Structure 25

This is a grounded, stable ride rather than a bouncy one. The Structure 25 feels planted and controlled underfoot, the kind of shoe that disappears on easy runs and just gets the miles done. There is cushioning there, but it leans firm, so you get feedback from the road rather than a soft, sink-in landing. Pick up the pace and the shoe holds its own at a steady effort, though the 289g weight makes itself known when you try to push properly quick. It is happiest at conversational and steady paces, where the support and the smooth heel-to-toe roll do their best work. Over the back half of a long run, that stability pays off as your form tires. We would think of it as a calm, honest workhorse: not the shoe that flatters your splits, but the one that keeps turning up day after day.

Cushioning here is moderate and firm-leaning rather than plush. There is enough underfoot to protect your legs across daily mileage and longer efforts, but the Structure 25 prioritises stability and road feel over softness, so do not expect a pillowy, max-cushion landing. That firmness is deliberate. A supportive trainer works best on a platform that stays composed rather than one that squashes and rolls, and this one keeps its shape lap after lap. Heel-strikers get a solid, predictable landing off the 10mm drop, and the ride stays consistent as the foam beds in. If your priority is soft, protective cushioning for recovery days, a plusher sibling like the Nike Vomero 18 will feel more forgiving. But for runners who find soft shoes vague and unstable, the Structure's firmer approach is a feature, not a flaw.

Support is the whole point of the Structure line, and the 25 delivers a steady, guided ride without resorting to an aggressive medial post that shoves your foot around. The stability comes more from a wide, planted platform, a firm midsole and a secure upper that keeps your foot centred, so the correction feels natural rather than corrective. Mild to moderate overpronators are the target here, and they will get the most from it: the shoe holds your gait together as fatigue creeps in late in a run, which is exactly when form tends to fall apart. Severe overpronators who need serious motion control may want something more purpose-built, and neutral runners with an efficient gait will simply not need the extra structure. But for the large middle of runners who want a little help staying aligned, it is well judged.

The upper is built for security and durability rather than featherweight breathability, which fits the shoe's daily-workhorse brief. You get a supportive, structured hold through the midfoot, a padded collar and a firm heel counter that locks the rear foot in place without hot spots. It is comfortable straight out of the box with no real break-in needed, and the materials feel built to survive months of mileage. Breathability is fine for UK conditions and year-round training, though runners in hot weather may find it a touch warm compared with a thinner racing upper. The tongue is padded enough to keep lace pressure off the top of the foot. Overall it is a no-drama upper: secure, hard-wearing and comfortable, doing its job quietly so you can focus on the run.