Nike Air Zoom Elite 9

Name: Nike Air Zoom Elite 9
Brand: Nike
Rating: 4.7 (20 reviews)

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.

Good

84/100

Overall

Good 84

Appearance

Excellent 96

Value

Good 90

Cushioning

Good 82

Durability

Decent 74

Comfort

Below average 66

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

High 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.

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

40 60 80 100

69 2012 93 2013 85 2014 90 2016 84 2017

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

See written reviews Write a review

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

Best tempo shoe ever!!

5/5

Overall

First time I put these on I felt ready to run fast. The shoe is light but provides more cushioning than a flat does. In my opinion it is the perfect marathon shoe for the slightly heavier/bigger runner over a traditional flat. The shoe just performs. It is light, the upper breathes well and best of all it looks awesome.

Quincyceltic · Jul 12, 2018

30 mpw training for a marathon came from the HOKA Infinite

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

A good fast day shoe

4/5

Overall

The Zoom Elite 9 is a versatile shoe best for fast workouts and as a race shoe for races where you do not want a racing flat. The sole grips well, but the rubber is on the soft side and wears down relatively quickly. The midsole provides a solid ground feel and some responsiveness with a forefoot airbag. The fit is good with a tight, race-appropriate upper. There are no hot spots with seams and the lacing provides good lockdown without excessive pressure. The fit is true to size. This is not a cushioned shoe, but it can be a daily trainer for those who like a firm ride. The shoe is light and it is a good option for the 10-mile or half marathon distance.

baugustjohnson · Feb 12, 2018

50 mpw came from the New Balance Vazee Pace

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

Possibly the best running shoe I've ever had

5/5

Overall

Just a perfect option for all types of trains, if you have a fast jog, it fits perfect, if you have some reps, it is also a perfect option. No words can describe this shoe

gcmario8 · Feb 11, 2018

50 mpw training for middle distance came from the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 34

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

Stable work horse

5/5

Overall

I use this shoe for most everything in training. I tend to prefer less of a shoe overall. It does well on long runs and workouts alike.

Anonymous runner · Feb 11, 2018

45 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 34

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

Versatile. Durable. Workhorse.

5/5

Overall

I use the elite for runs of just about any distance, any speed, on any terrain. Single track with lots of rocks and roots it my typical surface, and this shoe holds up and holds off stone bruises as well as any trail shoe I have worn, plus it is quite a bit lighter and drains very well. I have had this particular pair for a year, and I intend to keep going in them for a while. No signs of terrible wear on the outsole or the uppers. I probably have about 500 miles on the shoe at this point.

Anonymous runner · Feb 10, 2018

30 mpw came from the Nike Lunar Tempo