Reviews

Nike Invincible Run 3 Review

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My review of the ultra cushioned Nike ZoomX Invincible 3

The Nike Invincible line of running shoes has been a fan favorite for several years now. First introduced in 2021, this cushioned shoe became a staple of easy runs, long runs and even marathons for thousands of runners. The Invincible 2 was essentially the same shoe, just with a slightly tweaked upper, but the third version is a complete redesign. Upon release, there have been many thoughts, both positive and very negative. To clear things up, I took the Nike ZoomX Invincible 3 for a couple runs and gave my thoughts.

Nike ZoomX Invincible 3
Nike ZoomX Invincible 3

Check out my full video review here:

Nike ZoomX Invincible 3 First Impression

I tried not to read too much into the reviews. My perspective is often different than many of the elite runners and professional shoe reviewers that get their hands on these first. I review running shoes from the perspective of an average to below average runner. While I love running and run about five to six times a week, my marathon PR is right around four hours. That’s not exactly Boston Marathon qualifier territory. I don’t need every shoe I run in to be super fast, light or high-tech. I’m simply looking for something that’s going to be comfortable and stable as I steadily churn through miles.

Outsole and midsole

The redesign of this shoe starts with the outsole, which is now a two-piece construction. It has small nubs on the bottom which provide decent traction, although I would not recommend using these in the snow.

Nike ZoomX Invincible 3 Outsole

The midsole still has a ton of ZoomX foam, but has a sort of “cut out” design that might help to cut down on the weight of this shoe. Overall, this is still a pretty heavy shoe, but if you are using it for long/easy runs it won’t be an issue. It isn’t a racing shoe, although I did run my marathon PR in the Invincible 1 last spring.

Nike ZoomX Invincible 3 Midsole

Upper

The upper is also totally redesigned. The FlyKnit material on the top appears to be thinner and possibly more breathable than the tightly woven previous versions. It’s 20 degrees F here, so I can’t be sure, but subscribe to my YouTube channel and I’ll report back when the weather get’s warmer. Nike also took out a lot of padding around the heel collar both on the inside (I talk about possible issues with this below) and the outside (for some reason the previous versions had a ton of padding on the outside. Maybe to protect from bear traps?) The laces are back to a more stretchy material and actually sort of short, so hang on to your old laces. Finally, the design looks a bit sleeker, with some sharp contours, as opposed to the smoother look of the previous designs.

Does the Invincible 3 have a heel slip problem?

This is the number one complaint with the Nike ZoomX Invincible 3 – the heel slip. This is basically when your heel slides around in the shoe because it isn’t locked into place by the heel collar. Many runners were complaining about this, and right out of the gate, I noticed it too.

Now, it wasn’t as pronounced as the Nike Infinity React, which made me feel like I was running in sand, but it was enough to make me retie my shoes using all the shoelace eyelets in order to fully secure my foot. After making that adjustment, I can absolutely say the heel slip is not an issue. My shoes are tied a little tighter than I prefer and it took some getting used to, but there is no heel slip. A commenter on my video also suggested a runner’s knot, which is something I haven’t tried, but might help as well.

Is the Nike ZoomX Invincible 3 Cushioned?

No doubt! This is an ultra cushioned shoe, where the entire midsole is one solid chunk of foam. If you’ve never worn an Invincible, it will probably feel like nothing you’ve ever run in. The shape of the shoe also give a slight feeling of running down hill. The shoes are springy and responsive. Now here’s the catch; if you’ve run in the Invincible 1 or 2’s, you might notice a difference. In my opinion, the Invincible 3 is a cushioned shoe, but is a little more firm than the original versions. It isn’t uncomfortable, but it doesn’t have the buttery soft feel right out of the box from previous versions. At the time I’m writing this, I’ve run about 30 miles, so maybe they need to break in, but I would say the Invincible 3s are a more firm shoe.

Is the Nike ZoomX Invincible 3 Stable?

