Hoka Bondi 8 Performance Review

The Hoka Bondi 8 features a super thick midsole that’s on-trend with today’s most popular hyped sneaker silhouettes. Yes, you heard that right. Hoka, the brand that wasn’t cool when it emerged during the minimalist shoe craze, is now fashionable. If this is weird for you, welcome to the shoe industry, where villains become heroes and vice versa on a regular basis.

Now…let’s see how this chunky boy performs.

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Tyler: After enjoying the last few models of the Bondi, Hoka’s most cushioned neutral offering, I was thrilled to see the brand amp up everything for its 8th iteration. If you’re looking for a summer runner that will provide plush cushioning in a relatively light package (considering its chunky silhouette), you might just find it in the Hoka Bondi 8.

Drew: I pulled the Hoka Bondi 8 out of the box and immediately fell in love with that midsole. And so did my Instagram followers. Air Jordan 1 glamour shots are easily my most liked and engaged Hoka posts. It may not matter how these suckers perform in terms of running as their looks have clearly struck the right chord.

Hoka Bondi 8

Release Date: TBD

Price: $165

Weight: M 10.8oz, W 8.9oz

Drop: 4mm (29mm forefoot, 33mm heel)

Sizing: True to Size

• Rundown: Plush and comfy all-around if a little narrow and heavy. Possibly the best-looking Hoka shoe ever.

Pros

• Cushion
• Looks
• Outsole

Cons

• Narrow Fit
• Weight

Pros

Cushion

Tyler: I said it above. It’s Hoka’s most cushioned road shoe and just slipping into it provides your feet the feeling of – and this is not hyperbole – walking on clouds. Underfoot, around the heel, and across the upper, the comfort that the Bondi provides is nearly unmatched by any other shoe in its category. If you plan to be on your feet all day – running or not – this should be in your consideration set.

Drew: The heel of the Hoka Bondi 8 measures 33mm but feels a lot taller. Not sure why. Maybe it’s the visuals of the sole endlessly sloping down and away from the foot. Regardless, ground feel is not a thing in the Bondi 8. It’s the ultimate “my legs feel torn up from yesterday’s workout, I need max protection” shoe.

And even though you feel like you’re way up high, the stability is solid thanks to the flaring midsole. The Bondi 8 is a very stable shoe with max cushioning that’s the perfect recipe for running when tired or standing all day at a theme park.

Looks

Tyler: Gone are the days of the Bondi looking like an orthopedic shoe. We got a little tease of the direction that Hoka was heading in with the Bondi X, but the Bondi 8 really brings forward a much more current design execution that’s simple and straightforward. The two-tone midsole and single-color mesh upper strive to keep it looking sleek.

Drew: If you removed the logo and told me the Hoka Bondi 8 was designed by Kanye, Drake, or a high-end fashion house, I’d believe you. I really hope Hoka makes a version with leather and suede for casual wear. I think it would sell like crazy and really inject Hoka into mainstream sneaker culture.

Outsole

Tyler: Unlike other Hoka models that sport little-to-no rubber outsoles, the Hoka Bondi 8 has excellent coverage across the entire outsole to extend its life and ensure good traction underfoot. But all that rubber adds weight, and while a max cushioned shoe isn’t going to be a speed demon, I didn’t find the weight of this one to be a problem. It’s meant to be a slow and steady shoe, so let’s remember that.

Drew: I appreciate a shoe built to last and the Bondi 8 gets to that territory with a solid amount of outsole rubber. Since it’s summer, I didn’t get to test the Bondi 8 in wintry conditions but it handled wet conditions well. The traction was secure whenever I needed it.

Cons

Narrow Fit

Tyler: I’m not sure if Hoka tinkered with the fit on the Bondi 8, but my first run was a mid-tempo (and extremely humid) 10K with Drew and it wasn’t until I got home that I noticed two giant blisters on the inside of each big toe. Upon putting the shoes back on for my following runs, it became evident how narrow the upper really is. I think they somewhat opened up after a few runs, but I would recommend checking out both a standard and wide fit (if possible) before committing to them.

