The Details
- New ReactX foam midsole
- Softer blown rubber in forefoot
- More premium materials in heel and tongue
ON THE RUN
BLAKE: My first few runs in the Structure 26 felt…surprisingly normal in the best way. The ReactX midsole quietly soaked up impact, and for once in a Nike stability shoe, I wasn’t thinking about my arches or fighting the toebox. In past Nike models I’ve dealt with arch aching, instability, and cramped forefeet, but this time around that never showed up. I still dropped my Currex SupportSTP insoles in for my preferred level of support, yet even without them there was no arch pain, which is a big shift for this line.
Compared to the Structure 25, this version is a clear upgrade. The 25 always felt a bit clunky and heavy; the 26 feels more dialed in as a true daily trainer. For short to medium distances it delivers exactly what it promises: a structured, steady, comfortable ride you can count on. Once I pushed into double-digit miles, though, the shoe started to feel heavy and the experience shifted from “fun” to just “fine.” The midsole is good, but not exciting, and with all the better foams Nike has access to, I found myself wishing for more bounce and plushness to keep up with other modern stability options.
Overall, the Structure 26 is a solid, reliable stability shoe that finally fixes some of the line’s past comfort issues. I’m hopeful the upcoming Structure Plus/Premium will keep this improved support while adding the higher-cushion, more responsive feel the series is still missing.
SIDNEY: I am the definition of a yes person. I say yes to every plan, I am never home, and I am always rushing from place to place. Because of that, the shoes I run in usually end up being whatever is living in the backseat of my car.
I got the Structure 26 during a particularly busy stretch of wear testing and life. It was tossed in the back with all the other test shoes and quickly became the grown-up version of a forgotten toy at the bottom of the toy box, like Woody watching Andy move on. Shoved a little farther under the seat, and honestly, just ignored.
It was not until I kept seeing Blake in his pair that I realized I actually needed to give mine a fair shot. So I finally pulled them out for a true test: a morning run, a coffee stop, and an eight-hour shift all in the same shoe. I even baptized my crisp white pair with a full coffee spill to really commit to the chaos.
The experience in this shoe is not one to write home about, but it is not one to drag either. It does exactly what the Structure is supposed to do: a reliable stability staple that simply works.
THE FIT
BLAKE: I did not love the tongue on this shoe. I am pretty sure it is to blame for the blister on the top of my foot, made worse by how sweaty my feet got. I wore thick socks the first day, and by the end of it I had a hot spot right where the tongue can fold over on the lateral side. A gusseted tongue would have gone a long way here, both to keep it in place and to make the fit feel more secure.
The upper itself is not very breathable, so this is a warm shoe. My feet ran hot enough that I had to consciously switch to thinner socks. The toebox is decently accommodating but feels a bit shallow, and it fits true to typical Nike sizing, where I always go a half size up from my “normal” shoe size. The heel, on the other hand, is a win. It feels secure and comfortable, and once I switched to thinner socks the shoe did a great job holding my foot in place, especially with a heel lock thanks to the solid heel cup.
SIDNEY: Speaking of how I said the Structure 26 is not exactly something to write home about, I will say the fit is something Nike should brag about. This is one of the first Nike shoes where the toe box actually feels accommodating and the overall fit really lines up with my foot.
The upper, however, could use some work, especially in the midfoot overlays. They create a bulky, overbearing feel. The depth in the toe box is the standout here, and it is something I will be talking about in future versions, because my toes are genuinely comfortable and happy to be there.
THE FEEL
BLAKE: The cushioning of the Structure 26 is on the firmer side and does not give a lot back to the foot while running. It lands in that “just enough cushioning” zone rather than feeling lively or plush. With the removal of the forefoot Air unit, the shoe actually feels less responsive to me. Nike says this change is meant to make the shoe feel more responsive, but it still feels just as heavy as before, without the little bit of pep I liked in the Structure 25. The ReactX foam does a fine job softening landings, but overall the midsole feels just okay.
Where this shoe really shines is in the stability system. The midfoot support does a much better job of stabilizing the foot than anything Nike has done in the past. It is miles better than a simple medial post and a big upgrade over the TPU heel counter in the Structure 25, which always felt like a Pegasus 40 with a stiffer back end. The Structure 26 finally feels like a slightly corrective shoe. It is very stable compared to the rest of Nike’s lineup and a big step forward from older, clunkier Structures. We have taken a lot of the clunk out of version 26, but compared to the wider stability market, it still lands in the good, solid, average zone.
SIDNEY: As a max cushion fan, the Structure 26 is definitely a change of pace. In a rotation full of soft, high-stack shoes, this one sits more in the middle. Nike swapped in a ReactX foam midsole and, on the run, that shows up as a steadier, slightly softer feel than older Structures. At around 11 ounces, it also lands on the heavier side for a daily trainer, so it feels more like a grounded, planted ride than a light-and-quick one.
THE NITTY GRITTY
BLAKE: The Structure 26 weighs around 11 ounces, placing it on the heavier side for daily stability trainers in its class. In testing, the midsole provided less forward “roll” and propulsion compared to similarly weighted stability models like the Adrenaline GTS 24 and 860v14, which deliver a snappier transition at comparable weights.
Compared to the Structure 25, the 26 functions more clearly as a stability shoe. The updated midfoot support system actively guides the foot, whereas the TPU heel counter in the 25 behaved more like a firmer Pegasus-style setup with less targeted control. This version offers enough structure for both running and general gym use. Within the broader stability category, it sits in the middle for weight and cushioning: it has a softer underfoot feel than many neutral Nike trainers, but is not as light or as plush as options like the Arahi 8, Guide 18, or GT-2000 13.
SIDNEY: The Structure 26 is a stable, moderately cushioned daily trainer that provides consistent support. The update from the 25 to the 26 includes a less cage-like upper with softer, more accommodating materials and increased flexibility underfoot. Visually, it maintains a streamlined, modern look while offering a more refined fit and smoother transitions than the previous version.
THE RUNDOWN
BLAKE: The last model was a whole lotta nothing. This time around, the Structure 26 is a whole lotta something. I have called it average and slightly heavy, but I actually had fun running in it, which is not something I have said before about a Nike stability shoe. The materials and cushioning Nike has access to could absolutely take this midsole system further, but even as it is, this version feels like real progress.
As it stands, the Structure 26 is the most comfortable Structure to date. If you have walked around in previous versions, this will feel like a major step forward: adaptive, solid, and actually supportive. At $145, I do not see it as a bad grab, and it is a shoe I will pull for some daily runs here and there. It is reliable, and that is not a word I have personally used often for a Nike model.
SIDNEY: The Structure 26 lands as a steady, dependable option for stability runners who want a little bit of guidance without feeling locked into a brick. The midfoot support helps keep things lined up as you get tired, the heel feels secure, and the ride stays consistent from stride to stride. For me, it works best as a daily trainer for easy to moderate runs, walks, and daily wear. Once I get into longer miles, I start wishing for more cushion and a livelier midsole to carry me through.
Meet the Reviewers
