The Nike Wildhorse 10. All photographs: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
The Nike Wildhorse 10 ($165) is a wonderful high-traction, responsive path shoe for fast speeds on tough, rocky trails. It excels at something from exercises to technical 100-kilometer races. It’s a stable selection for many who benefit from the traction and floor really feel of the Nike Kiger 9, however need a bit extra rugged versatility than the Nike Pegasus Path 5.
Nike skipped from the Wildhorse 8 to the ten and didn’t launch a brand new model of the shoe in 2024. That missed yr has resulted in an up to date shoe that seems like a large improve from the prior mannequin. One of many greatest upgrades is the brand new ReactX foam midsole, which gives a springy responsive journey. Nike additionally elevated the stack top by three millimeters, to 38 millimeters on the heel and 28.5 millimeters on the toe, to create a shoe with an precise weight of 11.0 ounces (311 grams) for U.S. males’s 9. A slight enhance over the Wildhorse 8, the 9.5-millimeter heel-to-toe drop provides the shoe a stunning ahead propulsive journey whereas going straightforward on the Achilles.
For many who do some street working earlier than hitting the path, the shoe performs surprisingly properly on concrete with a really easy, versatile, and cushioned journey.
The Wildhorse 10 has constant sizing with different Nike path footwear, nevertheless it does have a barely tighter match within the forefoot. For those who desire slightly extra roominess within the toebox, you might need to dimension a half dimension up. I discovered that after about 20 miles, the higher cloth loosened up notably. Personally, I might persist with my common dimension as I desire the snugger match.
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Nike Wildhorse 10 Higher
A lateral view of the Nike Wildhorse 10.
The Nike Wildhorse 10 higher is a combination of engineered mesh and a barely extra open mesh across the toebox for improved breathability. There’s a protecting rand across the toes that’s an extension of the outsole. I famous no further moisture buildup or blisters from warmth retention whereas out on uncovered trails throughout sunny, 90-degree Fahrenheit days. On cooler, wet spring days, the higher breathed properly, and it by no means felt like I used to be working with puddles inside my footwear. After 150 miles, the higher appears completely intact with minimal put on, indicating good sturdiness, particularly with my triangle-shaped toes.
The heel cup is sturdy and surrounded by a safe ankle collar that retains small rocks and stands proud with none rubs or irritation. Often, I’m a lazy shoe donner, and the heel space of the higher stayed intact regardless of my abuse of slipping on my shoe utilizing the again tab. The tongue quantity is excellent: not too thick and chunky and never overly minimalist. The laces keep tied even with a single knot.
Nike Wildhorse 10 Midsole
A medial view of the Nike Wildhorse 10.
With the ReactX foam improve, the Nike Wildhorse 10 midsole gives a easy, fast, and light-weight journey that’s a lot appreciated on sooner downhill and extra technical terrain. In line with the model, the ReactX foam is 13% extra responsive than their React foam, which was used within the earlier model of the shoe.
Nike additionally claims that the ReactX foam lasts longer than different choices, nevertheless, the midsole longevity stays to be seen as I solely have 150 miles on the footwear. Probably, I might not be capable to get rather more than 300 miles out of this shoe, however that could be a private desire and associated to my long-time harm prevention perception of fixing out footwear often.
The Wildhorse 10 has a forefoot rock plate that does its job properly with no famous discomfort. I didn’t discover the rock plate including an excessive amount of stiffness or lowering the smoothness of the journey.
Nike Wildhorse 10 Outsole
The outsole of the Nike Wildhorse 10.
The Nike Wildhorse 10 has the model’s All Terrain Compound (ATC) rubber for its outsole with rugged, primarily chevron-shaped lugs. Whereas the lugs aren’t exceptionally deep, they supply first rate traction. On the subject of outsoles, the model appears to change between utilizing Vibram Megagrip, equivalent to on the Nike Ultrafly, and their proprietary ATC. Personally, I see a Vibram outsole being a step above in grippiness and sturdiness in comparison with the ATC. That mentioned, the Wildhorse 10 outsole appears to do its job completely properly for many path working conditions, and I might really feel completely snug sporting this shoe in races as technical because the Damaged Arrow Skyrace or Speedgoat 50k.
After 150 miles, I’ve seen some put on and tear on the outsole, maybe from an excessive amount of time on the street whereas attending to the paths, however to me, this appears throughout the vary of regular sturdiness.
Nike Wildhorse 10 Total Impressions
A high view of the Nike Wildhorse 10.
The Nike Wildhorse 10 is a incredible improve from the Wildhorse 8. With out hesitation, I’ve thrown this shoe into my rotation of each day trainers and would think about it for technical, rocky races between 50k and 100k. If I had been to run a 100-mile race the place any portion of it was technical, rocky terrain, equivalent to the primary 30 miles of the Western States 100, I might use the Wildhorse for these miles and change out to a unique shoe for much less technical terrain. For those who’re in search of one thing with extra all-day cushion, I might steer you towards the Nike Zegama 2.
In abstract, the Wildhorse 10 is a wonderful selection for mountain working, technical trails, or for these merely desirous to go quick with a light-weight, responsive journey and a breathable but protecting higher. For those who had been a fan of prior variations of the Wildhorse, then the brand new model is unquestionably value your whereas.
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Name for Feedback
- Have you ever tried out the brand new Nike Wildhorse 10? For those who additionally wore the Wildhorse 8, how did they examine?
- What footwear do you want for mid-distance, technical racing?
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