The Strategist Guide to Shopping at Nike
Save this article to read it later.
Find this story in your account’s‘Saved for Later’section.
Comment
In this article
Anyone who has shopped at a big-box store knows it can be hard to figure out where to begin. There are dozens upon dozens of options that all seem as worthy as the next, but the reality is that products from any given brand are not all created equal. When you shop as regularly as we do, you learn that many brands just do some things better than they do other things. Nike, with more than 600 different sneaker styles alone, is one of those brands — its inventory of cool-people–approved shoes and performance workout clothes needs to be carefully picked through to find gems likeHIIT-friendly leggings,tennis pro–approved wristbands, andsneakers designed for roadrunning. Here, we’ve corralled all the shoes and clothes from Nike that our writers and editors — as well asprofessional basketball players,TikTok stars,fitness instructors,stylists, and other cool people likeChris Black— have recommended on the Strategist.
Updated on June 25, 2026
We added a few new picks from the past year, includingNike Pacific sneakersand athlete-approvedtennis shorts.
Women’sshoes
New! You can now save this product for later.
Nike Pacific
After wearing Blundstones every day this winter, senior writerLiza Corsillowas excited to put a new pair of Nike Pacifics to useat the start of spring. She wore them two days straight while reporting on the annualToy Fairand was comfortable the whole time. “They are a little bit wider thanNike Cortezsneakers and have a sexy gum sole,” she says, and they look nice. “I’m excited to wear them with shorts this summer while imagining that I’m a chill mom from the ’70s or ’80s.”
New! You can now save this product for later.
One of the most-recommended sneakers on the Strategist is Nike Air Force 1s — in all white. They’re beloved by everyone fromTikTok starstocool teensfor their timeless, goes-with-everything look.Mixed-ishstarArica Himmel, who has “probably owned five or six pairs over the years,” also considers them a closet staple, noting that she can wear them with “pretty much anything.”HustlersstarKeke Palmeris another fan, telling us they’re the “most stylish shoe.” For a “cool and unexpected” look,Leigh Plessner, a co-creative director of Catbird, pairs her Air Force 1s with dresses and nightgowns, whileThe Real Housewives of Beverly HillsstarErika Jaynewears them with “shorts or tights or with a tracksuit.”
They’re not just stylish, though. They’re comfortable too. They “boast super-comfortable cushioning and a breathable toe box,” according to senior writerAmbar Pardillain her roundup of thebest white sneakers for women. “I could actually shoot hoops in them if I wanted to, because they have some bounce to them; I stuck to sidewalk treks instead and found them endlessly comfortable for thousands of steps.”
New! You can now save this product for later.
For a more “fashion-forward twist on the traditional dad sneaker,” several cool women recommend the Huarache. Elizabeth Tamkin, content director atKule, owns the fully white version and wears them all the time, pairing them withdressesand tracksuits alike. Our senior editor,Crystal Martin, also wears them often but recommends going up half a size, since they can be tight.
[Editor’s note: These shoes are only available customized using Nike’s By You option.]
New! You can now save this product for later.
Nike Air Max 95
Erica Lall, a ballet dancer, swears by Nike Air Max 95s. “I’ve had so many pairs,” she says. “I wear them every day and won’t stop wearing them until I’ve worn them out. As a ballet dancer, I have to be careful with what shoes I wear because I obviously use my feet for everything. These have never given me a blister and they support my arches.” While Lall has worn adult versions of the 95s, because she has small feet (size 6.5), she prefers kids’ styles, like the Recrafts.
New! You can now save this product for later.
Nike Air Max 270
Merica Lee, denim designer andmaîtresse d’atFrenchette, who spends a lot of time running between her factory in Brooklyn, the Garment District in Manhattan, and the restaurant in Tribeca, prefers Nike’s Air Max 270s. They’re sleek and modern-looking, she says, and look good with jeans, trousers, dresses, and jumpsuits. “But most important, they feel good” — like walking on sponges, she says.
New! You can now save this product for later.
The Nike Air Rift debuted in 1996, and it’sstill a favorite of fashion designer Yara Flinn, who started wearing them in high school. “With a separated toe like a cloven hoof and chunky rubber soles, they were neither feminine nor ‘cool,’” she says. “That’s exactly why I loved them.” She wears them with jeans, shorts, and even dresses and calls them the ideal shoe for when the weather is too chilly for sandals but too sunny for boots. One word of caution: Wear them with toe socks. “These puppies are neoprene and do not breathe well,” she says.