Stability is a huge part of a running shoe, and as a perpetual ankle sprainer, even more important to me. The Invincible 3s midsole is solid ZoomX foam, which isn’t the most stable material for a running shoe. However, Nike compensated by making this a really wide shoe. It isn’t wide on the inside (more on this below), but the surface area that the outsole covers helps to add a lot of stability. I am a heel striker, and my worst ankle sprains have come when I land on a rock or stick. The width and the ZoomX foam’s ability to absorb the difference in terrain makes for a very stable shoe. You will notice some side to side flex, but I have yet to twist my ankle seriously in any Invincible. I noted the firmer feeling above, which I also think contributes to the stability of this shoe.

Is the Nike ZoomX Invincible 3 True to Size?

Yes, the Nike ZoomX Invincible is true to size. I have seen some comments online about getting a size smaller to account for the heel slip, but I wouldn’t recommend it. These shoes seem to fit my size (10) perfectly, both before and after using all the shoelace eyelets. I would say the Invincible 3 runs slightly wide, but I have pretty narrow feet, and didn’t notice any issues. If you know your Nike size, go with that.

Pros

  • Cushioning: This is a pro if you are totally new to the Invincible line. The plentiful ZoomX foam helps to make a very cushioned ride. I’m not a super fast runner, so I would sacrifice some weight for a more cushioned feeling on my feet.
  • Stability: The width of this shoe helps to create a wide surface area, making this shoe surprisingly stable especially for a heel-striker.
  • Design: I think this shoe looks a lot cooler. There’s some nice sharp lines and it looks less “bubbly” than previous versions. It’s something that will still catch people’s attention out on a run, but maybe blend in a bit when walking around at the store.

Cons

  • Heel Slip: I detailed this above, but if I lace them how I have laced every single other running shoe I’ve used in my life, there is a slight heel slip. However, using all the eyelets or a runner’s knot solved the problem for me. It makes the shoes feel a little tighter than I’d like, but I got used to it after a mile.
  • Firmness: For those of you who have run in previous versions of the Invincible, I think you will notice a firmer ride. I’m not sure if the ZoomZ foam is different, or theres something else going on with the design of this shoe, but I think the feel of this shoe is a slight downgrade. It isn’t a dealbreaker, but I wouldn’t call it an improvement.
  • Cost: At $180 retail this shoe is remarkably expensive. I got about 300 miles in by previous versions before the foam started to lose its bounce. If that holds true for the Invincible 3, you are paying a lot for a shoe with average durability. Keep an eye on StockX for deals on this shoe, as well as some deals right now for the Invincible 2.

Final Verdict

Overall this isn’t a bad shoe. I think some of the initial wildly positive reviews (from people who seemingly got the shoe for free…) were a bit exaggerated, as well as some of the wildly negative reviews that mentioned the heel slip. A quick adjustment to the laces should take care of that issue. Now, should I have to lace my shoes in a completely new way on a shoe that costs $180? No, probably not. Is it a bit disappointing that the shoe doesn’t feel quite as soft as the original two versions? Yes, it is.

At the end of the day, I will not be sending this back, but rather running in this for 300-400 miles because that’s what I do with all my shoes. But in the meantime, I will have my eyes peeled for possible alternates, such as the New Balance Fresh Foam X More V4 or the Asics Novablast 3.

Overall, a decent shoe, but it might disappoint diehard fans of the originals.

For the video review and more content, such as weekly running vlogs, reviews and the lighter side of running, subscribe to the Fresh Brew Run Club on YouTube.

Nike Pegasus Trail 3 Gore-Tex Review

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Check out the Fresh Brew Run Club review of the Nike Pegasus Trail 3 Gore-Tex

Thinking about purchasing the Pegasus Trail 3? In this video, I go over my first impression of this trail running shoe, on a very challenging run in Sedona, Arizona (spoiler alert, I only fell once). Watch the video below for the full review.

The Good

Overall, the Nike Pegasus Trail 3 is a fantastic running shoe. It was stable, gripped the trail even on dusty terrain and was durable enough to endure a very rocky path. That durability protected my feet from rocks, dirt and cacti. The elastic band around the ankle helps to seal your foot off from debris and even water.