Drew: While the Hoka Bondi 8’s toebox does narrow and curve inward a little too sharply for my eye’s liking, I didn’t end up having any problems with those areas like Tyler did. My problem came in the arches. The semi-gusseted tongue is only attached on the medial side and the attachment aligns perfectly with the arch area. There’s A LOT of stitching there and it chafed both my arches eventually resulting in a fat blister on my right foot. This won’t happen for everyone but it’s something to note if you have high arches or your arch area is sensitive.

Weight

Tyler: As I said above, the weight is not a big con, but this is not a super light shoe, although aesthetically, it may look like it. It’s big, chunky, and wide and although it excels for what it does – slow, recovery runs, if you’re slogging through a long run, you might notice the heft of these in those later miles.

Drew: I’m 6’6″ and almost 200 pounds. I rarely notice when a shoe is deemed heavy by other, tinier running reviewers. But I felt the heft of the Hoka Bondi 8. Towards the end of several six miles runs, I found myself constantly thinking about how heavy they felt. I think the weight disqualifies the Bondi 8 as a long run shoe but it can handle one to six-mile runs without the weight factoring in very much.

Hoka Bondi 8 Summary

Tyler: The Hoka Bondi 8 is a great progression from the Bondi 7, save for some of the narrowness in the upper. I’d also call out that as a huge fan of the Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit, the Bondi 8 provides a very similar experience, but with a much better ride, thanks to a more stable midsole. If you’re a fan of the Bondi, this will be a welcome shoe in your rotation.

Drew: While the Hoka Bondi 8 is so very plush and extremely good-looking, I’m not sure I’d choose it over the Hoka Clifton 8 (currently our favorite Hoka running shoe). But if you’re looking for a high cushion running shoe that looks less like a KD 15 and can easily pass the theme park test, order yourself a pair and embrace the softness.

PUMA Clyde Hardwood Review: A Basketball Shoe You Should Know About

For those who are still sleeping on hoop shoes from the non-Swoosh-Jumpman-Three Stripe brands such as your ANTA’s, BrandBlack’s, Li-Ning’s, or PUMA’s of the world – let me introduce you to my comprehensive 5-month indoor & outdoor PUMA Clyde Hardwood review.

I’ll be covering one of the earlier PUMA hoop shoe releases in the last few-year lineup and breaking down its comfort & performance aspects, examining the build & quality, versatility, and how much value for your $$$ you’re getting amongst the competition and I’ll also give you some potential alternatives.

I. SPEC SHEET

II. 1-MIN REVIEW 

Looking for the quick take? Here’s the gist of it: the PUMA Clyde Hardwood dropped back in 2019 but it’s still just as solid in 201 and later, even when stacked against current competition.

For $120 (and less these days), you’ll get a secure fit (most guys can go true to size), fantastic traction that will also last some time outdoors, decent ProFoam cushion that won’t give you tons of bounce but it’ll provide a fast, stable and low-to-the-ground ride.

Support was no slouch – most players or playstyles will find it sufficient and you won’t lose mobility as a result. The upper features a mix of textile and real leather, so the bang for your buck factor is there.

It’s a good hoop shoe. Nothing shockingly new and won’t exactly blow anyone away but it’s a good buy for those in need of a trusty all-around sneaker without paying a fortune.

III. FIT & COMFORT

How’s the sizing? TTS or should you adjust? What about comfort? Anything else to know?

SIZING GUIDE

Let’s get right into the meat – how does the shoe fit? It fits pretty well.

That’s really the basis of it – it’s not some kind of ultra-premium, feathery light, or among the most comfortable ever. For me, it was enough for the shoe to not get into the way of playing my game seamlessly or hinder a light shootaround session with my buddies.

I’m a wide footer and the shoe didn’t look very wide looking at it online, so I had a bad feeling about these, for me particularly.

My fears didn’t come true though. A couple of weeks were enough for the upper to adjust to my foot’s shape and all is OK since.

I’ve seen that the shoe runs long for some. For me – I don’t really feel they run long but this will depend if you like your kicks to be pretty much one-to-one with your foot or you’re used to a more traditional half-inch of space for the toes.

