Nike Downshifter 12 Advent
Downshifter is Nike’s finances working shoe—it in reality is a thieve for most effective $70 USD, up $10 from the 11.
The shoe has been utterly redone. A brand new higher design drops the overlays for extra breathability however nonetheless runs roughly one-inch vast reinforce stripes within the higher from the center shoe laces diagonally all the way down to the early heel on all sides.
Cussed rubber patches that run the duration of the outsole are deeply treaded (for a highway shoe) and provides no allusion to its cheaper price.
(The an identical shoe ASICS Gel-Excite is my subsequent assessment—coming quickly! )
This morning I ran 6 miles with the Downshifter on one foot and Gel-Excite at the different, switching which was once which midway via. I discovered that Downshifter gives a extra safe have compatibility and feels extra strong underfoot whilst Gel-Excite ($15 extra), has a smoother transition and rolls off the ft, in addition to extra space within the toe field.
In comparison with adidas Duramo, Downshifter brings a extra cosy have compatibility and an identical midsole cushion; Duramo’s common width lets in for med-wide toes to be extra relaxed with out ordering vast/additional vast as is also wanted with Downshifter.
Different an identical sneakers come with Nike Revolution, adidas RunFalcon, Nike Winflo, and Saucony Brotherly love.
Nike Downshifter 12 First Impressions
Unboxing for the primary time, this shoe’s easy design and my explicit colorway left me unimpressed. The design grew on me in upcoming weeks because it regarded sharp when worn as a crossover shoe for working, different workout routines, and informal put on.
I stunned myself by way of how regularly I selected this shoe to head with an outfit for on a regular basis use. Taking a look at footage of the 11 I do favor this up to date, easy design.
The primary put on felt constrictive with a medium-narrow have compatibility and particular “block” vibe, however the strong base was once additionally unusually interesting.
The slender toebox with narrow-medium heel into midfoot would require many to dimension up a part dimension.
Nike Downshifter 12 Higher
Downshifter’s structured mesh is strengthened by way of an inner layer from an absolutely gusseted (hooked up to the bottom throughout) tongue; in combination they enable for medium breathability. I anticipated it to be a scorching shoe, particularly with the added issue of a smaller toe field, however it was once by no means uncomfortably heat (working inside of and in common fall temps).
The generously-padded tongue is vast and protecting, including a layer to the higher throughout because it attaches all the way down to the midsole. This tongue and entire gusset upload to the closed-in feeling of the slender toe.
Working in Downshifter and Excite again to again, slightly extra freedom for the ft in Excite was once in reality refreshing. The toebox itself appears about the similar as that of GEL-Excite, however the distinction in really feel is because of this tongue layer. Nike has a perfect design going however may just building up convenience by way of including (no less than) a pair millimeters of room to make up for the interior layers.
The texture from the medium-width laces is simply the way it must be. Laces run in the course of the tongue for additonal safety.
Low-average padding hugs the ankle above a tight heel counter. Downshifter’s heel counter is thicker and gives extra heel reinforce than the heel counter in Gel-Excite or (particularly) Duramo.
The huge loop off the heel is completely sized for ease of use, however with this shoe I didn’t want assist pulling it on.
A special-colored (orange in my shoe) densely-knit strip runs from the center laces again to the heel on every facet to offer extra reinforce than a easy layer of mesh; it peeks via a visibility window.
The end of the toe field may be strengthened with an additional densely-knit layer for sturdiness, which has the softer “tongue” subject matter prolonged down between the ft and outer mesh as smartly.
Like Duramo, the sock liner is connected to the bottom. Pulling it up, it’s decently thick (part mm.) which is greater than maximum sock liners.
Sexy colorways span impartial sun shades with a couple of pops of colour in conjunction with brighter choices.
This shoe is created from 20% recycled content material.
Nike Downshifter 12 Sole Unit
The froth midsole in Downshifter isn’t given fancy branding, or perhaps a description on-line. The softness is very similar to On’s Helion foam and the Lightmotion foam in adidas Duramo.
This midsole is fairly extra company than adidas Lightstrike, ASICS FF Blast, and HOKA’s CMEVA foams however is softer than ASICS (elementary) Flytefoam.
The outsole tread covers the overall base but even so a curved steerage line which minimizes horizontal power switch, a flex line beneath the heel patch, and small home windows that divulge the midsole. The rubber has common to top sturdiness, with a gentle put on trend appearing after 50 working miles (plus a lot strolling—footage with the assessment display approx. 50 miles). Rungs going up the heel supply grip and sturdiness for a heel strike.
This can be a supportive shoe that bends on the ball however helps to keep a stiff midfoot and has a ten mm. drop in top from the heel all the way down to the forefoot.
The shoe supplies a medium-soft touchdown that is going right into a so-so transition and ends with a noticeable toe-off (the most productive disappear into the air and not using a concept).
Nike Downshifter 12 Conclusions
Nike put a large number of subject matter into Downshifter 12 for its low value. The shoe is impressively cushioned and secure-feeling. The trip is supported and strong, however a boxy transition and toe-off are what convey my ranking down for working on this shoe.
It simply doesn’t inspire the movement. Put on it for strolling and informal put on with the occasional run, and also you’ll get a perfect shoe that can remaining a very long time.
Take into accout to dimension up a part dimension in case you are between sizes or don’t want a comfortable toe.