The Bad

I wouldn’t say there are any directly “bad” elements of this shoe, but the Nike Pegasus Trail 3 Gore-Tex is a bit heavy. But that weight is for good reason, the shoe is strong enough to withstand some tough trails and runs. The shoe is also a bit pricey, so be sure to shop around for the best deals.

The Verdict

Overall, this was a great shoe. It prevented me from slipping, even when running downhill on a dusty path. It clearly protects your feet from rocks and obstacles you may encounter on tougher terrain. Plus, the colorways are pretty cool.

Nike Pegasus Trail 3 Review

What do you think? Have you run in the Nike Pegasus Trail 3? Let me know in the comments!

Subscribe to the Fresh Brew Run Club on YouTube today: https://www.youtube.com/freshbrewrunclub

Check out my previous shoe reviews here.

Nike ZoomX Invincible Review – First Reaction

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My review of the Nike ZoomX Invincible after one run

When I first saw the Nike ZoomX Invincible, I wasn’t sure what the point of it was. Nike already has the Infinity React, a shoe designed to prevent injuries as well as the Miler React. But as time went on, it was clear that this shoe was different. Sitting on a near mountain of ZoomX foam, this shoe was a departure from the more recent React-heavy releases in Nike’s running lineup. Now, the real test of a shoe is after at least 100 miles, so things could change (and I will make another video at that point), but initially I was very impressed.

Check out my full video review below:

Nike ZoomX Invincible First Impression

Pulling these shoes out of the box, the first thing that struck me was the size of these shoes. There’s just a ton of foam and materials on them. However, when I picked them up, they seemed lighter than they look, which is probably a result of the lightweight ZoomX foam. The outsole features a single piece of cleated rubber with two pieces of rubber at the toe and heel of the shoe. The midsole is made of Flyknit, but the material seems like a slight departure from Flyknit I’ve seen in the past. It feels like a tighter weave or something. The tongue is moderately padded, and the heel collar is heavily padded, including padding on the outside, which seems like an unnecessary addition.

First run reactions

For my first run, I ran four miles at a relatively easy pace. I planned to run at 8:30, but I ended up in the 8:15 range, because I kept catching myself running faster than my goal pace without realizing it. The first thing I noticed was the cushion. You really can feel a huge difference between this shoe and others, even other shoes with ZoomX like the Pegasus Turbo. I also immediately noticed that when I landed and pushed off, the shoe almost assisted in rolling from heel/midfoot to the toe. It reminded me of the Nike Vaporfly, which relies on a carbon fiber plate to “spring” you forward. I’m not sure how long the Invincible will be able to do this, with the pliable foam, but it was noticeable right from the start of my run.

Nike ZoomX Invincible
Nike ZoomX Invicible

I’ve also had some knee soreness lately, but I didn’t feel any on my run. Could be the result of a small sample size of one run, but these at least didn’t hurt my knee. After reviewing the slow motion footage, however, I did notice a decent amount of lateral (side to side) flexing in the shoe, especially when I go around corners. This leads me to believe this might not be the next great stability running shoe. Something to keep an eye on.

Is the Nike ZoomX Invincible true to size?

The short answer is yes. I am a size 10, and this shoe feels great in a size 10. With running shoes, it is often recommended that you buy a size up, but that’s not needed here; the toe box is roomy enough to handle long runs where your feet expand. The padded heel collar hugs your ankles and can be tightened with the laces.

What is the Nike ZoomX Invincible for?

This shoe is definitely something you want to take on your long runs. It is a little on the heavier side, so I wouldn’t recommend using this as a racing shoe or for speed workouts, but it didn’t feel like a brick on my feet. Any issues with the weight of the shoe will be quickly forgotten when you feel the amount of cushion this shoe offers.

ZoomX Invincible Pros

  • Incredible cushion is unlike most running shoes. Super comfy.
  • Toe construction helps the foot “roll” into your push off.
  • Comfortable heel collar provides heel lockdown.
  • True to size.

ZoomX Invincible Cons

  • Price – At $180 retail, this is a very expensive shoe.
  • Durability questions – while I only ran in this once, I have some concerns that this might not hold up as long as my Nike React Miler. The ZoomX foam is super soft, and unclear what will happen after 300 miles.
  • Design – For the price of this shoe, I find the initial colorways kind of boring. Not ugly, but nothing that’s going to turn heads, especially compared to the Alphafly, Vaporfly and Zoom Fly. Would love to see something a little bolder.