If you can live with having a tad bit of space up at the front – there’s nothing really jarring about the fit here. You’ll be fine.

I went true to size and after a pretty uncomfortable 1-2 week break-in period, the shoe fits fine. It’s tight, snug, and very condensed but not enough to be particularly distracting.

Still though, this is one of those scenarios where people had different experiences, so my recommendations would be to go true to size for most foot shapes and if you’ve got a more compact, narrow foot, perhaps a 1/2 size down is a better option.

Ideally, it’s best to try these in-store but if you’re reading this one in 2021 and later, it’ll be tougher to find a pair on the shelves. So, true to size is the go – chances are, you’ll be good with that.

COMFORT

As far as pure comfort goes – nothing special. Nothing bad though either – there’s some internal padding (I would’ve liked more but it’s not bad), the material combo really cups your foot securely and allows for distraction-free play.

Plus, the extremely light and bendy tongue makes the shoe very easy to put on.

Overall – nothing extraordinary or very special but it works, no denying that. That’s good enough for me for 120 bucks, even when compared to our well-known competitors in the sneaker market.

IV. TRACTION

How’s the grip on various surfaces? What about dust/debris? How long will the outsoles last?

 

TRACTION PERFORMANCE

Traction is great. Unlike the shoe’s fit, traction is something truly special, no joke. PUMA’s multi-directional pattern in the back portion of the outsole, classic herringbone in the forefoot portion.

I was a bit skeptical with the changed-up lateral portion with the thick line pattern but my worries all faded away after I put some good hours on a few different courts (outdoors included).

The shoe grips all courts so well to the point it’s scary. This reminds me of the level the Kyrie 2’s, Dame 3’s, and a few older retros brought in terms of sheer, consistent bite.

Since the rubber is very tacky and sticky – dust will pile up in the pattern fairly quickly. That would normally be a bit of an issue – not with these though. No matter the amount of dust, I didn’t feel like I needed to wipe to maintain optimal traction. Even on crappier courts!

No complaints about the traction at all – a phenomenal job.

DURABILITY

As far as durability – the rubber isn’t very thick but it’s super tacky. I wouldn’t put these among the most durable outsoles ever but it sure is more durable than your average modern hoop shoe from Nikey & company.

I’ve been putting some hours on a less abrasive rubber court outside and don’t see any signs of wear yet.

I did play on banged-up concrete at my local park once or twice, so you can imagine just how much debris can pile up in the traction pattern.

This is the one time where I felt the grip loosened up a bit due to an overkill of crap in the outsole. But this is barely a nitpick since most shoes would do a similar job – there’s no real solution when you’re on a chore of a court, so wiping the soles down when you’ve got a few seconds is the way to go on such instances.

Great job overall. Grippy – check. Durable – check. Dust rarely is an issue – check. On to the next!

V. CUSHION

How’s the impact protection and energy return? What about step comfort, stability, and ride height?

Full-length ProFoam sounds really good right? Well, it’s just regular EVA foam you’d see on cheaper & older shoes but likely marginally altered by PUMA.

No surprise here for me personally. Brands have been doing this “let’s rename a basic component to a fancy tech name to hype up the shoe” tactic for years now. You can like it or hate it – a tech name on paper won’t change how the shoe performs on the court.

I didn’t hate the shoe’s cushion setup but since it’s not my cup of tea, it’s tough for me to praise it. I simply like my shoes to have some pop underfoot.

The TPU cage all around the midsole ensured the foam is super stable at all times but this also firmed up the cushion even more. Adequate performance qualities are here, it’s just that you won’t feel much of ’em cushion-wise.

Still though, being as subjective as possible, it’s a solid setup for those wanting a quick and responsive ride that’s very low profile and court feel-orientated. You’re low to the ground, stable, and precise in these.

This will work for just about anyone really, but guys who can’t live without some bounce should probably opt for something from the leaper’s lineup of shoes.

VI. SUPPORT

How’s the shoe’s overall security? What about stability and foot containment? Any trade-offs as a result?

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image source: puma.com

For a pretty minimal type of shoe that delivers just what you need and not necessarily what you’d ideally love to get, support was solid in all areas.

