The best Nike trainers 2024: fantastic Nike sneakers revealed

It's hard at the top. Nike is the biggest sneaker brand in the world, and it's not even a close fight between Nike and second-place brand Adidas.

That doesn't mean Nike can just take it easy and coast along on its old victories.

Nike is at the cutting edge of tech, and made what might be the fastest running shoe ever. Kelvin Kiptum set a Chicago marathon world record wearing a prototype version of the Nike Alphafly 3, just months before his tragic death in February 2024.

We care about both the old and new, though, and so does Nike.

In May 2024, Nike announced the return of a classic, a version of the Cortez matching the pair seen in 1994 movie Forrest Gump. Keep an eye out on the Nike store from May 31 if you like the sound of that.

Over at the other end of the spectrum, Nike showed off a bunch of AI-designed 3D-printed concept sneakers in April. They're inspired by Nike ambassadors, and could give a clue as to future pairs coming down the line. Some are truly wild-looking. Take a look:

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, then the options can be dizzying.

Nike has released countless trainer styles over the years, but certain ones stand out from the crowd. We’re talking bona-fide footwear allstars, 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 tick all of the boxes.

In this list, we’ve handpicked the best Nike trainers we feel are worthy of top-ten status and left it to you to decide where they rank. Vote for the pairs you love, downvote the ones you don't.

From the game-changing Air technology of the Nike Tailwind to the futuristic styling of the Nike Air Max 270, here are the shoes we chose.

• The best trainers to buy right now, revealed.

Best Nike trainers

at AmazonA 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.

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at nikeNike’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?

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at nikeHard 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, it features a high-top design, ‘Air Jordan’ branding to the cuff and a grippy, flat sole for traction on and off the court.

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at AmazonThe 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.

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at nikeIf you’re a runner after function over style, and you don’t want to splash out for the pricey Vaporfly, get the Pegasus 40. It’s arguably Nike’s best all-round running shoe for the regular runner. You get decent cushioning, good support and very solid durability. Look no further for your everyday runner that will happily soak up a good amount of miles each week. This series has been around for 40 years at this point, introduced in 1983.

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at nikeWe like these knitted-style trainers for sportier casual wear, but they are also ideal for the gym. The upper has a sock-like fit for optimum comfort, with the right amount of stretch and breathability. There are also strategically placed rubber parts on the sole, to make sure the foam midsole doesn’t wear down too quick. Ideal for running? Nike makes better pairs for that job. But for everything else, the SuperRep is grand. It’s also marketed as one of Nike’s more environmentally-friendly designs, made from recycled materials.

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at nikeOriginally 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.

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at AmazonNamed for its Air sole unit’s 270 degrees of visibility, the Nike Air Max 270 is the latest shoe in the Air Max line. It became an instant hit following its release in 2018 and is the first ever Air Max trainer to have been designed exclusively for lifestyle purposes, as opposed to running. It also features the tallest Air Max heel unit, so if you’re looking to boost your height a tad, this could be the shoe for you.

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at nikeThe original was hailed as the fastest Nike running shoe to date and its sequel is no slouch, either. the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next Percent 3 might be a bit of a mouthful but that hasn’t stopped tongues wagging since the range was first announced. The patented ZoomX foam in the sole unit provides unparalleled bounce and response. So much so, in fact, that some have called it mechanical doping, suggesting that these trainers are so good that they give athletes an unfair advantage.

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