Introduction
I really liked these Nike Invincible 3 Blueprint road running shoes. I wasn’t too sure what to expect when I received them, but could see just from taking them out of the box that they were going to make for a comfortable, stable, run.
I understood that they were built for longer training sessions, and when I took them out for my first run, I knew I was on to a good thing. I found them to be really comfortable on the long runs, and due to the ultra-responsive and lightweight ZoomX foam, they provided excellent cushioning and stability on the broken footpaths and uneven road surfaces that you simply can’t avoid when road running.
Midsole
The taller foam stack of the midsole allows for a really soft, responsive and cushioned experience. The ZoomX foam is super responsive and lightweight, which gives spring and pep to every step. And the rocker technology propels you forward with ease, which allows you to just keep going without too much effort from your feet.
Upper
The upper is secure and comfortable, reliable, as I would expect from Nike. It has a really good sized toe box which allows for your toes to expand without feeling compressed, and with the evolved Flyknit upper, and zones of breathability specifically placed where your foot heats up most, it works really well on the longer runs specifically.
I wasn’t sure if I’d like the smaller heel clip in these shoes. I was afraid it would rub against my heel, but it doesn’t at all. It’s well placed and provides perfect cushioning on the heel so there’s no issue with blisters or heel discomfort at all.
It also has a moulded tongue and padded collar for extra comfort, and that served well as I clocked up the miles for the longer distance runs.
Outsole
The outsole consists of a two-piece carbon rubber and a waffle outsole for durable traction. The wide outsole coverage allows for a max-cushion shoe with well thought out stability, making my runs much more steady, and giving me more confidence to run freely, without worrying about injuring myself.
Verdict
I found that even after lengthy sessions in these shoes, my feet could keep going for longer due to their responsiveness and lightweightedness – they’re definitely designed to entice you back for your next run, and make you want to keep going the distance.
The idea behind the Nike Invincible 3 Blueprint road running shoes is that they take you on the long runs to allow you to build up your miles comfortably and securely – essentially they’re everyday running shoes, geared towards anyone training for a half or full marathon. I’d consider these to be truly reliable shoes to get you to race day, allowing you to clock up those miles, and due to their high support and cushioning, to get there injury free.
About the Tester
I have run for years, but not frequently, and never more than 10km. I only really got into regular running last year when I signed up for the “100km for November” challenge for Cancer Research. Since getting out 4-5 times a week, I really began to embrace it. Since then I’ve run two half marathons, with another one coming up in Sept, and am also really looking forward to running my first marathon in December.
Apparel : Nike Top and Leggings
Reviewer : Emer McLoughlin
Photographer : Sportsfile/Tyler Miller
Brand : Nike Zoom X Invincible 3
Retail Price : €195
Available online at Elverys.ie or select Intersport Elverys stores.