These days, runners don a distinct pair of footwear for various distances, tempo runs, restoration periods, speedwork and extra. Luckily, the versatile Nike Air Zoom Construction 24 can take the place of a number of pairs, saving runners cash (to not point out house on their overflowing shoe racks).
It’s a impartial shoe with a cushioned but responsive midsole that feels snug on mid-long distance runs – an attribute that cemented their place on our roundup of the perfect trainers for supination. (In the event you’re questioning what this implies, discover out all it’s worthwhile to find out about supination vs pronation (opens in new tab) with our useful information.)
A luxurious lining across the ankle and tongue (an enchancment from their common predecessor, the Construction 23) meant they felt nice from the very first run, and their molded heel hugged our toes in order that they stayed locked in place – obliterating any likelihood of blisters forming.
This added padding does imply the shoe is on the heavier facet, with a males’s dimension 10 tipping the scales at 11oz or 312g. We discovered they felt weighty for speedwork or shorter, fast-paced runs, and the additional cushioning across the tongue and heel meant our toes felt fairly scorching when operating in hotter climate.
However, past this, complaints with the Nike Air Zoom 24s have been few and much between. They’re a wonderful operating shoe for normal put on, restoration runs and mid-long distance periods, with a consolation, sturdiness and flexibility that may cater to the wants of any leisure runner.
How we examined
To check these footwear, we took them on a sequence of runs, seeing how they fared over completely different distances, at a collection of speeds, over a spread of terrains. These included an extended route round a nature reserve’s trails, a fast-paced 5K on pavements and roads, grueling 400m intervals, and a sequence of lively restoration periods.
Construct and cushioning
The Nike Air Zoom Construction 24 is a wonderful shoe for mid-longer distances, and can pair properly with endurance-focused runners in search of a sturdy shoe that may maintain going so long as they do.
It’s a impartial operating shoe with ample cushioning courtesy of a thick foam sole, giving it a excessive heel-toe 8mm drop that may sit properly with heel strikers – a subject we explored in our characteristic on appropriate operating foot placement (opens in new tab).
There may be additionally a rigorously situated crash pad (an space of softer materials with extra give than the encompassing foam) constructed into the heel, designed to create a easy transition from heel to toe, and a Zoom Air unit (an “explosive cushioning system designed for pace and agility”, made out of pressurized air and tightly stretched fibers) within the forefoot to offer a responsive but protected really feel. Whereas it’s arduous to say the affect this had on our efficiency, we may positively really feel the distinction between the agency forefoot and forgiving heel.
Nonetheless, although it is a impartial shoe, with a reputation like “Construction” maybe we must always have seen Nike’s inclusion of a small stability shoe ingredient coming. There may be nothing as blatant as a medial publish, however the foam sole is constructed up across the medial arch to offer extra assist.
So, whether or not you’re donning them for on a regular basis use, straightforward middle-distance runs or longer items, the Nike Air Zoom Construction 24s can present a easy, snug and frivolously supportive journey.
The thick foam midsole affords what Nike describes as “cushioned responsiveness” — two traits that sometimes function at loggerheads with each other. But, having put these footwear by their paces, we discovered this seemingly oxymoronic description proved correct.
Our knees benefited from the beneficiant layer of cushioning, however we discovered the only nonetheless supplied an honest degree of responsiveness within the forefoot the place Nike has positioned a Zoom Air unit.
Our tester stated they might really feel this unit when operating on firmer terrain, making a Princess and the Pea-esque state of affairs wherein they have been loosely conscious of a slight lump below the ball of their foot. However they described the affect as minimal, and this was their solely criticism amongst in any other case blemish-free suggestions on the shoe’s consolation credentials.
Design and higher
We just like the no-frills strategy Nike has taken when designing the Air Zoom Construction 24. With two easy colorways (thunder blue or black) accessible, they’re not going to face out in a crowd just like the frighteningly shiny yellow Saucony Journey 15s we tried, making them a high choice for anybody who’d slightly let their operating do the speaking.
