Article by Michael Ellenberger
Nike Structure 25 ($140)
Introduction
Michael: The sun rises and sets. The seasons change. Nike releases a new Structure. Without a doubt, the Structure is overshadowed by its more famous, less-supportive brother, the Pegasus - and while the Peg remains a bit of a tech demo for Nike (and is more consistently updated), the Structure remains a more traditional, conservative platform. Sure, there’s new technology here - we’ll dive into it below - but the similarity of the Structure year-over-year is what drives many runners to it. Hell, I hadn’t worn the Structure line in a couple years and slipping it on was much more familiar than not!
Pros: Stability you can feel (without issue); hyper-plush upper; durability and traction; price (!!)
Cons: If you want something hyper-modern, look elsewhere; “Midfoot Support System” is noticeable; don’t expect a “secret workout” shoe here.
Stats
Estimated Weight: men's 10.15 oz / 288g (US9)
Sample Weight: 9.9 oz / 281g US8.5
Stack Height: men’s 37 mm heel / 27 mm forefoot (10mm drop spec)
$140 Available at our partner Running Warehouse HERE
First Impressions, Fit and Upper
Michael: As I put in my intro, the Structure 25 is nothing if not familiar. This shoe used to be a go-to trainer of mine (alongside the ASICS DS-Trainer) in my collegiate and post-collegiate days; while I’ve not worn every version Nike has offered, I’ve tested at least Structure 19, 20, and 22 (which turned me of from the line) in recent(ish) years.
Touching first on the upper, there isn’t much to complain about here. The forefoot is wide (I wouldn’t say too wide, but it certainly isn’t a “sock-like” experience) and allows you to really spread out over the roomy platform. There are more overlays here than I’d expect from a 2023 trainer, but they don’t get in your way - indoors or out, I didn’t notice any chafing or hotspots (I’ll add the caveat that I’m just building back training, so while I got several runs in these, I’m not maxing out the mileage yet!). If I had a complaint, it’s that the lace loops and arch top are a little stiff, and sometimes I felt as if the shoe was folding across the laces, rather than rolling gently… but that might have been a function of how tight or loose the laces were, anyway. It definitely did not rise to the level of “problem.”
There’s not a ton to say here - it’s a boring, functional upper! It works!
Midsole
Michael: As recited above, the Structure 25 feels like a return to form - by touching on what works, and ignoring what doesn’t. Last year’s Structure (24) didn’t even indicate that it was a stability shoe (with a wider platform, but mono-density midsole). Not so here. Nike has labeled their “Midfoot Support System” across the medial arch, and you’ll feel the added stiffness when your arch collapses mid-stride. Coupled with the wider platform, you do feel locked in to the Structure, and - especially at slower paces - you feel the shoe nudging your arch back towards the midpoint. It’s gentle, but it’s noticeable, and in my opinion it’s a much more palatable (and universally enjoyable) solution that Nike’s Infinity React platform.
There’s also a hefty portion of cushioning here with the full stack height 37mm heel / 27mm forefoot, though it’s kind of like, I don’t know, mashed potatoes without butter? (Hey, it’s November, food is on the brain!).
Nike has boosted the underfoot platform with Cushlon 3.0 and a Zoom Air unit but it’s still stiffer and less responsive than many modern trainers - new Vomero 17 (RTR Review), this is not.
There’s also a gentle rocker here that I’ll discuss a little more below but, again, don’t go in expecting this shoe to be for anything other than easy miles. I love finding those “sneaky workout shoes” - big trainers that can cover faster paces - but this isn’t it. The Structure is for supported, easy miles - and it does that well.
It is a staple for Nike’s sponsored and professional athletes, and for good reason - it’ll cover a lot of miles without flash; it’s the backbone of many a high-mileage training program.
Outsole
Michael: It’s fall, it’s slick - fear not. As you might expect from looking at it, the outsole on the Structure is more than capable at handling wet, slippery, and (I’m just guessing here) winter conditions.
Nike’s waffle sole remains a top-tier choice for when the conditions are rough, and I anticipate the durability being very good here as well.
Ride, Conclusions and Recommendations
Michael: I promised I’d cover it, so I’ll also make note of the mild “rocker” geometry here that does benefit the Structure 25 - when you’re in stride, you’ll notice a gentle roll to the forefoot that I really enjoyed. What’s more, you’ll notice that slight pressure keeping your medial side locked in, but it doesn’t impair your stride or otherwise cause issues. With a high-stack midsole, I expect the Structure to excel for longer, slower runs - maybe those base-building winter miles as we get ready for spring racing?!
In summary, I can’t truthfully say I’m enthused about the Structure 25 - at its core, it is an “ordinary,” perhaps boring trainer - but I’m also really happy to have it as an option.
Stability shoes are few and far between, and especially at the cost ($140 MSRP, and $99 on RunningWarehouse at time of writing), I think the Structure 25 is a no-brainer if you want a stable, no-frills, easy-miles trainer.
Michael’s Score: 8.8/10
Smile: 😊😊.5
4 Comparisons
Index to all RTR reviews: HERE
Nike Vomero 17 (RTR Review)
Michael: This one will be pretty straightforward; if you need the stability (or are just offended by the idea of leaving the Structure line), get the Structure 25. It’s good, not great, and will absolutely get the job done. For anyone else in-between the two - get the Vomero. They’ve taken a shoe that used to be like the Structure (good, boring) and made it into something really quite exciting.
Nike Infinity React 1-3 (RTR Review)
Michael: I’m glad Sam grouped these three shoes together as a comparator, because while the Infinity React has gotten better over the years, it’s fundamentally remained the same - a firm but bouncy (that’s React, eh?) trainer with a distinct plastic clip ‘round the back. I do see these out on the road a lot, so they must be pretty well-received, but I actually prefer the more-traditional, less-exciting Structure! I like the upper on the new React, better, though.
Saucony Tempus (RTR Review)
Michael: Whew, the Tempus remains the gold-standard for modern stability shoes. Seriously, there’s nothing I’ve found quite as stable and enjoyable as the Saucony Tempus. My knock on it was (and remains) the relatively long break-in period - fortunately not an issue on the Structure - but it’s worth it, once you get over that. It’s livelier, springier, and just more fun - get the Tempus!
ASICS GEL-Kayano 28/29 (RTR Review)
Michael: I sometimes forget that the Kayano is a stability shoe because, frankly, there’s just so much shoe to it that it has to be stable. But practically speaking, the Structure and the Kayano take two paths to reach the same place - the Structure is a slightly duller ride with a lower weight and more rocker, whereas the Kayano is a little heavier, a little chunkier, but also a little springier in its foam and more lively at faster paces (if you can believe that!). The Kayano Lite - even better. So! It’s close. I slightly prefer the fit and profile of the Structure 25, but I’d try both on!
Tester Profile
Michael is a patent attorney and graduate of Northwestern University Law School. Prior to law school, he competed collegiately at Washington University in St. Louis (10,000m PR of 30:21). Michael’s PRs include a 67:43 half-marathon (Chicago Half-Marathon) and a 2:21:19 marathon PR at the 2023 Grandma’s Marathon. Michael continues to race on the roads, and is chasing a sub-2:20 marathon and potential OTQ in the future.
Samples were provided at no charge for review purposes. RoadTrail Run has affiliate partnerships and may earn commission on products purchased via shopping links in this article. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content. The opinions herein are entirely the authors'.
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