Nike

Air Zoom Elite 9

Air Zoom Elite 9
Daily trainer · Neutral · Road
Excellent (91/100)

Shoe details

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

Ratings & Reviews

Excellent (91/100)

Better than about 89% of shoes

Based on product-line history, external ratings, and runner reviews.
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This score rates better than 89% of shoes.

Our ratings use detailed reviews from knowledgeable runners, ratings for shoes in the same product line, and reliable product information from trusted retailers.

Rating breakdown

Better Shoes score out of 100. Shading shows the expected rating range.
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Rankings combine runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, direct comparisons to other shoes, related product-line performance, and trusted external ratings.

The darker band shows the central score range. The lighter band shows a wider range of reasonable outcomes. More reviews for this shoe usually narrow both bands.

Overall

Excellent (91/100)

Overall ranking

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Estimate

Excellent (91/100)

Rank

Ranks above 89% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.

Appearance

Excellent (93/100)

Appearance ranking

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Estimate

Excellent (93/100)

Rank

Ranks above 92% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.

Cushioning

Above average (88/100)

Cushioning ranking

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Estimate

Above average (88/100)

Rank

Ranks above 82% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.

Value

Above average (82/100)

Value ranking

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Estimate

Above average (82/100)

Rank

Ranks above 70% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.

Durability

Good (72/100)

Durability ranking

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Estimate

Good (72/100)

Rank

Ranks above 43% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.

Comfort

Good (70/100)

Comfort ranking

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Estimate

Good (70/100)

Rank

Ranks above 38% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.

59%

10/17

Prefer this shoe over another.

Reviewers said this shoe was better than another shoe they ran in.

All Running Shoes

Better than 89% of 2,526 running shoes ranked.

Excellent (91/100)

Daily Trainers

Better than 88% of 1,847 daily trainers ranked.

88%

Nike

Better than 90% of 418 Nike shoes ranked.

90%

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Most reviewers like this shoe more than their last shoe.
  • Popular shoe among LetsRun.com readers.
  • Rated among the top 5% of shoes overall.
  • Rated above average on cushioning.

Cons

  • Rated below average on comfort.
  • Rated below average on durability.

Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

Current shoe
Lightest / Best appearance
Newest / Best overall / Best comfort
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
8.3 oz M Lightest
8.5 oz M
Stack
40/35mm
Drop
8mm
5mm
Release
2017 Q3
2018 Q4
2023 Q1 Newest
MSRP
$120
$100 Lower MSRP
$165
Best price
$164.99
Ratings
Overall
Very good (89%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Comfort
Below average (38%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Very good (83%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Average (43%)
Good (80%) Best durability
Appearance
Excellent (92%) Best appearance
Very good (81%)
Value
Good (70%)
Good (74%) Best value
Specific shoe

Search for the exact model to add to this comparison.

Where to buy

No offers available

Better alternatives

Higher-rated shoes similar to this one

More from Nike

Reader Ratings

20 reader ratings

Review a shoe

Showing 1–5 of 20 written reviews

Good speed shoe

Anonymous runner · Jul 5, 2019

5/5

Overall

She is good for faster days and has good enough grip to do well on wet pavement
Comfort
4/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Nike Zoom Elite 9

Anonymous runner · Jul 2, 2019

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

Great basic shoe all you need

Anonymous runner · Apr 1, 2019

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).
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Nike air zoom elite 9

Runnforfunn · Dec 2, 2018

5/5

Overall

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

Anonymous runner · Jul 13, 2018

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