The best black Nike running shoes

by Solereview editors
This article was updated on January 28th, 2025 with current models. Solereview has no ties to the industry and does not accept free products. We buy all our shoes at full retail price; the proof of purchase is here.

Nike Infinity RN4 standing

Our top pick
Nike Pegasus 41 black product box


Nike Pegasus 41

Nike’s versatile everyday trainer looks good in all black, and it’s easy to find.

Buy from Nike.com

  1. Read our detailed review of the Nike Pegasus 41 here.

The Nike Pegasus feels somewhat dated, but at the heart of its success is a formula that’s still relevant – it’s a versatile running shoe with a repertoire of talents. Be it everyday runs or a 10K, the Pegasus 41 can do most things well.

The React foam core adds cushioning comfort, and the Zoom Air bags add stability. This produces a ride character that works across varying mileage and pace levels. If you had to pick just one Nike shoe to do it all, it’s hard to go wrong with the Nike Pegasus 41.

However, when compared to its peers (like the Saucony Ride 18 and Asics Cumulus), the Pegasus 41 feels behind the times. The forefoot cushioning feels thin and flat, so this is a trainer for heel strikers. The React foam, while comfortable, is temperature dependent – meaning it’s going to firm up during freezing winters.

Nearly all the details on the sleeved upper disappear on the black-on-black Pegasus 41. The welded logo, lacing loops, and lining are all in black.

  • Nike’s marketing pitch: An energized ride for everyday road running.
  • Upper: Engineered mesh, sleeved upper.
  • Midsole: Two Zoom Air bags inside ReactX foam, 10 mm heel drop.
  • Outsole: Carbon rubber.
  • Weight: 297 gms/ 10.4 Oz for a half pair of Men’s US 9/UK 8/EUR 42.5/CM 27.
  • Stack heights: 37 mm (heel), 27 mm (forefoot).
  • Available widths: D – regular (reviewed), 4E – extra wide.
  • Previous model: Nike Pegasus 40.
  • Country of origin: Vietnam.
  • Recommended use: Daily training, tempo runs, half-marathons.
  • Footstrike orientation: Heel, midfoot/forefoot (full contact).
  • Median lifespan: 400 miles.
  • Recommended paces: Slower than 4:00 min/km (6:30 min/mile).
  • Recommended temperature range: Warmer than -5° C/23° F.

Pros

  • Versatile comfort
  • Supportive ride
  • Secure fit
  • Outsole grip
  • Multiple widths

Cons

  • React behavior is temperature dependent
  • Better for heel strikers than forefoot strikers
  • Boring ride when compared to peers
  • Fewer/wider lacing rows add top-down pressure
  • Scarce reflectivity

 

Our top budget pick
Nike Downshifter 13 black product box


Nike Downshifter 13

This Pegasus-inspired running shoe delivers functional performance on a budget.

Buy from Nike.com

What does spending $75 at Nike get you? The answer is – a basic running shoe with a comfortable midsole and upper. The EVA foam midsole is cushioned enough for low-intensity activities, while the rubber outsole provides traction and ride stability.

The Downshifter 13 borrows its upper and midsole design from the Pegasus, but it’s built to a cost. For example, the midsole contains neither the Zoom Air bags nor the softer React foam. The footbed is also very basic.

Nike Downshifter 3 on the road.

The upper doesn’t have a lot going on. The all-mesh exterior has fused overlays to make the insides smooth and secure; the tongue and heel are padded with foam for a comfortable grip. The strap-based midsole is similar to the Pegasus; it makes the lacing easy and secure.

Nike sells the Downshifter 13 in an optional extra-wide sizing for wide feet.

Also see: Nike Revolution 7 – all black.

 

All-black shoe for wet and cold weather
Nike Pegasus Gore-Tex black product box


Nike Pegasus 41 Gore-Tex

So long, Pegasus Shield. Nike has a brand-new winter and rain-ready trainer – the Pegasus 41 Gore-Tex.

