Nike Revolution 4

Editor rating: 8.9 / 10

User's rating: based on 61 user ratings

1 star

2 star

3 star

4 star

5 star

86%

Add your Rating

By Abbie Copeland

All Nike Shoes

Nike Revolution 4 Review Facts

See more facts

The Nike Revolution 4 is a great update to its predecessor the Revolution 3. This version features a newly-designed outsole pattern complete with flex-groove embossed rubber pods designed to deliver a more flexible and responsive ride. Like the previous model, the upper is made of both an open-weave knit and a tighter knit pattern.

However, on this version, the two knits are swapped, with the more open-weave being at the toe and the tighter-knit at the midfoot and heel. It also includes synthetic overlays that spread over the midfoot rather than on the heel. This is a great update because these overlays act as a saddle over the middle part of the foot to keep it in place and supported. Just like its predecessor, this version of the Nike Revolution is attractive and comes in an impressive array of colorways.

Editor's Pros & Cons

Pros

Lightweight breathable mesh upper
Synthetic overlays at midfoot keep foot snug and secure
Durable rubber pods on outsole deliver a responsive performance
Phylon midsole is cushioned and comfortable
Padded tongue and heel counter deliver comfort and support
Affordable price tag for almost any budget

Cons

Some consumers question the durability of the upper
The rubber pods on outsole may be squeaky/loud for some

See How

What are buyers saying?

We have spent 4 hours analyzing a total of 700 reviews.

These reviews are then categoried into "Positive" and "Negative" feedback.

Below you will read a summary of them:

Positive

There is a lot of praise from buyers who use these shoes for casual wear or walking.
The price is reasonable and lower than many other Nike shoes.
The majority of buyers claim Revolution 4s are true to size.
The overall quality is praised.
Several reviewers report that they got relief from shin, knee, and hip pain when wearing these shoes.
It is noted that these can keep your feet comfortable after long hours on concrete floors.
The upper is breathable and allows good air circulation to keep your feet cool.
It is noted that these work well for people with low or no arches.
Several nurses say these shoes work well for their long shifts at work.
With correct sizing, there is enough room in the toe box for natural toe splay.
The design provides support and cushion without looking bulky.
The materials are lightweight.
Most buyers say these have proven to be durable.
The majority of buyers say they recommend Revolution 4s.
I swithced after 15 years of awhole other brand. I was very pleased. THey are great tennis shoe. They are comfortable and light. They fit my orthotics nicely. I am gong to purchase another pair.
I actually really love this shoe and did purchase another. The problem was the toe busted out of the mesh really soon. I am praying it as a defect because the shoe is amazing.
These have really helped me with my daily joint and back pain. They are comfortable and light. Thee best part is they fit like they are supposed too.
They are very breathable and light. The colors are great and stylish. These shoes are very lovable and I highly recommend.
These have saved my feet from my daily work schedule as a nurse. They circulate air well and are light to the walk. They seem to be very durable so far too, plus!
These keep my feet cool. The mesh is surprisingly durable and they are really light. The shoe itself has an amazing look and feel

Negative

Although these are categorized as running shoes, there are not a lot of customer reviews on how they perform on runs.
There are a few reports of blisters.
Although durability is praised by many buyers, there are a few who report quick wear on the sole and tears in the upper.
The insole isn't removable.
Some buyers complain that the upper is too thin which leads to inadequate support.
Because of the breathability of the upper, these aren't recommended for cold weather.
A few reviewers have experienced issues ordering these from third party sellers.
The laces don't have much extra length to them.
Although the majority of buyers say these look stylish, some note that they have a very simple design and not a lot of color options.
A common remark from negative reviewers is that one or both shoes squeak on some indoor surfaces.

8.7

Outsole

The outsole of the Nike Revolution is pretty unique in appearance. The rubber traction outsole has large rubber pods on the front of the forefoot, under the ball of the foot, and on the front part of the heel. These large rubber pods respond well with the ground and deliver a springy reaction after they are compressed. If you look closely at it you’ll notice that the pods have flex grooves in them which act as pistons; on impact, they spring back at toe-off to propel you forward. The durable rubber pods also provide excellent multi-surface traction. One consumer did note that these pods mimic a muted cleat-like sound on hard surfaces which wasn't a big deal, just an observation.

