Best trail shoe under $100? // NIKE WILDHORSE 8 REVIEW // Ginger Runner

[@GriffRunning]

I’m a diehard wildhorse guy. I fell in love with trail running in the first version (bring the pink color back!!!) so I’ll never forget the WH.

[@mattlogan1]

Wildhorse 3 will always have a place in our hearts

[@slapfan1]

I watched your trail tested video and pulled the trigger on this shoe, I love it. You are 100% correct, it gets lost in the rotation with my Ultraflys and Pegasus trail. This has become my technical shoe trail, it does great in technical socal trails.

[@Bacaloyarranque]

Ordered a pair! Not owned a pair since 2014. The second edition of the shoe.

[@mlegrand]

Hmmmmmm. 🤔 At $90. I might be up for trying something like this. We have rainy season coming up here in the PNW right? ☔ Amazing review. Just. Like. Always. 👍🏻

[@TheGingerRunner]

Rain is just around the corner (just have to get through this dreadful perfect sun and temp season 😂)

[@IoannisAKonstas]

Hey, I simply love this guy! Fantastic work, fantastic energy. Keep up the good work, man. Thank you for the amazing review-

[@morganflockhart942]

Agree with sizing never had a problem with Nikes fit just wish they’d switch all their trail shoes to Vibram!

[@JonPhillipssea206]

I’ve liked the Wildhorse in the past, but it always felt a bit too bulky and awkward for me. Grip wasn’t great either. This version is giving off serious Trail Peg vibes so I totally take your point on it getting lost in Nike’s offerings. At this price point, it could find its way back to my rotation.

[@coolhand1966]

the rubber compound on WH8 has improved grip. these are best version yet.

[@seanwise7464]

What I meant to say was I do like the peg trail 3 - give it a good outsole and I think it would work very well.

[@dan-zo4eb]

I really wanted to like this shoe and the midsole is very comfortable , However I found the drop too much and found it very unstable and thought it would cause me an injury and got rid of them. Even tried to wear them as casual shoes and felt unstable on uneven pavements .

[@saltydog6241]

I hate that Nike doesn’t include basic information like the drop and weight on their trail shoes. Ethan should be noting the drop if they don’t (except he might not know exactly either). I find it so annoying I don’t really consider Nikes.

[@matthewmyers7826]

8mm @@saltydog6241

[@TheHuskyRunner]

Still wearing the Terra Kiger 5s lol. May retire those for a pair of these. Solid review as usual!

[@RowOfMushyTiT]

Did over 1200 km's in the Kiger 5's. Good you waited as the Kiger 9s are more like the 5. Wildhorse will be too beefy for you.

[@Nunesxdudu]

Always the grip Nike, always!!

[@echtogammut]

I haven't run, in Nikes in ages I wanted to give the Zegama a chance, but could never find anyone with it them stock (I don't know how Nike fits anymore). For $89 I might just give these an order. As a fellow PNW, I picked up a set of Brooks Ghosts with the reflective stuff since night runs (non-trail) is about to become a thing... those shoes are straight up dangerous to run in the rain. I picked them because they had a rubbery looking coating on the bottom, but they slip on almost everything. I haven't had a shoe lose traction running up a hill, in the rain, on a sidewalk multiple times... in a while. I thought maybe there might be something on the bottom but after cleaning them and about 15 miles, I've determined these are a dry weather only shoe.

[@TheGingerRunner]

For Brooks (and Nike) to have PNW roots, I too am continually surprised by their traction problems!

[@RowOfMushyTiT]

I would wait for the Zegama 2, as the Zegama 1 has terrible wet grip. Was the last shoe in their lineup with their old rubber.

[@j.r.b.5464]

Yep. Love the 8s. Nike FINALLY got the modern formula right on this model. I detested the 7s. Let's hope they don't undo what good they've accomplished when the drop the Wildhorse 9. I love the React foam, I love the uncharacteristically (for Nike) decent (wet + rough) traction, I like the breathability and (now I'm on my second pair) the durability (better than other Nike trailrunners I have and have had). But as with anything there's a little room for improvement when they start thinking 9s. Either change nothing or make minimal incremental tweaks - don't let the overly aggressive, overly-resourced marketing department redesign the shoe. I would like slightly improved lockdown of the rear and mid foot and/or maybe a bit more low lateral support, and that's it for tweaks. Love the broad (for a Nike) toebox and don't mind the funny wrinkling/folding in the top-of-toe-knuckles in the mesh. The other option that would be nice, given that this is a high mileage, good traction, heavy-ish, long distance training shoe, would be a GoreTex version. I'm doing a 17-day light and fast point-to-point through-hike in the UK in September and while I don't care about waterproofing here in the western US, it would be nice in soggy Blighty.

[@russsmith6437]

Got the Wildhorse 8 on sale a few weeks ago (only the black version was on sale then). Since I’m running in dry So Cal wet traction is rarely a problem and it has been fine on the trails I normally run. However, despite the “voluminous” toe box area, the last is just too straight for my feet and I end up with very sore big toes at anything beyond 4-5 miles. I’m hoping that will get better with more break-in or a better sock choice!

