Over the past 50 years, Nike's trainers have been everywhere. They've sprinted over Olympic finishing lines, squeaked across NBA courts and appeared on the front row at Fashion Weeks worldwide. It’s no wonder everyone wants a slice of the action, but when it comes to picking the best pair of Nike trainers for you, the options can be dizzying.
From Air to Zoom, Dunks to Vaporflys, the Swoosh has been dominating the sneaker game for decades, mixing performance tech with street-ready style like few others, with few things lasting in the mind quite like the iconic logo.
Unfortunately, we’re not diving into collabs or super-limited drops here. No Off-White, no Travis Scott, no SNKRS heartbreak. As great as those pairs look, they sell out so quickly that by the time you’d have finished reading, they’re already gone.
So what will you find? Everyday icons. Performance legends. Future classics. From the eternally underrated to the straight-up essential, we’ve rounded up the best Nike trainers that deliver on comfort, style and versatility.
We’re talking bona-fide footwear all-stars, future classics and technological trailblazers past and present. But maybe you love Nike shoes because they're comfy, reliable and hard-wearing and don't care as much about the iconic styles. Nike shoes can tick all of the boxes.
Best Nike trainers for style
Nike’s not just about speed and sport; it’s a style powerhouse too. From timeless icons like the Cortez to street-ready staples like the Janoski, these trainers bring heritage, attitude, and style to any outfit.
Clean silhouettes, bold recognisable branding, and eye-catching looks that will elevate any look whilst remaining practical.
A pair of classic white leather trainers is an absolute must on every shoe rack, and Nike’s legendary Air Force 1 is one of the finest options out there.
A masterclass in restraint, the shoe’s simple styling, clean lines and versatility have seen it adopted by everyone from streetwear aficionados to sporting superstars.
Nike’s Air Max range made visible air bubbles one of the hottest trainer trends of the last 30 years, and the Air Max 1 was the first shoe to feature one.
There have been countless models released under the Air Max umbrella, but this suede and mesh masterpiece will always be the original and best. Unchanged since 1989, because if it ain’t broke, why fix it?
Hard to believe, but this pretty basic-looking basketball shoe is actually the precursor to the most successful line of celebrity-endorsed athletic footwear ever created: Nike Air Jordan.
The debut pro model of basketball legend Michael Jordan features a high-top design, ‘Air Jordan’ branding to the cuff and a grippy, flat sole for traction on and off the court.
The Blazer originally launched in 1973 as Nike’s flagship basketball shoe. Today it’s more likely to be found walking city streets or cruising skateparks, but it hasn’t lost any of its original charm.
The high-top silhouette; the attention-grabbing Swoosh branding; the delightfully retro exposed-foam tongue. It’s all still there and looking as slick as ever.
Originally released as the Air Max III in - you guessed it - 1990, the Nike Air Max 90 has gone on to become one of the brand’s most popular styles.
With its thick sole, OTT detailing and visible Air sole unit, it was a forebearer of the chunky-sneaker trend that engulfed most of the late 2010s. Heavy on the ‘90s nostalgia, yet still as relevant as ever.
Old-school vibes with modern skate tech. The Zoom Blazer Low Pro GT takes a classic 1970s basketball silhouette and gives it a street-smart, skater-approved update. Designed with Nike SB rider Grant Taylor, it features a reinforced suede upper and a grippy vulcanised sole so you can stay on your board. It’s tough, clean, and endlessly wearable. Few things are as versatile as these.
The Cortez is a straight-up icon. First launched in ’72, it’s one of Nike’s oldest running shoes and still one of the most stylish, even if you’re not likely to wear them running now. With that bold swoosh, low-slung silhouette and chunky EVA sole, it oozes West Coast cool (thanks, Forrest Gump and Kendrick Lamar). It's not built for marathons anymore, but if you want a timeless, easy-to-style sneaker that still turns heads, the Cortez is a no-brainer.
