Nike Air Zoom Structure 22

The outsole uses a blown rubber that provides great underfoot protection. In comparison with the previous version, you can find more rubber in this outsole that aims to extend the durability of the shoe. The outsole features a side rail on the lateral side to enhance grip on all kinds of surfaces. The outsole features a honeycomb tread pattern which helps you change multiple directions on your run without slipping.

The midsole uses the forefoot Zoom unit to provide a cushioned yet responsive toe-off. This is a feature that Nike uses in almost all of its shoes. The Zoom air units are like little pockets of air stitched inside the shoe which are responsible for the amazing cushioning of the shoe.

The main feature is the dynamic support within the midsole. Towards the medial side of the shoe, you can see a posting that is considerably firmer than the rest of the midsole. The heel portion of the midsole contains a gender-specific crashpad that absorbs impact shock and makes transitions smooth. This feature will provide more integrity going for your foot stride for those who want pronation support.

The upper of the Structure 22 uses an engineered mesh that feels more structured than the mesh of other Nike shoes such as the Pegasus. The mesh has a warped knit feel to it. The Flywire lacing system held dial in the fit. The back of the shoe features an overlay that keeps the shoe nice and structured liked its name. It is also very comfortable and you don’t have to worry about your heel sliding in and out.

Nike has moved up the lacing a little bit to give runners more room in the forefoot so that the toes can splay out. The biggest change from its previous version is that there is a little bit more of the Nike Zoom foam in the midfoot of the shoe giving it more bounce. The tongue is connected on each side with the Flywire cables and the bootie.

A partial bootie is stitched on the inside of the shoe which keeps your foot wrapped inside securely. There are notches on the tongue area so you can pull it right out without unlacing the laces. The heel counter is very structured. One reviewer could feel the plastic through the sides of the heel area within miles of running.

From 11 ounces in the Structure 21 to 10.4 ounces for the 22, this shoe has actually managed to shave down some of its weight. This can be attributed to changing the material of the upper from Knit to mesh. The mesh allows for a reduction in weight while still allowing for a great fit. Monofilament yarns are woven into the shoe which adds a second structure of strength while taking the weight out of the upper.

With a Flyknit mesh and minimal overlays in the upper, this shoe offers moderate breathability and does not allow the shoe to overheat. However, some reviewers mentioned that while running in the winter, their feet started to feel a bit cold in the shoe.

The combination of Cushlon and dual-density Phylon in the full-length platform of the midsole is majorly responsible for the cushioning of the shoe. This combination is referred to as the ‘Dynamic Support’ midsole which provides a good blend of support and transition. They also help mitigate the shock on impact and maintain a stable stance. Some runners felt that the 22s are a lot more narrow than the previous version.

Visually the Structure 22 is not very different from its predecessor and both of the shoes feature an uncluttered silhouette with minimal printed overlays. But one noticeable difference is the engineered mesh instead of a knitted mesh on the upper.

The Zoom Structure is a visually striking shoe with a casual, everyday look to it. There are a whopping 10 colorways available which are bright and vibrant. The Nike Swoosh is printed onto the lateral side, acting as an overlay that keeps the foot in place.

Nike uses BRS 1000, a carbon rubber layer, in the overused parts of the outsole especially the heel. This durable material resists the wear and tear effect caused by consistent use and tough terrain. One runner commented that she has had around 300 miles clocked in these shoes and they withstood the distance without major wear and tear.

With a traditional tongue, they are also quick to fit. The good news is that when you want a better lockdown, you can make the most out of the Flywire design. The shoe fits true to size but those with wider feet might want to go half a size up.

The midsole is made of a blend of a cushioned Cushlon foam on the lateral side and a Phylon foam on the medial side which is slightly firmer. This helps to give a smoother and softer impact as you’re moving through the foot strike to the medial side.

Of course, the Zoom Air unit in the forefoot is responsible for a nice and responsive pop off the ground. The Zoom air consists of stretched-out fibers inside an air pressure unit which when pressed produce a quick rebound. As a runner take a stride, the impact of the heel strike causes the fibers to compress inturn snapping the shoe back into its original shape.

