Details
Brand
Nike
Heel To Toe Drop
N/A
Breathability
8/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Road
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• Reinforced panels at high-stress areas of the shoe for durability and support• Reflective Swoosh logo• Padded tongue and collar for extra support• Mesh construction provides maximum breathability• Flexible rubber waffle outsole for durability and traction• EVA foam midsole for added comfort• Retro style shoe
Upper
The upper of the Nike MD Runner 2 Mid Premium is made with plush synthetic leather and mesh materials. Nike uses synthetic leather in their shoes which is a man-made fabric that is made to look and feel like real leather, but it functions better than real leather. The mesh material is also added to the design of the upper to help the shoes breathe and to keep your feet cool and comfortable. Nike’s iconic Swoosh logo is placed on the side of the shoe and it is made of a reflective material. They utilize a traditional lace-up closure for a more secure and adjustable fit and a padded tongue and collar for some additional comfort.
Midsole
The midsole of the Nike MD Runner 2 Mid Premium is made from foam for a lightweight cushion to keep your feet comfortable while you are on the go. Nike uses EVA, or Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Foam, in their midsole. It is actually one of the cheapest and most efficient materials that they use in their shoes. EVA midsole foam provides a pretty decent energy return for the runner which helps push them along with each step they take and helps reduce the work they have to put into each stride.
Outsole
The outsole of the Nike MD Runner 2 Mid Premium is made with Nike’s waffle sole. Nike’s iconic waffle sole is a rubber outsole that makes the sole much lighter and provides better traction than other track outsoles that are out on the market today. The waffle sole’s traction actually comes from the textured pattern that is produced by a waffle iron. Its rubber construction helps keep the shoe a lighter weight than other shoes of its kind.
Breathability
The upper of the Nike MD Runner 2 Mid Premium is made with a combination of faux leather and mesh materials. The mesh on the upper allows the shoes to be breathable for the wearer while still being stylish and comfortable. It is important for shoes to be able to breathe because without it your feet will overheat and you will become extremely uncomfortable, making customers not want to wear the product, therefore not wanting to purchase them.
Comfort
Customers have said nothing but good things about the comfort level of these shoes. The Nike MD Runner 2 Mid Premium has a high level of comfort due to the flexible, rubber waffle sole, the padded tongue and collar, and the padded footbed. The EVA foam midsole gives these shoes added padding in the bottom and that extra cushioning just adds to the comfort level. Even though the shoes are comfy out of the box, some customers have commented that they have increased that comfort level by adding a new custom insole for some additional support.
Style
The Nike MD Runner 2 Mid Premium is all about a combination of comfort and style. This is a mid-top sneaker that is great for casual wear and becomes an essential part of any wardrobe. These shoes come in a variety of colors, including: black, black and anthracite, wheat, black, and light bone, and finally, cool grey and black wolf grey. These shoes are great for any occasion and will work well with just about any outfit. They are just an all-around good style and super comfortable. Of course, as with all Nike shoes, the no-sew Nike Swoosh is featured on the sides of the shoes topping off the shoe with a nice, clean look.
Durability
Nike’s MD Runner 2 Mid Premium shoe was built to last. The upper of the shoe was built with reinforced panels at the high-stress areas to help ward off wear and tear. In addition to the reinforced panels, the outsole was also built with longevity in mind with its durable rubber sole. The rubber holds up well to just about every terrain and while this is a road shoe this material will transition well to other terrains. The insole is going to hang in there through tough miles. It is made of EVA foam which will handle you pounding the pavement effortlessly giving you long-lasting comfort.
Protection
When it comes to running shoes, protection is probably one of the most important things to look at when you are looking to purchase a pair. The Nike MD Runner 2 Mid Premium does offer some protection for you while you are running. The reinforced panels throughout the upper, mostly at the high-stress areas, help to protect your feet from moving around too much in the shoe and help protect you from getting hurt. The foam in the midsole of the shoe also helps because it will absorb some of the impacts when your foot hits the ground with each step.