The T90 SP is pure football nostalgia, reworked for the street. Just looking at them makes you think of prime Barclays. Inspired by the iconic early-2000s Total 90 boots, it brings back the bold branding, quilted leather upper, and that unmistakable look, minus the studs.
With a gum sole and premium finish, it’s more post-match pint than match day, but still carries serious heritage weight. Loud, unapologetic, and built for anyone who remembers Nike’s golden era of goals, if it’s good enough for Rooney, it’s good enough for us.
Maybe not as popular as it once was it still screams minimalist design, maximum cult status. The Janoski is what happens when a pro skater designs a shoe that doesn’t bludgeon you with skater vibes.
Stefan Janoski’s signature model blends a low-profile canvas or suede upper with responsive Zoom Air cushioning and a grippy vulc sole. The result is a clean, wearable and deceptively technical. Whether you skate or not, it’s the kind of trainer that slides into any rotation and instantly boosts your laid-back credentials.
Best Nike trainers for sport
Athletic shoes are a different beast for style icons. While classics like the Cortez or Air Max stick around unchanged, performance trainers constantly evolve. New tech, better cushioning, improved support are all designed to help you run faster, jump higher, or crush your workout in a more crushier way.
The Nike Revolution 8, Pegasus 41 SE, Vomero 18 and Structure 26 are just the latest in a long line of iterative upgrades, blending cutting-edge innovation with serious comfort. They might not be timeless in the traditional sense, but they’re built to keep you moving, and that’s a kind of style all on its own.
Big lifts need big support, and that’s exactly what the Air Max Alpha Trainer 6 delivers. Built for heavy sessions, it pairs a wide, flat sole with a visible Max Air unit in the heel for impact control when the weight starts piling up.
Breathable mesh keeps things cool, while side wraps and grip-heavy outsoles keep you locked in during squats, sledge pushes or savage circuits. It’s tough, dependable, and won’t flinch under pressure.
We weren’t entirely sure where to put this one. Is it a style icon or gym workhorse? Truth is, it’s both. The Air Monarch IV has become a certified dad-shoe, but under the chunky leather exterior is a surprisingly capable training shoe.
With full-length Air cushioning, a solid rubber outsole, and enough support to handle everything from leg day to long walks, it earns its spot in the sporty section. It’s retro, durable, and way more comfortable than it has any right to be. Style it ironically or wear it earnestly, it’s up to you.
Built for stability, not speed, but that’s exactly the point. The Nike Structure 26 is the steady-handed, no-surprises trainer for runners who want plush cushioning and proper support.
The padded collar, breathable mesh and reinforced heel mean it’s just as comfortable for daily miles as it is for longer hauls. Not the flashiest in the lineup, but one of the most reliable. Think of it as the Pegasus’s more sensible sibling with a solid gym side hustle, too.
Nike’s comfiest daily runner just got even softer. The Vomero 18 stacks ZoomX on ReactX for a ride that’s plush, protective and smooth a bit like pillows for your feet. The updated foam collar hugs the ankle, the mesh upper breathes easy, and the high stack height means your knees won’t hate you after long miles.
It’s not built for speed work, but if you’re after max comfort for everyday runs, recovery days or long slogs, this one delivers. Heavy on cushion, easy on effort.
The Pegasus is back and still the most reliable daily runner in Nike’s lineup. The 41 SE upgrades the ride with new ReactX foam for better energy return, paired with dual Zoom Air units to keep things bouncy but stable.
Lightweight mesh up top, grippy outsole underneath, and comfort dialled all the way up. It’s not trying to reinvent the wheel, but it consistently delivers what you want from a good runner.
The Revolution 8 is Nike’s entry-level trainer that doesn’t skimp on comfort. Featuring a foam midsole and flexible forefoot, it cushions every stride, while the breathable mesh upper keeps things cool.
The cushioned outsole and rocker geometry provide a smooth ride, making it ideal for casual runs or daily wear. At £59.99, it’s a budget-friendly option that delivers reliable performance without the premium price tag.
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