Nike Wildhorse 8 Reviews

After more than 500 km, this runner's Wildhorse 8 soles still look good for another 500 km.

Exceptional fit and comfort for long, daily miles on varied terrain, with minimal instability. A great affordable companion for slow, difficult trails or a first trail shoe. A little heavy.

A return to form and a full remodel: comfortable and protective on trails, a sturdy, supportive choice for rough terrain. It feels sluggish when the pace quickens.

Roughly 500 miles of mixed use including work and walking, road runs up to 16 miles, and a 300-mile ultra in torrential rain and mud. They found the React midsole very cushioned, the toe box roomy and the fit true to size, with almost no visible wear on the outsole or upper. The lugs are not especially deep, so traction on wet, slippery trail is only moderate, and at about 360 g it suits recreational ultras better than racing.

After 250 km, including half-marathon distances, this runner calls the Wildhorse 8 a great shoe, though not the lightest or plushest.

Two testers logged about 84 and 77 miles over steep climbs and descents, mud, snow and runnable dirt roads. They rate the grip as strong on technical downhills and the upper as secure and roomy, with a plush tongue and true-to-size fit. The dense React foam showed almost no wear after 15 to 20 hours, though they suspect the thin mesh upper would go first and the shoe feels less special on smooth, buffed-out trail. They see it as a durable, good-value pick for rugged long races.