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Given how innovative the Nike Vaporfly 3 and Nike Alphafly 2 are, it’s easy to assume that’s where Nike places a lot of its focus. While this may be the case, Nike doesn’t overlook the importance of the everyday mileage running shoes that support you on your journey. The updated Nike Structure 25 delivers support where you need it, and cushioning where you want it.
It’s fair to say there’s benefits of using different running shoes for specific types of sessions. For example, when doing aerobic based runs, as opposed to speed focused workouts, the emphasis shifts from needing maximum propulsion, to needing adequate support and comfort. As much as we love the feeling of ZoomX foam and carbon fibre, it’s not the right choice for daily miles. Nike makes a number of different road running shoes that suit slower to steady paced runs. However, if you’re searching for Nike stability running shoes, the upgraded Nike Structure 25 offers enhanced support for your feet and legs.
Nike has made a considerable number of changes to the latest edition in a bid to deliver the best experience to date.
What’s changed in the Nike Structure 25?
Let’s start with the new cushioning. An improved midsole foam, called Cushlon 3.0, makes up the majority of the midsole. How’s it improved? It offers more protection, helping soften the impact of landing. If you’re wondering why it doesn’t make up the whole midsole, it’s because of a Zoom Air Unit sitting in the forefoot. This brings a small amount of extra responsiveness to the forefoot area, which improves energy return.
There’s also more foam in the midsole and an increased heel to toe rocker. This rocker geometry and high foam stack promotes a smoother sensation throughout the gait cycle.
The following image shows the tuned support and intentionally placed cushioning.
As this holistic style of support is positioned on the medial side of the Structure 25 midsole, it should help reduce greater ranges of pronation. Additionally, the midsole is also broader - making the base inherently more stable.
Previous Nike Structure wearers should notice some considerable changes to the upper. These include:
- Softer materials on the inside of the heel, collar and tongue for more comfort;
- Extra support around the ankle area as a result of the new heel clip; and
- A wider forefoot area for a more accommodating fit.
What are they best suited to?
Cushioning helps soften the impact of landing. When you’re running at slower to steady paces, your feet are likely to be on the ground for longer than when you’re running faster. As a result, softer feeling shoes can often feel more comfortable than firmer shoes at lower intensities. This means the Nike Structure 25 are best suited to everyday miles at your aerobic effort paces. Even though there’s a Zoom Air Unit in the forefoot, we don’t recommend using these for faster paced running - such as intervals, tempo runs, and hill reps.
Given the high stack height and rocker shaped geometry, these are not exclusively suited to a set distance. By this, we mean the Nike Structure 25 cushioning offers great comfort for anything from short recovery runs, to long Sunday miles.
As the Nike Structure 25 offers increased support, we classify them as stability running shoes. The additional support in the midfoot area, wide base net, and structured heel counter, should all help reduce instability at the feet and ankle area. If you need extra support for greater ranges of pronation, these Nike running shoes are well worth considering.
How do they compare to other Nike models?
The closest comparison to the Nike Structure 25 running shoes are the Nike Infinity RN 4 running shoes. These also feature extra support to improve underfoot stability. One of the main differences is the midsole compound. Unlike the Structure 25 which are made with Cushlon 3.0 foam, the Infinity RN 4 are made with ReactX foam. This offers more energy return and a bouncier underfoot experience. It’s worth stating that they’re both suited to the same type of running: slower to steady paces, and a range of distances.
If you’re looking for more responsiveness for some faster paced running, you may want to opt for the Nike Zoom Fly 5 running shoes. Even though these are neutral running shoes, both the forefoot and heel offer slightly wider bases for a stable platform. For some runners, rotating between the Structure 25 and Zoom Fly 5 for varying training sessions could be a great way of having the right shoes for the task. As we mentioned earlier in the article, there are usually benefits of rotating between different pairs of running shoes. Particularly if you mix up the pace and intensity of your weekly runs.
