Nike Wildhorse 10 trail running shoe

Nike Wildhorse 10 upper

The upper of the Nike Wildhorse 10 trail running shoe is made from a comfortable mesh material with better-than-average breathability, which is not typical for most trail shoes. At the same time, it dries slowly, which can be an important factor for trail running shoes. The upper fits true to size and is slightly wider than average, but you can tighten your shoelaces tight because of padded tongue, so it can also work for runners with narrower feet – though for them it may be worth going down half a size. The tongue is wide, preventing small debris from getting into the shoe. It is generously padded, gusseted on both sides, and extends far forward over the instep, which helps you tighten the laces firmly without creating pressure points or wrinkles. The lace eyelets are scalloped and allow the upper to wrap securely around the foot. From the lace eyelets, clearly visible stitching lines and reinforcements run diagonally towards the midsole, further enhancing foot lockdown. Similar to the Nike Pegasus Trail 5 trail running shoe, the outsole comes up over the front of the shoe and wraps around the toe area to provide adequate protection for your toes. This could even make the shoe suitable for running on rough, rocky terrain, but neither the durability of the outsole nor that of the upper really supports this use case.

Nike Wildhorse 10 midsole

The midsole of the Nike Wildhorse 10 trail running shoe is made entirely from ReactX foam and this is perhaps the standout feature of the shoe. It feels comfortably soft yet rebounds dynamically, offers good responsiveness, but still lets you feel the ground. It is resilient and supportive enough for longer runs. Stability from this mid-height but softer midsole is, understandably, not particularly high, which is partly compensated for by the midsole being slightly wider than average. However, if your foot tends to overpronate, this may not be the best choice. The shoe is flexible with low torsional flexibility, which is an advantage on uneven terrain, allowing it to adapt well to surface irregularities. The midsole clearly favors longer runs over short, fast efforts on easy to moderately technical trails.

Nike Wildhorse 10 outsole

The outsole of the Nike Wildhorse 10 trail running shoe is made entirely from Nike’s own ATC, or All Terrain Compound rubber, which is a softer-than-average rubber blend. The outsole uses 4 mm lugs that perform well on easy to moderately technical dry trails, but they do not offer enough grip on highly technical or wet surfaces. The outsole almost completely covers the midsole, which gives the shoe additional structure and stiffness while also promising better traction. Because of the soft and flexible ReactX foam, this extra rigidity is actually necessary. At the front of the outsole there is a rock protection layer, which is not a rigid plate but a thick woven fabric. This is why Nike calls it a shield rather than a plate.

Who is the Nike Wildhorse 10 trail running shoe for, and what type of runs does it suit?

The Nike Wildhorse 10 trail running shoe is primarily designed for lower-intensity, easy to moderately technical trail runs, even at longer distances. The upper focuses on comfort and protection, but it is not particularly durable, and even though its breathability is good, it does dry slowly. The midsole is flexible, soft, and lively, with better-than-average energy return, which you will mainly appreciate on long outings. The outsole grips well on dry surfaces, but the 4 mm lugs do not provide sufficient traction on difficult, wet terrain. It can be a good choice for beginner trail runners who are not yet venturing onto very technical routes and who mostly run on dry trails, but it can also work well for advanced runners looking for an easy-day or long-run trail shoe on lighter terrain.