Buy from Nike.com

For cold and damp days, the Nike Pegasus 41 Gore-Tex is our top pick. The all-black variant has a subdued aesthetic that doesn’t scream Nike.

Most brands that sell a Gore-Tex version of their road shoe (New Balance 880, Asics Cumulus, Hoka Clifton) do not ‘winterize’ the shoe. Meaning, except for the waterproof upper, the rest of the shoe is nearly identical to the road version.

That’s certainly not the case here. This version of the Pegasus combines a waterproof GTX lining with features borrowed from the Nike Shield. The outsole uses a special ‘Storm-Tread’ compound for superior grip on wet roads.

The tongue is also mildly insulated for warmth, so we don’t recommend this shoe for summer use.

The Peg 41 GTX is also easy to clean. The waterproof mesh and synthetic mudguard repel water and mud.

Interestingly, the GTX version has a more spacious forefoot fit than the standard Pegasus 41. This is because the waterproof variant lacks a full inner sleeve. That creates more space for thicker wool socks for winter running.

 

All-black everyday trainer
Nike Winflo 11 black product box


Nike Winflo 11

With its full-length Air bag and Cushlon midsole, the Winflo is the second-best thing after the Pegasus.

Buy from Nike.com

The Winflo is a ‘Pegasus Lite’ of sorts. It’s a capable everyday trainer, but built to a lower spec than the Peg. That’s understandable, considering the price difference.

For example, the Winflo doesn’t have Zoom Air bags or a React foam midsole. In their place is a slim full-length Air bag inside an EVA midsole.

This full-length Air bag works together with the ‘Cushlon’ EVA foam midsole to provide cushioning comfort for everyday runs. The lightweight upper uses lacing straps to support and secure the midfoot. An extra-wide sizing is sold optionally.

However, none of that is visible on this particular Winflo 11 color. All the details disappear into the darkness of the blacked-out upper, and so do the foam midsole and rubber outsole.

The Winflo 11 delivers reliable everyday performance at a reasonable price. It can often be had for less than its $105 retail price, thus making it great value.

 

All-black flexible trainer
Nike Free Run 2018 black product box


Nike Free Run 2018

First introduced in 2018, this Nike Free-inspired trainer is still going strong.

Buy from Nike.com

The Nike Free Run 2018 has shades of the original Free 5.0. Just like the vintage Nike Free models, the midsole of the Free Run 5.0 is generously grooved and flexible. The entire outsole is grooved, and not just the forefoot.

The result is a very smooth ride that also happens to be soft and comfortable. It’s also reasonably priced at an MSRP of $100.

Another design feature that sets Nike Free apart is its minimal upper. There’s no heel counter, so the collapsible back benefits sensitive Achilles.

A Flywire cord-based lacing secures the fit without adding weight. At 8.4 ounces (238 grams), this shoe is as lightweight as it gets.

This color of the Free Run 5.0 is completely blacked out, and that includes the Nike logo.

The midsole, while soft, isn’t very thick – the stack is merely 13 mm (forefoot) and 21 mm (heel) high. It stands to reason that the Free Run 2018 is a short-distance running shoe.

 

All-black flexible trainer
Nike Flex Experience 12 black product box


Nike Flex Experience 12

Flexible in the front, supportive under the heel. There’s more to this shoe than meets the eye.

Buy from Nike.com

The Flex Experience Run 12 is just the shoe for mild-intensity runs, casual wear, and gym use. The Nike Free-inspired midsole cuts down on weight while producing a comfortable and flexible ride.

Like the Flex Experience 11, the midsole heel lacks deep flex grooves.

This makes the heel supportive, so the Flex Experience 12 is a good fit for the gym. It’s comfortable enough for treadmill runs with the stability needed for weight-training sessions.

The collapsible heel counter makes the Flex Experience 12 easy to wear, and also minimizes the chances of heel irritation. Runners with wide feet may want to consider the optional extra-wide sizing.

 

Versatile all-black daily trainer
Nike Infinity RN 4black product box


Nike Infinity RN 4

Within Nike’s current line-up, the Infinity RN 4 is the most versatile everyday trainer.

