Type a shoe name, like Pegasus, Clifton or Kayano.

Nike Air Zoom Elite 9

Daily trainer · Neutral · Road · 8.3 oz · 8mm drop

Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock.

How it ranks

The Nike Air Zoom Elite 9 ranks above most daily trainers in our data. Looks and value are its strongest sub-ratings. Comfort scores well below its other sub-ratings. The rating rests on 20 runner reviews and 4 other rated shoes in the Air Zoom Elite product line.

Nike Air Zoom Elite 9

of 5

Good

84/100
Overall
84
Appearance
96
Value
90
Cushioning
82
Durability
74
Comfort
66
Confidence

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 will score low when we have few ratings or when runners disagree.

See the product line's history

Confidence

89/100

89

What runners say

“This shoe holds up and holds off stone bruises as well as any trail shoe I have worn”
5/5 Full review 30 mpw came from the Nike Lunar Tempo
“There are no hot spots with seams and the lacing provides good lockdown without excessive pressure”
4/5 Full review 50 mpw came from the New Balance Vazee Pace
“The weight is great such that I can easily maintain a 190+spm cadence”
5/5 Full review 60 mpw came from the Nike Air Zoom Elite 8
“The sole grips well, but the rubber is on the soft side and wears down relatively quickly”
4/5 Full review 50 mpw came from the New Balance Vazee Pace
“I prefer a very snug fit so I go half a size down from my regular size”
5/5 Full review 60 mpw came from the Nike Air Zoom Elite 8
“The more firm midsole than traditional Nikes is predictable whether the run is fast or chill”
5/5 Full review 35 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 34
“Has an incredibly comfortable ride at tempo paces (5:45/mi) and faster”
4/5 Full review 40 mpw training for middle distance came from the Saucony Freedom ISO
“The lugs are sturdy and lasted much longer than the soles of my slow runner”
5/5 Full review 60 mpw training for a marathon came from the Saucony Freedom ISO
“They have the right amount of cushioning with the Zoom technology that your feet don't get too beat up during hard workouts”
5/5 Full review 25 mpw training for a half marathon
“The shoe is light but provides more cushioning than a flat does”
5/5 Full review 30 mpw training for a marathon came from the HOKA Infinite

Prefer this shoe over another

59% 10/17

Where to buy

No offers available

Affiliate links included. They never affect our ratings.

Prices updated daily. Last checked Sep 14.


Pros

  • Light at 8.3 oz, and reviewers favor it for tempo runs and racing.
  • Reviewers describe a firm, responsive midsole that stays predictable at fast and easy paces.
  • Reviewers report a true-to-size fit, secure lacing and no hot spots.

Cons

  • Several reviewers saw the soft outsole rubber and the upper wear early, and one had the flywires snap.
  • Some runners find the forefoot narrow and the tongue slides out of place.
  • A few reviewers report forefoot pressure from the firm ride on longer runs.

Rating & Confidence vs. other shoes for sale

Each dot is one rated shoe for sale, placed by its rating and by how much evidence sits behind it. Shoes toward the top right are both well rated and well established.

Confidence
50 60 70 80 90 100 25 50 75 100

Better Shoes Rating

Air Zoom Elite 9 rates 84. This shoe has high certainty. 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

Release year

We use the reviews of past versions to inform this shoe’s rating. See why.
  • Air Zoom Elite 9 This shoe

    2017 · 20 reviews

    84 Good

    89 Confidence

  • Air Zoom Elite 8

    2016 · 11 reviews

    90 Good

    88 Confidence

  • Air Zoom Elite 7

    2014 · 27 reviews

    85 Good

    93 Confidence

  • Air Zoom Elite 6

    2013 · 38 reviews

    93 Excellent

    92 Confidence

  • Air Zoom Elite 5

    2012 · 9 reviews

    69 Below average

    71 Confidence

Reader Ratings

20 ratings
5/5 13
4/5 7
3/5 0
2/5 0
1/5 0

Specs & fit

Sizing and ride details at a glance.

Weight
8.3 oz
Release
2017 Q3
MSRP
$120
Drop Height
8mm

Runner reviews

Write a review

Showing 1–5 of 20 written reviews

Good speed shoe

5/5

Overall

She is good for faster days and has good enough grip to do well on wet pavement

Anonymous runner · Jul 5, 2019

45 mpw training for a half marathon

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

Nike Zoom Elite 9

4/5

Overall

Great shoe at a great price if you can still find them. Only issue is the tongue of the shoe not staying in place and a pretty narrow front.

Anonymous runner · Jul 2, 2019

30 mpw training for a half marathon

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

Great basic shoe all you need

5/5

Overall

This shoe is amazing. The fit is perfect in the toe box and how the laces tighten the whole shoe. Have owned four pairs now and ran the 2018 Chicago Marathon in one pair. The lugs are sturdy and lasted much longer than the soles of my slow runner (Brooks glycerin 16).

Anonymous runner · Apr 1, 2019

60 mpw training for a marathon came from the Saucony Freedom ISO

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

Nike air zoom elite 9

5/5

Overall

Very lightweight, yet durable and supportive enough for a trainer.

Runnforfunn · Dec 2, 2018

35 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike Air Zoom Elite 8

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

Great feeling shoe for tempos and faster workouts, but wore out a bit too quickly and caused some plantar problems.

4/5

Overall

The Elite 9 is a great looking shoe, and has an incredibly comfortable ride at tempo paces (5:45/mi) and faster, and feels good on your foot. Nike shoes tend to give me a lot of trouble in my foot/plantar and the Elite 9 was no different. The upper also began to rip off the midsole after a weeks of wearing them for workouts ~twice a week.

Anonymous runner · Jul 13, 2018

40 mpw training for middle distance came from the Saucony Freedom ISO

Comfort
4/5
Cushioning
3/5
Durability
2/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
3/5

Alternatives

Other shoes worth considering.

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Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

Current shoe
Choose a model
Lightest / Best appearance / Best value
Newest / Best overall / Best comfort
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
8.3 oz M Lightest
10.2 oz M
8.5 oz M
Stack
40/35mm
Drop
8mm
8mm
5mm
Release
2017 Q3
2016 Q2
2023 Q1 Newest
MSRP
$120 Lower MSRP
$125
$145
Best price
$149.99
Ratings
Overall
Good (84)
Good (90)
Exceptional (99) Best overall
Comfort
Below average (66)
Bottom-tier (58)
Exceptional (99) Best comfort
Cushioning
Good (82)
Decent (79)
Exceptional (99) Best cushioning
Durability
Decent (74)
Decent (78)
Very good (92) Best durability
Appearance
Excellent (96) Best appearance
Very good (90)
Very good (91)
Value
Good (90) Best value
Decent (71)
Good (88)
Specific shoe

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