It was everything that was needed for the types of players that will enjoy the firmer & more responsive ride as well.

A flat base of the shoe that promotes stability, an external heel counter for heel & ankle lockdown, a dynamic lacing system backed up by cables that tighten up the forefoot area if you require, and the TPU cage around the midsole also does wonders for lateral & medial containment of the foot.

Most players will find this setup sufficient – only those with particularly extensive support needs will likely aim for something else. For that LeBron’ish, tank-like support, I’d say check out this list.

But for the rest of us, this will be more than enough.

I definitely consider myself explosive and aggressive when it comes to slashing to the rim or playing above the rim when possible. I did not find this setup to be lackluster at all.

VII. THE BUILD

What are the materials used and how’s the build quality? How does the build perform and feel on-foot?

BUILD OVERVIEW

For the upper – we got a surprising combo here. A textile material backed up by synthetics in the forefoot area and all genuine leather in the back. Kyrie 8 anyone?

There are some traits of suede but not enough to where it would matter much in terms of durability or performance.

Traditional tongue & lace construction is where it’s at too – I’m still not a huge fan of the likes of one/half-bootie uppers, so the PUMA Clyde Hardwood feels right at home for those sharing a similar quirk.

I found this build to be solid overall if we’re talking value for the $$$. Nothing meaningfully different from what you’d get with $120 from Nikey or adidas.

PERFORMANCE

The front is light and thin, giving you just enough forefoot mobility and comfort to stop and pop, while the leather in the back hugs your heel very nicely after it’s broken in.

This way, you’ll be light on your feet but you’ll also be secure, as the back area is where most of the lockdown comes from.

Breathability was somewhat a mixed bag. The back area where the leather barely has any airflow, for obvious reasons. The front textile area allows for some airflow but these are definitely not among the best-ventilated sneakers. Not that it tries to be though.

I personally don’t have a clear, distinct choice or taste when it comes to materials – if it feels great and performs great, I’m going with that. Nothing less, nothing more. I feel like these gave me what I need – sufficient comfort, sufficient coverage and they play very nicely.

RELIABILITY

As for durability and overall build quality – I think PUMA did a solid job, though not without small culprits. The leather in the back will last you a near lifetime but the forefoot textile area already looks visually tired after a few weeks of playing, especially after some outdoor action.

Not the weakest shoe but the strongest either – these will last you a while but I wouldn’t put these in my outdoor beater rotation.

VIII. OVERALL

Summarizing the PUMA Clyde Hardwood review, final thoughts, and whether it’s worth your money

I admit it, this is officially my first PUMA sneaker I’ve stepped in to play basketball for a good amount of hours before constructing my thoughts to a detailed review.

But it’s a clear example that you should be interested in not only Nikey, Adidas, or Air Jordan but also give the underdogs a chance. They’ve been quickly growing in the shadows for a while now.

QUICK RECAP

The PUMA Clyde Hardwood is a very solid shoe for those that like that type of responsive & low to the ground setup.

They fit great once you get the sizing right, traction is phenomenal and very durable, cushion will come down to personal preference and they’re supportive for most players. $120 is a solid price, especially considering there are Nikey/Adidas shoes that are $150-$180 and have way more issues.

Nike Air Zoom SuperRep 3 Performance Review

The Nike Air Zoom SuperRep 3 may look jarring to some people. Although not as jarring as the original Nike SuperRep we reviewed two years ago. It looks like a training version of the Nike Air Zoom Alphafly Next%. That’s a lot of expectation to live up to, considering that the comparison is one of the best running shoes on the market. Did it meet my expectations? In most ways, yes. I enjoyed my time in these training shoes and here are all the details.

Nike Air Zoom SuperRep 3

Colorway: White/Photo Blue/Pink Prime/Black

Release Date: 2022

Style Code: DC9115-109

Price: $120

Traction

The traction pays homage to the brand’s history with a waffle-themed outsole. Don’t worry if you see what seem to be bald spots on the ball of your foot and in the toe area. They come like that. I didn’t have any issues with grip on any surface. There are also flex grooves placed so you can be mobile, and I found that especially useful during lunges. The bridge posed no problems, and it’s durable, so there’s no need to worry about it breaking.

