Nike Running Shoes

One of the biggest breakthroughs in Nike running shoe technology started with a waffle iron.

University of Oregon track coach Bill Bowerman spent years tinkering with track spikes to make them lighter and more cushioned. His work led to the original Cortez: a road running shoe with a full-length foam midsole that cushioned landings and an elevated heel that alleviated Achilles' tendon problems.

But the Cortez needed better traction. That's when Bowerman turned to the waffle iron.

He poured melted urethane into a waffle iron to create an outsole with rubber studs. Those studs delivered improved grip on all surfaces, and led to the rise of modern Nike running shoes.

Today, Nike shoes still inspire athletes to run their best. From legendary footwear like the Nike Pegasus and Zoom Structure to the record-hawking Nike Vaporfly NEXT%, the Swoosh has a running shoe for all your workouts and races.

• Zoom Foam: This super-responsive, performance cushioning system from Nike keeps your foot close to the ground to enhance energy return with each stride, while still providing all the support you need.
• Flywire: Nike Flywire engages the upper of your running shoes using strong Nylon fibers to hold your foot in place during running.
• Nike Air: An essential to Nike footwear technology, these signature air pods are designed to cushion the foot strike to ensure the best possible comfort and support. The unique design allows pressurized air pods in the midsole to compress and recover as you run and compensate for your unique height, size and cadence.

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If you don't like how your shoes look, fit or feel, we'll take them back within 60 days. That's our Happy Fit Guarantee.