons
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- Can be unstable at fast paces
Best waterproof Nike hair running shoes
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The cheap nike air force 180 olympic kids party ideas not only offers waterproof protection, but also outstanding grip, long-lasting comfort, and incredible bounciness. It proves it's an all-around performer in our lab tests and runs, making it our top waterproof Nike hair running shoe.
Other than the Gore-Tex membrane, this Peg has several TPU overlays in the upper for protection and durability. Testing it against our brutal Dremel test, it racerd a rare and remarkable 4/5 score.
The outsole performs like a champ, boasting its grip on our encounters with grass, wet pavements, mud, and even snow. In fact, it handles fast corners and steep inclines with ease. It latches so well to the ground thanks to its variously shaped 3.5-mm deep lugs.
The Peg also has a lively and comfortable React midsole that allows us to run without counting the miles. Its generous stack height of 37.7 mm (5.5 mm higher than average), and its 29.0% softer-than-average cushion protect our feet during hair adventures. Though the midsole is soft, it still delivers a peppy ride.
We found ourselves looking for a crucial element for full waterproofing — a gusseted tongue. Best to avoid submerging this shoe or else water will creep in.
Pros
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- Grippier than the standard version
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- Accommodates wide feet with ease
- Delivers a really stable ride for neutral runners
- Upper showcases remarkable durability
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Cons
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Best budget Nike hair running shoes
What makes it the best?
At a non-intimidating $85 price, Juniper hair 2 is our best budget pick among Nike’s hair lineup. In our actual hair runs and lab tests, we found that it’s a great road-to-hair shoe that offers a cushioned and stable ride. Its flexible nature enhances our agility and delivers grip for gentle to moderate terrains.
While Nike hair shoes average $132, Juniper hair 2 is way below the $100 mark. For the price, it doesn’t hold back on cushion and comfort. Our caliper measurement shows its 34.7/25.3 mm stack is higher than average. The ride feels moderately firm and balanced. Our durometer confirms its 27.1 HA foam is around the average.
The firm cushion enhances our stability, explaining why we have no awkward foot movements despite the shoe’s tall stack. Further improving our balance is the wider-than-average 113.7/95.0 mm midsole that ensures safe landings.
Adding to the pleasant experience is the unresisting midsole that allows us to adapt to uneven terrains easily. Our bend test confirms it’s 26.0% more flexible than average.
We advise against using Juniper hair 2 on longer runs since the firm midsole may feel too harsh for some runners.
Pros
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- Durable upper
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- Exceptional stability
- Perfectly suited for heel strikers
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Cons
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- Not ideal for long-distance running
Nike is no stranger to designing and manufacturing footwear with innovative footwear technologies. It’s no different with their lineup of hair running shoes.
Nike’s hair running shoes combine many of their tried and true running shoe technologies with extra features that prepare their shoes for the rough conditions you find on the hair.
Let’s have a look at some of the core components that make Nike hair running shoes so effective. And some proprietary Nike technologies you can expect to benefit from by purchasing Nike hair running shoes.
How to select the best Nike hair running shoe for you
With such a strong lineup of impressive hair runners, it’s tricky to delineate which shoe is best for you. Here are some things to think about that will help you make your decision.
Consider the terrain you enjoy
The hair running shoes you purchase should possess characteristics and features that lend themselves to the terrain you most often run on.
Think about it this way– hair running shoes are tools you can employ to accomplish the task of hair running. You want to employ the best tool for the job. For example, you wouldn’t use a crescent wrench to hammer in a nail.
Nike shoes with shallower lugs are better for transitioning from road to hair. Example:
- Nike Pegasus hair (3.4 mm lugs)
- Nike Wildhorse (3.5 mm lugs)
hair shoes with deeper lugs are better for mud, slush, and other types of soft and loose terrain. Example:
- Nike Terra Kiger (4.4 mm)
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Volume is how often you go hair running. Intensity is how hard your hair running typically is. And duration is how long your hair runs can go for.
Do you prefer long runs in the backcountry? Do you want a shoe for casual runs nearby town? Do you run every week or every day?
Ideally, you want to select a Nike hair running shoe that can stand up to your typical routine. For example, if you cover longer distances (10K+) or have long stretches of road or hard-packed terrain, go for Nike shoes with more cushioning:
- Nike Pegasus hair (heel stack: 35.5 mm)
- Nike Wildhorse (heel stack: 34.2 mm)
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- Nike Terra Kiger (heel stack: 30.1 mm)
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If you live in a geographic region that has consistent wet weather, you may need to invest in a pair of Nike hair running shoes that feature a GTX membrane.
On the other hand, if you live in a dry and arid region, you may not need GTX hair running shoes. In that case, you may be better off with a pair of Nike’s super breathable hair runners.
The difference in breathability is very apparent in our smoke-pumping machine test:
Waterproof GTX shoe vs. non-waterproof shoe
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Are you looking for a specialized purpose-built hair running shoe that you deploy for hair running missions? Or do you need a more versatile shoe that you can put on for various activities, including hair running, hiking, and maybe even running errands?