First run verdict

Overall, I loved my first run in these shoes. They offered a level of cushion I haven’t felt before, even with the old Asics Gel Nimbus. I simply had a lot of fun running in them, and I’m already excited for my next run. It will be interesting to see how the ZoomX foam holds up after a few hundred miles, but I will be sure to provide an updated review of the Nike ZoomX Invincible. Don’t forget to subscribe to the FBRC YouTube channel so you don’t miss out!

NEW VIDEO: YakTrax Run Review

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My review of the YakTrax Run Review is live on YouTube.

In the latest episode of the Fresh Brew Run Club, I did a review of the YakTrax Run, a slip-on attachment to running shoes. And just like Michigan weather clockwork, a snow squall struck the day after they came in the mail. So I took them out for a spin and gave my thoughts. Thanks for watching!

First Impressions

It took a little bit for me to figure out how to get on the YakTrax Run, but after some elbow grease, I managed to slip the YakTrax over my shoes. I will note, I attached these to the Nike React Miler, which is a little wider than the average running shoe. But after loosening up the rubber, they snapped right in place. I would recommend putting the YakTrax on the floor, then positioning your foot over it to attach.

The product has metal spikes in the front part of the shoe, and what I would describe as metal chains on the heel area. The trax (I’m not sure what to call this product, so let’s call it trax), are attached to the shoe by pulling over the toe and heel, then securing it over the upper with a velcro strap.

On the Run

For my review, I went for a four-mile run just hours after about 1-2 inches of snow fell. It was in the morning, so it was pretty powdery and few sidewalks were shoveled. Since I haven’t run in the snow since, well, ever, I took it easy, so I didn’t slip and fall right out of the gate.

The YakTrax held up great. The increased traction was immediately noticeable, but I wasn’t able to really feel them on my shoes. Going from snow to sidewalk wasn’t too big of an issue either. However, when I ran on more packed down snow, I did slip a little when planting my feet. The spikes weren’t exactly long enough to get a great grip. I don’t think this is too big of an issue, as a bigger spike would probably make running in more powdery snow much more difficult.

Final Verdict

Overall, I really liked the YakTrax Run, based on my one run review. They fit great on the shoe, offered increased traction, and didn’t feel too noticeable while running. If you’re looking to keep your training going in wintry conditions, I would recommend the YakTrax Run. Check them out here.

NEW VIDEO – Shopping for Running Essentials

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In today’s episode, I hit up the local REI went shopping for some of my favorite running essentials. (NOTE: I was not paid to mention any of these products, nor did I receive them for free!)

Shop my favorite essentials:

Isopure Protien Power

Blender Bottle

Body Glide

Nuun Electrolyte Tablets

Gu Chocolate Outrage

Stroop Waffles

Nike React Miler – 200 Mile Review

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200 miles later, the Nike React Miler remains a rock-solid everyday trainer.

Nike React Miler review
Processed with VSCO with a5 preset

Earlier this year, I reviewed the Nike React Miler after one run. After 35 runs and 202 miles, here’s my thoughts on this shoe.

I used this shoe for my easy runs and recovery runs, to take advantage of the stability and cushion when speed was not the main goal.

Pros of the Nike React Miler

Comfort is the name of the game. This was a great fit for my runs when I needed something to protect my sore feet from the pavement. There’s a lot of material between the road and your feet, and the upper locks in nicely around your foot to provide lots of stability.

This is a also a very durable shoe. Like I mentioned in my initial review, this shoe is built like a tank, with tons of cushion and a very durable upper. After runs on concrete, dirt, asphalt and grass, the upper shows almost no signs of wear.

Nike React Miler review
Nike React Miler

The outsole held up very nicely as well. Since I used this shoe on my slower runs, my heelstrike was magnified, and I have begun to wear down the heel and forefoot rubber. However, I don’t feel like the shoe is comprimised at this point, and has a lot of life left. I only noticed a few areas where the react foam had creased, which is a big contrast to other Nikes that tend to crease and eventually crumble at those stress points.