New! You can now save this product for later.
Nike Pegasus 42
Not all running surfaces are created equal.Runnerswho train on a treadmill have different needs than road racers, and the Nike Pegasus was designed specifically for street running.Melissa Boyd, head trainer atTempo, says that after struggling to get used to other running shoes’ cushioning and responsiveness, the Pegasus won her over. They have enough bounce for speed, but are light enough for sprints and longer runs, she notes, adding that the wider toe box helps her hit a consistent stride. “I found a lot of my prior qualms with the sport were solved with this shoe.”
New! You can now save this product for later.
Nike Vaporfly 4
Nike is well known for its racing shoes. The Nike Zoom Alphaflys, largely regarded as the fastest marathon shoe when they were released, are what marathoner Eliud Kipchoge wore when he ran a sub-two-hour marathon. Nike has expanded its offerings since then, and its Vaporfly is a race-day favorite for many runners, including Wong, who ran the 2023 Boston Marathon in them and uses them on runs whenever she’s simulating race pace.
New! You can now save this product for later.
Nike Vapor 12
Nike Vapors aretheshoes to wear on court, according to former Howard University tennis player and Westchester-based pro Emnet Simunyola. She wears theNike Air Zoom Vapor Pro2s. Nike’s shoes are especially good for those with narrow feet, as Nike shoes in general run narrow. Phil Parrish, tennis director of theLongfellow Health Clubin Wayland, Massachusetts, recommends the Vaportennis shoesfor players who have trouble finding a snug fit in other brands, as these are designed with reinforced mesh for extra support. And for those who play on clay, Mark Mason, the owner of Mason’s Tennis, says these are great because the ground surface is more forgiving, so you can get away with a lighter shoe.
New! You can now save this product for later.
Nike Bella 7
Ifdance cardiois your favorite workout style — or if you just love to go dancing — the Nike Air Max Bella TR5 will keep your ankles secure as you move.Candace Taylor, an instructor at305 Fitness, says that “for dance, the key to healthy feet is shock-absorption capacity and ankle protection.” She recommends this “well-crafted” pair because they “are incredibly supportive and structured,” in addition to being stylish.
Women’sapparel
New! You can now save this product for later.
“When I say I run most of my miles in shorts, I really mean I run most of my miles in Nike Tempo shorts,” saysmarathon runnerand former Strategist writerKaren Iorio Adelson.They’re durable and feature a three-inch inseam, which she describes as “in that Goldilocks sweet spot of being neither too short nor too long.” Adelson has worn them for everything from 5Ks to marathons, and the shorts (which she says will often go on sale) come in a multitude of colors andplus sizes.
New! You can now save this product for later.
Though technically designed for running, whenwe asked cool women about their favorite tennis clothes, Hastings-on-Hudson tennis player Olivera Veskovac named these Nike ones as a favorite practice pair. Their built-in undershorts hold balls really well, Veskovac says, and the spandex also helps prevent chafing.
New! You can now save this product for later.
Nike Pro 3” Shorts
Other tennis players, including Simunyola and lifelong tennis playerMel Kenny, prefer just wearing undershorts for practice — specifically Nike’s tried-and-true Pro shorts. “The fabric does that amazing ‘holding you in’ thing that makes everything look tighter and less jiggly than it in fact is,” says Kenny.
New! You can now save this product for later.
“When I’m working out, I usually stick to the basics, like Nike,”Palmersays, and one of her must-haves is Nike’s Victory Padded sports bra. “One of the most annoying things to me, especially when I’d doing cardio, is my boobs moving everywhere. So I feel really protected in the Nikesports bra.”
New! You can now save this product for later.
For smaller busts, personal trainerTamara Pridgettrecommends Nike’s Indy Light Support bra — whichshe says still offers more than enough support. “I can wear this when sprinting, hurdling, jumping, and lifting without any issues,” she says. “And the cups don’t get frumpy.” Plus the longline style means it functions more like a crop top.
New! You can now save this product for later.
A favorite of bothAdelsonandChris Black, this breathable, rain-or-shine cap is minimal, affordable, and “gets the job done,” according to Adelson. Black agrees, calling it “the perfect hat for all seasons.” It’s available for both women andmen.
