Quest 6

I am testing six of Nike's budget running shoes, and the Quest 6 is one of them. Nike calls it budget friendly, but it launched at ₹10,000. It should have launched at ₹5,000 to ₹6,000. Nike says it uses premium materials and a new, comfy cushioning midsole. The midsole is the biggest letdown, and it is the thing that matters most to me in a shoe. It has no energy return and it is not soft. I even doubt how well it protects against impact when my feet land. There is a little softness at the bottom, but none in the forefoot and no propulsion at all. It is very firm. I had high hopes, and like the Journey Run, it disappointed me. Almost every other budget shoe I have tried after those had a reasonably soft, forgiving midsole. The good side is that the firm foam gives a stable ride, and stability is very important for beginners so their ankles are not uncomfortable. The upper is thicker than on Nike's other budget shoes, with a thick tongue and good laces. It is a nice-looking Nike, as always. It is highly durable. The materials and foam will last 500 to 800 km, and the thick outsole rubber should give high mileage. I would recommend it to someone who wants a nice-looking, comfortable and durable Nike for walking, casual jogging and lifestyle use. The profile is 6 min/km or slower, 20 to 30 km a week and long runs of no more than 8 to 10 km. Buy it only if you find it under ₹5,000. A Nike fan could pay ₹500 to ₹1,000 more. For a serious runner who wants a soft ride with energy return, or for long runs, I would not recommend it. The ASICS Gel-Excite 10, Gel-Pulse 16 and Gel-Contend 9 can be found for about ₹3,500, and I also liked the Adidas Switch Run, Duramo Speed, Response Super and Runfalcon.