NIKE Women's Downshifter 11 Gymnastics Shoe

Product Information

Despite being wider than average near the ball of the foot (100.2 mm), the toebox gets way too narrow around the toes. We really enjoyed the way this Nike shoe fit and felt. The shoe has a soft, generously padded tongue (10.1 mm!) while there’s also a really nice padding in the heel. Lightweight support that lasts the miles. The Nike Downshifter 11 gives you lightweight, flexible support to keep you going. It continues the same soft cushioning from the last version and adds more support around the midfoot to make it comfortable to wear long after your workout. The translucent window lets you see the supports that tighten around your foot when you lace up. Soft foam cushioning underfoot and in the heel provides comfort and support to keep you going. A rubber sole has grooves on the bottom that create traction and make it flexible. The rubber curves up the outside to cushion and add durability. The foam tongue is connected to the upper's inner lining for a secure feel. Key specs – Terrain: Road; Arch support: Mild stability/neutral; Best Used for: Training; Weight: 303g (UK 9); Heel-to-toe offset: 9mm There’s plenty of padding in the tongue and ankle collar to offer some comfort, and they breathe well which is usually the main downfall for lower-cost shoes.

Design-wise, for a low priced running shoe, the Downshifter 10 looks fantastic in my opinion. From a distance, it looks similar to the Pegasus 37, with a deep sole, and slightly extended rear sole. If you’re a regular runner, looking to log tons of miles, and run distances of 10km+, I’d look to invest a little more in a running shoe and get something with slightly more support and durability, such as the Nike React Miler.The Downshifter 11 is comfortable on the roads, at the gym, and even just as an around-town sneaker.

Key specs – Terrain: Road; Arch support: Neutral; Best used for: Racing; Weight: 182g (UK 9); Heel-to-toe offset: 6mm All that adds up to quite a bulky and odd-feeling shoe, but it’s also an undeniably fast one, despite the weight. React foam is used at the heel to provide a cushioned landing while also increasing the durability of the shoe, then the bouncy ZoomX foam used in the Alphafly and Vaporfly is used in the midfoot before you hit the plate and the responsive Air Zoom pods in the forefoot. It all adds up to a springy and speedy ride that only feels better the faster you run in the shoe, but the slightly strange sensation produced by the different foams, the plate and the pods might not suit every runner. The outsole rubber curves up over the toe to give good durability, protecting the softer foam underneath.My heel had a bit of slip but there’s a second top lace hole for a runner’s knot if that’s a persistent issue. The midsole is firm too, at 32HC (average midsole run 22.8HC) it’s a bit dense under foot, and feels a slight bit harsh to run in for longer distances. This version of the Downshifter is the 10th iteration of the entry level, cushioned running shoe from Nike. Costs are kept down with a minimalist design and low cost materials on the upper, and unnamed foam in the sole. When I first tried on the Downshifter 11, the fit is quite snug for a Nike, coming in a little shorter and narrower than other Nike running shoes, so you may want to consider going half a size up, or if they’re your first pair of running shoes, at least a whole size up from your regular shoe. If the shoe feels even slightly tight on first wear, size up here. OUR VERDICT The Nike Downshifter 10 stands out from Nike’s running shoe line up due to it’s low cost list price and premium design.

But what really sets these shoes apart, is that the new Downshifter 12 is much softer and cushier. This is confirmed by our durometer measurements as well. We found the Downshifter 12 to be 19% softer than the 11. The midsole is an unbranded foam, with side cutaways to keep weight down and feels supportive enough, with cushioning throughout the length of the foot, so no issues if you favor a heel or toe strike, and also mirrors the exact pattern, structure and feel of the Downshifter 10. The upper measures 97.8mm on the forefoot and 74.8 in the heel which is right around the average shoe (98.4/75.4mm). If you need a breathable, lightweight daily shoe for all types of light training this could be a great choice.Key specs – Terrain: Road; Arch support: Neutral; Best Used for: Training; Weight: 288g; Heel-to-toe offset: 10mm Compared to its predecessor, the Downshifter 9, the 10th iteration has updated support and cushioning in the midsole too.

The finish was detailed and sleek, yet minimalist, but by far the most stand out thing for me was how breathable and lightweight they felt. But if you are planning to take the shoe out in the cold, be prepared that it is going to stiffen up. In our freezer test, the Downshifter 12 got 30.8% firmer compared to its room temperature state. The best Nike running shoes you can buy in 2023 1. Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 38: The best all-rounder running shoes Key specs – Terrain: Road; Arch support: Stability; Best used for: Training; Weight: 312g (UK 9); Heel-to-toe offset: 8mmSize-wise, I had gone half a size up in the Downshifter vs the Revolution 5 and I felt the fit on the Downshifter 10 was the same as the pair of Revolution 5’s I have, thus making the Downshifter 10 on the smaller side in both length and especially the width.