New! You can now save this product for later.
These unisex crew socks are a favorite amongStrategist writers,editors, andBlackalike. “I probably have 40 pairs of white Nike crewsocks, and I wear them daily,” says Strategist writerTembe Denton-Hurst. “I think of them as kind of like footwear: They’re slightly padded on the bottom, look cute when scrunched, and go with absolutely everything.”
New! You can now save this product for later.
When going hatless, tennis player Simunyola likes Nike’s headband for the way the timeless swoosh can instantly elevate your style.
Men’sshoes
New! You can now save this product for later.
Air Force 1s are just as popular with men as they are with women.Cool teens, athletes likeKevin Love, and celebrities likeFab 5 Freddyand actorNoah Schnapphave all praised them for their comfort and versatility. “Everyone has them,” Schnapp says. “They go with any outfit. They’re comfortable, so I wear them everywhere.” They’re so comfortable thatchef Daniel Hummsays he can even wear them in the kitchen. And the shoes were mentioned several times whenwe asked cool men about their favorite white sneakers, too. StylistBryant Simmonssays they’re the perfect shoe for the wide-leg-pants trend. “The Air Force 1s balance out that wide silhouette really well. If you wear smaller shoes with a wider leg, your feet can look swallowed up.”
New! You can now save this product for later.
“They’re a classic,” says NBA all-star and former pro basketball playerChris Boshof the Nike Cortez. “I’ve got three pairs: black and white, white and red, and blue and white.” Bosh promises the sneakers are comfortable and that you can dress them “up or down.”Nicolas Lazaro, the brand consultant and Substacker behindThe Bengal Stripenewsletter, is another Cortez fan, telling us that the narrower silhouette is one of the “most flattering styles if you have slim legs and small ankles.” He says Cortezes are among thebest white sneakersa guy can own.
New! You can now save this product for later.
If you’re looking for an everydaysneakerthat makes a statement, Kiyoshi Martinez, general manager at men’s tailor Hall Madden, vouches for Nike’s Huaraches. “I wanted a sneaker that would go well with an obsession I was getting into with Hawaiian shirts and shorts, but it still needed to have a modern edge and be comfortable for walking and standing in,” Martinez says. He adds that their “futuristic and structured” look “is actually very comfortable and stretchy because of its design.”
[Editor’s note: These shoes are only available customized using Nike’s By You option.]
New! You can now save this product for later.
Nike Air Max 95
Keith Pollock, SVP of creative at West Elm, is a devotee of the classic Nike Air Max 95. “I pretty much have a uniform these days, which isall black and navy,” he says, adding that it always includes a pair of Air Max 95s. (Currently, you can get them in Smoke Grey, Cosmic Clay, or Midnight Navy, shown.)
New! You can now save this product for later.
For a classic street shoe that does double duty as a gym shoe,Dr. Clinton Lee, a Brooklyn-based certified strength and conditioning specialist, suggests Dunks. Thanks to their low profile and ample support, they’re great for lifting. Lee says he wears them for squat workouts — “not for any performance-related purposes. It’s just that they’re fun, I love the way they look, and for the amount of time I spend in the gym, I need something different than typical sneakers or weight-lifting shoes, so I rock these for the fashion aspect.”
New! You can now save this product for later.
As for workout-specific shoes, Nike makes many expert-recommended pairs — four are on our list of thebest men’s workout shoes. Nike’s Metcon 9s took the best-overall spot thanks to their versatility. Associate editorJeremy Rellosahas been wearing them for four years and says they’ve held up to all types of workouts, including weight lifting, rowing, HIIT sessions, and treadmill warm-up runs. He recommends them for nearly any fitness activity except marathon training, which requires a more specific shoe. His recommendation is backed up by experts, including Todd Brandon-Morris, the founder of inclusive fitness brandOut-Fit, and Sean Sewell, a personal trainer who runs the gear-review siteEngearment, who both say they’re great for weight lifting because they’re lightly cushioned. AndLeesays he’s been wearing them for general gym training for years. “They’re lightweight, and many models have a relatively flat sole (which I prefer for lower-body training) and they look good,” he says.
New! You can now save this product for later.
