Article by Courtney Kelly and Michael Ellenberger
Nike Construction 26 ($145)
Introduction
Michael: The Construction is Nike’s flagship stability coach, and model 26 marks a noticeable shift within the mannequin’s identification. Gone is the Cushlon/Air Zoom combo, changed by a full ReactX midsole. The objective appears clear: modernize the Construction whereas preserving the help that’s made it a mainstay within the stability class.
And for essentially the most half, Nike succeeds – this can be a significant replace that dials again the plastic-y really feel of the 25 and delivers a a lot smoother experience. It’s nonetheless not fairly a standout within the broader every day coach class, however it’s solely a really small step behind the Pegasus now, in my view (quite than a complete tier). If you happen to want help, the selection between the 2 is nearer to private choice than efficiency gaps.
Execs:
Steerage targeted and never overly “structured”, for a extra pure experience really feel: Courtney/MichaelEnjoyable shiny colorway: CourtneyPlush and really snug: : Courtney/MichaelTruthful worth at $145, opponents are available in at $150+: Courtney/Michael
Cons:
Finest for restoration paces : Courtney/MichaelMight be lighter: CourtneyUgly, IMO: Michael
Stats
Approx. Weight: males’s 10.35 oz / 293g US9 // girls’s 9 oz / 255g US8
Pattern Weights:
girls’s 9.52 oz / 270g US9
males’s 10.1 oz / 286g US8.5 (Construction 25: 9.9 oz / 281g US8.5)
Stack Peak: 38 mm heel / 28 mm forefoot
Platform Width: 110 mm forefoot / 80 mm midfoot / 90 mm heel
First Impressions, Match and Higher
Courtney: The Construction is an reasonably priced, dependable, delicate to reasonable stability shoe serving to runners obtain their working targets with cushion and help. Though I didn’t run in earlier variations of the Nike Construction, I’ve run in quite a lot of stability footwear together with the Puma Eternally Run, Information 17, GT 2000, with a lot of my working years had been spent within the ASICS Kayano.
The Hyper Pink colorway I obtained offers visibility and creates some pleasure about working in a typically not so thrilling stability shoe. Many occasions supportive footwear lack “enjoyable” and Nike has made certain to incorporate some of their visible design. There are additionally 5 girls’s colorways to select from if pink is just not your vibe.
The match of the Construction is properly executed. It’s comfortable sufficient to really feel supportive, and after a couple of miles of breaking in, consolation will increase.
The Construction options an improved mesh higher with loads of padding on the heel collar and tongue.
Whereas a part of the higher, the important thing help aspect right here is the Inner Midfoot Match Band which I’ll describe as a part of the platform beneath.
Flat-style laces make it straightforward to regulate the tightness of the higher and discover that good match.
The Construction has a plethora of reflective areas alongside the edges creating visibility for low gentle runs, along with the visibility of the Hyper Pink coloration means right here!.
Michael: Straight out of the field, the Construction 26 feels extra dialed-in than its predecessor. The higher is healthier executed throughout – improved mesh, extra snug padding across the collar and tongue, and an total safer midfoot maintain, because of the brand new Inner Midfoot Match Band. Flat laces and a strong lockdown make the shoe really feel secure with out being overbearing.
Match is true to dimension, and I had no points with quantity or width. The heel maintain is superb, and the forefoot has simply sufficient room to keep away from any compression over longer efforts.
The pair I examined got here in a crimson and white colorway that, to be sincere, appears to be like a bit of juvenile. One thing concerning the blocking and end offers off a straight-to-outlet vibe. A special colorway would possibly change that impression (and in reality, I believe Courtney’s look quite a bit nicer in pictures than mine!), however this model in my males’s coloration didn’t do it for me.
Midsole & Platform
Courtney:The Construction now has a single density full React X midsole and not has the earlier Cushlon and Zoom Air (on the forefoot) mixture,
Like many current stability footwear, Nike has performed away with the medial put up or different stiffeners on the arch which beforehand felt stiff, pointy, and uncomfortable.
As an alternative Construction introduces the “Inner Midfoot Match Band”, a perforated non-stretchy band that’s stitched into each side of the only, stretching as much as join with the lace sheaths
At first look, I believed the band was a part of the tongue gusset, however it’s fully separate and there’s no gusset. I discovered the know-how supplied light help all through the foot quite than at a particular space for over-pronation help.
