First impressions

It’s not every day (or year) that nike launch a new technology, especially one so important. Their Epic React shoe has just been launched using the new technology, the React energy return foam.

This is big news. When you think about it, new midsole technology from one of the ‘big boys’ is a rare thing. The world of Energy Return has been around for a while now and this is Nike’s big assault on this market putting itself up again some of the major running brands and in particular, Adidas’s Boost technology.

You can imagine the thought processes, the lab tests, the design time, the marketing time etc., that has gone in to launching this new technology. It’s huge and nike will have a lot riding on making the React foam a big success. Having worked with them, we know the head honchos pretty well and they’ll be confident but secretly hopeful that runners will love them - they’re good running guys and it’ll be super important to them.

The Epic React is the first running shoe using the new technology. A shoe with a remit of delivering great energy return but it must also have a softer pillowy feel, something that the other energy return shoes from competitors do not really have.

So, let’s deal with the nike facts before getting to the review.

• They’ve put more miles in to this shoe in pre-production than any other shoe in their history – over 17,000mile have been run by elite athletes. Those insights gained have helped provide soft, springy and long-lasting performance
• Nike React cushioning foam is lighter, more durable and that returns more energy than its predecessors. It is softer and offers more energy return than the Nike LunarEpic Low Flyknit 2 and is 11% softer. It also achieves figures of being 13% bouncier than the Lunarlon foam
• The Epic React is 5% lighter than the LunarEpic Low Flyknit 2—making it one of the lightest incredibly-cushioned shoes you can buy.
• Nike chemists spent three years testing new materials and design methods. After 400 combinations, they finally landed on Nike React.

That’s the techy sales pitch over with, you want to know how they run like.

The Nike Epic React is neutral road running shoe. Obviously, we were excited to get a pair and even more excited to run in them but first impressions were really good. They look a bit different thanks to that midsole; one big block of React foam.

The upper is a nike flyknit weave. It looks good but it is minimal. There are no bells and whistles. It’s a one piece weave that fits like a sock. The weave is quite a tight knit one for strength with a more open weave design down the top of the shoe which offers a more breathable section.

There is a welded TPU section to reinforce the lace area and no tongue – one piece shoe. The plastic heel counter is fairly soft and there is no additional padding around the heel collar.

First things first, the shoes are snug. I have a fairly high arch so had to squeeze in to these. Once on though, they were very comfortable. If you have very wide feet, you might need to taking sizing in to consideration as I think they might be too snug but you could go up half a size?

The ride height is fairly high at 28mm to 18mm so a 10mm heel to forefoot drop meaning one thing – mass market appeal - they'll appeal to everyone other than those minimal or zero drop guys.

They are fairly soft, but not overly so, and very well cushioned but not in a wallowy unstable way. Start your run and by the end, you know that nike have nailed their brief. Big, soft yet responsive ride offering that pillowy feel and just super comfortable.

We’re loving running in these. The midsole just nails the brief and packed full of lab-laden tech; the design being not for show but to aid the React material (see midsole details) and the minimalistic outsole is all about ensuring it rides smoothly.