Nike Winflo 9 Introduction
Nike brings you their 9th edition of the Winflo and it has welcoming updates that will surely leave you pleased. It’s a daily trainer that performs well for all kinds of running and workouts.
The look of this shoe is that of an athleisure one but excels in the running department. The Winflo 9’s updated upper is my favorite area of the shoe, it’s a more form-fitting and softer material than the previous model.
You can get this shoe for around $70-$100 and I have been seeing them as low as 50 dollars! That to me is just insane. It’s such a good price for what you get.
I enjoyed the Winflo 8s but the upgraded Winflo 9s are fantastic. I have been recommending them to everyone.
I couldn’t find the heel-to-toe drop or the weight. It’s not a super lightweight shoe but isn’t overly heavy. This shoe fits true to size and offers a roomy toe box.
Another similar shoe would be the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39. The price jumps up a bit for the Pegasus and it is a better option for longer marathon distances and training.
Nike Winflo 9 First Impressions
Before I even put them on I had the initial thought that they would be just like the Winflo 8s. While they have a similar look to them, they are overall much different. From top to bottom, Nike made changes that I think enhanced the model.
I received the blush pink color and it’s beautiful. I looked up some other colors and they have a wide array that should fit everyone’s preference.
Lacing them up for the first time I wore them to the gym I train at. The workout was a mix of lifting, plyometrics, running and sled pushes. They performed very well.
I felt a great deal of stability and comfort in them while I performed my workout. My first real running session was a 5 miler. There was no break-in period with these.
Placing my feet into them, the first thing I noticed was how cushy the heel felt.
They offer plenty of foam throughout the midsole and padding in the upper that gives your foot a feeling of getting hugged by pillows. I did a few longer distance runs and that’s where they started to fall short.
Taking them out on longer distances I noticed the lack of responsiveness when my legs started to get fatigued.
As I said, wearing them for a few miles and some speed workouts, this shoe performs well for its price point.
Nike Winflo 9 Upper
Let’s look at the updated upper of the Winflo 9. It uses a translucent mesh that is lightweight and gives the shoe breathable comfort. It’s one piece which means there are no overlays.
I have become a big fan of uppers that are constructed like this. There is an inner strap that works for other laces that secures the midfoot as you tighten the laces. The padding that is placed on the upper, is such a pleasant surprise compared to the previous Winflo 8. There was no padding in the 8s and the upper, when comparing the two, was of lesser quality.
The collar of the Winflo 9 is padded and causes no issues with rubbing. When you take a look at the heel counter you won’t notice anything special but it hugs your heel in the right places and give you a locked-in feel. The laces are flat and need to be double-knotted to stay in place.
I will say a thing I noticed when comparing the Winflo 8s and 9, is that the material of the upper in the 8s is much easier to clean. The material of the 9s is closer to a knitted mesh that just soaks the dirt in. Not a big deal but I do like to keep my shoes clean.
Nike Winflo 9 Sole Unit
The sole has had some changes made that I also like. The Cushlon foam that gives the shoes their cushiness adds bounce to your stride.
Nike has also added a bonus of an Air unit for “enhanced impact support and responsiveness from heel to toe.”
It’s the first of its kind to have Nike Air technology that is made to absorb impact with every step you take. They made this to help in the reduction of the overall weight of the shoe without sacrificing any performance.
The outsole is very similar to the previous version with a waffle-like pattern that gives the shoe great traction. I tested them out in wet conditions and I had no issues with slipping.
Nike Winflo 9 Conclusions
My conclusion of the Nike Winflo 9 would be that I absolutely love the shoe.
It’s not my favorite shoe to go for my longer runs in but it’s definitely a favorite training shoe and everyday wear shoe.
It offers an overall stable fit and a comfortable ride for those moderate 1-5 milers. You get a very versatile shoe for an affordable price.
Which is getting harder and harder to come by in this market.