It’s clear that Nike has averted that “over supported” below the foot sensation that may be irritating to some runners. Footwear with too aggressive of a push from the medial help to the lateral aspect will be irritate the knee if launched too rapidly, however this isn’t the case right here. As an alternative of inflexible or cumbersome pronation help, the steering is delicate, snug and pure.
Large excessive crash rails on each the medial and lateral sides on the arch assist information the foot ahead on each side and are a key stability aspect together with the inner midfoot band..
Triangular formed overlays on each side of the forefoot present additional reinforcement.
Nike has eliminated the Air Zoom unit upfront present in earlier variations for a extra constant feeling experience from heel to toe. As a substitute, full size React X EVA mix foam offers a extra pure, responsive and extra sturdy midsole.
Michael: That is the place the largest change occurs; the Construction 26 now makes use of a single-density ReactX midsole – no extra Cushlon, no extra Air Zoom unit. And that’s largely a very good factor, particularly as somebody who discovered the Air Zoom models typically extra annoying than not (although they’ve improved within the current previous).
ReactX offers the shoe a constant really feel from heel to toe and avoids the disjointed sensation I felt within the final Construction, the place the Air unit within the forefoot all the time felt prefer it was attempting to do its personal factor. Undoubtedly not a “loopy enjoyable” experience, however a strong improve (that goes a lot appreciated).
The interior band system presents light steering with out feeling intrusive. There’s no aggressive medial put up right here, and the steadiness is extra platform geometry based mostly and fewer mechanical. Meaning the experience is easy and centered – by no means overly corrective. I technically do “want” a stability shoe (or at the least have delicate over pronation when strolling) and whereas I didn’t really feel like a brand new runner or something like that in these, you can discover the impact when working, even at quicker paces.
For many who want some help however have been turned off by conventional stability footwear, the Construction 26 strikes a pleasant stability. The steering is adequately subtle that impartial runners may not thoughts it, however it’s nonetheless efficient for these vulnerable to delicate to reasonable overpronation.
Outsole
Courtney: The outsole is made up of thick giant blown rubber segments on the forefoot aiding in stability, with the most important situated alongside the medial forefoot and below the primary metatarsal for a stiff and propulsive toe off. The grooves on the forefoot permit ahead flex however preserve aspect to aspect flex at a minimal including to the general stability. The blown rubber upfront is light-weight and provides to cushion whereas providing good traction on the forefoot.
On the rear, we see bigger grooves and patches of excessive abrasion rubber on the medial and lateral heel and in the direction of the midfoot. There may be first rate width flare on the medial heel aspect permitting for secure and predictable landings. Sturdiness appears to be holding up fairly properly at 30 miles with a bit extra put on on the forefoot the place the softer rubber is.
Michael: Nike went with giant patches of blown rubber up entrance, particularly alongside the medial forefoot, which reinforces toe-off in a means that provides each stability and a contact of propulsion. Flex grooves permit sufficient ahead motion with out making the platform really feel wobbly aspect to aspect.
On the heel, there’s a very good quantity of high-abrasion rubber, and the flare on the medial aspect makes landings really feel safe. Traction is okay in typical summer season circumstances – no complaints (additionally no loopy climate to check in).
Experience, Conclusions and Suggestions
Courtney: The Construction might not be a speedster, however it’s actually a dependable and secure alternative as a stability coach. Its consolation and mild steering have me regularly reaching for it on my restoration run days. It resets my physique, ensuring issues are aligned when my muscle groups are fatigued after these tougher days.
The Construction is available in at a cheaper price than its opponents and is an effective worth.
I believe runners of all ranges can use this shoe and people with delicate to reasonable stability wants will discover it a useful gizmo of their rotation.
The Construction can also be a wonderful strolling shoe and I loved some trails with the canine as properly, with loads of help. I anticipate strong sturdiness from this shoe and I sit up for persevering with to run and stroll in it.
General: 9.08/10
Experience (50%): 8.5 I believe Nike might make this shoe a bit of lighter to enhance its versatility
Match (30%): 9.5 Match is nice
Worth (15%):10 nice worth for a shoe I’ll use usually
Model (5%): 9.5 trying stability shoe.
😊😊😊😊
Michael: The Construction 26 is a transparent enchancment over the Construction 25. The plasticky really feel is gone, the experience is smoother, and the shoe lastly feels prefer it belongs within the trendy stability dialog (as restricted as that could be, with fewer and fewer choices).
