A version of this story originally appeared on the Strategist U.S.
Anyone who has shopped at a big-box store knows it can be hard to figure out where to begin. There are dozens upon dozens of options that all seem as worthy as the next, but the reality is that products from any given brand are not all created equal. When you shop as regularly as we do, you learn that many brands just do some things better than they do other things. Nike, with more than 600 different sneaker styles alone, is one of those brands — its inventory of cool-people–approved shoes and performance workout clothes needs to be carefully picked through to find gems like HIIT-friendly leggings, tennis pro–approved wristbands, and sneakers designed for road running. Here, we’ve corralled all the shoes and clothes from Nike that our writers and editors — as well as professional basketball players, TikTok stars, fitness instructors, stylists, and other cool people like Chris Black — have recommended on the Strategist.
Women’s Shoes
Perhaps the most-recommended sneaker on the Strategist to date, Nike Air Force 1s — in all white — are beloved by everyone from TikTok stars to cool teens for their timeless, goes-with-everything look. “You can’t go wrong with Air Force 1s,” says stylist and personal shopper Christel Langué, who adds that “as a native New Yorker, I would feel embarrassed not to own a pair.” Mixed-ish star Arica Himmel, who has “probably owned five or six pairs over the years,” also considers them a closet staple, noting that she can wear them with “pretty much anything.” Hustlers star Keke Palmer is another fan, telling us they’re the “most stylish shoe.” For a “cool and unexpected” look, Leigh Plessner, a co-creative director of Catbird, pairs her Air Force 1s with dresses and nightgowns, while Real Housewife of Beverly Hills Erika Jayne wears them with “shorts or tights or with a tracksuit,” adding that there is “never an occasion — okay, there are obviously some occasions — when they wouldn’t work.” To make them stand out, TikTok star Loren Gray customises hers through services offered by Nike and Drip Creationz, telling us that she has “at least four pairs.”
While the React Infinity Run Flyknit 2 is made specifically with runners in mind, Vanessa Chu, co-founder of recovery studio Stretch’d, says that on top of being her “go-to running shoes,” these are her first choice for HIIT workouts (because they make her feel like she’s bouncing but still protected). “They are superlight and were specifically designed to prevent running injuries, which seems like a no-brainer,” Chu adds.
If dance cardio is your favourite workout style — or if you just love to go dancing — the Nike Air Max Bella TR 3 will keep your ankles secure as you move. Candace Taylor, an instructor at 305 Fitness, says that “for dance, the key to healthy feet is shock-absorption capacity and ankle protection.” She recommends this “well-crafted” pair because they “are incredibly supportive and structured,” in addition to being stylish.
Not all running surfaces are created equal. Runners who train on a treadmill have different needs from road racers, and the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 38 was designed specifically for street running. Melissa Boyd, head trainer at Tempo, says that after struggling to get used to other running shoes’ cushioning and responsiveness, the Pegasus 38s won her over. They have enough bounce for speed, but are light enough for sprints and longer runs, she notes, adding that the wider toe box helps her hit a consistent stride. “I found a lot of my prior qualms with the sport were solved with this shoe.”
Women’s apparel
“When I say I run most of my miles in shorts, I really mean I run most of my miles in Nike Tempo shorts,” says marathon runner and Strategist senior writer Karen Iorio Adelson. They’re durable and feature a three-inch inseam, which she describes as “in that Goldilocks sweet spot of being neither too short nor too long.” Adelson has worn them for everything from 5Ks to marathons, and the shorts (which she says will often go on sale) come in a multitude of colours and plus sizes.
For high-intensity workouts, Amanda Freeman, the founder and CEO of SLT and Stretch*d, swears by this bra, which she calls “a classic” that has “stood the test of time — and the test of many washes.” Providing support via thick racerback straps and a wireless band, Jen Romanelli, the co-owner of Trooper Fitness, calls this the “black dress of sports bras,” while Adelson assures that it “holds everything in.” It’s available in sizes up to XL.
A favourite of both Adelson and Chris Black, this breathable, rain-or-shine cap is minimal, affordable, and “gets the job done,” according to Adelson. Black agrees, calling it “the perfect hat for all seasons.” It’s available for both women and men.
