Nike Motiva review: 'I tried Nike's latest running-jogging-walking shoe innovation'
Gone are the days when trainers had to be sleek and chic in a muted hue. The past couple of years have ushered in a new era for trainers, with the so-called 'ugly sneaker' trend taking over TikTok, with people finally prioritising comfort over style.
Brands like Hoka, Brooks, and ASICS have helped push the trend of functionality as a fashion statement, and Nike has released a shoe that has this ethos at the core of its design.
Nike saw a gap in the market for a shoe that could cater to the ever-changing needs of its wearer, so they created the Motiva: a shoe designed for walking, jogging, and running. I'm a big fan of mixing up my workouts throughout the week, so I jumped at the opportunity to try the shoes out for myself.
On top of my review, I also chatted to Domonique Debnam, Nike's Senior Director of Fitness and Women’s Footwear to gain some insight into the inspiration behind the Nike Motiva.
Overall rating:
Motiva
What makes the Nike Motiva different?
Nike really did their research with this shoe, speaking to over 1,000 people who had a fitness routine made up of walking, jogging, and running so they could better understand what they need in a trainer.
Through this extensive research, Nike found that going between movements can result in fatigue and frustration, so they set out to make the Motiva: a shoe designed to help people enjoy their exercise more.
The most innovative part of the Motiva in my opinion is the new rocker geometry, with full-length cushioning that makes workouts feel smooth no matter what your pace.
The Nike team noticed during their research that the majority of women logging their first workout on the Nike Run Club app were averaging a 13-minute mile. But they weren't just running, they were stopping and starting by fluctuating between walking, jogging, and running.
When I asked Domonique about the inspiration behind the shoe she said it came from 'trying to understand how we can serve our female runners, walkers and joggers better and partner with her to get insights into what was missing. Through that work and by really listening to her and understanding some of the pitfalls and challenges, we could say we're going to provide a footwear solution that helps you move more. There was an area of opportunity that we could fill with a product that supports.'
Domonique also gave me some insight into the functionality of the shoe design, saying it 'uniquely comes from understanding this consumer and understanding how the foot hits the ground. Making sure it's an easy transition from your heel, hitting the ground, transitioning to the mid-foot, and that rocker geometry that's going to propel you forward.
Through their research, they also found that a narrow-fit shoe is not the width of choice for most people, so the Motiva has a wider fit than most other trainers on the market which is a good thing to keep in mind if you have narrow feet.
As well as the funky pink and black shoes I tried out, you can also choose between a grey, green and white pair or a black and white pair.
Are Nike Motiva good for walking?
Rating:
The exaggerated rocker felt a little funny to walk in at first, but after a while I got used to it and started to enjoy the feeling of being propelled forward.
Sometimes in the days after a long run, my knees and ankle feel a bit fragile, and the extra thick cushioning of the Motivas felt like it gave me the extra support I needed for getting my steps in.
Are Nike Motiva good for jogging?
Rating:
When I'm walking in the Nike Motivas and the rocker is propelling me forward, it's hard to not want to burst into a light jog. I found the Motivas great for a light, short interval jog as they are supportive and make the transition from walking to jogging a smooth one.
Are Nike Motiva good for running?
Rating:
When I'm going on a proper run I like my shoes to be as light as possible so there's as little extra weight on my legs as possible. Due to the thick cushioning that makes these shoes such a delight to walk in, they made them heavier than I'd prefer for a long-distance run.
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