All reviewers agree that this shoe has great supportive features. The combination of the soft cushioning around the heel area, where most of the impact is felt, and a ramping of the harder cushion around the medial side allows for uniform transfer of forces from the heel to the toe. This feature helps overpronators and those runners who feel fatigued towards the end of the race.

The lightly padded heel also helps in supporting the ankles and the Achilles tendon, preventing sprains and other injuries. The Flyknit mesh upper with a partial booties holds the feet securely while the two Flywire cables on the upper provide a precise fit without being tight.

The blown rubber outsole handles most surfaces really well. Reviewers tested it on grass, limestone, cement and even the floors on gyms and felt stable on each of those conditions. The shoes good arch support with a lightweight build that makes it great for walking.

As the name of the shoe suggests, this shoe offers a stable structure with features for stability and support and is good for those with plantar fasciitis. Runners with knee pain and shin splints might also find this shoe helpful because of the good arch support offered.

The Structure 22 falls in the middle of the line in a crowded series of stability shoes competing with the likes of Saucony Guides, Mizuno Wave Inspire and Brooks Adrenaline. To gain a large market share in the stability runners category at this price, the Structure 22 should have had more out-of-the-box features to separate from the rest of the pack.

The outsole has a honeycomb pattern that provides great multi-directional traction and durability. Blown rubber is a strong material that can withstand a lot of shocks while offering a firm grip on the ground. Runners found the shoe to have good traction on a variety of surfaces ranging from pavements, wet roads to rocky terrain. However, this shoe cannot offer a slip-free run on icy surfaces as it is not built for that purpose.

Because this shoe offers good traction without adding on to the weight, it is a good choice for half marathons, short training sessions, light walking or gym workouts.

Since this shoe is designed to be your go-to stability trainer, you will not find this shoe to have remarkable flexibility. Some features in this shoe prevent it from being a very stiff shoe. Thy Flyknit mesh is stretchable and with a roomy toe box, allows your feet to fit in well without being cramped. The crash pad on the medial side is filled in with white areas that offer some degree of flexibility to the shoe. Some runners found the shoe to be stiff in the first few runs but it gradually became more flexible with time.

In terms of stability, this shoe is very similar to Structure 21 as the upper really wraps securely around your foot. The fine mesh on the upper is present all over the shoe with on seams that stretch to accommodate your foot.

Until a few years ago, stability shoes had heavy cutouts and spaces in the outsole to give the shoe support. But today technology has made it easy to offer a nice wide base in the outsole which touches the ground, to offer stability without allowing overpronation.

The heel counter has been extended to give great medial support to those who overpronate and roll inwards. The dynamic fit system in the midfoot area is a combination of an arch wrap in the lower part of the shoe reinforced by two Flywire cable constructions at the top two eyelets. This system creates a wrap around the foot. However, runners mentioned that the height of the heel made the dynamic support of the sole unit feel unbalanced in long runs.

This shoe features a high-heel drop of 10mm. Adaptable to heel strikers only, this drop was conventional until 2009 when the minimalist trend of zero drop began. A high drop allows the runners to embrace the feel of the shoe, disconnecting from the feel of the ground. Usually, high drop shoes have reduced flexibility in the midsole. If you want the best torsion, the shoes might not be the best choice for you.

A good option for stability runners who need a combination of lightweight cushioning and responsive support, the Nike Air Zoom Structure 22 can support daily training while keeping your feet looking trendy. The dynamic support midsole with a wedged foam midsole is the standout feature here that makes transitions smooth in various terrain.

However, besides the upper, this shoe is quite similar to the previous Air Zoom Structure and some even call it the stability version of the Pegasus. Most reviewers said that given a choice between the Structure 21 and 22, most would prefer the former.

If you prefer a stability shoe with no extra bells and whistles, this shoe will get the job done. But if you’re willing to shell out more cash to a fancier stability shoe, you can find other options in the market.