After Nike gave its trail running shoes a major update in 2019, the brand with the swoosh is now presenting revamped running shoes for the new 2020/2021 trail season, including the Nike Air Zoom Terra Kiger 6, Nike Wildhorse 6 and the relaunched Nike Pegasus Trail 2 GORE-TEX.

NIKE Air Zoom Pegasus Trail 2 GORE-TEX Men Running Shoes (green / blue / grey)

129,90 € *

NIKE Wildhorse 6 Men Running Shoes (red / black / grey)

119,90 € *

NIKE Air Zoom Terra Kiger 6 Women Running Shoes (black grey white)

101,90 € *

Nike is sticking to its own concept here - the three different trail shoes are optimised for their places of use. The Nike Pegasus Trail 2 GTX is exactly the right running shoe for an introduction to trail running. It has a lot of the DNA of its brother from the road, the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus, and its construction makes it suitable as a door-to-trail running shoe. This means a lot of comfort, sufficient grip and safety on the trails.

If the terrain is rougher and the sessions longer, the Nike Wildhorse 6 is the perfect choice. In addition to many protective elements, the revised version features the Nike React midsole for plenty of cushioning on the trails. If you are looking for fast trail runs or prefer direct trail shoes, then the Nike Terra Kiger 6 is for you. Keller Sports Pro Jan also took a close look at the new trail running models and tested them for you.

Nike Air Zoom Pegasus Trail 2

For the last running season, Nike made its classic road shoe ready for trail running. Nike based the basic structure on the road model, which means a lot of comfort and flexibility. In order to be able to safely collect kilometres on the trails, there are some protective elements on the running shoe.

The Pegasus Trail 2 is the all-rounder in the Nike Trail Pack. Thanks to its construction, the trail shoe can be run comfortably on asphalt and still impresses on the trails. Compared to the first edition, a few things have changed. The React Foam is now in the midsole for a high level of running comfort on all surfaces. The outsole also provides a secure grip and a convincing grip even on muddy surfaces.

The upper nestles very comfortably against the foot and thus offers a high level of wearing comfort. Protective elements protect the foot on rough terrain and the raised upper prevents sand and stones from getting inside. The fit is slightly wider in the forefoot, so there is enough room in the trail shoe even for longer runs. In general, the Nike Pegasus Trail 2 is a trail running shoe for everyone. Above all, it delivers comfort and is suitable for any distance.

Nike Pegasus Trail 2 GTX: Ready for winter with GORE-TEX upgrade

For many years, the name Nike Pegasus has been associated with an all-rounder for all types of runs. The Nike Pegasus Trail 2 GTX is no different. Now Nike has made the trail shoe ready for winter with a GORE-TEX upper. The basic features of the summer version remain the same. This means a high level of cushioning through React in the midsole and a good gripping outsole. The aforementioned GTX upper guarantees dry feet in any rainy weather.

The material is by no means rigid and moves comfortably with every movement. This means that you don't have to compromise on running comfort with the waterproof version. Another advantage of GTX is the lasting breathability, which further supports the high wearing comfort. In addition, elements on the upper provide sufficient protection on demanding terrain and the raised shaft does not allow sand to get into the inner shoe.

Thus, the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus Trail 2 remains an all-rounder for many trail runs and distances. In addition to its advantages on the trails, passages over asphalt are also no problem at all. Do you only want one trail shoe in your running shoe line-up? Then the Pegasus Trail 2 GTX is the perfect choice.

Nike Air Zoom Wildhorse 6

Nike has incorporated a number of updates, especially in the Wildhorse 6. The React foam, which is already established in many Nike running shoes, sits in the core or midsole of the shoe. Compared to its predecessors, this gives the Nike Air Zoom Wildhorse 6 a softer and more comfortable running feel. On the outsole, there are a few smaller rubber studs for plenty of grip on sandy or muddy surfaces. This gives you good contact with the ground, even on fast downhills, so you can concentrate fully on trail running. In addition, the midsole in combination with the outsole has a certain stiffness, which provides good guidance while running.

The upper of the Wildhorse 6 also provides good stability. The trail shoe achieves this with many elements that protect the foot from stones and roots. To keep sand or small stones away from the inside of the running shoe, the heel section is slightly raised. In order not to restrict the running performance, the material finish is made of a type of neoprene. This nestles comfortably against the ankle, and the lacing allows the trail shoe to be adjusted very well to the foot for an even more secure fit. This makes the Wildhorse 6 well suited for long units and demanding surfaces.

Nike Air Zoom Terra Kiger 6

Since the predecessor of the Terra Kiger 6 has already been completely revised once, Nike has only worked on small things in the latest version. Everything is subordinate to the focus on a direct running feel on the trails. The upper is made of a very airy mesh with plenty of freedom of movement. The only protective elements are a toe cap and some sturdy material on the heel. With the lacing, the Terra Kiger 6 can be adjusted very well to the foot, which ensures a secure running feeling. Nevertheless, it offers enough space in the forefoot so that the foot is not constricted at any step.

