It does well to balance comfortable cushioning with a responsive ride, making it a great fit for medium-speed sessions and longer recovery runs, and can be snapped up for under £100/ $130 from many retailers. Overall, we were very impressed with the Nike Air Zoom Structure 24’s performance in our tests. But they described the impact as minimal, and this was their only criticism among otherwise blemish-free feedback on the shoe’s comfort credentials. Our tester said they could feel this unit when running on firmer terrain, creating a Princess and the Pea-esque scenario in which they were loosely aware of a slight lump under the ball of their foot.

Our knees benefited from the generous layer of cushioning, but we found the sole still offered a decent level of responsiveness in the forefoot where Nike has placed a Zoom Air unit. Yet, having put these shoes through their paces, we found this seemingly oxymoronic description proved accurate. The thick foam midsole offers what Nike describes as “cushioned responsiveness” - two characteristics that typically operate at loggerheads with one another. So, whether you’re donning them for everyday use, easy middle-distance runs or longer pieces, the Nike Air Zoom Structure 24s can provide a smooth, comfortable and lightly supportive ride. There is nothing as blatant as a medial post, but the foam sole is built up around the medial arch to provide additional support. However, though this is a neutral shoe, with a name like “Structure” perhaps we should have seen Nike’s inclusion of a small stability shoe element coming. While it’s hard to say the impact this had on our performance, we could definitely feel the difference between the firm forefoot and forgiving heel. There is also a carefully located crash pad (an area of softer material with more give than the surrounding foam) built into the heel, designed to create a smooth transition from heel to toe, and a Zoom Air unit (an “explosive cushioning system designed for speed and agility”, made from pressurized air and tightly stretched fibers) in the forefoot to provide a responsive yet protected feel. It’s a neutral running shoe with ample cushioning courtesy of a thick foam sole, giving it a high heel-toe 8mm drop that will sit well with heel strikers – a topic we explored in our feature on correct running foot placement (opens in new tab). Use a ruler to measure the length taken in centimetres.The Nike Air Zoom Structure 24 is an excellent shoe for mid-longer distances, and will pair well with endurance-focused runners looking for a durable shoe that will keep going as long as they do. Measure from the border of the sheet of paper under the heel to tip of the foot, which more or less is the second toe (as seen in the photo). Distribute your weight in a uniform fashion.

Stand on ones feet on hard surface and position a sheet of paper under your foot. Put on a pair of socks usually worn with the shoe and measure your feet in the afternoon (often, the feet swell during the course of the day). Select the size keeping in mind that your toes need room since your feet, due to the increased circulation, tend to swell while running and it’s important that they can wiggle without hitting the shoe. Then add a centimeter to the result and convert using the table above.

If you are purchasing this model for the first time, we suggest you choose the size based on the length of your foot in centimeters.

Nike air zoom structure 24