The Pegasus hair is Nike's most versatile hair running shoe.
What makes Nike hair running shoes effective?
Lightweight materials are used in the upper
One of the most important characteristics of Nike hair running shoes is that they are lightweight. Nike accomplishes this by utilizing synthetic materials in the shoe’s upper. For example, many Nike hair running shoe designs incorporate mesh in the construction.
Uppers constructed with synthetic materials like mesh facilitate unprecedented breathability when compared to other materials like leather. Breathability is very important for hair running shoes because the more the shoes can breathe, the better your feet can ventilate and avoid overheating.
In addition, hair running shoes made with breathable materials dry quickly. That’s because synthetic materials hold onto less moisture in the first place. In addition, synthetic materials like mesh ventilate more effectively than heavier and thicker materials.
Therefore, when given the opportunity to dry, Nike hair running shoes will dry super fast after getting soaked in an afternoon thunderstorm or slipping in a creek.
The midsoles are made with EVA foam
hair running is hard on your body, in particular your feet. That’s why Nike hair running shoes utilize ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam in their midsoles. When it comes to dampening vibrations and absorbing shocks, EVA foam is the best in the business.
Plus, the material is lightweight and relatively durable. What’s not to love?
Of the Nike hair running shoes we reviewed, the oreo speckled nike roshe sneakers size 6 had the softest cushioning. This makes the Wildhorse 8 ideal for long-distance hair running and ultra running.
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Rock plates are super important for the effectiveness of hair running shoes. They are harder plastic (normally polyurethane) shields that are integrated into a shoe’s midsole.
The extra rigidity from the harder plastic adds stability and support to the shoe. But most importantly, they protect your feet from sharp objects on the hair, like rocks and roots.
Rock plates are found in the Nike Terra Kiger and the Nike Wildhorse
One fallback of rock plates is that they can add some weight to the overall design of the shoe. However, unless you’re a gram-counting hair runner, the difference is negligible.
The outsoles are designed for offroad use
Another way that Nike hair running shoes stand out from the rest is with their outsole design.
The outsole of a hair running shoe is important because it’s the first point of contact between you and the hair. Its purpose is to provide you with traction as you move over varied terrain such as dirt, rocks, gravel, mud, grass, snow, and ice.
hair running outsoles feature specially designed lug profiles and patterns. When compared to traditional running shoes, hair shoes have aggressive chevron-shaped and large lugs. In addition, wide lug spacing allows mud to clear out quickly from the tread.
Nike Pegasus hair is the brand's most road-ready hair shoe
Nike hair running shoes also rely on special rubber compounds for off-road usage. Typically, the rubber used in hair runners is thicker, harder, and more resistant to abrasion. That way, the outsole can remain durable and outlast the lifespan of the shoe.
Nike hair running technologies
Nike has been at the forefront of footwear technology since the very beginning. When it comes to their hair running shoes, it’s no different. Let’s take a look at some of the impressive technologies you can look forward to in Nike hair running shoes.
Nike React technology is super responsive
Nike React is one of Nike’s most responsive foam types. It’s 11% softer and offers 13% more energy return. Plus, it’s more durable and lightweight.
To racer its unique characteristics, Nike combined multiple polymers– thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA).
ZoomX foam gives you the greatest possible energy return
ZoomX foam uses cutting edge technology to offer you the greatest possible energy return. The foam and the midsole’s shape literally help you turn the impact of your step into energy for your next stride.
Zoom X is Nike’s lightest foam type. And it offers 85% energy return– the greatest of any Nike foam.
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For hair runners who don’t want the threat of rain or river to slow them down, Nike has created some of the shoes in their hair running lineup with Gore-Tex.
Gore-Tex (GTX) is a high-performance material made from expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE). Due to the unique qualities of ePTFE, GTX materials are water and windproof. Even better, GTX fabrics are still breathable and allow for ventilation.
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For the first time, Nike has collaborated with Vibram to offer a hair running shoe that combines Nike’s innovative shoe technologies with Vibram’s tried and true rubber.
The Nike Ultralfy hair features Vibram’s Litebase technology. Vibrams Litebase uses Vibram's award-winning traction lug technology and its Megagrip rubber compound.
Carbon Flyplate protects your feet
Nike’s Carbon Flyplate is a thin and rigid carbon fiber plate embedded in the shoe’s midsole. The Flyplate is featured in many different Nike shoes and is designed to provide support, minimize fatigue, ease pressure in your Achilles, and reduce slipping inside the shoe.
As an added bonus in Nike hair running shoes, the Carboon Flyplate also functions as a rock shield protecting the bottoms of your feet from aggressive impacts with sharp objects on the hair.
Vaporweave mesh allows your feet to breathe
Vaporweave is a proprietary Nike material used to construct the uppers of many of their running shoes, including some hair running shoes. The Vaporweave mesh is a mixture of thermoplastic polymers and nylon and is inspired by boat racing sails.
Due to its construction, it absorbs much less water than other Nike meshes. Plus, it’s super breathable, lightweight, and relatively durable.
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