Cushion

The primary cushion you’ll feel is foam. The foam isn’t named on Nike’s website though it was Cushlon on the original SuperRep. It feels even softer than that. I was surprised by how plush the foam was, especially in the back. It’s fluffier than the Cushlon in the Nike KD 15. The two Zoom pods up front visually remind me of the Nike Zoom Freak 3. You can’t feel them compress though you know they’re there when you put them on. I think the high PSI is the culprit.

Sometimes, it can be off-putting because the back half is much softer than the front half. It can take some getting used to, but it isn’t a deal-breaker. It just means I’ll be covered whether I land on my heel (with foam) or on my forefoot( by the Zoom units).

Materials

The materials consist of mesh and fuse overlays. There are two layers of mesh. The one that comes in contact with the foot is thick and comfortable. The one above that is a screen mesh. The fuse is mainly used in the eye stay area, the heel, and the branding. The tongue is thin, much like the Nike LeBron 19, but it isn’t annoying. It doesn’t chafe up your feet because the plastic isn’t as sharp and hard.

Fit

I went true to size and had a thumb’s width of space upfront, which is how I like it. However, if you’re a narrow-footer, you can get away with half a size down because the materials will loosen up over time and with more use. My tip would be to use the top eyelets and cinch the laces to get the best heel lockdown.

Support

The Nike FlyPlate is included, and it gets the job done. Being a flat-footer, I always have my orthotics in, but most won’t need the extra support. If you’re a flat footer like me, we recommend Move Insoles. The FlyPlate offers ample support for the foot and helps the shoe snap back into shape. The midsole also comes up the lateral sides for containment, and it works perfectly. From the midfoot to the heel area there’s a plastic piece that adds support.

Can you run in these? Yes. They’re good enough for the treadmill, but I wouldn’t run in them for prolonged periods. 10-15 minutes would be good. If you’re flat-footed, don’t do it even with orthotics. The support isn’t sufficient. For everyone else, though, it will work just fine in small doses.

Nike Air Zoom SuperRep 3 Overall

The Nike Air Zoom SuperRep 3 is one of the more versatile training shoes. Want to do HIIT classes? Perfect. Want to lift weights and get bulky? Not a problem. Want to do a quick run on the treadmill? Go ahead. Bring these when you go into the gym not knowing what you plan to do. They’ll be able to handle almost everything. And be assured that whatever you’ll do in them, your feet will be comfortable and well-supported. These deserve a spot on our Best Cross Training Shoes list.

Nike Renew Elevate 3 Performance Review

Nike Renew Elevate 3

The Nike Renew Elevate 3 is an OK budget model from Nike, for under $80.

Colorway: Black/Wolf Grey/Cool Grey/White

Release Date: 2022

Style Code: DD9304-002

Price: $80

The Nike Renew Elevate 3 is a budget model released by Nike in 2022. The previous iterations of the Nike Renew Elevate have been above average performance models with a very reasonable price tag of just around $80 USD.

The big draw of the Elevate line has been the implementation of Nike’s Renew foam cushioning. Renew is the takedown version of React, both of which have proven to be very effective cushioning setups.

This year’s version maintains the previous model’s price tag and made some upgrades aesthetically. But, how did it perform on the court? Let’s jump in and find out.

Traction

The traction is the shoe’s best feature. The sole features a mix of herringbone and a radial traction pattern which gives decent coverage on all types of changes in speed and direction. The rubber is on the harder side and the grooves are deep which makes the shoe a good option for outdoor hoops (as far as the traction is concerned). The sole wraps around the toe, heel, and lateral areas of the shoe to give extra coverage on more exaggerated push-off moves in all directions.

There are two sections cut out of the traction pattern to allow the foam cushioning system to expand when compressed but they didn’t affect the all-around traction in my experience.

One slight drawback is that the grooves on the sole do accumulate dust after a while, but a quick wipe down is enough to get the traction biting the floor again.

Cushion

The cushion is decent, nothing amazing, but serviceable. In the previous model, Nike used a dual-density foam setup that featured a full-length slab of Renew foam as well as EVA. In this version, however, Nike skimped on the Renew and just used a thin, 3/4 unit. But, admittedly it still works well.

