Is Nike Roshe Good For Running? (Honest Review)

After running close to 403 miles (648 km) in my beloved Nike Roshe Run (which is now called Nike Roshe One), I can tell you firsthand whether they are good for running or not.

So, are Nike Roshe good running shoes?

Nike Roshe Run is good enough for long, easy runs at a slow pace. They are, however, not the best for speed work. As long as you wear them for jogging or light running, Nike Roshe One should provide enough cushioning and support.  

Below, I’ll show you proof of my mileage along with real pictures of my Roshes. In this post, let’s explore the question: is Nike Roshe good for running?

Key Points of Nike Roshe Run

The Nike Roshe Run, also known as Nike Roshe One, is a pair of lightweight and comfortable sneakers from Nike, made with minimalism and athleisure in mind.

It is very popular even in the general sneaker market. Here are some of its highlights:

It’s obvious that the Nike Roshe Run is best worn for casual wear, not for sports. Even Nike states that the shoes are for “walking or just taking it easy”. However, they would pass as athletic sneakers so let’s break down how they perform for running.

Are Nike Roshe Good Running Shoes?

Before I get to the key points of running in the Nike Roshe Run, here are the actual photos of my shoes. They look old and worn out because they’ve endured close to 403 miles.

Notice that there are stitches on the midsoles. This is because the midsoles feel off after about 350 miles of running. I decided to have my Nike Roshe Run stitched and continue running in them to test the limits of what they can do.

Unfortunately, I have decided to retire them. Here’s the review.

Based on my experience, the Nike Roshe Run can handle between 12 to 25 miles of light, casual running per week. That is about 20 to 40 km per week.

With that amount of running, Nike Roshe Run should last about one year and a half. That is not bad for a cheap and breathable pair of casual trainers.

Please note that what I mean by casual running is running at a pace of no faster than 6 minutes/km pace or about 9.6 minute/mile pace.

The upper material is breathable, but thin.

One of the most desirable aspects of the Nike Roshe Run is the breathable mesh upper, which many sneakerheads adore because it provides cool airflow.

In fact, it became popular as a casual trainer because of how comfortable and light the shoes are. You can even wear the shoes without socks if you want to.

However, there is a trade-off. The mesh material of the Roshe Run may be breathable, but it is very thin compared to more supportive performance running shoes.

I don’t claim to be an expert, but I do understand the importance of having the confidence in shoes that provide good support in the forefoot.

Since the upper of the Nike Roshe Run are quite thin, they are prone to cause slight foot sliding while running, especially if you don’t tie the shoes properly and tightly.

It was not frustrating to me, but I can see it being a problem for some runners.

Initially, I was nervous that the mesh in the toe boxes would rip sooner than later, however, they held up pretty well considering the miles they went through.

Another issue that I noticed was the Roshe Run laces. Nike decided to go with miniature round laces, which look great casually, but probably aren’t the best for running.

To prevent me from periodically stopping to tie my shoes, I always double-knot whenever I run in my Nike Roshe Run. However, the laces are not a dealbreaker for me since they secure the shoes very well if you double-knot them.

The soles are high, which may not give a barefoot feel.

Another aspect of the Nike Roshe Run worth mentioning is the high midsoles. They are quite tall and cushioned. In fact, Nike Roshe Run is considered one of the tallest Nike shoes.

My initial impression when putting the shoes on was how effortlessly they hug my feet, giving me an instant feeling of heavenly satisfaction.

However, as plush as the midsoles are, they may not provide a barefoot feel for running, something that some runners look for in their shoes today.

The midsoles also do not have adequate arch support in my opinion. So if you have flat feet, it’s not a good idea to run in the Nike Roshe Run. 

There was one time when I started feeling the pain in my arches after running in my Nike Roshe Run for close to 10 miles at a slow and easy pace. Thankfully, after rolling the balls of my feet with a frozen golf ball for several days, they do not hurt anymore.

That said, keep that in mind if you plan to run in Nike Roshes. The thick midsoles are great for walking and casual wear, but they do not provide the best arch support for running.

Nike Roshe Run should be okay for short, three to five km runs a few times a week, but not for long-distance running for more than five times per week.

As long as you give them to break in, the midsole would become less thick.

The rubber outsoles have good grip, but wear out fast.

Last but not least, let’s talk about the outsoles of the Nike Roshe Run.

The outsoles are made of rubber, patented by Nike as Waffle. Surprisingly, they provide good traction on damp and wet surfaces. I went running on grassy slopes when it was slightly raining and had no problem slipping on the wet surface.

Sadly, the quality of the shoe turned out to be pretty poor very soon, especially because I do most of my running on the asphalt and the road.

The outsoles got worn out and lost the pattern partially after about 250 miles.

So if you are someone who does road running, you shouldn’t expect the outsoles of the Nike Roshe Run to last as long as a more durable performance running shoe.

However, the Nike Roshe Run should hold up well if you run on tracks, as the synthetic rubber is more gentle on the rubber outsoles. 

You may also want to read: Similar Shoes to Nike Roshe

Final verdict

So, are Nike Roshe good running shoes? Indeed, Nike Roshe Run is good running shoes for walking, casual jogging, and easy runs.

The Nike Roshe Run, or the Roshe One, is for you if you are looking for an affordable and simple pair of running shoes for running easy miles. Expect the shoes to last for about one year if you run about 12 to 25 miles per week consistently.

They are supremely breathable thanks to the mesh upper so you can simply wear them without socks if you want to. However, there are better running shoes out there if you want to go for competitive runs and speed work at faster paces.

Related articles:

• Are Nike Air Max shoes good for running?
• Are Nike Cortez shoes good for running?