It does however shine on recovery or long runs at relaxed speeds. Slow runs from 15km up to marathon distances are in its wheelhouse. The easiest way to tell the difference between the Structure 23 and 24 is the engineered mesh used. It no longer has small perforations on the midfoot and on top of the toe box. Instead, the mesh is smooth so it feels more streamlined.

The Structure 24 is the same price as the Pegasus 38 but is more comfortable and more stable so I’d choose the Structure over the Pegasus even though it’s the heavier shoe. The structure uses a multi-thread that gives grip but still lets you rip. The treads don’t have aggressive lugs that get in the way of the road. There are also no longer reflective strips on the sides of the toe box like on the 23, but there are still reflective strips on the sides of the heel counter. After my first run in the Structure 23, I understood why Nike refrained from categorising the shoe as a stability shoe. The Structure 24’s upper is reminiscent of one found on a max-cushioned trainer and is on par with the Vomero 16 in terms of comfort. I feel that the padding is slightly excessive and that a lot of weight could be shed if it was more minimal.The Zoom Structures has many competitors in terms of price, ride and stability. I found the cushioning and stability similar to that of a Saucony Guide rather than an Omni, or a Brooks Ravenna more than an Adrenaline.

After the Invincible Run, the Structure 24 is the next softest trainer in the Nike performance range. If you find the Invincible Run too unstable, expensive or fragile, the Structure 24 is a great alternative. This was such a pleasant surprise for me. Nike uses a dual-density midsole with Phylon and Cushlon materials to create what they call Dynamic Support. I stopped and retie my shoes thinking it was the laces being loose. I took off again but the heel was still loose and my midfoot hurt because the shoes were tied too tight. Imagine if ASICS removed the firm medial post from the Kayano and gave it a single-density midsole. That’s exactly what they did with the Kayano Lite but at least they still kept the regular Kayano for runners who still want traditional stability. The Structure 23 is Nike’s version of the Ultra Boost ST: high levels of cushioning with a built up medial side.When I slipped them on for the first time I was surprised by how firm they felt. The upper – recently updated on this model – felt plush with plenty of room for my foot to move. The Zoom Structures absorbed the impact of my feet hitting the ground nicely but failed to return any bounce. After a while, I felt my legs and feet tire because I was fighting the shoe. There was a time when the Structure consisted of a tri-density midsole. It changed to a dual-density midsole in the Structure 20, 21 and 22. Now, it consists of a single-density midsole.

The Structure 23 fits true to size and has a deep and spacious forefoot. I found it comfortable enough for super long runs but really warm because of the inner sleeve and all the padding. Nike Air Zoom Structure 23 Conclusion However, the Zoom Structures were average, at best. Yes, I was able to log my miles, but the sole unit was too firm and the upper too washy. 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. 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. Please note that the onus is on the customer to choose the correct size and that all size charts are a suggested guide to measurements based on information supplied from the manufacturer.All the rubber weighs down the shoe but this is one of the most durable outsoles to come out this year and I’ll be really surprised if it doesn’t get to over 1000 kilometres. A lot of runners stay away from “stability” shoes because it usually means firm, heavy and “poking arch” sensation. There’s a good reason that true stability shoes are a dying breed.