Responsiveness
The EVA foam that makes up the midsole of the Nike MD Runner 2 Mid Premium helps the responsiveness of the shoe. A midsole is important in any shoe, but a well-cushioned midsole is especially important in a running shoe. You want a foam that will compress and rebound with each stride so it will actually push you forward. That rebound is known as energy return, and the higher the energy return, the less work the runner has to put in with each stride. The beauty of the EVA foam used in the midsole of Nike’s shoes is that it is designed with this energy return in mind and makes these shoes just a little bit more appealing to runners.
Support
It is extremely important to find a pair of running shoes that will give you the support that you need to help you avoid any injury or added discomfort while running. Nike’s MD Runner 2 Mid Premium shoe offers a little support for you while you are on the run. The mid-top design with the padded collar helps give you some additional support at your ankle which is important. In addition to the mid-top design and padded collar, the reinforced panels at the high-stress areas help to keep your foot in place and help support your foot with each step.
Terrain
Because of the way the rubber waffle design is on the outsole of the Nike MD Runner 2 Mid Premium, these shoes can transition from one terrain to another with relative ease. These shoes are made for running on flat, nonabrasive surfaces such as roads, tracks, or treadmills. Whereas it may be possible to use these shoes on other surfaces, it is not recommended. It is probably best to stay on the flat ground or on a treadmill while running with these shoes.
Price
The Nike MD Runner Mid Premiums are very budget friendly and definitely worth the money you would pay for them. This throwback to the 90’s classic won’t cost you a whole lot of money. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price for these shoes is $80, but as is with almost anything on the market nowadays, you can find deals and sales for these shoes all over the place.
Drop
The drop of a shoe is essentially how much taller your heel is than the forefront of your foot in the shoe. After a lot of time scouring various web pages and articles about the Nike MD Runner 2 Mid Premium we were unable to find any conclusive information on the drop of these shoes.
Stability
It is important for runners who have problems with under or overpronating (rolling your foot either inward or outward) to find a running shoe that helps with stability and motion control. Overpronation is a very common trait that affects a good majority of runners leading to knee pain or other injuries. To help prevent injury or pain runners with this trait should look for a stable shoe with some extra padding in the midsole. The Nike MD Runner 2 Mid Premium shoes are not engineered as a stable shoe, but they do offer some stability with the EVA foam midsole, reinforced paneling, and mid-top collar. Even though these shoes offer a little stability, they are still not recommended to runners with pronation problems or low arches.
Flexibility
Flexibility is something important to pay attention to when looking for a good running shoe. As a runner, you are going to want something that is not going to heavily restrict your movement as you are running. You are going to want something that is going to allow you the most natural movement possible. Unfortunately, the Nike MD Runner 2 Mid Premium shoes do not offer a lot in terms of flexibility. With the mid-top design and reinforced panels, there is just a little too much restriction in place for many runners. That is not to say that there is no flexibility, the rubber outsole does allow for some flex, but it is just not enough according to others who have reviewed these shoes.
Traction
You may not think so, but traction is fairly important when it comes to choosing a running shoe. It is important to know where you will be running and what kind of surfaces you will be running on when you go to buy your shoes. You are going to want something that will fit your needs and keep you safe from slipping and falling. The beauty of the rubber waffle outsole design of Nike’s MD Runner 2 Mid Premium is that they have fantastic traction on the terrain they are made for. If you are planning on running on flat surfaces such as tracks, treadmills, or even pavement then these shoes will work fantastically for you. These shoes are not recommended for gravel roads or dirt paths and there is no information on how these shoes perform on such surfaces.
Bottom Line
If you are a fan of retro 90’s shoes or are feeling nostalgic about your childhood, then these shoes might be right up your alley. Nike takes us back to the past with their MD Runner 2 Mid Premium shoes and their classic style that looks great with almost any attire, whether at the gym working out or hanging out with friends. The comfort and durability of these shoes are phenomenal and it makes them a staple in any Nike fans collection. The shoes are classified as running shoes, but they are not really made for serious running. They offer little stability and flexibility and a decent amount of traction, but if you’re looking for something to wear while running marathons then these might not be the best choice for you.
