Nike Buying Guide

Read more about Nike shoe styles and find your next pair at DSW for a price you love.

Comparison table

Model Name	Category	Standout Feature
Nike V5 RNR	Fashion	Foam midsole cushioning with a breathable mesh upper; lightweight construction ideal for daily miles
Nike Run Defy	Running	Mesh upper adds breathability and a foam midsole provides all day comfort. All of this combined with the style's reliable traction make it a perfect choice for a running sneaker.
Nike Pacific	Fashion	Retro runner silhouette with a cushioned midsole and flexible outsole; low-profile mesh upper for breathability
Nike Initiator Running Shoe	Running	Simple rubber outsole with flex grooves, padded collar, and a foam midsole for all-day comfort
Nike Revolution 8	Running	Soft foam midsole for responsive cushioning, durable rubber outsole, and a breathable engineered mesh upper
Nike Court Vision Low	Fashion / Court	Synthetic upper, rubber cupsole with a perforated toe box, and a padded low-cut collar for ankle mobility
Nike Court Legacy Lift	Fashion / Court	Platform midsole with a layered court upper, rubber outsole, padded heel, and plush tongue
Nike Calm 2.0 Slide Sandal	Sandals	Dual-density foam footbed with a soft top layer for post-workout recovery and a one-piece strap
Nike Air Max Excee	Lifestyle / Walking	Visible Max Air unit in the heel for impact cushioning; TPU cage overlays for lateral support; retro-modern design lines
Nike Air Max 270	Lifestyle / Walking	270-degree visible Air heel unit — Nike's largest Air unit for lifestyle shoes, which also provide ultra-plush cushioning.
Nike Court Borough Low	Kids	Durable synthetic upper, rubber outsole with court-style traction; easy lace-up closure with padded collar
Nike Women's Celso Girl Flip Flop	Sandals	Lightweight single-piece foam footbed with a jersey fabric lining, and toe-post construction for easy on/off wear

Best for Running

Nike V5 RNR — Breathable mesh upper keeps feet cool on the run; foam midsole delivers responsive cushioning for daily training; lightweight build reduces fatigue over longer distances.

Nike Run Defy — Purpose-built running geometry with a structured midsole tuned for smooth heel-to-toe transitions; cushioned platform absorbs impact effectively for daily mileage.

Nike Pacific — Retro runner silhouette with a cushioned midsole and flexible outsole for natural foot movement; low-profile breathable mesh upper suits short runs and active days.

Nike Initiator Running Shoe — Multi-directional rubber outsole traction for varied surfaces; foam midsole and padded collar provide entry-level cushioning and comfort for beginner runners or light training. Buy at DSW and explore more on the Nike Brand Page.

Best for Lifestyle

Nike Court Vision Low — Leather or synthetic leather upper for durability and a clean everyday look; rubber cupsole with herringbone-inspired traction pattern; padded low-cut collar for unrestricted ankle movement. Shop more Nike court styles at DSW.

Nike Court Legacy Lift — Platform cupsole (approximately 40 mm) adds visible height; stitched leather overlays reinforce the upper structure; cushioned foam sock liner for all-day wearability with retro court style.

Nike Calm 2.0 Slide Sandal — Dual-density foam footbed with a plush top layer for post-workout recovery cushioning; one-piece strap construction for easy on/off; minimal, lightweight profile for casual wear. Check out more Nike sandals at DSW.

Nike Air Max SC — Visible Max Air unit in the heel delivers cushioned impact absorption for all-day walking and standing; TPU cage overlays add lateral structure; retro-modern upper lines work across casual outfits. Check out more Air Max styles at DSW.

Nike Air Max 270 — Features Nike's largest Air heel unit (270-degree wrap) for exceptionally plush everyday cushioning; tall Air chamber provides a noticeable underfoot softness; roomy toe box accommodates wider foot shapes across most colorways.

Best for Training

Note: None of our styles are specifically labeled as "Training" models. For cross-training versatility, the Nike V5 RNR's cushioned foam midsole and flexible outsole handle light gym sessions well, while the Nike Revolution 8's rubber flex-groove outsole suits mixed-activity days. For dedicated weightlifting or high-intensity training, look for Nike training shoes at DSW with flatter, more stable midsoles and wider lateral support bases. For example, court stlyes like the Killshot, Court Vision, or Court Legacy would be great options for weightlifted and various training routines.

Best for Kids

Nike Court Borough Low — Durable synthetic leather upper resists scuffs through active play; rubber cupsole with court-style traction handles pavement and gym floors; padded collar and easy lace-up closure for a secure, comfortable fit. Shop Nike kids' court sneakers at DSW to find even more styles they will love.

Nike Celso Girl Flip Flop — Lightweight foam footbed with a soft jersey fabric lining for barefoot comfort; simple toe-post construction is easy for kids to put on and take off independently; ideal for pool days and casual warm-weather wear. Shop Nike kids' sandals for even more warm weather options.

Shop all kids' Nike shoes to find their next favorite pair and compare styles.

Nike at DSW — Finding the Right Fit and Features

Matching cushioning platforms to your use case: Nike's Air-based midsoles (Air Max SC, Air Max 270) prioritize plush, long-lasting cushioning ideal for all-day wear and walking. Foam-midsole runners like the V5 RNR and Revolution 8 offer responsive, lightweight cushioning better suited to active movement and running. If you prefer a flat, court-oriented feel underfoot, Nike's cupsole silhouettes (Court Vision Low, Court Legacy Lift) deliver a firm, stable ride.

Choosing the right silhouette for your lifestyle: Low-top court styles (Court Vision Low, Court Borough Low) are versatile across casual and active settings with ankle mobility and durable soles. Platform lifts (Court Legacy Lift) add height and retro styling for fashion-forward looks. Slide sandals (Calm 2.0) are best reserved for recovery or warm-weather casual wear, as their open construction offers no lateral support for athletic activity.

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FAQs

Q: What are the best Nike running shoes?

A: For everyday running at DSW, the Nike V5 RNR stands out for its lightweight mesh upper and responsive foam midsole cushioning, ideal for daily training miles. The Nike Run Defy offers purpose-built running geometry with a structured midsole tuned for smooth heel-to-toe transitions. The Nike Pacific and Nike Initiator are lighter, simpler options well suited to short runs or beginner runners. For serious performance running you may want to complement these DSW picks with specialized Nike performance models (check DSW's full Nike running selection).

Q: What's the difference between Nike's cushioning technologies at DSW?

A: Nike uses several distinct cushioning approaches across its DSW lineup. Visible Max Air units (Air Max SC, Air Max 270) use pressurized air pockets for plush, long-lasting impact absorption, with the Air Max 270 featuring Nike's largest 270-degree Air heel unit for maximum cushioning. Foam midsoles (V5 RNR, Revolution 8, Initiator) offer lighter, more responsive cushioning suited to active movement. Cupsole platforms (Court Vision Low, Court Legacy Lift) prioritize a firm, stable ride over plush cushioning, better suited to everyday court-inspired style.

Q: What Nike shoes are best for walking?

A: The Nike Revolution 8 is a strong walking pick at DSW, with a soft foam midsole, flex-groove outsole, and breathable mesh upper for all-day comfort. The Nike Air Max SC and Air Max 270 also work well for walking thanks to their visible Air cushioning units, which absorb impact over long periods on your feet.