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Nike Epic React 2

Daily trainer · Neutral · Road · 7.9 oz · 10mm drop · 28/18mm stack

Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock.

How it ranks

The Nike Epic React 2 is one of the strongest daily trainers in our data. Looks and cushioning are its strongest sub-ratings. Value scores well below its other sub-ratings. The rating rests on 17 runner reviews and 1 other rated shoe in the Epic React product line.

Nike Epic React 2

of 5

Excellent

93/100
Overall
93
Appearance
98
Cushioning
95
Comfort
83
Durability
79
Value
79
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

91/100

91

What runners say

“Very well-cushioned trainer considering its exceedingly light weight”
5/5 Full review came from the Nike Epic React
“The flap that replaced the tongue would get bunched up and uncomfortable when tied tight”
4/5 Full review 40 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Under Armour Charged Bandit 3
“Version 2 seems to have a little firmer ride, and also carries a beefed-up outsole to improve durability”
5/5 Full review came from the Nike Epic React
“The thin tongue is just flyknit material, and a little cushioning here, especially on longer runs, would be nice”
5/5 Full review 30 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 19
“Fairly durable (can probably get more than 300 miles before they start to deteriorate)”
5/5 Full review 30 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 19
“Still very comfortable to run in and the tread material is still intact”
4/5 Full review 40 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Under Armour Charged Bandit 3
“Soft without being mushy, light and comfortable”
5/5 Full review 50 mpw training for a marathon came from the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 34
“It's very slippery with not that great of traction”
4/5 Full review 35 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Brooks Ghost 12
“The tread is a little slippery on wet trail conditions”
4/5 Full review 30 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 34
“The bottom soles wear out really fast”
5/5 Full review 55 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike LunarGlide 8

Prefer this shoe over another

59% 13/22

Where to buy

No offers available

Affiliate links included. They never affect our ratings.

Prices updated daily. Last checked Sep 14.


Pros

  • At 7.9 oz, reviewers call it light and well cushioned.
  • Reviewers say it feels best when picking up the pace.
  • Appearance rates 4.8 out of 5, the strongest dimension here.

Cons

  • Three reviewers report the outsole wearing away sooner than expected, and durability is the weakest dimension at 4.2 out of 5.
  • Two reviewers find the tread slippery on wet ground.
  • Three reviewers find the thin tongue or the stiff heel irritating early on.

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

Epic React 2 rates 93. This shoe has high certainty. 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

Release year

We use the reviews of past versions to inform this shoe’s rating. See why.
  • Epic React 2 This shoe

    2019 · 17 reviews

    93 Excellent

    91 Confidence

  • Epic React

    2018 · 28 reviews

    68 Below average

    92 Confidence

Reader Ratings

17 ratings
5/5 11
4/5 6
3/5 0
2/5 0
1/5 0

Specs & fit

Sizing and ride details at a glance.

Weight
7.9 oz
Release
2019 Q1
MSRP
$150
Stack Height
28mm heel - 18mm toe
Drop Height
10mm

Runner reviews

Write a review

Showing 1–5 of 16 written reviews

Epic React Flyknit 2

5/5

Overall

In the process of looking for a new pair of cross country trainers, I stumbled across the Flyknit 2’s. I tried them on and fell in love with how light these incredible shoes were. I enjoyed the test run I did in them at the Nike store. They stayed nice throughout the whole season of cross country. Lasting from August to later October. After around 400 miles on the shoes they became unconfined started to hurt my feet. I replaced the insoles however was still un-comfortable. Usually I can make shoes last 500 miles so they wore out faster than expected. They were a great purchase and I already have a new pair for track in the spring.

Anonymous runner · Jan 23, 2020

45 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike FS Lite Run 3

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

Reader review

4/5

Overall

Anonymous runner · Jan 6, 2020

30 mpw training for a half marathon came from the ASICS GEL-Cumulus 19

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

It’s a fantastic running shoe

5/5

Overall

The nike epic react flyknit 2 made me feel fast when running. It also provided good cushioning during my runs. I use the shoe daily and it has never failed me. I totally recommend the shoe.

Anonymous runner · Dec 30, 2019

10 mpw training for sprints

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

Great cushioned shoes

4/5

Overall

The shoes are very well cushioned and great to run in. Only real downsides is that the bottom of the shoe looks like it's worn away prematurely, but that just visual and has no effect on the shoe's performance, and that it's very slippery with not that great of traction. Definitely recommended for the track and roads.

Anonymous runner · Dec 28, 2019

35 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Brooks Ghost 12

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

Epic Reacts are amazing

5/5

Overall

The epic react is a versatile show. It has nice cushioning and can pick up the pace when needed. The Flyknit makes for an incredibly comfortable upper. The durability is great. I have about 75 miles on the shoe and it's shown little to no wear.

Anonymous runner · Dec 28, 2019

40 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike Air Zoom Vomero 14

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

Alternatives

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Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

Current shoe
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Reference shoe
Lightest / Best appearance
Newest / Best overall / Best comfort
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
7.9 oz M
7.8 oz M Lightest
8.5 oz M
Stack
28/18mm
28/18mm
40/35mm
Drop
1mm
1mm
5mm
Release
2019 Q1
2018 Q1
2023 Q1 Newest
MSRP
$150
$160
$145 Lower MSRP
Best price
$149.99
Ratings
Overall
Excellent (93)
Below average (68)
Exceptional (99) Best overall
Comfort
Good (83)
Decent (79)
Exceptional (99) Best comfort
Cushioning
Excellent (95)
Exceptional (97)
Exceptional (99) Best cushioning
Durability
Decent (79)
Below average (70)
Very good (92) Best durability
Appearance
Exceptional (98)
Exceptional (99) Best appearance
Very good (91)
Value
Decent (79)
Below average (61)
Good (88) Best value
Specific shoe

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