Midsole

The Revolution 4 features a generous Phylon midsole which is identified by the wrinkles on its side. This material is very lightweight, low-profile and responsive. Phylon is made up of EVA foam pellets that have been compressed, heat expanded, then cooled in a designed mold resulting in a compression-molded midsole. This foam midsole will deliver a cushioned and comfortable ride in conjunction with the cushioned foam insole in the shoe. Many consumers have noted the excellent comfort and response the midsole of the Reaction 4 sneaker provides.

Upper

The upper of the Revolution 4 is highly breathable due to the wide-knit open mesh material that is used. The forefoot of this sneaker hits the current trend of a woven-look with its two-tone mesh. On some colorways, it is more of a single color but either way, it looks fantastic. Extending from the midfoot area to the heel you will find a tighter-knit mesh designed to support and hug your foot. The middle of the upper also features synthetic overlays that not only add aesthetic appeal but also help lock your foot in place. The tongue and heel counter on this sneaker offer an ample amount of comfort and support through the cushioning provided. The toe box allows for lots of toe space as well, making them comfortable. Because the upper is made of the flexible knit fabric, it will be comfortable for almost any foot shape. The inside of the sneaker is also lined with soft fabric lining for added comfort.

Weight

These sneakers are fairly lightweight thanks to their unique outsole pattern, Phylon midsole, and lightweight knit upper. They definitely do not feel heavy on the feet and weigh in around 8 ounces.

Breathability

These sneakers will not make your feet super sweaty thanks to the wide-knit design of the upper. The mesh allows air to flow in and out of the foot chamber with ease, even throughout difficult workouts. One consumer commented on how they did not feel the need to take the sneaker off to let their feet ‘breathe’ after heavy workouts.

Comfort

The Revolution 4 is definitely a comfortable sneaker. Between the cushioned Phylon midsole and soft-lined upper, your foot will feel at ease inside these shoes. While some sneakers may feel restrictive, this one is made to wrap your foot with its mesh knit upper and synthetic overlays. The heel counter and tongue are both generously cushioned and add a great amount of comfort as well. Because the inside of the shoe is lined with a light soft fabric, your feet will feel both cushioned and comfortable. Another great thing about these sneakers is that they are available in both regular and wide width so people with wider feet can also experience comfort without restriction.

Style

As far as style goes, the Nike Revolution 4 is a great-looking sneaker whether you are wearing them for running, the gym, or for casual use. These sneakers offer a low-profile design and have an aesthetically-pleasing knit upper, which is style-relevant for today’s market. The well-known Nike Swoosh is highly visible on each side of the shoe and provides a great compliment to an already nice-looking sneaker. The synthetic overlays over the middle of the shoe add a touch of excitement to the otherwise monochromatic upper and give this shoe even more style points. As a bonus feature, the Revolution 4 comes in an impressive number of exciting colorways to choose from for both men and women.

Durability

The durable rubber on this sneakers’ outsole will withstand a great number of trials: outdoor runs, gym workouts, and everyday wear. The Phylon used to engineer the midsole will keep these shoes sturdy and responsive for a great amount of time. When it comes to durability, the upper is where the possible threat comes in. Because these sneakers are made with mostly knit material, they are susceptible to wear and tear more so than more layered sneakers. The midsole and heel portion offer more durability thanks to the synthetic overlays but the forefoot remains unprotected. Although this may seem concerning, most people will not need to worry about the fully-knit forefoot. However, if you are looking to take these sneakers on long and grueling runs or are looking to test them on slightly technical terrain, you may find that they will not last as long. Some consumers have said that the forefoot area has torn after only a few runs while another consumer said that they work amazingly for indoor gym work.

Protection

Underfoot protection is almost certain in the Revolution 4. The highly-durable rubber pods offer excellent protection against underfoot debris and hazards. Because the pods offer a slightly-raised footstep, you will not be flush with anything on the ground that may hurt your feet. As far as protection from the upper, you will not get a ton of protection against hazards on trails or the ground. The midfoot offers more protection thanks to the synthetic overlays but because the upper is mainly a knit material, you will not be protected from road or trail hazards.