Initial signs of wear from my heelstrike

Cons of the Nike React Miler

In order to remain durable, the shoe is pretty heavy. If you’re looking for a trainer to set a PR or run speed workouts, maybe look for something with a little less mass. The materials on the upper are also not super breathable, which can result in some sweaty feet on hot days.

It’s not the lightest shoe in the world.

Verdict

I’m a huge fan of this shoe. It didn’t recive the typical Nike marketing push, but I found the Miler to be a rock-solid shoe for tackling long, easy and recovery runs. It’s a little on the heavier side, which might actually be an advantage if you rotate in a faster shoe for faster runs. Almost like baseball players taking practice swings with a donut weight on their bat before swinging the lighter, weight-free bat in the game.

Nike React Miler review

The durability of the shoe makes it agreat investment. I have no doubt that I will be able to get 400+ miles out of the shoe before I need to retire it. It’s just a solid shoe. And since it’s has been out for a while now, you can find some fantastic deals.

Overall, if you’re looking for a comfortable, stable shoe and you’re not concerned as much about speed, I highly recommend the Nike React Miler.

Nike Pegasus Turbo Review

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Nike Pegasus Turbo on foot

Here’s why Nike Pegasus Turbo is my favorite shoe of all time; a review.

I love the Nike Pegasus Turbo. This isn’t so much a shoe review, but an ode to a model that is being phased out of existence. I’ve run over 1,200 miles in various colorways of this shoe, set my half marathon PR, run the streets of Madison Heights, London and Paris in a pair of these sneakers.

The Nike Pegasus 35 Turbo was released on July 19, 2018. It was marketed as the “advanced” version of the ubiquitous Nike Pegasus. I actually switched to the Pegasus 35 that year and ran my half marathon PR. I didn’t initially buy the Pegasus Turbo to run in, I just mostly liked the way they looked, especially the “hot punch” colorway. However, I couldn’t just let this comfortable of a shoe be relegated to trips to Kroger, so I started running in them, and haven’t looked back since. Even the shoe came out over two years ago, I still wanted to share my Nike Pegasus Turbo review.

The looks

Deion Sanders once famously stated, “If you look good, you feel good, and if you feel good, you play good.” If there has ever been a shoe that’s lived up to that quote, it is the Pegasus Turbo. The most distinct feature is the bold racing stripe down the middle, which is not something you normally see on a running shoe, and reminiscent of the original Nike Miler track spike. The over-sized Nike Swoosh on both sides stands out, and even the little flare on the heel can turn heads.

Nike went all out with the colorways on this shoe, from the original “hot punch” to all kinds of unique colorways not commonly associated with trainers.

Nike Pegasus Turbo

The feel

These are the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever run in. They are a very light shoe, but also maintain enough support to be an everyday trainer. The cushion on this shoe, thanks to the ZoomX foam feels incredible. It is one of the smoothest shoes I’ve ever run in. I am also a big fan of the amount of padding on the tongue and around the heel. While many shoes are opting for thinner material in these areas (like the Pegasus Turbo 2), the padding adds a level of comfort that makes up for the increased weight it adds.

This shoe is the perfect mix of something supportive enough to be an everyday shoe, but also light enough to be something worthy of race day. In a world of increasingly specialized shoes for different distances and events, this shoe is a rare Swiss Army Knife.

Nike Pegasus Turbo

The durability?

If there’s one downside to this shoe, it is the durability. While I can easily get 400+ miles on the regular Pegasus, the Turbo starts to break down around the 300 mile mark. The most noticeable area is the outsole, which tends to wear down quickly, depending on where you strike your foot. I’m a heel striker (currently working on changing that), so I wore down the heel area first. And once you burn through the outsole rubber, the ZoomX foam gets chewed up pretty fast. Otherwise, the seams, laces insole and upper held together very well.

300 miles worth of wear.

