Nike Epic React

Name: Nike Epic React
Brand: Nike
Rating: 4.4 (28 reviews)

Daily trainer · Neutral · Road · 7.2 oz · 28/18mm stack · 10mm drop

Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock. The Nike Epic React 2 replaced it

How it ranks

The Nike Epic React trails most daily trainers in our data. Looks and cushioning are its strongest sub-ratings. Value scores well below its other sub-ratings. The rating is based on 28 runner reviews and 1 other rated shoe in the Epic React product line.

Below average

Overall

Below average 69

Appearance

Exceptional 98

Cushioning

Very good 91

Comfort

Decent 74

Durability

Below average 68

Value

Below average 64

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

97 Very high

Very high 97

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.

Brand rating
Our ratings
External ratings

What runners say

“Rubber on outside of heel cup will absolutely shred some people's heels.”

3/5 Full review 60 mpw training for a half marathon came from the adidas adizero Boston 6

“If you get heel lift, you'll probably get achilles blisters because the heel is not very padded.”

5/5 Full review 35 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Mizuno Wave Sayonara 4

“Flyknit stitching can aggravate skin near achilles when new—use glide or lip socks until broken in.”

4/5 Full review 35 mpw training for a half marathon came from the adidas Ultra Boost ST (Stability)

“Material is both cushioned and firm, protecting legs without feeling like running on pillows.”

5/5 Full review 80 mpw training for a marathon came from the Mizuno Wave Sonic

“After hundreds of miles, no breakdown in upper and cushioning hasn't diminished.”

5/5 Full review 50 mpw came from the Nike LunarGlide 8

“Foam breaks down after 100 miles; rubber only on toe and heel.”

2/5 Full review 55 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 34

“After 120 miles each, don't show signs of wear and feel as bouncy as day one.”

5/5 Full review 35 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Brooks Launch 5

“Foam flattens after 3 weeks at 65 MPW.”

3/5 Full review 65 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 35

“Cushioning unlike anything else—better version of that foam type.”

5/5 Full review 25 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Brooks Levitate

“Perfect for tempo runs and track sessions—very easy to run fast in.”

4/5 Full review 35 mpw training for a half marathon came from the adidas Ultra Boost ST (Stability)

“Exposed outsole areas likely gone by 200 miles.”

4/5 Full review 21 mpw training for a half marathon came from the adidas Energy Boost 3

“Foam feels rock hard; can't feel the claimed energy return bounce.”

3/5 Full review 30 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 33

“Great heel-to-toe transition, smooth and effortless at any pace.”

3/5 Full review 30 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 33

“Cushioning feels phenomenal at all paces with nice bouncy/springy feel.”

5/5 Full review 30 mpw came from the Brooks Ghost 11

“Packs enough cushioning to be a workhorse everyday trainer at a weight lighter than most lightweight trainers.”

5/5 Full review 35 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Mizuno Wave Sayonara 4

“Soft outsole caused hotspots and less responsiveness than desired.”

3/5 Full review 80 mpw training for a marathon came from the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 34

“Perfect blend of support, cushioning, and feather-like weight.”

5/5 Full review 50 mpw came from the Nike LunarGlide 8

“Not good for workouts—doesn't roll forward enough, not structured for speed.”

3/5 Full review 65 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 35

“Can feel sharp around the ankle, creating hot spots early on.”

5/5 Full review 50 mpw training for a marathon came from the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 34

“Energy return is great and makes you feel light on your feet.”

5/5 Full review 60 mpw came from the Saucony Ride ISO 2

“Flyknit upper makes feet cold in rain but cools in hot temps.”

4/5 Full review 25 mpw came from the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 35

Prefer this shoe over another

50% 14/28

Where to buy

No offers available

Affiliate links included. They never affect our ratings.

Prices updated daily. Last checked Oct 22.

Pros

Reviewers describe the React foam as bouncy and well cushioned, and rate cushioning 4.6 out of 5.
Averaging 7.2 oz across the men's and women's builds, it is lighter than the 8.9 oz median for daily trainers for sale, and reviewers still find it cushioned for long runs.
Reviewers use it for easy miles, tempo work and races.

Cons

Several reviewers report the sparse outsole rubber wearing quickly, one seeing the exposed areas nearly gone by 200 miles.
Several reviewers find the knit upper irritates the heel or Achilles, one giving up on the shoe after about 50 miles.
It lists at $160, above the $150 median for daily trainers for sale, and value is its lowest-rated dimension at 3.8 out of 5.

Epic React rates 69. This shoe has very high confidence. See how we rate shoes.

Better Shoes Rating of prior versions of the Nike Epic React

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

Rating

40 60 80 100

69 2018 86 2019

Release year

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

Epic React 2

2019 · 17 reviews

86 Good

93 Confidence
Epic React This shoe

2018 · 28 reviews

69 Below average

97 Confidence

Runner Ratings

28 ratings

5/5 16

4/5 7

3/5 4

2/5 1

1/5 0

See written reviews Write a review

Specs & fit

Sizing and ride details at a glance.

Weight: 7.2 oz
Men's / women's: Men's 7.8 oz · Women's 6.6 oz
Release: 2018 Q1
MSRP: $160
Stack: 28/18mm
Drop: 10mm

Runner reviews

Write a review

A bit undecided on this shoe

4/5

Overall

I've gone through two pairs of the epic reacts, taking both to ~400 miles. Pros: They are light! Cons: I don't really feel much cushioning from the "react" foam. I also didn't feel like they were particularly "fast" shoes and only used them for training runs. Also, the flyknit upper makes your foot really cold if it rains (but also cools in hot temps.) Overall, I think these are good shoes but I doubt I'll go back to them in the future.

Anonymous runner · Jun 25, 2019

25 mpw came from the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 35

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

So Many Positives...So Few Negatives

5/5

Overall

This shoe is comfortable, cushioned, breathable, and looks oh so sleek. The energy return these shoes give back is great and makes you feel so light on your feet. The only issue with these shoes is an incredibly minuscule issue of a clicking noise that comes from wear. There’s a plastic piece in the forefoot, which Nike has acknowledged to be an issue (likely resolved entirely by the Epic React Flyknit 2). That aside, it will not fail you in any capacity! Sizing is true to size, but slightly tight when you get the shoes. DON’T PANIC! The flyknit material will stretch out after just a couple runs.

beansbeansbeans · May 1, 2019

60 mpw came from the Saucony Ride ISO 2

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

Nike Epic Reacts 'running meets comfort'

5/5

Overall

Have worn these shoes for around a year now and they still have such comfort, so much spring in each step. really tested these beasts, from 10k tempos to short 3ks, they seem to hold really nicely! If your after a bouncy response from a shoe, this is the one to go for! Highly recommend for a lightweight yet responsive tempo runner to long runs ???

EdwardCurrie_Nz · Mar 24, 2019

40 mpw training for a half marathon

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

Great Shoes!

5/5

Overall

These Shoes Are Great for Long Runs and for everyday wear! Feels like your running on a cloud! Not as good for Sprints, though. I definitely recommend these.

Anonymous runner · Feb 2, 2019

6 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike LunarGlide 9

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

Recomend

5/5

Overall

Very happy with the Nike Epic React! No complains at all, feels amazing on feet, soft but responsive and works well while running faster as well. Looks great and seams to be holding up well!

MelkerTillenius · Nov 3, 2018

25 mpw training for a half marathon came from the New Balance Vazee Pace v2