Responsiveness

There are a couple of great responsiveness features in this sneaker. First of all, the outsole features large rubber pods in a spiral-type pattern designed to contract and release when pressure is applied then released. This will deliver excellent response and will add a spring to your step. The Phylon midsole also adds an excellent amount of response when you walk or run. This Phylon material is designed to depress and return to its original shape when pressure is applied. These two features combined make this sneaker an excellent shoe in terms of response.

Support

The Phylon midsole of this sneaker provides an excellent amount of support because it absorbs shock and pressure then reacts to help cushion and propel each step forward. The large rubber pods are reactive as well so you will have support delivered with each step. Most of the support in the upper comes from the midfoot section’s synthetic overlays. These overlays extend over the midfoot of the upper and help to lock your foot in place, supporting it efficiently.

Terrain

The Nike Revolution 4 is well-suited for indoor, pavement, or well-groomed trail running. Due to the fact that they do not boast a lot of upper support features or an aggressive lug system, these would not be the best choice for trail running. However, a number of consumers commented that these sneakers worked well at the gym and during aerobic workouts thanks to the low-profile design and responsive rubber pods.

Price

One excellent thing about these shoes is the fact that they are very affordable and will fit in almost any budget, especially because they are Nike’s. One excellent thing about these shoes is the fact that they are very affordable and will fit in almost any budget, especially because they are Nike’s. Many running shoes will cost you well over $100 easily, whether they are budget or high-end sneakers. Currently, depending on which colorway you are looking to purchase, these sneakers are priced between $40 and $60.

Traction

Although these sneakers don’t boast big aggressive rubber lugs, they do have grippy and responsive rubber pods. With that said, they would not be great when worn on highly technical terrain due to the fact that these rubber pods are only textured on the bottom and not inter-directional. However, if you were to wear these in from dry to wet terrain, you should be okay as far as traction goes.

Flexibility

These are not a heavy stiff sneaker. On the contrary, due to the flexible mesh upper, Phylon midsole, and rubber pod midsole, these sneakers are surprisingly flexible. The pods themselves have flex grooves included in their design. These flex grooves are integrated into the rubber pads in a spiral-like pattern giving them a spring-like quality.

Stability

The Nike Revolution 4 is not engineered to be a “stability” sneaker but offers great stability for neutral to pronating runners. The midfoot and ankle sections of the upper help the sneaker to stay locked onto your foot and help stabilize each step. The Phylon midsole is not a super-soft midsole material that will make your feet feel too unsupported; rather, it is a responsive and reactive foam that will help to keep your gait relatively stabilized if you have a neutral running pattern.

Drop

These sneakers have a 10mm drop. This is a pretty neutral drop when it comes to running shoes. They are neither a minimalist sneaker nor a super-supportive shoe.

Key Features

- Durable rubber pods on outsole provide response and support
- Phylon midsole is cushioned and responsive
- Lightweight breathable mesh upper
- Synthetic overlays over midfoot deliver stability and lock-down your foot
- Padded heel counter and tongue provide comfort and support

Bottom Line

The Nike Revolution is a high-quality affordable sneaker. This shoe is pretty versatile and can be used for running short to moderate distances, aerobic workouts, gym workouts, or casual wear. The durable rubber pods may be a little noisy on hard indoor surfaces but only when you are really listening for them. That does not detract from how great the rubber pods respond to pressure applied to them. These pods, along with the Phylon midsole deliver a highly responsive experience whether you are walking, running, or taking an aerobics class. The upper is on-trend with the current knit looks and is breathable and lightweight. Even if you chose to purchase these sneakers for simple everyday use, your feet will feel comfortable, supported, and you will look great. The Nike swoosh is a well-recognized symbol and you will be sporting them proudly in these sneakers. In conclusion, these may not be the best shoes if you are looking to train for a long-distance race, but if you are looking for an affordable and comfortable sneaker for the gym or for short to moderate distance running, then these might just be for you.