The Nike Kiger 10. All images until in any other case famous: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
There are two sorts of trainers I usually gravitate towards: these with most cushioning and softness, and people with a low profile, snappy really feel, and pace. The Nike Kiger 10 ($170), which the model places in its path racing lineup, falls into the latter class.
With an precise weight of 9.3 ounces (264 grams) for a U.S. males’s 9, they’re definitely not the lightest racing shoe — even within the path racing world, the place sneakers are usually heavier than street racing. However for what they lack in lightness, they greater than make up for in snappiness. The comparatively low stack peak of 29 millimeters on the heel and 24 millimeters on the toe, and the resultant 5-millimeter drop, positively helps the shoe really feel nearer to a racing flat or spike than different path racing sneakers.
However don’t let all of this racing speak flip you off if you happen to’re not on the lookout for a path racing shoe. I’ve logged greater than 150 miles up to now within the Kigers, and none of these had been racing. These sneakers will work equally nicely for somebody on the lookout for a handy guide a rough race-day shoe as somebody like me who likes the texture of faster, snappier sneakers for on a regular basis runs and coaching on trails or gravel roads.
Curiously, the shoe is just accessible in a single mannequin that the model’s web site identifies as males’s, whereas many operating retailers establish it as unisex. Earlier variations of the shoe, together with the Nike Kiger 9, Nike Air Zoom Terra Kiger 7and Nike Air Zoom Terra Kiger 5have are available in each males’s and ladies’s variations.
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Nike Kiger 10 Higher
A lateral view of the Nike Kiger 10.
The Nike Kiger 10 has an up to date higher made with engineered mesh. The Kiger 9 additionally had an engineered mesh higher, making it troublesome to discern a lot of a distinction, however that’s not a foul factor. The higher stays light-weight and extremely breathable — you possibly can see via it barely — and it matches comfortably and securely round my toes.
The opposite spotlight of the higher is the plush heel collar. Nike might’ve simply saved weight by reducing again on the cushioning within the heel collar, however they selected consolation over saving just a few grams, and I recognize it. I used to be testing the HookaFate Pace 4 Lite similtaneously the Kiger 10, and the sneakers couldn’t have extra excessive approaches to heel consolation. The Mafate Pace 4 Lite ripped the pores and skin on my heel aside, whereas the Kiger 10 was like stepping right into a pillow. I had no subject with rocks or particles getting contained in the shoe.
Working within the Nike Kiger 10 on singletrack trails in Silverton, Colorado. Photograph: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi
The lacing system and tongue are pretty normal. The lacing system supplied a locked-in really feel when completed proper. I did have a problem with my proper heel being free when not being intentional about tying the laces correctly. General, the higher is certainly on the narrower aspect, particularly within the toebox.
From the get-go, I by no means skilled blisters or scorching spots. These had been a kind of uncommon sneakers the place I felt assured taking them for a ten miler proper out of the field.
Nike Kiger 10 Midsole
A medial view of the Nike Kiger 10.
The Nike Kiger 10 additionally acquired an replace within the midsole, transitioning from Nike React midsole foam to Cushlon 3.0 foam. React and Cushlon are each base-level, workhorse midsole foams utilized by Nike, and also you don’t get the spring, bounce, or vitality return of a higher-end racing shoe.
The midsole foam has a low sufficient profile that when coupled with the shoe’s gentle weight, it offers the shoe an agile and fast really feel. Even throughout my longest path run of the yr, I might really feel assured navigating a technical downhill in direction of the top due to the agility of the sneakers. A brand new rock plate within the forefoot offers further safety over tough terrain, and I by no means had any points with sharp rocks hurting my toes.
Nike Kiger 10 Outsole
The outsole of the Nike Kiger 10.
The outsole of the Nike Kiger 10 supplied grip that exceeded my expectations. Nike makes use of a Vibram Megagrip outsole, and the lugs are multi-directional and extensively spaced. They’re additionally not tremendous deep, however they work. I discovered myself hardly slipping on rocky, sandy, and gravel trails and roads. The outsoles encourage confidence, which is necessary contemplating these are racing sneakers.
One factor that makes me actually love a operating shoe is when it has sufficient versatility to deal with a number of sorts of surfaces and runs. I recognize sneakers that may deal with pavement, gravel, crushed rocks, and dust, and work as a day by day coach or for quick miles and exercises. The Kiger 10 does a fairly good job of hitting a whole lot of these classes. Whereas not superb for pavement, they’ve positively labored positive for me when my runs require a mile or two of pavement to get to the paths. These sneakers can deal with something from day by day miles to lengthy runs to quick miles and races, and a whole lot of that has to do with the flexibility of the outsole.
Nike Kiger 10 General Impressions
A prime view of the Nike Kiger 10.
The Nike Kiger 10 has change into one in all my go-to path trainers and one I attain for once I need to simply exit and run, not worrying about what’s on my toes. It’s additionally a shoe I attain for when my legs are drained and I desire a shoe I do know will assist me really feel a bit higher than I ought to.
I’m nearing 200 miles on these sneakers, and there are nearly no indicators of damage and tear. These aren’t essentially the highest-end racing sneakers in the marketplace, however they supply a whole lot of versatility and can work simply positive in a racing setting.
For anybody on the lookout for a do-it-all day by day coach for dust, rocks, and gravel, or somebody on the lookout for a strong and reasonably priced path racing shoe, the Nike Kiger 10 is a superb selection.
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