Nike Kiger 10

Just got them tonight and did a quick half mile just to test them, love the plate for added stability and the foam is a lot sturdier but still very responsive, although I like the light weight mesh I think a goretex or cordura version would make them 5 stars.

Been doing 10-15 mi hikes/trail runs with these in relatively technical rocky/mountainous Arizona terrain, generally running downhill. I really like the look and find them fun (I got the light blue). They are comfortable walking (not the intended purpose, given the lugs). The heel design especially seems cushiony while not being too bulky, but I don't use the heel portion on runs (stay up on forefoot). The front/midsole isn't too bad in terms of cushioning. I didn't want the fat stack style of trail runners that seem to be common now. I wanted something with ground feel and that would conform to rock edges a bit instead of being a rigid platform that I feel is a bigger ankle-roll risk. However, I will say the ball of my foot does feel a little bruised after long runs in these (I'm front/mid foot striker). Hoping that strengthening foot/ankle area will alleviate this. They are lightweight relative to other trail runners. I feel like I'm agile and "stabbing" the ground with my foot placement when running on technical trails, which is fun. I have a wider foot (get wide variants in models that offer it), and these fit me really well in terms of mid/forefoot width (and snug heel). I didn't like so much toebox width as in Topo's, because it felt too sloppy/imprecise and blister prone. I came from Nike Free Run 5.0 (same sizing for me) and was running trails on those, really liking the fit/comfort and ground feel, but my feet were getting beat up (especially stubbing toes, rocks stabbing through bottom), so have moved to trail runners for more durability and foot protection. The added grip of these are nice (not amazing in the wet), but I didn't mind slipping around a bit in flat-bottomed running shoes from before. I will say, though, I still have stubbed my middle toes on a rock or two wearing these, which I really wish wasn't the case, haha. May need to investigate some external toebox protection. I tried many brands (Altra, Topo, NB, Saucony, NNormal, Brooks), and these fit best for me along with Inov8 wide fit (Trailfly speed most comparable), but Inov8 design feels a bit amateurish/mid-2000s in comparison (understandable since they are a smaller operation). Inov8 designs also seem to suffer from shallow/loose heel fit that doesn't cup you as well. Overall, this is a simple, straightforward, but well-designed shoe. Not the most cushioning, but gives the user a lot of feel and control.

I bought these for coaching baseball in Virginia. They have excellent cushioning, stability and traction without unnecessary weight. I had been using both the regular and goretex versions of the pegasus trail shoes and they were always too heavy, hot and wobbly. These Kiger 10's also breathe, which is a must in the June/ July heat.