Nike Zoom Wildhorse GTX Review

Here you get Christian Daniel Zagal’s review of the Nike Zoom Wildhorse GTX. Christian is among the strongest runners we have had on board the team. We let Christian have the floor:

I have had the pleasure of being selected as a shoe reviewer for iloebesko.dk.

My choice of running shoe is a trail shoe from Nike (Zoom Wildhorse GTX). The reason it became this model is due to the color choice of the shoe: bright blue with an orange/multicolored outsole, even the laces are multicolored. (I like colors!)

When I finally got my hands on the shoe in size 42, I felt like a kid in a toy store, now I have to test it out!

Taking a maiden walk in the forest in a brand new running shoe is a fantastic experience, and so was this trail shoe.

Just a few technical information about the Nike Zoom Wildhorse GTX:

The trail shoe is intended as a neutral barefoot/trail shoe, has a heel drop of 4 mm (from heel to toe), and doesn’t weigh very much, about 258 grams (size 42). So it’s a lightweight!

The shoe is constructed with Nike’s zoom cushioning (rear only) which brings you closer to the surface and “zoom” provides better cushioning and more energy for take-off. The shoe’s upper is seamless.

The shoe has a dynamic fit (Dynamic Fit) which effectively eliminates the gap between the midfoot and the arch. This means that when the laces are tightened, the shoe wraps around the foot and you feel a pleasant comfort at the midfoot.

I have very narrow feet (9.1cm wide) so it has often been the rule to lace up my running shoes all the way in, so that the tongue is hidden away. This shoe is completely different, even though the shoe is narrow, it fits my feet perfectly. Both the lining and the tongue are padded, so it is nice to jump in. You can easily use it without running socks as the shoe is waterproof! (It definitely needs to be tested in mud holes and puddles in the forest)

I’ve run about 100 km in the Zoom Wildhorse GTX, mainly in the forest and it’s been a real pleasure. It’s been in rain, more rain and a little sun, so the conditions have been quite good.

You can say a lot about this shoe, but you stand firmly on mud slopes both when running uphill and downhill! Wet trails are “eaten” without any problems! The rough pattern of the sole gives a good start. Even when running on asphalt, there is good contact despite the roughness of the outsole. However, you have to be a little careful when the temperature drops to freezing, as the trails and wet stones can become a little slippery. I just made a few bambi crashes on an evening walk in the forest.

I have been really happy with the GTX (Goretex) of the shoe especially when it has rained, even when I dump into a deeper puddle I come up dry. There is some protection on the front of the shoe when you hit a rock or tree stump head-on.

Conclusion:

I have been very happy with the Nike Zoom Wildhorse GTX. However, I wish Nike would do a better job of promoting their trail shoe, because it is clearly on par with Inov-8 trail shoes. However, there is one thing in the shoe that makes it not better than Inov-8, and that is the shoe size.

I have been running in Nike asphalt shoes for many years, and in my size I know the Nike world (I thought). When I ordered this shoe in my size, it was in the belief that it would fit perfectly. Unfortunately, the Nike Zoom Wildhorse GTX is produced in small models. Here Inov-8 is more loyal in terms of shoe sizes.

There is no doubt that I would recommend this model to anyone who wants to try a solid trail shoe.

Pros:

– A nice minimalist low-profile shoe with good protection and stability.

– They fit well (on my feet).

– The shoe is breathable, so no sweaty feet.

– You have dry feet even when you run in the rain (thanks to the Goretex membrane).

– There is plenty of room to wiggle your toes. (Toe Box).

Cons:

– The shoe runs small, so take a size larger if you choose this model. In my case, I probably should have chosen a size 43 instead of a size 42.