Now, it consists of a single-density midsole. It changed to a dual-density midsole in the Structure 20, 21 and 22. There was a time when the Structure consisted of a tri-density midsole. A new foam maybe? To me, it feels very similar to the Lunarlon that was used on the Vomero 10-13. Nike has yet to specify which foam they use in the Structure 23. Instead of becoming firmer and faster, the Structure 23 has become super soft and slow. Nike has done the complete opposite of what they did to the Vomero 14. The Structure 23 is such a vastly different shoe from previous structures that if you were to remove the name badge from the shoe, you’d think it was a brand new shoe.Īctually, the Structure 23 has more in common with the Vomero 11 than any previous Structure version. The only other example I can think of is the Nike Vomero 14.
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In the running shoe world, it’s very rare that an update undergoes such a big change that it is unrecognisable. The Structure 23 rides like a stable neutral shoe. The other thing that surprised me was how neutral it felt. It was for sure softer than the Glycerin 18 and the Bondi 7. I found the level of cushioning to be higher than most daily trainers and even softer than a lot of max-cushioned shoes. The first thing that surprised me was how much cushion the midsole had. My first run was 15 kilometres at an easy pace. The only thing that it shares in common with previous Structures is the name. This is no more of a stability shoe than the Pegasus, or the Vomero is. While putting them on and walking around in them, my feet sank down into the soft foam and I immediately knew that this was a completely different beast from previous versions.Īfter my first run in the Structure 23, I understood why Nike refrained from categorising the shoe as a stability shoe. The shoe also flexed really easily which was a surprise for a trainer from the Structure series. When I compressed the foam with my fingers, I expected a really firm foam with no give but it actually felt like the opposite- it felt really spongy. On the midfoot, the light green “Cucumber” coloured material can be seen through the large perforations. It reminds me of the blue Pegasus 30 launch colourway. I’m quite fond of the Valerian Blue/Cucumber Calm colourway that I ordered. Taking my pair out the box was the first time I had seen the Structure 23 in real life. So how does the Structure 23 differ from previous versions of the Structure and where does it fit into the Nike performance running range? Nike Air Zoom Structure 23 First Impressions The next three versions toned down the medial post, making them more comfortable and this broadened the target market. The Structure 19 and the Structures before the 19 had prominent medial posts and a “poking in the arch” sensation which made it unbearable for many neutral runners and even some overpronators to wear. There’s a good reason that true stability shoes are a dying breed. It’s interesting that on Nike’s website the word “stability” is not mentioned anywhere in the Structure 23’s description or in its product details.Ī lot of runners stay away from “stability” shoes because it usually means firm, heavy and “poking arch” sensation. It has only been launched in a very small number of markets in Asia and Nike has chosen to not name the foam that its midsole is made of or give its standard size weight. It is an excellent running shoe even though most of it still remains clouded in mystery.
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I couldn’t believe that anyone could enjoy doing high mileage in such a stiff, firm shoe.įorget everything you previously knew about the Structure series because the Structure 23 is unlike any other Structure shoe to date. I remember watching a Galen Rupp interview years ago in which he said that he has always been a “Structure guy” and does all his training in the Structure. It was the firm midsole that gave it its highly stable ride. The Nike Structure has never been a soft shoe. If one was asked to describe how the Nike Structures of days gone by felt, the adjectives would be along the lines of firm, stiff and stable. The Structure was dead and buried but now it’s been brought back to life and it’s undergone an extreme makeover while being on hiatus. Nike was actually secretly working on the Structure 23. Remember when Nike led us to believe that the Structure was being discontinued because they compared the React Infinity Run to it and said that the React Infinity Run caused runners fewer injuries than the Structure 22?