If you’re looking to spend a little less on a workout shoe, Rellosa named Nike’s Free Runs as thebest less-expensive option. “It has a stretchy fabric upper, a relatively low profile, and a medium amount of cushion,” he says. “If you want an easy shoe to wear to the gym for all types of sports and the occasional run — at an affordable price — I highly recommend the Free Run 5.0.” They’re also recommended by running-and-fitness-content-creatorChris Chung, who says lifting in the Nike Frees feels “almost like wearing a sock.”
New! You can now save this product for later.
Nike Pegasus 42
Forrunning-specific shoes, Rellosa suggests Nike’s Pegasus. “It’s been a staple of Nike’s running lineup ever since it was introduced nearly four decades ago, and its cushioning comes from a layer of the brand’s proprietary React foam in the midsole,” he says. It’s designed for logging daily miles with daily training, so it can be used for both road runs and other aerobic workouts.
New! You can now save this product for later.
Nike Vaporfly 4
For races, Nike’s Vaporfly again comes out on top. Chung likes the ZoomX foam cushioning on the Vaporfly 3, which he says keeps his legs fresh on longer efforts. “I’m reaching for this shoe when I’m racing anything longer than a 5K,” he says. They’re also the go-to race shoe forHumm. “There might be a little bit of a placebo effect going on, but they are very comfortable and very fast,” he says.
New! You can now save this product for later.
“The most populartennis shoesare Nikes,” says former college tennis player andMechalicoco-founderDane Mechali. Specifically Vapors, as worn by Roger Federer. The shoe feels as good on the foot as it looks. “It’s low to the ground, which is really forgiving for my tendonitis,” says fashion journalist and brand consultantRobert Cordero. As with women, Pharrish recommends Nike’s Vapor 11s for men with narrow feet.
Men’sapparel
New! You can now save this product for later.
Comedian,Middlebrowpodcast co-host, andtennis-obsessiveBrian Parkcalls these “the Ford F-150 of tennis shorts. The inseam is just right. I’ve also never had an issue with fabric clinging due to moisture during high-intensity matches. I’ve tried other brands and more high-performance offerings, but I keep coming back to these.”
New! You can now save this product for later.
New YorkMagazine’s food editor and avid gymgoerAlan Sytsmawears these lined seven-inch shorts while running, telling us they’re lightweight, “short enough to avoid being baggy,” and secure at the waist, so they “don’t start sagging down like ten minutes into the run.” They also have pockets, including an “even-more-crucial-but-rarely-seen interior back pocket” that he says is perfect for keys and other small necessities that might otherwise jangle against your leg.
New! You can now save this product for later.
Slightly shorter than the above pair, these five-inch Nike shorts are what Chris Keyloun, a coach at New York rowing studioRowgatta,wears for both running and rowing workouts. He says they have “built-in compression” and a not-too-long inseam to keep you “free from snags on the slide of the boat or rower.”
New! You can now save this product for later.
ContributorSteven John, an avid trail runner, wears this moisture-wicking shirt on runs outside (and in the gym), telling us the style is “flattering” and “comparable to more-expensive tees from Under Armour and Lululemon.” The shirt is made from a lightweight material and has mesh panels along the sides to keep him cool and dry, John adds.
New! You can now save this product for later.
Nike’s cushioned crew socks are also a favorite of men:ThrowingFitspodcasterLawrence Schlossman, who wears the gym-ready Dri-FIT version, told us that if he’s “not in Nikes, I’m going sockless.”
New! You can now save this product for later.
Meanwhile, over at Navarro College, the male (and female) cheerleaders on its famous squad prefer the no-show version,according to assistant cheerleading coach Andy Cosferent. “We like to keep a very clean, college image, so we want to match the white socks with the white shoes,” he says.
New! You can now save this product for later.
Finally, wristbands are a favorite accessory fortennis players, but they’ll work for any activity where you need to wipe sweat off your face and out of your eyes. Chris Olberding, president ofGitman Vintageand an avid tennis player, says that wristbands — like socks — have a tendency to “go wandering” in the wash, so it’s not a bad idea to stick to one always-in-stock color or style for all of your pairs so you don’t have to worry about mismatches if you lose one. In that spirit, tennis proLendale Johnsontold us he chooses to stick with these classic white bands from Nike.
The Strategistis designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the bestacne treatments,rolling luggage,pillows for side sleepers,natural anxiety remedies, andbath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