The construction of the midsole provides a lot of dynamism. React foam is used here as well, with a classic Zoom pad in the heel for a certain level of comfort on downhills. The outsole consists of three individual elements, which provides enormous flex in the rolling behaviour. To avoid slipping on wet stones, the rubber compound of the outsole provides sufficient grip. Despite the not too aggressive shape of the outsole, paths through mud and sand are no problem at all.

The stone protection elements in the forefoot are very well designed. These are individual elements between the outsole and midsole that protect against pushing through sides. The Terra Kiger 6 is clearly designed for the runner's preferences. It is suitable for fast sessions on the trails, but experienced runners can definitely handle the trail shoe on longer runs.

The Nike trail running shoes 2020 at a glance

Nike Trailrunning - The 3 new Nike trail shoes in comparison [2019]

Only very few runners associate trail running with Nike, but the brand with the swoosh has had interesting shoes in its range for several years. With the Nike Air Zoom Wildhorse and Nike Air Zoom Terra Kiger, there are already two trail shoes that have now been released in their fifth version. In addition, a classic was recently made ready for the trails in Barcelona. The new Nike Pegasus 36 Trail joins the Nike Trail range.

Each of the three trail shoes has its own special features for off-road runs. The new Pegasus 36 Trail is a classic door-to-door trail shoe. It has much of the DNA of the road model and is therefore pleasant to run on roads and light trails. Now that the wet season is upon us, Nike has given its popular all-rounder an additional GTX upper for dry feet in October 2019.

For long trail runs on challenging trails, you need grip, protection and comfort. The Nike Air Zoom Wildhorse 5 is best suited for this. For trail competitions, you need a fast trail shoe with good grip, and the Nike Air Zoom Terra Kiger 5 is recommended. In the last few weeks, I have been on the trails with all three models and taken a closer look at the shoes.

Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 36 Trail

The trail version of the Pegasus 36 primarily impresses with the same features as the road version. Firstly, the familiar comfortable fit and secondly, classic Zoom Air damping in the midsole for a reactive running feel. There is a separate element in the heel and in the forefoot, which gives you more control on the trails.

The outsole has many small studs for a great grip on the trails and in the city. This means you can run relaxed from your front door to the trail and explore new paths with good grip. I also found the grip of the Nike Pegasus 36 Trail to be great on wet and stony downhills. The mesh upper material used hugs the foot very comfortably and the shoes do not sit too tightly on the foot. The comfortable alignment underlines the fact that the upper has a lot of padding for good support.

How does the variant with the GTX Upper run?

In short, only the upper of the Nike Pegasus 36 Trail has been reworked. But that's exactly where Nike is doing the right thing, because the GTX membrane makes the trail shoe completely waterproof. This keeps your feet dry, no matter whether you're walking through puddles or taking spontaneous paths through wet grass. I like the flexibility of the GTX upper, which allows the trail shoe to follow your every move and lets you enjoy the trails.

For a high level of comfort, the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 36 Trail GTX has an outer GTX membrane and a very comfortable inner shoe. In combination with the padding in the right places, it is one of the most comfortable trail shoes I have ever had on my feet. The outsole already convinced me in the normal version in summer. It was no problem to run on asphalt or on the trail, and on the trails it gave you enough security and always conveyed a very high level of running pleasure. When it's time to head home from the trail in the dark, there are plenty of reflectors on the upper for sufficient visibility.

Nike Air Zoom Wildhorse 5

With the Nike Air Zoom Wildhorse 5, you get a trail shoe with a lot of protection on the foot. There are many layers on top of the airy mesh layers to protect the foot from rough surfaces. A toe cap, elements on the sides and a larger protective plate in the forefoot make it suitable for alpine terrain. With plenty of space in the forefoot and generous padding in the tongue and upper, it makes trail running comfortable even after a few hours.

The entire outsole is covered with small rubber studs for good grip on firm terrain. However, they are a little too short for use in mud and slush. On the other hand, smaller passages over asphalt are no problem at all with the Wildhorse 5. In the midsole, the Wildhorse 5 has a Zoom Air element for solid cushioning and good contact with the ground. In addition to its use on longer trail runs, I also find it very safe. Especially when the muscles are a little tired, you get great support in this trail shoe.

Nike Air Zoom Terra Kiger 5

Nike has completely redesigned its Terra Kiger 5 compared to its predecessors, yet it remains a lightweight and flexible trail shoe. One of the new features is the React damping in the Terra Kiger 5. Known from the Nike Epic React Flyknit, it supports a soft and responsive running feel. In combination with the outsole, this gives you a lot of freedom for challenging running.

The grip of the outsole is really good and provides sufficient grip on the trails even in adverse conditions. In addition, there are small protective elements under the forefoot that protect against sharp stones. There is also a Zoom-Air element in the heel of the Terra Kiger 5.

The upper also supports the flexible orientation with its very breathable Flymesh. Besides a toe cap and a firmer material in the upper, however, the Terra Kiger 5 only has minimal protective elements. This should be considered when choosing a trail, the shoe is much more designed for dynamic and flexible trail running.

Nike trail shoes in direct comparison

Which of the new Nike trail shoes do you like best? See for yourself!

* The actual price may differ from the one indicated here. It depends on current offers and the model.

Credits: Jan Lau
Photos: Carsten Beier