The Pegasus Turbo 2

A year after the original Pegasus arrived, the Pegasus 2 was released. I was immediately disappointed to see the racing stripe removed in favor of a simpler design. I was further disappointed to find that the Peg 2 was basically a lighter, stripped down version of the original. The outsole and midsole remained the same, but the upper was replaced with a thinner material, removing all of the heel padding. The tongue was also replaced with a near paper-thin iteration. I found the new version to have less support and I’m not a big fan of the thin tongue. While I appreciate the effort to lighten the shoe, but I feel like it lost the comfort of the original. I still use my Pegasus Turbo 2, but mostly for speed work on the track.

The future

It turns out the Turbo 2 would be the last of the Turbo models. Nike has no plans to release a third version of the shoe, but the chatter is the new Nike Tempo Next% is a Turbo-ish replacement. While the shoe has not released in the United States, the reviews elsewhere have been generally positive.

Until that replacement comes, I plan on continuing to re-up on the original Turbo, thanks to the secondary market. While I have also enjoyed the Nike Miler, I have yet to find a shoe with the flexibility of the Turbo. My Nike Pegasus Turbo review may be two years too late, but the shoe still holds a special place on my feet in 2020.

Nike Pegasus Turbo

Have you run in the Pegasus Turbo before? Leave your review in the comments!

Nike React Miler First Run Review

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From the shoebox to my feet, here’s my Nike Miler first run review

UPDATE: Here’s my review of the shoe after 200 miles.

Summer is a time for lemonade, hot dogs and long runs, and the Nike React Miler seems to be a versatile option to get you from point A to point B (or point A to point A, if you run out and back). This first run review is based on one run of six miles, at just over 8:00/mile pace, on the sidewalk in a suburban and downtown area.

Nike React Miler in the Black/Laser Crimson/Oil colorway
Nike React Miler Black/Laser Crimson/Oil

When the Nike React Miler first came out, I was slightly skeptical. It didn’t appear to get Nike’s typical massive marketing push or fanfare. However, this model has the opportunity to become a hidden gem, suitable for a lot of people.

Nike React Miler Review – First Impression

My first run in these shoes was a six-mile run at 8:00/mile pace. After lacing them up, it was apparent that this is a chonk of a sneaker. The React foam, the thick outsole and the strong upper material all work together to make this a heavy trainer. Throughout the run, it was obvious that this shoe leans more into the “stability” category, especially when compared to a Pegasus. It’s firm and you can really feel the React foam protecting your feet from the ground. I’m sure it will get a little more flexible as I break it in.

Nike React Miler Top View

The Good

This shoe is very comfortable, but firm at the same time. I’ve run in cushioned shoes in the past, and it was obvious that many of them sacrifice a lot of stability in the name of comfort. However, this shoe felt well-cushioned without sacrificing necessary firmness.

I also like the tongue, which is a nice mix of Nike’s newer, thinner tongue design and a padded tongue. It didn’t slide around or rub on my ankle too much.

Even though I only ran in these once, I get the sense that this shoe will last a long time. The outsole is thicker and the materials appear to be durable enough to go 400+ miles.

Since the Nike React Miler has been out for a few months, it is starting to go on sale, so investing in a durable shoe below $100 is a great opportunity to finish your summer running strong.

Nike React Miler Back View

The Bad

If you are looking to set a PR on the track, qualify for the Boston Marathon or outrun a grizzly bear, these are probably a little too heavy for the task, especially compared to a Pegasus or Alphafly NEXT%. Bring the bear spray.

I also care about aesthetics, and this isn’t exactly the prettiest shoe in the world. It looks kind of bulky, and the color options aren’t exactly inspiring.

Finally, the shoe’s apparent durability might also mean your feet get pretty warm during a long run in the heat. It doesn’t have the greatest breathability, so maybe leave the wool socks at home.

The Final Brew

After one run, the Nike React Miler felt great. I also didn’t get that new shoe leg tiredness commonly associated with the first few outings. I fully expect this shoe to be a great addition to my rotation, specifically for long runs. It isn’t the fastest shoe on the market, nor will it win a beauty contest, but it will definitely keep your feet feeling good for miles and miles. My Nike React Miler review awards this shoe with a Seal of Freshness.

The Nike React Miler

Have you tried the Nike React Miler? Have a question? Drop a comment below.