Nike Air Zoom Elite 8

Name: Nike Air Zoom Elite 8
Brand: Nike
Rating: 4.5 (11 reviews)

Daily trainer · Neutral · Road · 9.0 oz · 8mm drop

Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock. The Nike Air Zoom Elite 9 replaced it

How it ranks

The Nike Air Zoom Elite 8 is one of the strongest daily trainers in our data. Looks and cushioning are its strongest sub-ratings. Comfort scores well below its other sub-ratings. The rating is based on 11 runner reviews and 4 other rated shoes in the Air Zoom Elite product line.

Good

Overall

Good 86

Appearance

Very good 90

Cushioning

Decent 76

Value

Decent 75

Durability

Decent 75

Comfort

Below average 63

Confidence

How settled the rating is against every other rated shoe. A shoe can rate high on confidence with relatively few reviews of its own when its product line has a long record and external ratings from retailer sites agree. Confidence is low when we have few ratings or when runners disagree.

See the product line's history

Confidence

92 High

High 92

Based on

The bars show roughly how much each source contributes to this shoe’s rating. Their influence depends on how many reviews we’ve collected, how many earlier versions are in the product line, and the external ratings available.

Product line track record
Our ratings
External ratings

What runners say

“I've been able to put 2000 miles on a couple pairs of elites without the shoe breaking down.”

5/5 Full review 70 mpw training for a marathon came from the Nike Air Zoom Elite 7

“The outsole wears down quite quickly. It showed significant signs of wear after the first 100 miles.”

4/5 Full review 30 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike Air Zoom Elite 7

“The shoe is incredibly good for workouts, and anything pretty quick, but it isn't incredibly durable.”

4/5 Full review 30 mpw training for middle distance came from the Brooks Pure Flow 4

“They're not a cushy shoe, they give you a bit more feedback from the road/trail/track.”

5/5 Full review 70 mpw training for a marathon came from the Nike Air Zoom Elite 7

“The shoe seems a bit too stiff (overall), and outsole is not as durable as should be expected.”

4/5 Full review 30 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike Air Zoom Elite 7

“Amazing for tempo work but soft enough for everyday running.”

5/5 Full review 70 mpw training for a marathon came from the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 32

“For some who want more cushioning, this shoe might be best for faster paced runs only.”

5/5 Full review 35 mpw training for a half marathon

“Would use them on rotation with another shoe because of their stiffness.”

5/5 Full review 40 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 33

“I enjoy the lighter feel of this shoe and wear it for all runs (up to 14 miles).”

5/5 Full review 35 mpw training for a half marathon

“I appreciate the lightweight air cushioning in the forefoot of this model.”

4/5 Full review 30 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike Air Zoom Elite 7

“Feels a bit softer than the old Elite 7.”

5/5 Full review 70 mpw training for a marathon came from the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 32

“Wish the fit was snugger through the arch.”

4/5 Full review 65 mpw came from the Brooks Launch 4

“Lasts a while on 20-35 mpw.”

4/5 Full review 30 mpw training for middle distance came from the Brooks Pure Flow 4

“Toe box a little tight.”

4/5 Full review 25 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike Lunar Glide+ 6

“A little stiff in the midsection.”

4/5 Full review came from the Nike Air Pegasus+ 29

Prefer this shoe over another

44% 8/18

Where to buy

No offers available

Affiliate links included. They never affect our ratings.

Prices updated daily. Last checked Oct 22.

Pros

Reviewers use it for tempo work and faster training runs.
Runners like the light feel and the road feedback for everyday miles.

Cons

Three reviewers find it stiff, one keeping it in a rotation for that reason.
One reviewer finds the toe box tight, and another wants a snugger fit through the arch.
Durability reports split, with two reviewers seeing early outsole wear and one getting 2,000 miles.

Air Zoom Elite 8 rates 86. This shoe has high confidence. See how we rate shoes.

Better Shoes Rating of prior versions of the Nike Air Zoom Elite

Each dot is one version of the Air Zoom Elite, placed by its rating and release year. The gold dot is this shoe.

Rating

40 60 80 100

69 2012 83 2013 79 2014 86 2016 79 2017

Release year

We use the reviews of past versions to inform this shoe’s rating. See why.

Air Zoom Elite 9

2017 · 20 reviews

79 Decent

92 Confidence
Air Zoom Elite 8 This shoe

2016 · 11 reviews

86 Good

92 Confidence
Air Zoom Elite 7

2014 · 27 reviews

79 Decent

97 Confidence
Air Zoom Elite 6

2013 · 38 reviews

83 Good

92 Confidence
Air Zoom Elite 5

2012 · 9 reviews

69 Below average

85 Confidence

Runner Ratings

11 ratings

5/5 5

4/5 6

3/5 0

2/5 0

1/5 0

See written reviews Write a review

Specs & fit

Sizing and ride details at a glance.

Weight: 9.0 oz
Men's / women's: Men's 9.9 oz · Women's 8.0 oz
Release: 2016 Q2
MSRP: $125
Drop: 8mm

Runner reviews

Write a review

Continues an excellent line of shoes

5/5

Overall

I alternate days between the Elite 8 and the Elite 7, which I've worn for a couple of years now and honestly can't notice any difference between them. The elite is a neutral shoe They are extremely durable shoes, I've been able to put 2000 miles on a couple pairs of elites without the shoe breaking down. They're not a cushy shoe, they give you a bit more feedback from the road/trail/track. The elites are slightly more aggresive than the pegasus. Slightly lower heel-toe drop, slightly less cushioning, slightly less weight, slightly less weight. Nikes are fairly expensive, but the quality of the shoes are excellent. Other shoes I've worn have broken down off of many fewer miles, while the elites just keep going. I have not suffered any major injuries from running in these shoes, including many 100+ mile weeks.

Kool-Aid · Jul 12, 2018

70 mpw training for a marathon came from the Nike Air Zoom Elite 7

Comfort: 5/5
Cushioning: 5/5
Durability: 5/5
Appearance: 4/5
Value: 5/5

Great cushioning, not the best fit

4/5

Overall

Would be a great shoe but wish the fit was snugger through the arch.

kdmh · Feb 7, 2018

65 mpw came from the Brooks Launch 4

Comfort: 3/5
Cushioning: 5/5
Durability: 5/5
Appearance: 4/5
Value: 4/5

Nike Zoom Elite 8 Review

4/5

Overall

I appreciate the lightweight air cushioning in the forefoot of this model. At times, the shoe seems a bit too stiff (overall), and outsole is not as durable as should be expected. The outsole wears down quite quickly. It showed significant signs of wear after the first 100 miles.

Anonymous runner · Feb 7, 2018

30 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike Air Zoom Elite 7