I don’t think the Odyssey React Shield 2 was ever marketed to be a long-run or speed work shoe, but they don’t perform as such. It’s a soft yet stable cushioning platform that has enough spring for a 5K, and it can also hold up during long runs,” one tester said. I can’t really say much other than that Odyssey React Shield 2 fit perfectly in just about every way you’d want. For reference, I found the fit very similar to the Adidas Ultraboost which has almost become synonymous with the word “sock-like fit” in the comfortable casual shoe wear community. Nike has continually introduced innovative products, such as the Nike Air cushioning technology and the self-lacing Adapt system, which have revolutionized the sports footwear industry.

I had to include this somewhere in the review because of how rare it is for me as someone who loves eye-popping shoe colorways…my 62-year-old mom really liked how they looked! This in turn is reinforced with an outsole of Stormtread rubber, offering sticky, non-slip contact on wet pavements and tracks. There's a foam collar for that extra bit of ankle support just in case you momentarily lose your footing in very slick conditions. Cool lacing system, very practical and adds a substantial amound to the futuristic aesthetic, since they kinda "stick" out of the shoe in a cool arc.So if you are looking for a shoe you can use in wet weather conditions and you are a fan of the Epic React midsole material and aren’t looking for a bit of stability or maybe you just have a bit of a narrower foot, this is the shoe for you. This attraction of opposites creates a sensation that not only enhances the feeling of moving forwards, but makes running feel fun, too. Not once did I ever feel any discomfort on any part of my feet, which is rare for a new pair of shoes.

I know some may read this and think it’s a negative, but don’t worry, plenty of other younger folks complimented me on them as well. I think the upper is something that Nike does consistently well across all of their models except for the Pegasus Turbo 2, which I find a bit tight. However, I was sceptical of Odyssey React Shield 2 because I had never heard a thing about them, which is pretty rare for Nike running shoes. We’ve written at length about Nike’s React foam, but the material still deserves to be mentioned for how it affects this shoe’s performance. Underpinning the Nike Odyssey React Shield 2 running shoe is a midsole made from React foam, which offers reliable impact protection over long, demanding runs.Maybe it will get the acceptable temperature threshold down to around 0 degrees Celcius or cancel the wind getting into ankles. The upper is made out of two smooth materials, one that makes up most of the midfoot of the upper and another a bit more stretchy material that makes up the toe box, tongue and heel counter of this shoe. The shoes held up well on dry pavement and treadmill surfaces, but I did notice a lot of slippage on wet roads compared to other shoes. They fit true to size and are plenty comfortable for runs of any type or even other types of workouts, but I wouldn’t recommend these for true speedwork sessions.

Thankfully, the upper of the Nike Odyssey React Shield 2 trainer is constructed from durable, water repellent mesh and textile, with sealed seams to really keep out the moisture.Of the many test pairs sitting in my closet, I chose the Nike Odyssey Shield React for that four-mile battle against icy sidewalks and a sub-zero windchill.

Its support type is designated as neutral, meaning that it's designed for runners with neutral pronation.

After putting on three long-sleeve layers up top — the third being a wind- and waterproof GoreTex jacket — a pair of winter running tights, a cotton beanie, wool socks, sunglasses, and some burly gloves, the final pieces of outerwear I needed were shoes. By combining a snug-fitting upper that provides protection from cold weather and wet conditions with an easy-to-use, quick-pull lacing system, Nike created a winter trainer with a fit that can even be adjusted by cold fingers beneath thick gloves. I liked the ride and I didn’t experience any hotspots with the upper, but on longer distances, the lack of stability and the narrowness of the shoe were an issue. The water-resistant and insulated Nike Shield upper kept my feet comfortable on that run, and it kept my feet dry the day prior when the the snow was coming down. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience.