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I typically have to wear pretty wide shoes (my current shoes are 12.5 2E) and I’ve traditionally had trouble with Nikes, as they’ve always been a bit narrow for me. But I thought I’d reach out and see if you had something in your latest models that would appeal to me. I’m a triathlete and marathon runner, who typically does 25-35 miles/week. -Mike

Hi Mike. The shoe in our line that I believe would work the best for you is the Nike Zoom Structure Triax+ 11.

 Like your current shoe, the Structure Triax is designed and engineered for runners with up to moderately overpronated gaits. The shoes also share an equivalent suggested retail price and the Structure Triax is available in wide (2E) and extra-wide (4E), in addition narrow (B) and our standard width (D).

With regard to our fit, it is true that we’ve had something of a reputation as “the narrow shoe company,” but we’ve invested a huge amount of research, development and testing over the past decade into improving the fit of both our men’s and women’s shoes. Changes based on these efforts were introduced in our Bowerman Series collection a few years back and we’re quickly incorporating them across our entire running line-up. If you have an opportunity to try the Nike Zoom Structure Triax+ 11 in either our standard or wide widths, I’d love to hear your feedback.

I am 6′, 200lb male with high arches and a fairly neutral footstrike. With most cushioned shoes, my arch is so high I usually wear a Powerstep insole to provide arch support. I have worn the Equalon with fairly good success, but the Equalon 2 seems a bit hard. I am considering going to the Vomero 3 but wanted to get an opinion about whether, given my need for support under the arch, I should stick with the Equalon. -Stan

Hi Stan…this is a tricky question. First, I’m surprised to hear that you found the Equalon+ 2 a bit hard as the most common critique of the shoe we’ve heard is that it’s too soft as compared to its predecessor. I’m wondering if this has something to do with the combination of the shoe with your insert?

 Based on the information you’ve provided, I think your best bet may be the recently introduced Nike Zoom Equalon+ 3. As noted above, many runners felt the Equalon+ 2 was a bit too soft, so we’ve tuned the midsole of the 3 to provide more support without compromising the smooth ride that set its predecessor apart. This may make my recommendation sound counterintuitive in that you said you felt the Equalon+ 2 was already on the hard side, but based on your assessment of the original Equalon, I think this latest version of the shoe will provide the balance of support and cushioning you’re looking for, while also working well with your insert.

I wouldn’t recommend the Nike Zoom Vomero+ 3 based on your “fairly neutral footstrike,” which I take to mean that you may exhibit slight to mild overpronation. The Vomero is a fantastic shoe that many runners have absolutely fallen in love with, but it’s intended for runners with underpronated to neutral foot strikes.

One other shoe you may want to try on for size is the Air Max Moto+ 6. The Moto is, like the Vomero, classified as a “Cushioning” shoe, which is the term used by many retailers to identify footwear intended for runners with a neutral gait. Unlike the Vomero, however, the Moto includes features that make it appropriate for runners who exhibit up to slight or, in some cases, even mild overpronation. As a consequence, the Moto isn’t quite as pillowy soft as the Vomero, but it still offers exceptional cushioning and is very popular with bigger neutral runners, many of whom laud its measure of added support under the heel.

I run around 400 miles a year and I am currently using Nike Air Moire (my 2nd pair). I have never had any problems with my feet or legs and would like to know your recommendation to replace them with as they are no longer available. I am looking for a shoe that has the same characteristics as they have been so good on my legs. -Steve

Hi Steve. I’m very glad to hear that you’ve had a good experience with the Nike Zoom Moire+!

Given that you’ve done well in that shoe, I’m going to assume that you have what us shoe folks call a neutral stride. That means you don’t need any added structures in your shoe to help prevent your feet from rolling inwards excessively, or overpronating, when you run.

 We have a lot of great options in our line for neutral runners, but there are two in particular that I think you may like. The first is a shoe called the Nike LunarTrainer+, and it’s a good match for you because…

•    It’s built around the same foot form (what we call a “last”) as the Moire+, so the fit should feel very familiar.
•    Though the LunarTrainer+ looks like it has a thick midsole, it is, like the Moire+, quite light and flexible.
•    The LunarTrainer+ provides very good cushioning—an area in which it really shines compared to the Moire+. As the name suggests, the shoe is built on a cushioning system that we call LunarLite. This new LunarLite system is unique in its blend of soft cushioning, springy response and support. Typically, when we amplify one of those attributes, one or both of the others is sacrificed to some degree (for example, a soft shoe typically isn’t very responsive or supportive, a responsive shoe typically isn’t very soft, etc.), but LunarLite delivers all three at a very high level. The shoe may feel a bit firm right out of the box, but jog around a bit and I think you’ll be very happily surprised by its cushioning and smooth ride.

The second shoe I’d suggest is the Nike Free Everyday+. Like the LunarTrainer+, the Nike Free Everyday+ is built around the same last as the Moire+, so it should fit well for you. The Everyday+ may feel a bit firmer underfoot than either the Moire+ or LunarTrainer+, but in exchange you get added support, which could be beneficial if you start to increase your mileage. I also personally know of a few runners who’ve transitioned from the Moire+ to the Nike Free Everyday+ with very good results, so I feel pretty confident recommending the Everyday+ to former Moire+ runners.

Hope this helps!