Winflo 11

These are first impressions after a 10 km run in the Nike Winflo 11. Nike lists 35 mm at the heel and 25 mm at the forefoot, a 10 mm drop, but to me it felt more like 12 mm. The foam is Cushlon 3.0, softer than the Cushlon 2.0 in the previous version. Walking in it feels very soft, with some of the best step-in comfort among entry-level premium shoes, especially at the heel. Once I started running it felt firmer, moderately soft and fairly balanced, with no bounce and no energy return. That firmness made it feel reasonably stable, even though the platform is not wide. The upper feels premium, with engineered mesh, a comfortable gusseted tongue, good heel padding and a heel counter. The forefoot is snug and the medial side has an aggressive cut, which I don't like and don't recommend for beginners. I wore thin socks because the upper felt thick in the forefoot. It felt a little hot when I picked up the pace, so I need a half marathon to confirm breathability. It is not a stability or support shoe. The outsole is thick, hard rubber, so I expect good durability and traction. It suits slow runners at 7:00–9:00/km who run 5–10 km, have narrow to moderate feet and no ankle stability issues. Heavier heel strikers will feel the extra softness at the heel. It is also a good walking and lifestyle shoe. It costs ₹6,000–8,000, and at that price I definitely would not recommend it. ASICS, Adidas and Puma have many better options there, like the ASICS Excite 10 and Gel-Pulse. If you get it for about ₹5,000, you can try it.