Journey Run

Nike sells this as a budget running shoe at a retail price of ₹9,000. The foam felt plush and soft when I tried it in the store, softer than Nike's other budget shoes. On the run it was neither soft nor protective. It is a basic, substandard EVA with no new formulation. It is the second firmest shoe I have tried, after the Adidas Ultrarun 5. For the first time in a long while my hips and knees hurt during a run. The upper quality and overall durability are very good, as always with Nike. There is a moderate heel counter and heel clip, and thick, soft heel padding. It feels stable, but it is not a stability shoe. If your ankle collapses when you walk, this is not for you. It suits neutral and high arches. I think Nike designed it for walking, not running. As a walking shoe, or a casual and office shoe with an eye-catching Nike logo, it works well. It is not for serious runners, and do not do fast runs in it. Beginners who want soft, protective cushioning can get much better shoes under ₹5,000. At ₹8,000 to ₹9,000 it is not worth it. I would only suggest it at ₹3,000 to ₹4,000, or up to ₹4,000 for Nike fans, but almost a year after launch it still sells at ₹9,000 and I doubt it will drop to ₹3,000 in India. The Ultrarun 5 at least goes on sale for ₹3,000 all year.