[@The.JZA.]

I have these shoes and I use them for light hiking. They are fantastic for that. Massive grip, rock plate, lightweight, good heel/ankle support and they fit my feet really well. Love 'em. Nike stopped selling in New Zealand though so I think I will have to go with Hoka or Salomon when mine wear out. I could order these Nike's from overseas but I kinda don't want to just because Nike decided they were going to leave us in NZ so why should I go out of my way to spend money with them? Hopefully I will find another brand that I like as much or more than Nike because it seems my relationship with them might have ended. I've been buying Nikes for about 20 years.

[@j.r.b.5464]

If the Wildhorse 8s fit your feet well, Salomons probably will not. "Nike decided they were going to leave us in NZ so why should I go out of my way to spend money with them?" Because you find to be them "fantastic" and like the "massive grip" and rock plate, and they fit your feet "really well" (as they do mine). Shoes are tools. You're the artisan who uses them. You find a tool that works extremely well for you, who cares what the purchase process is to obtain a replacement? Also, shoes aren't like automobiles and electronics. The need for in-country after-sale repairs is pretty rare.

[@The.JZA.]

@@j.r.b.5464 Yeah but I used to be able to order a pair direct from Nike for RRP and free shipping but now I have to order from Licks Crew and pay insane prices. I did order another pair because I found a pair of the yellow/black ones on sale. With shipping it ended up costing me the same price as if I ordered direct from Nike. They’re already expensive shoes so if it was going to cost me 50% more to order them I would just walk away and buy some Hokas or something.

[@Alex.running]

I got my Saucony xodus ultra for $38 so I can get three pairs of those 😂 not quite sure how it is compared to the nike wild horse but heard good things about the xodus and it is with the cf plate and my lovely power run pb foam from endorphin series. Good enough to beat the $90 Nike.

[@jansommerlund5497]

One of my absolute favourite shoes. Fit, comfort and the react midsole is brilliant. Grip is a lot better than previous versions and not an issue anymore. I disagree with you on what you say about it disappearing in the line up. The Zegama is nowhere as good. I hate that Zoom midsole. And the Ultrafly is just a joke of a shoe.

[@MrGuesOne]

When is Nike gonna make a good trail/hike outsole 🤦🏽‍♂️ or just go with Vibram outsole instead of just 1 shoe

[@williamsayles892]

I've been in the Wildhorse since the beginning and have loved every version. This one has been a bit harder to get use to. I've got a narrower foot and the stretchy material combined with the wider toe box has made it harder to keep my toes from sliding around. When I attempt to lock down the forefoot the end of the tongue pinches up and causes chaffing issues across the top of my toes, this is something I've never had to deal with in the Wildhorse. Trying to figure out adjustments to make them work. In the past I've managed multiple 50 milers and a few 100's in the Wildhorse.

[@RowOfMushyTiT]

Kiger 9's are better for narrow feet.

[@williamsayles892]

@@RowOfMushyTiT The issue for me with the Kiger's is the lack of a rock plate. I like my rock plates when traveling at or over 50 miles.

[@RowOfMushyTiT]

@@williamsayles892 I had no problem with distance, but it depends how light you are. There is more stack than before. Or try the Zegama, I think it's a better shoe than the Wildhorse.

[@RowOfMushyTiT]

@@williamsayles892 Maybe consider the Catamount 2, it's similar to the K9, but more protective. Suitable for narrow feet.

[@andymorales6907]

This version of the Wildhorse is manufactured in China. Curious about previous iterations - where they were made, if someone could chime in please!

[@guilletjean-jacques5107]

La ou je ne suis pas daccord c est que justement je trouve l accroche exellente a present , une premiere pour une semelle nike sur roche humide , c est justement la premiere chose qui m a marqué sur cette chaussure , enfin , j attendais ca depuis de nombreuse année , pour moi cette WH8 a remplacé dans mon coeur les TK7 et 8 , car nike ayant enlevé l unitée zoom air a l avant pied , c est ce qui faisait que j adorais cette TK .....

[@igot2friends219]

How narrow are these?

[@lgmsampaio]

A slippery and white trail running shoes? Can't convince me to buy it, regardless the price.

[@tylercarpenter4329]

Do you use a half size up ?

[@Ginguredrunner]

Hated it...wayyyyy to firm, the lockdown was brutal, and it didn't feel stable at all on technical trails.

[@Tyler-dw4zy]

too firm? what do you usually run in, nimbus 25s?

[@Ginguredrunner]

@@Tyler-dw4zy on the trail? Lol.

[@Ginguredrunner]

Yes....too firm for this guy. Yes...on the trails. Might be fine for younger legs then mine, but my feet did not enjoy them at all.

[@JanSuchomel]

Nah, life's too short to run in slippery trail shoes.