Live Science Verdict
A versatile mid - retentive distance run shoe that offers out - the - boxful comfort and a cushioned drive
various , especially for mid - long distances
Out - the - box comfort
Supportive with a spacious , unchanging foot
chunky forefoot
lumbering ( 11oz/312 g )
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Nowadays , runners don a different brace of shoe for different distance , tempo run , recovery sessions , speedwork and more . as luck would have it , the various Nike Air Zoom Structure 24 can take the place of several yoke , saving runners money ( not to mention space on their run over shoe racks ) .
It ’s a neutral shoe with a cushiony yet responsive midsole that feel well-off on mid - long distance runs – an property that cement their place on our roundup of thebest running shoe for supination . ( If you ’re wondering what this mean , detect out all you necessitate to know aboutsupination vs pronationwith our handy templet . )
A plush lining around the mortise joint and tongue ( an melioration from their popular predecessor , the Structure 23 ) have in mind they felt great from the very first run , and their molded heel hugged our feet so they stayed shut up in position – obliterating any prospect of blisters imprint .
This add padding does mean the brake shoe is on the sound side , with a men ’s size 10 tip the scales at 11 oz or 312 g. We discover they felt weighty for speedwork or short , fast - step runs , and the extra cushioning around the tongue and blackguard meant our feet feel quite hot when play in warm weather .
But , beyond this , charge with the Nike Air Zoom 24s were few and far between . They ’re an excellent run shoe for veritable wear , recuperation run and mid - long space sessions , with a comfort , durability and versatility that will cater to the needs of any recreational runner .
How we tested
To test these shoes , we took them on a series of run , seeing how they fared over different distance , at a selection of amphetamine , over a range of terrain . These let in a longer route around a nature reserve ’s trails , a tight - paced 5 kilobyte on pavements and road , grueling 400 megabyte intervals , and a serial of active recovery sessions .
Build and cushioning
The Nike Air Zoom Structure 24 is an fantabulous shoe for mid - long distances , and will twin well with endurance - focused runners reckon for a durable horseshoe that will keep going as long as they do .
It ’s a achromatic running shoe with ample padding good manners of a thick foam fillet of sole , give it a in high spirits heel - toe 8 mm drop curtain that will pose well with dog striker – a subject we explored in our feature oncorrect move foot positioning .
There is also a carefully located collapse pad ( an area of softer material with more give than the surrounding foam ) built into the heel , design to produce a smooth changeover from heel to toe , and a Zoom Air unit ( an “ explosive padding system contrive for speed and agility ” , made from pressurized air and tightly stretched fibre ) in the forefoot to allow for a responsive yet protected feel . While it ’s grueling to say the shock this had on our public presentation , we could unquestionably feel the difference between the firm forefoot and absolvitory hound .
However , though this is a neutral horseshoe , with a name like “ Structure ” perhaps we should have determine Nike ’s inclusion of a small stability shoe element come in . There is nothing as clamorous as a median Wiley Post , but the foam fillet of sole is built up around the median arch to provide additional support .
So , whether you ’re donning them for everyday utilisation , easy middle - distance runs or long pieces , the Nike Air Zoom social organization two dozen can provide a smooth , easy and light supportive ride .
The dense foam midsole extend what Nike describes as “ cushioned reactivity ” — two characteristic that typically operate at loggerheads with one another . Yet , having put these shoes through their paces , we found this on the face of it oxymoronic verbal description testify accurate .
Our knees benefit from the generous layer of cushioning , but we found the fillet of sole still provide a decent level of responsiveness in the forefoot where Nike has placed a Zoom Air unit .
Our quizzer said they could experience this unit when pass on firmer terrain , creating a Princess and the Pea - esque scenario in which they were loosely aware of a slight clump under the orb of their foot . But they described the encroachment as minimum , and this was their only literary criticism among otherwise blemish - spare feedback on the shoe ’s comfort credentials .
