#JuSTReAcT
● BLUF (bottom line up front) : These shoes are ALL about the FOAM!! They are worth the HYPE AND they are all currently on SALE!
●I would consider myself a part time sneaker head. Nothing beats a comfortable shoe that you can wear to work, workout, and go out (depending on the scene). For my first post =) I’ve decided to review some of NIKE’s running react shoes because over the past couple of months they have been in permanent rotation with my fitness attire.
●What exactly is Nike React? Innovative Technology (est. JUN 2017) initially created to meet the needs of basketball players whose high impact, quick movements require their shoes to be comfortable, functional, and long lasting. When runners expressed the need for the same shoe characteristics, NIKE took the REACT technology and customized it for running shoes. What’s impressive is the way they did their research. Taking into consideration what athletes wanted, they used chemistry and high tech such as heat map data to formulate the foam. Once it was created the foam was submitted to over 17,000 miles of running by everyday runners to confirm the success of the design.
● What should you expect? LIGHTWEIGHT. HIGH ENERGY RETURN. DURABILITY. IDEAL CUSHION.
NIKE LEGEND REACT in Wolf Grey/Cool Grey/ Pure Platinum/Black.https://www.nike.com/t/legend-react-womens-running-shoe-b4Zh09/AA1626-003
●PROS: The legend has the best fit of all four shoes and the best cushion in my opinion. My first thought when putting these shoes on was that it felt like I had a cloud saran wrapped to my feet! The best part is that they are selling them for even less than the online price in NIKE Factory Stores.
● CONS: I don’t have any. I literally love these shoes! But after reading other reviews, I would take into consideration foot width. I have a narrow-medium foot width, so the saran wrap feel is perfect for me. If your foot tends to be wider you may want to go up a size as the shoes fit nice and snug.
NIKE EPIC REACT FlyKnit 2 in Black/Sapphire/Lime Blast. https://us.asos.com/prd/11303148?
● PROS: The epics have the best colorways hands down. The knitted material gives it more breathability than the Legends. It’s a well-rounded shoe. I like to wear these shoes not only for sprint intervals and long distance (*for me no more than 3 miles) runs, but also for HIIT training.
● CONS: This shoe has a similar snug fit to the LEGENDS. It’s recommended that if you want a looser fit, look into moving up half a size. If I’m truly looking for a con in the EPIC, I would say it could use just a tad bit more arch support.
NIKE ODYSSEY REACT Flyknit 2 in Triple Black.https://www.nike.com/t/odyssey-react-flyknit-2-womens-running-shoe-nHFzTK/AH1016-001
● PROS: Easy to go sockless. Lightweight and sleek design make it a comfortable esthetically pleasing shoe.
● CONS: Of the four reacts, these are my least favorite to run in. They are the same size as my other reacts but have a smaller fit. I completed some sprint intervals in these and had no issues during the workout, but as soon as I took the shoe off, I experienced painful foot cramps. My preference is to wear these for training and athleisure.
NIKE REACT ELEMENT 55 in Particle Beige/White/Smokey Mauve. https://www.nike.com/t/react-element-55-womens-shoe-HHLDLJ/BQ2728-200
●PROS: Absolutely the lightest of all the reacts with the most unique sole design! The rubber pods seen on the outsole can also be found on the bottom of the shoes. These pods enhance traction but have no effect on the amazing cushion found in all four shoes. SUPER Comfortable!
● CONS: The tongue is annoying! It’s suede and disconnected from the rest of the shoe. Requires adjustments every time you put the shoe on. These aren’t slip on and off shoes.
●SUMMARY: You can always find a drawback if you’re looking for one. With the Nike React running sneakers I really had to look hard. With that being said, these shoes are a must have in your wardrobe. With all of the cute colorways Nike keeps creating, you’ll have to use all your willpower to keep from buying every pair!
● REFERENCES: https://www.nike.com/us/en_us/c/innovation/react. https://news.nike.com/news/nike-react-foam-cushioning