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Nike

Epic React

Epic React
Daily trainer · Neutral · Road
Above average (83/100)

Shoe details

Weight
7.8 oz
Release
2018 Q1
MSRP
$160
Stack Height
28mm heel - 18mm toe
Drop Height
10mm

Ratings & Reviews

Above average (83/100)

Better than about 72% of shoes

Based on product-line history, external ratings, and runner reviews.
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This score rates better than 72% 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

Above average (83/100)

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

Above average (83/100)

Rank

Ranks above 72% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Appearance

Exceptional (99/100)

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

Exceptional (99/100)

Rank

Ranks above 99% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Cushioning

Exceptional (96/100)

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

Exceptional (96/100)

Rank

Ranks above 95% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Comfort

Good (72/100)

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 (72/100)

Rank

Ranks above 43% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Durability

Below average (61/100)

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

Below average (61/100)

Rank

Ranks above 15% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Value

Below average (57/100)

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

Below average (57/100)

Rank

Ranks above 7% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

50%

14/28

Prefer this shoe over another.

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

All Running Shoes

Better than 72% of 2,526 running shoes ranked.

Above average (83/100)

Daily Trainers

Better than 68% of 1,847 daily trainers ranked.

68%

Nike

Better than 77% of 418 Nike shoes ranked.

77%

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 on cushioning.

Cons

  • Rated below average overall.
  • Rated among the bottom 10% of shoes on comfort.
  • Rated below average on durability.

Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

Nike Epic React
Nike Epic React 2
HOKA Clifton 9
Epic React
Epic React 2
Clifton 9
Current shoe
Lightest
Best appearance
Newest / Best overall / Best comfort
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
7.8 oz M Lightest
7.9 oz M
8.5 oz M
Stack
28/18mm
28/18mm
40/35mm
Drop
1mm
1mm
5mm
Release
2018 Q1
2019 Q1
2023 Q1 Newest
MSRP
$160
$150 Lower MSRP
$165
Best price
—
—
$164.99
Ratings
Overall
Good (72%)
Excellent (95%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Comfort
Average (43%)
Good (77%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Excellent (95%)
Excellent (92%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Bottom tier (15%)
Average (52%)
Good (80%) Best durability
Appearance
Exceptional (99%)
Exceptional (99%) Best appearance
Very good (81%)
Value
Bottom tier (7%)
Average (56%)
Good (74%) Best value
Specific shoe

Search for the exact model to add to this comparison.

Where to buy

No offers available

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Reader Ratings

28 reader ratings

Review a shoe

Showing 1–5 of 28 written reviews

Best shoe ever. For 3 weeks.

epicTCK · Oct 24, 2019

3/5

Overall

First run was fantastic. The foam was amazing, best foam I'd ever run in. It lasted about 3 weeks at 65 MPW. Then the foam is pretty flat and below average. Very poor durability, so not worth buying. It's not good for workouts, because it doesn't roll forward enough, it's not structured for speed.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
1/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
1/5

Speedy Shoe

Anonymous runner · Aug 13, 2019

5/5

Overall

The Epic React is in my rotation for all types of runs, but I find myself gravitating to this one for tempo work. The shoe feels light and fast. It has the sock fit of some of the Nike line, which I find to be really comfortable once it's worked in. The shoe can actually feel a little sharp around the ankle, creating some hot spots early on. I've also found that it's easy to tighten the shoelaces too much, which can create some soreness on the top of the foot. Once again, the shoe feels very light but has plenty of cushioning on the sole to support me for longer runs. I can see this as a good marathon shoe for those people who don't want to wear flats. This is my second pair; the sole seems to wear down quickly. Durability would be an issue for me if the shoe were more expensive, but it's fairly easy to find on sale for less than $100. The colorways also make the Epic React a cool looking shoe. I would definitely recommend it.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Great shoe but not the best

Anonymous runner · Jul 29, 2019

4/5

Overall

Good for short runs and feeling fast, not my go to for anything over 5 miles.
Comfort
3/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
4/5

Nike Epic React

Anonymous runner · Jul 28, 2019

5/5

Overall

An incredible amount of spring in the shoe makes this the most comfortable shoe I've ever worn. Pretty lightweight but has lasted me several hundred miles already.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
4/5

Best ever by Nike and run Nike since 1977

Anonymous runner · Jul 20, 2019

5/5

Overall

I’ve run in Nike since late ‘70s. Ran D1 XC and Track. These are best ever yet. Perfect blend of support, cushioning and feather like weight. These are simply “fast feeling” shoes. Worn them for hundreds of miles and still show no signs of breaking down in the upper and the cushioning has not diminished. I have a few pair that I alternate between running and walking. I recommend these in strongest possible terms.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5