That mentioned, it’s not an outstanding, significantly standout coach. It’s a reliable, well-built shoe that works greatest as a restoration day or straightforward mileage choice for runners who need (or want) some additional help. For me, it’s a rotation piece – not a do-it-all shoe, however one I’ll attain for after I desire a secure, no-fuss run. That works simply positive for me right here, and particularly on the worth, I’m completely satisfied.
If you happen to’re deciding between the Construction and the Pegasus, it’s now extra of an A/B alternative than it was once. If you happen to don’t want stability, you would possibly nonetheless favor the Peg. However if you happen to do, there’s no motive to not go for the Construction 26. Nike’s performed a pleasant job modernizing it with out alienating longtime followers of the road
Michael’s Rating: 9.0 / 10
2 Comparisons
Puma ForeverRUN Nitro 2 (RTR Assessment)
Courtney: At a 40mm/30mm stack the Puma sits increased and you are feeling this as you’re working. The Eternally Run2 is a little more efficiency oriented whereas nonetheless offering a strong quantity of construction. I discovered the Construction to be extra snug and pure. The footwear are practically the identical weight with the Puma at 267 grams and the construction at 270 grams. I discovered the higher of the Puma to be overly structured with overlays inflicting a cramped feeling that affected my pure gait sample.
Saucony Information 17 (RTR Assessment)
Courtney: With “Heart Path” steering know-how and really huge platform, the Information 17 has a equally delicate PWRRUN midsole that has consolation on the forefront of its design. The platform, though wider than the Construction’s, is extra versatile because of the deep grooves. It’s just like the Construction in its delicate to reasonable steering, however I favor to have the considerably agency feelt of the Construction even when I’m recovering from tougher exercises. The Information is a lighter shoe total however its sturdiness was not what I might anticipate from a coach. The Construction’s outsole is properly coated in excessive abrasion areas and I imagine it should proceed to run properly over extra miles.
Nike Pegasus 41 (RTR Assessment)Michael: The Pegasus has lengthy been a go-to every day coach, and between it and the Construction, the Peg 41 stays the extra versatile of the 2 for my rotation – however as I famous above, the hole is actually closing. The Pegasus is barely extra responsive, lighter on foot, and smoother when choosing up the tempo. The Construction 26 is a substantial leap in the direction of parity, although – particularly for runners who desire a bit extra help with out leaping all the best way to one thing inflexible. If you happen to don’t want stability, stick to the Peg. However if you happen to’ve bought even delicate pronation or simply need one thing extra planted, the Construction is lastly value contemplating in the identical dialog.
Brooks Ghost 17 (RTR Assessment)
Michael: The Ghost 17 is technically a impartial coach, however it’s probably the most stable-feeling footwear in that class because of its huge platform and linear experience. In comparison with the Construction 26, the Ghost has pretty comparable specs, and each signify appreciated enhancements over their predecessors. Not a variety of dangerous issues to say about both; each are an evolution over its mum or dad shoe, quite than a revolution – however with significant change. I believe the Construction has barely higher lockdown and a softer experience, however the Brooks offers a bit extra power return and (if it issues) appears to be like quite a bit higher to my eyes. If you happen to’re a lon-time Ghost wearer who needs only a contact extra help and a bit of extra power, the Construction’s value a glance.
Index to all RTR evaluations: HERE
Newest Evaluations-chronological order HERE
The Nike Construction 26 will probably be accessible July 24, 2025
Tester Profiles
Courtney Kelly, age 37 is a school lacrosse participant turned avid runner. She lives in Manchester, MA together with her husband and two daughters ages 4 and eight. Courtney signed up for her first 1/2 marathon the morning of the race in 2022, successful second place in a time of 1:26. She determined to take working a bit extra severely, becoming a member of Depraved Working Membership and attempting some coaching plans. She ran her first marathon this fall in 3:04:27. As well as, she holds a half marathon PR of 1:25, a 5 mile PR 30:17, and a 5k PR of 18:20. She appears to be like ahead to getting some extra energy and velocity below her belt this subsequent season, earlier than taking a crack on the marathon once more. She is 5’4”, 110 lbs.Off the roads, Courtney is a painter and loving mom to her women.
Michael is a patent lawyer and graduate of Northwestern College Regulation College. Previous to legislation faculty, he competed collegiately at Washington College in St. Louis (10,000m PR of 30:21). Michael’s PRs embrace a 67:43 half-marathon (Chicago Half-Marathon) and a 2:20:41 marathon PR on the 2025 Houston Marathon. Michael continues to race on the roads, and is chasing a sub-2:20 marathon and potential OTQ sooner or later.
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