Article by Jesse Rogers
Nike Wildhorse 10 ($ 155, available now)
Introduction
The Nike Wildhorse 10 is the newest iteration of the Wildhorse from Nike.The Wildhorse model is on its 10th iteration and has traditionally been the daily trainer of the Nike Trail line. The most recent version was the v8, & Nike stated that v9 would be skipped due to the substantial changes in the shoe.
Nike states that their trail shoes slot into 3 categories: Rapid (Ultrafly & Kiger), Crossover (Pegasus Trail & Juniper), and Rugged (Zegama & Wildhorse). The changes to v10 include utilization of ReactX in place of React as its midsole compound with a weight reduction of 35g over the v8. The v10 also has an increase of 3mm of stack over the v8.
Pros: midsole feels great, slight arch support, traction, wide midsole platform
Cons: weight, would prefer (just a touch) more width in toebox.
Most comparable shoes
Nike Zegama 2
Topo Athletic Ultraventure 4
Stats
Spec Weight: approx. 311 g/11.0 oz (Men's US 10)
Sample Weights:
men’s oz / g US 13.6 oz / 386 g in men’s size 12.5
Stack Height: men’s 38mm heel / 28.5 mm forefoot (9.5 mm drop spec)
Platform Width: 100 mm heel / 90 mm midfoot / 130 mm forefoot
Tester Profile
Jesse Rogers I’m a 52 year old recreational runner. I wear either a 12 or 12.5 in running shoes. I have a wider higher volume forefoot, slightly narrow heel. I have a preference for wider volume toe boxes in running shoes. I have been running for over 20 years, the majority while in the Marine Corps where it was required. I started running again after a 6 year hiatus after retiring from the service, I started running again during the pandemic to see if I could complete the 3 mile distance in 30 minutes or under. I have a PR of 2:15:15 for the half marathon and 24:50 for the 5K. I enjoy running on both road and light trails. I’m 6’ 1, about 210 lbs and a heel striker.First Impressions, Fit and Upper
I find the fit to be reasonably generous. I have found the Nike Trail shoes tend to have more space and possibly are built on a different last than the road offerings.
There is a mild taper to the toebox. I haven’t experienced any irritation/ blistering, but I do find it noticeable on my right big toe specifically, with a touch of pressure experienced. I have a thumbs width of space at the end of my big toe and if I sized up I believe the shoe would be too large.
For those that intend to use this for longer efforts, you may experience this, and may need to size up by a half size. Aesthetically, Nike does make a good looking shoe, the colorway I have is reminiscent of a Wildhorse v5 colorway.
The upper is an engineered mesh with good breathability. The tongue is gusseted. I had no issues with lateral movement, my foot was secure, I did not experience any heel lift with the shoe on runs, whether flat terrain, ascents, or descents.
Nike has utilized a new (to me) type of textured shoe lace. I had no issues with laces coming untied, and lace length is reasonable. I would highly recommend that Nike utilize this type of lace across other platforms. I didn’t have to lace lock with a runner's loop.
There is a toe bumper, similar to the toe bumper on the Pegasus Trail 5 in form & function.
Midsole & Platform
The midsole compound is Nike’s ReactX compound. Nike claims it is 13% more responsive than the prior variant of React. The foam is bouncy! I found it very comfortable underfoot. I have run in the Pegasus Trail 5, which also has ReactX, and found the foam in that shoe to be more responsive than bouncy. Nike states that the v10 is 3mm higher in stack than its predecessor.
I suspect the underfoot feel is due to the higher stack of the Wildhorse. The Wildhorse also has noticeable (not obtrusive) arch support.
The Wildhorse has a wide 100 mm heel / 90 mm midfoot / 130 mm forefoot base (US12.5 sample) for its midsole, I think Nike could probably reduce this profile (slightly) for weight savings as my sample checks in at 13.6 oz / 386 g. I did not experience any instability with the Wildhorse on mildly technical terrain.
Outsole
Photo: Nike.com
Nike utilizes their in-house All Terrain Compound (ATC). I believe this outsole material made its debut on the Wildhorse v8. ATC is also utilized on the Pegasus Trail 5. Nike has had issues in the past with its outsole compound on an assortment of trail models and ended up engaging Vibram as a partner on the Ultrafly Trail, Zegama 2, and the recently released Kiger 10.
ATC is a huge improvement over prior iterations of their in-house outsole material. I experienced no problems with traction on dry/wet pavement, dirt, or moss covered surfaces. ATC also seems durable when utilized on pavement and I’m seeing minimal wear on the lugs.
Lug depth is 4mm by my calculation and the outsole pattern is made up of chevrons and triangular chevrons for traction. There is a front rock plate, it seems pliable and provides some protection. There is a somewhat substantial section of exposed midsole material under the center of the foot.
Ride, Conclusions and Recommendations
The Nike Wildhorse 10 is a departure from the previous iteration of the shoe. It now seems more long run/ ultra distance focused, moving away from the daily trail trainer category.
According to Nike’s press release about the shoe, it states that the Wildhorse is for anything 5K up to ultramarathons. While it most definitely can, that’s a wide array of distances for one model.
The shoe offers a very comfortable ride, the only issues I experienced were it felt a touch heavy ( while running on slightly fatigued legs) and the slight taper to the toebox which was felt against my right big toe. To reiterate, I experienced no irritation or blisters, just that it was noticeable.
I’m of the opinion it would be wise for Nike to have a more “anatomical” toebox for the next iteration of the “rugged” models in their Trail line, taking cues from the forefoot of the Ultrafly Trail, which was introduced as their premium trail/ultra distance racer. Why they wouldn’t have utilized that foot shape in this model is a missed opportunity in my opinion.
The ReactX midsole provides a great underfoot experience, allowing the runner a cushioned, supportive ride. In the interest of weight savings, the design team at Nike should possibly consider making the widev platform just a touch narrower.
Comparisons
Topo Ultraventure 4 (RTR Review)
Of shoes that I have worn, this is the closest comparison. The UV 4 has a 5mm drop, versus the 9.5 for the Wildhorse. The weight advantage goes to the UV4 sitting at 12.1 oz/344 g in mens size 12. I’d give the Wildhorse the advantage in midsole material. For traction, it depends on your use case: for mellower terrain the UV4, for more off road use the Wildhorse. For fit, if you have a wider forefoot, go Topo, if your foot skews narrower, the Wildhorse.
Nike Zegama 2 (RTR Review)
I very briefly ran in this shoe in a men’s size 12.5, however I found that the toebox had gotten narrower than v1, and more uncomfortable. Definitely more room in the toebox for the Wildhorse 10. I found that odd as the Zegama slates into the Nike category of “rugged” along with the Wildhorse.
Shopping at our partners below is much appreciated and helps support RoadTrailRun
Europe only: use RTR code RTR5ALL for 5% off all products, even sale products
Google "roadtrailrun Shoe Name" and you can be quite sure to find just about any run shoe over the last 10 plus yearsortable. Definitely more room in the toebox for the Wildhorse. I found that odd as the Zegama slates into the Nike category of “rugged” along with the Wildhorse.
Index to all RTR reviews: HERE
2 comments:
By more room in the toe box compared to the Zegama 2, do you mean volume/height or width? I find the Zegama 2 to have a pretty rounded toe box
Hello, I meant by volume, height & width. It was my experience that the size of the Zegama toebox v2 was not as spacious as v1
Post a Comment