But, the immediately recognisable tick, smooth higher and wedge of white cushioning has an understated type that we quickly discovered ourselves incorporating into on a regular basis outfits (see, we advised you they have been versatile).
The mesh higher feels sturdy and options extra cushioning within the lining across the heel and tongue than the Nike Air Zoom Construction 23s, giving them spectacular out-the-box consolation. This, twinned with a well-designed heel counter, meant they successfully locked our toes into place with out ever feeling uncomfortably tight — minimizing the possibility of rubbing or blisters.
This added padding does have its drawbacks, including weight to the sneakers in order that they felt a bit heavy over shorter distances or throughout speedwork. It additionally meant our toes may warmth up fairly rapidly in hotter climate, although this shouldn’t be an issue in the event you often run in milder situations.
However, for longer runs, we positively appreciated the additional padding offered, which allowed us to plod alongside with out aching or uncooked toes detracting from our coaching.
It’s additionally vital to contemplate how trainers ought to match. The Nike Air Zoom Construction 24 suits wider than earlier Nike trainers with an accommodating higher that may adapt to most foot-shapes. For instance, our narrow-footed tester discovered the Dynamic Match lacing system was in a position to tighten the shoe evenly and successfully so they might discover a good match.
Not like many trainers, they match true to dimension too, so there’s no must undergo the standard rigamarole of ordering half-a-size up.
Efficiency
General, we have been very impressed with the Nike Air Zoom Construction 24’s efficiency in our checks. It does properly to stability snug cushioning with a responsive journey, making it a terrific match for medium-speed periods and longer restoration runs, and might be snapped up for below £100/ $130 from many retailers.
The crash pad (a softer part constructed into the heel) noticeably encourages a easy heel-to-toe transition, and the hardwearing outsole affords improbable grip on every thing from moist grass to gravel to loamy trails. The large base provides them a steady really feel, and a piece of the midsole is constructed up across the medial arch to offer further assist.
They misplaced factors as, at 11oz (312g), they’re on the heavier facet, and the thick foam midsole means they don’t really feel nimble sufficient for quicker runs or speedwork. However, in the event you’re taking issues slower or want longer routes, the ample cushioning feels improbable – one thing our knees actually thanked us for.
The Zoom Air unit situated throughout the midsole, beneath the ball of the foot, might be felt frivolously when operating on tougher surfaces or tarmac. Nike says that is designed to supply a extra responsive really feel when transitioning energy by the forefoot, offering a agency, easy and steady feeling as your foot hits the bottom. But, the outcome could cut up opinion. Whereas some folks will admire the extra rigidity, we personally weren’t followers as we discovered the unit felt barely lumpy.
Nonetheless, it is a minor gripe amongst an in any other case shining efficiency for this spectacular addition to Nike’s Construction sequence. So, leisure runners with a penchant for longer routes, this could possibly be the shoe for you.
Verdict
The Nike Air Zoom Construction 24 is a well-cushioned impartial operating shoe with modern design options integrated to offer a extra responsive journey and encourage an environment friendly heel-to-toe transition. We discovered their heavier construct and softer sole wasn’t suited to speedwork, however the plush higher and cozy match makes them a flexible mid-long distance shoe that received’t allow you to down as you rack up the kilometers.
Alternate options
In the event you’re after a lighter impartial shoe that also affords wonderful assist, the Hoka Mach 4 ticks all of the bins. This shoe incorporates a rockered sole to encourage a easy heel-to-toe transition, so you possibly can keep snug and preserve approach all through longer runs.
Or, in the event you’re after a extra responsive sole (with out sacrificing cushioning) then the Saucony Journey 15s (above) could possibly be your good match. They’re additionally accessible in an eye catching shiny yellow colorway, which can assist your loved ones discover you amid a packed-out race day crowd.
