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The Nike Structure Plus is the mid-range shoe in Nike’s Structure line-up, sitting above the Nike Structure 26 and the yet to be announced Nike Structure Premium.
It the most cushioned stability shoe Nike has ever made and one of the best cushioned running shoes available for those who need some extra support, but it lacks some of the bounce and versatility you can get on neutral shoes like the Nike Vomero Plus, and there are lighter stability shoes like the Hoka Arahi 8 to consider for daily training as well.
Design & Key Stats
- Price: £155/$170
- Weight: 311g/11oz (men’s UK 9 / US 10)
- Drop: 10mm
- Stack: 42mm heel, 32mm forefoot
- Upper: Engineered mesh
- Midsole: ZoomX and ReactX foams with midfoot support system
- Outsole: High abrasion rubber at heel, blown rubber at forefoot
Nike Vomero Plus review
How’s The Fit
Nick tested the Structure Plus for our review and found that it fit well in his normal running shoe size, the same size he’s used across the Nike range for years. It has a lot of padding around the tongue and collar, but this was comfortable and didn’t irritate or overheat the foot during runs.
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The Run Test: Likes
The Nike Structure Plus delivers stability through Nike’s midfoot support system, which mainly consists of two large sidewalls of foam: one at the medial midfoot and one at the lateral heel. This support is effective and unobtrusive, so the shoe is also comfortable for neutral runners as well as those who overpronate.
Comfort is definitely a key word with the Structure Plus, because the generous stack of foam does a great job of reducing the impact of running, and it feels smooth and supportive in rolling from heel to toe. Despite the high stack, it doesn’t feel at all unstable on the run.
While it’s not an especially versatile, shoe, we did find we could do some mild progression runs in the shoe, and the Structure Plus does feel more nimble than many highly-cushioned stability shoes like the Saucony Hurricane 25 or Asics Gel-Kayano 32.
The grip has also been excellent during winter runs, with the Structure Plus providing reliable traction even in slightly icy conditions on our runs.
The Run Test: Dislikes
While the midsole setup on the Structure Plus is comfortable and stable, the spring from the ZoomX foam is dulled by the layer of ReactX, and it doesn’t feel anything like as bouncy as a full ZoomX shoe like the Vomero Plus.
As a result the Structure Plus isn’t really a lively running shoe and it’s not as versatile a daily trainer as springier cushioned options or more pared back stability shoes like the Hoka Arahi 8.
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Verdict And Alternatives
The Nike Structure Plus is a good daily trainer for those who need some extra support and want a highly-cushioned shoe with stability. It’s a little livelier and lighter than some rivals like the Asics Gel-Kayano 32 and Saucony Hurricane 25, even if it lacks the enjoyable bounce of Nike’s neutral options like the Vomero Plus.
We found the Puma ForeverRun Nitro 2 to offer a similar ride with added stability, and it’s a bit cheaper too, though the Nike does feel a bit more supportive on the medial side in particular. The Arahi 8 is lighter and a more rockered daily trainer than the Nike too, though not quite as cushioned.
It will be interesting to see what Nike does with the Structure Premium too, which could have a full ZoomX midsole to give it a springier feel than the Structure Plus. It might be worth waiting to see that shoe before committing to Nike’s stability line-up.