Design and upper
We like the no - furbelow approach Nike has taken when design the Air Zoom Structure 24 . With two simple colorways ( skag low-spirited or ignominious ) available , they ’re not going to stand out in a bunch like the frighteningly brilliant lily-livered Saucony Ride 15s we tried , making them a top option for anyone who ’d rather let their running do the talk .
Yet , the instantly placeable check mark , satiny upper and torpedo of clean cushioning has an minimise trend that we soon find ourselves incorporate into daily outfits ( see , we assure you they were versatile ) .
The mesh topology upper feel racy and features more cushioning in the lining around the heel and clapper than the Nike Air Zoom Structure 23s , giving them impressive out - the - box comfort . This , twinned with a well - designed blackguard counter , meant they effectively locked our feet into position without ever sense uncomfortably tight — minimise the hazard of rubbing or blisters .
This added padding does have its drawbacks , adding weight unit to the gym shoe so they experience a bit big over short distances or during speedwork . It also have in mind our infantry could inflame up quite apace in warmer weather , though this should n’t be a problem if you usually ply in milder status .
But , for long run , we definitely apprise the extra padding provided , which allowed us to plod along without aching or in the raw feet detracting from our training .
It ’s also important to considerhow running shoes should fit . The Nike Air Zoom Structure 24 fits wide than premature Nike running shoe with an accommodating upper that will adapt to most foot - shapes . For example , our narrow - footed tester found the Dynamic Fit whacking organisation was able to tighten the shoe evenly and efficaciously so they could find oneself a beneficial fit .
Unlike many track shoes , they fit true to size too , so there ’s no pauperization to go through the common rigmarole of ordering half - a - size up .
Performance
Overall , we were very impressed with the Nike Air Zoom Structure 24 ’s performance in our tests . It does well to balance comfy padding with a antiphonal ride , pee it a great scene for medium - speed sessions and longer recovery runs , and can be snapped up for under £ 100/ $ 130 from many retailers .
The crash pad ( a softer section built into the heel ) perceptibly encourage a smooth heel - to - toe transition , and the hardwearing outsole offers wonderful clasp on everything from wet grass to gravel to loamy trails . The wide base give them a stable feel , and a section of the midsole is built up around the medial arch to supply extra support .
They lose points as , at 11 oz ( 312 g ) , they ’re on the heavier side , and the thick foam midsole means they do n’t feel agile enough for firm run or speedwork . But , if you ’re taking things slower or prefer longer path , the ample cushioning feel howling - something our human knee certainly thank us for .
The Zoom Air unit of measurement located within the midsole , underneath the musket ball of the foot , can be feel lightly when running on arduous surfaces or tarmac . Nike says this is designed to offer a more responsive tone when transitioning power through the forefoot , allow for a house , smooth and stable feeling as your foot hits the flat coat . Yet , the termination may dissever view . While some multitude will appreciate the additional rigidity , we in person were n’t fans as we found the unit feel slightly chunky .
However , this is a modest gripe among an otherwise shining functioning for this telling addition to Nike ’s Structure series . So , recreational runners with a penchant for longer itinerary , this could be the horseshoe for you .
Verdict
The Nike Air Zoom Structure 24 is a well - cushioned neutral running game shoe with forward-looking design features incorporate to provide a more responsive ride and encourage an efficient heel - to - toe transition . We find their heavier material body and softer fillet of sole was n’t suited to speedwork , but the lush upper and well-fixed fit makes them a various mid - long space shoe that wo n’t let you down as you extort up the kilometers .
Alternatives
If you ’re after a light electroneutral shoe that still offers first-class support , the Hoka Mach 4 ticks all the boxes . This shoe features a rockered sole to encourage a fluid hound - to - toe conversion , so you could stay comfortable and maintain proficiency throughout long runs .
Or , if you ’re after a more responsive sole ( without give cushioning ) then the Saucony Ride 15s ( above ) could be your utter fit . They ’re also available in an centre - catching bright yellow colorway , which may help your family find you amid a pack - out wash day gang .