These unisex crew socks are a favourite amongst Strategist writers, editors, and Black alike. “I probably have 40 pairs of white Nike crew socks, and I wear them daily,” says Strategist writer Tembe Denton-Hurst. “I think of them as kind of like footwear: They’re slightly padded on the bottom, look cute when scrunched, and go with absolutely everything.”
Men’s shoes
Nike’s ZoomX Vaporfly led the pack of our expert-recommended men’s workout shoes for running, with Freeman and Taka Kasuga, the creative director of fashion-forward outdoors line Arc’teryx Veilance, telling us the sneakers are hard to beat in terms of comfort and performance. Like the women’s version, the men’s ZoomX Vaporfly’s sole “incorporates carbon-fiber plates that act like springs,” according to Freeman, who told us this design helps professional and amateur runners shave seconds off their personal bests. Kasuga says these shoes are his “go-to” for road runs and everyday wear because of their “great cushioning,” adding that their lightweight, flexible, and “packable” design makes them travel-friendly, too.
Air Force 1s also have unisex appeal, with many guys, including actor Noah Schnapp, telling us the sneakers are their go-to, too. Says Schnapp: “Everyone has them. I have them in white, so they go with any outfit. They’re comfortable, so I wear them everywhere.”
According to professional basketball player Julius Randle of the New York Knicks, the Air Jordan 1 Mid is another super-versatile sneaker that can be worn for “just walking around” or with some slacks “for dressing up.” Street dancer and DJ Stephen “tWitch” Boss agrees, calling these the “first stylish street sneaker” and a “classic” that he owns “about 20-something different pairs” of.
If you’re looking for an everyday sneaker that makes a statement, Kiyoshi Martinez, lead fit specialist at men’s tailor Hall Madden, vouches for Nike’s Huaraches. “I wanted a sneaker that would go well with an obsession I was getting into with Hawaiian shirts and shorts, but it still needed to have a modern edge and be comfortable for walking and standing in,” Martinez says. He adds that their “futuristic and structured” look “is actually very comfortable and stretchy because of its design.”
Keith Pollock, SVP of creative at West Elm, is a devotee of the classic Nike Air Max 95. “I pretty much have a uniform these days, which is all black and navy,” he says, adding that it always includes a pair of Air Max 95s. These were also included in our roundup of the 42 most comfortable shoes for standing and walking, where they were recommended by professional ballet dancer Erica Lall. “I have to be careful with what shoes I wear because I obviously use my feet for everything,” she says. These sneakers have never given her a blister, and they support her arches — a “necessity for ballet dancers.”
Men’s apparel
Grub Street editor and avid gymgoer Alan Sytsma wears these lined seven-inch shorts while running, telling us they’re lightweight, “short enough to avoid being baggy,” and secure at the waist, so they “don’t start sagging down like ten minutes into the run.” They also have pockets, including an “even-more-crucial-but-rarely-seen interior back pocket” that he says is perfect for keys and other small necessities that might otherwise jangle against your leg.
Slightly shorter than the above pair, these five-inch Nike shorts are what Chris Keyloun, a coach at New York City rowing studio Rowgatta, wears for both running and rowing workouts. He says they have “built-in compression” and a not-too-long inseam to keep you “free from snags on the slide of the boat or rower.” This pair comes with a liner, but the shorts are also available linerless.
Nike’s cushioned crew socks are also a favourite of men: Grailed editor Lawrence Schlossman, who wears the gym-ready Dri-FIT version, told us that if he’s “not in Nike’s, I’m going sockless.”
Finally, wristbands are a favourite accessory for tennis players, but they’ll work for any activity where you need to wipe sweat off your face and out of your eyes. Chris Olberding, president of Gitman Vintage and an avid tennis player, says that wristbands — like socks — have a tendency to “go wandering” in the wash, so it’s not a bad idea to stick to one always-in-stock colour or style for all of your pairs so you don’t have to worry about mismatches if you lose one. In that spirit, tennis pro Lendale Johnson told us he chooses to stick with these classic white bands from Nike.
The Strategist UK is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Read about who we are and what we do here. Our editors update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.