The Renew is thickest in the heel, and that’s where you will feel it the most, especially if you tend to heel strike. The forefoot is much less cushioned, but there’s plenty of court feel and responsiveness. I played with these a lot outside and I was able to stay on the court pain-free for about an hour. Anything more than that and I was hurting the next day.

Materials

The materials are easily the worse part of the shoe and affect the shoe’s fit and support, but more on that later. The shoe’s upper consists primarily of a soft and stretchy woven material that requires no break-in time. There are a couple of fuse overlays in high wear areas and two synthetic leather overlays on either side of the heel of each shoe. The woven material is reflective as well and makes the shoe look greyer in hand. All the design details are stitched into the shoe.

The shoe doesn’t look or feel bad in hand but once you start playing in them the upper turns out to be too forgiving to offer great support or fit, which leads us to the next category.

Fit

The Nike Renew Elevate 3 fits slightly long, and the soft woven upper creates significant dead space in the toe box of the shoe. I ordered a size 12 and I could have easily gone down half a size.

The extra length and the dead space on the toe are a bummer because they allowed my foot to slip forward on hard stops and jammed my toes into the front of the shoe. If this has ever happened to you before, you know how bothersome it can be, and how not fun aching toenails are.

If I had a better fit, it’s possible that this wouldn’t have been an issue, so if you can, go in and try these on or try half a size less than usual.

Support

The support on the Nike Renew Elevate 3 worked well enough, but it’s no all-star in this aspect. The shoe has a very wide forefoot with outriggers on either side which provide a solid base and no tipping. There is also a heel cup and two lace cables on either side that help keep your foot locked into place.

The problem with the support, was again the fit and materials. The materials stretch too much to contain your foot on movements with high torque, and the extra space allows your foot to slide down the footbed.

The wide base, lace cables, and heel counter compensate for a lot of these deficiencies, and the shoe does not feel unstable or unsafe in any way.

Nike Renew Elevate 3 Overall

The Nike Renew Elevate 3 is an ok shoe, nothing special in my opinion. If you are looking for a budget basketball shoe and these guys ring your bell aesthetically, then go right ahead. They will not disappoint you. But, I will also say that there are better budget options for similar pieces out there. Even if you want to stick with Nike, for practically the same price you might prefer to go with the Nike PG 6 or the Nike Giannis Immortality. I do think the Nike Renew Elevate 3 looks better than either of those models but to each his or her own.

Nike React Infinity Run 3 Performance Review

The Nike React Infinity Run 3 is a slight update from the Nike React Infinity Run 2 and continues the line’s tradition as a popular, comfortable model with minor issues.

Tyler: The original Nike React Infinity Run has been a staple in my rotation since its release in 2020 (I’m currently on my third pair). When the second iteration came out, I was excited to experience the updates, namely the lockdown. But, to my surprise, it didn’t have the same magic as the first and I immediately hurried back to the original version. With incremental updates to the Nike React Infinity Run 3, I was cautiously optimistic about this performance review.

Drew: The Nike React Infinity Run 2 was a sort of a meh update. It fixed some things but created other issues (including an eye-roll-inducing stitching controversy on YouTube). The Nike React Infinity Run 3 appears to be a solid mix of the two originals that perhaps creates the best one yet.

Nike React Infinity Run 3

Release Date: May 2022

Price: $160

Weight: 10.5oz

Drop: 8mm (26mm forefoot, 34mm heel)

Sizing: True to Size

• Rundown: Insert

Pros

• Lockdown
• React Midsole
• Accommodating Fit

Cons

• Innovation
• Lacing

Pros

Lockdown

Tyler: I’m the first to admit the fit of the original left a lot to be desired, especially in the heel lockdown and shallow lacing (I needed one more eyelet!). Version 2 improved on both of those slightly, but this third version really secures the foot with a slightly higher tongue and heel. With some slight padding to boot, the lockdown is perfect with no need to fidget mid-run.