Buy from Nike.com

Unofficially, React is now a tier 2 cushioning technology because of the lighter and bouncier ZoomX foam. That being said, React offers mileage-worthy comfort for everyday runs. The Infinity RN 4 features improved ReactX foam to make the ride softer.

The single-density React X midsole blends cushioning comfort with stability; something that any running or walking shoe should have.

Nike Infinity RN4 standing

However, buying the Infinity RN 4 comes with a caveat. It’s an average running shoe for its high $160 asking price; it’s a comfortable shoe but excels at nothing in particular.

The all-black iteration of this model marries a blacked-out knit upper with a tonal midsole and outsole. The Infinity RN 4 is also available in an extra-wide.

 

Black waterproof trail runner
Nike Pegasus Trail 5 black product box


Nike Pegasus Trail 5

The ‘trail’ version of the Pegasus works equally well on the road and mild trails.

Buy from Nike.com

Nike advertises the Pegasus Trail 5 as a proper trail running shoe. Practically speaking, the Pegasus Trail 4 is a soft-roader – a running shoe that works equally well on road as well as mild trails.

The soft React foam midsole adds all-day comfort on the road, but it’s not ideal for technical and challenging terrain. The soft midsole, shallow lugs, and the lack of a rock plate mean that the Peg Trail feels at home on gentle gradients and unpaved trails.

Though this is a brand-new model, it’s similar to the last year’s model.

The waterproof version of the Pegasus Trail 5 is designed slightly differently than the non-waterproof model. It has a faux gaiter to prevent debris and moisture from entering. The Gore-Tex membrane is not foolproof, but does a good job of keeping the water out.

Our past ownership experience with the Pegasus Trail indicates that the outsole is extremely durable, even with extensive use on paved surfaces.

 

How we selected

We don’t have the data to back this up, but black is the color of choice in athletic footwear. And we say black, we refer to the ‘triple black’ variants – not black shoes with a contrasting white logo.

A lot of them also happen to be running shoes. Having said that, we suspect that most of the people who wear black trainers don’t use them for running.

However, running footwear is the preferred silhouette for an everyday shoe. The qualities that make a running shoe good also make it an excellent everyday shoe. And mind you – we’re not talking about Carbon-plated running shoes, but of a traditional kind.

The molded ribs of the Nike Pegasus 38 Shield.

Since this is a Nike-specific product guide, let’s use the Pegasus 40 as an example. It’s a versatile neutral trainer with a cushioned midsole and an inoffensive upper design. The midsole is shod with an outsole that grips well on roads, sidewalks, and artificial floors.

The ride comfort of a running shoe is higher than that of a fashion sneaker, so that’s very useful when walking to school or work. Many service industry and healthcare workers wear running shoes because they’re comfortable enough to stand on all day.

And unlike Air Force 1’s and Air Jordans, the sleeker silhouettes of running shoes are a safe choice in toned-down colors.

And there’s no safer color than black. Besides being a workplace-safe color, black running shoes are very practical. We can think of many reasons why:

Style versatility

A black running shoe goes well with anything that you throw over it, as well as most skin tones. It blends in with grey sweatpants, black running tights, and even dark denim.

And if your work or school uniform includes dark pants, then a black shoe is a near-perfect match.

Ease of maintenance

Taking care of light-colored running shoes is a tedious chore.

On the other hand, black shoes are less demanding. The uppers are not easily soiled, and products like the Pegasus 39 Shield even have liquid-resistant uppers. It’s not for nothing that our cold-weather choice is the Pegasus 39 Shield.

Ideal for service industry professionals

Service and healthcare industry professionals are on their feet all day, and black pants are usually a part of their uniforms. A black running shoe solves two design needs – that of a comfortable shoe capable of withstanding all-day abuse, as well as being easy to clean.

Luckily for us, there’s no dearth of Nike running shoes that sell in an all-black color scheme. For the sake of brevity, we have excluded black shoes with white midsoles or logos.

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