Drew: Though the collar looks similar to the Dunk Low, it fits better. The tongue is more substantial while the heel padding isn’t quite as thick. But I’m not sure either of those changes make the difference. There’s a slightly different angle to the heel geometry that helps the heel hug the achilles and heel bone thus making both more secure inside the shoe.

The increased lockdown may also be because the large TPU support clip is a slightly different shape. It’s less blocky and more free-flowing as it swoops around the arch and heel. It seems more anatomical than the heel clip used on the first and second Infinity Run models. This pays dividends with the heel feeling more natural and ultimately more secure.

React Midsole

Tyler: The Nike React Infinity Run 3 carries on the tradition of the past models, providing an excellent dose of React that doesn’t lose its plushness during runs or throughout the life of the shoe. Whether you’re pushing double-digit miles on the weekend or throwing these things on after 6 months of wear and tear, the React feels and performs the exact same. I also think that no matter what type of foot strike you have, this midsole provides an extremely balanced ride.

Drew: The full-length React midsole of the Nike React Infinity Run 3 returns unchanged from the past two models. That’s a good thing. The fat slab of React was the best thing about the original. And because it’s the same one, we know it lasts hundreds of miles without losing that plush React feeling. Nike isn’t tweaking it because so many people love its feel and continue to support the Infinity Run line.

Accommodating Fit

Tyler: The stability rails around the heel, wide toe box, and dialed-in lacing make this such an enjoyable shoe to wear. Whether it’s for a run or to run errands, it accommodates many foot types. As a bonus, the Nike React Infinity Run 3 doesn’t have the exaggerated arch as prominent as it once was (although that never bothered me).

Drew: The upper still accommodates every foot type without issue. I know narrow footers and wide footers alike who love the Infinity Run line. But the Nike React Infinity Run 3 features the best upper of the bunch. The Flyknit is softer and more comfortable than ever before. Nike let Flyknit be Flyknit without molding it. This way it can better mold to your foot over time ensuring a great long term fit.

Cons

Innovation

Tyler: As much as I really enjoy the Nike React Infinity Run 3, a part of me is slightly confused as to why there hasn’t been a larger overhaul to this model. Version 1 and Jordan 2022 were released within a year of each other with this third iteration hitting shelves well over a year after the previous model. Surely, Covid and supply-chain issues have thrown a wrench in a lot of things, but it makes me curious as to how much this model will evolve over time.

Drew: The Nike React Infinity Run 3 is for people who enjoyed the first two and only wanted small improvements to the base shoe they loved. Shoe tech nerds won’t see enough changes to make it worth it.

It’s not a bad thing if your main objective is running miles with a similar ride and feel to what you’re used to. Heck, you even get better lockdown and a more comfortable upper. However, we have to call it out. There’s a sizeable portion of our audience looking for new and different with every shoe purchase.

Lacing

Tyler: Initially appearing in Infinity Run 2, the eyelets on either side of the tongue are super close to each other. With the Flyknit upper and more accommodating fit, this isn’t as much of a problem as I’m making it out to be, but I would love to see a little more separation to ensure a uniform fit across all of the laces.

Drew: The lacing system was a complaint with both previous Infinity Run models and it’s basically the same as the Infinity Run 2 here. It’s suboptimal and makes it tough for narrow-footed runners to find the right fit. It’s not a huge deal, but hopefully, the next version will finally give us a better lacing system.

Nike React Infinity Run 3 Summary

Tyler: The Nike React Infinity Run 3 is what the Infinity Run 2 should have been. It feels like a natural progression from the first Infinity Run with optimizations to areas that fell short on the original. While it may not be preferable for faster days, I think calling it an “easy day shoe” does it a disservice – this thing can handle a lot of what’s thrown at it. If you enjoyed the first version, you’ll love this one. If you’re thinking that you’ll just grab the Infinity Run 2 at a discount, I’d urge you to fork over the extra cash and enjoy the upgraded plush heel and tongue.

Drew: We said it at the beginning of this review, the Nike React Infinity Run 3 is a solid incremental update to the Infinity Run line. It won’t knock your socks off but if you loved running in either of the first two, the Infinity Run 3 is a shoe you’ll want in your closet.