Nike Sock Dart SE Premium

7.6
7.6 score
Runnerclick score (7.6)/10

Our overall Runnerclick score is based on 3 different factors: Editor's rating after in-depth testing. User ratings submitted on this page Overall score from the "reviewmeter" based on reviews across the web the weight of each factor is: 40% editor rating 15% user ratings 45% reviewmeter
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Editor rating: 7.5 / 10
User's rating: based on 1 user ratings
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Nike Sock Dart SE Premium Review Facts

The Nike Sock Dart SE Premium is the latest in a long line of Nike’s “sock with sole” shoes. Multiple designs have been tested over a period of almost fifteen years in order to bring you the SE Premium, which contains the best elements of every design. When you think “Nike,” you probably don’t think “Sock Dart” next—but give this shoe a chance, because it’s an excellent choice for anyone hoping to find a comfortable and stylish shoe! Many buyers think this shoe is ideal for daily casual use when you want a stylish sneaker, and it certainly hits home runs in the breathability, comfort, and flexibility departments. But even though this shoe is inspired by running, it might not actually be the best for running or working out, according to many reviewers. Keep an open mind and let’s talk about the features of this shoe.

Editor's Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Phylon midsole provides a lightweight cushioning
  • Breathable
  • Comfortable
  • Unique strap over the midfoot in place of a traditional lacing system
  • Sophisticated minimalist style
  • Price is not too high
Cons
  • Does not have good support
  • Lack of stability, protection, and flexibility
  • Insole is not removable
See How
Reviews were analyzed here:
We read, analyze and sort reviews into positive & negative categories to give you the complete picture.
What are buyers saying?

We have spent 6 hours analyzing a total of 420 reviews.

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

Below you will read a summary of them:

Positive
  • I am not a fan of the lacing system. They aren't really consistent. The shoe itself fits great and the style is awesome. They are very comfortable and keep my feet cool when I am running.
  • I have 5 pairs of these in different colors and they are the best most comfortable Nike shoes I own. I would highly recommend these.
  • Great comfortable shoe. The material is very thin but I was surprised, it is actually pretty durable and stretches great.
  • Getting these on is a little hard. However, the shoe itself is magic. It fits great and they are really breathable and comfortable.
  • These are fit to size and I was really happy about that. The upper material on this shoe is science fiction and incredible. These are not good runners but more so a comfortable casual shoe. These would not last a track or a gym. I wore them in some moisture and they were ok, I was shocked. It is a pretty good shoe.
  • I was really confused with the lacing. They weren’t really easy to deal with. Ow, as far as the shoe itself, complete comfort and great design. They are super cool and keep my feet cool too.
  • This shoes is exactly what it said, a sock. They are completely comfortable and snug to my foot. I didn't think these were going to be very durable due to the material and the lightweightedness, I was impressed. I took these on a hike and not one issue and they held up magically. I recommend these to anyone, they are magic and unexpected.
  • I bought these because I wanted a tennis shoe that felt like a sock I was so excited when these came out. They are my casual runners and everyday shoe. I love that I can just slip them on and go.
  • I love these for an everyday shoe. They are a bit different than the flyknit due to the spandex inside. These run a bit wide for Nike and I really like that. They really did a great design with this shoe and it is way more durable than people are giving credit to it for.
  • I do not wear socks with these they fit so perfect and snug. I use these in the gym and they are so, so comfortable. I am going to get a couple more pairs. I have never had a more comfortable shoe.
  • Clip your toenails before you wear these, they are really thin. With that being said, they are top of the line in comfort and I can use these at the gym or strolling around town they have a great profile to them and look great with jeans. I hope they make these again but with a little more durability to the sock material.
  • Before you buy these, remember, these are not for gym or running use. These shoes are a casual lifestyle shoe and they work great for that. They are super comfortable and look great with outfits or joger gear. I love these shoes and will be buying more. They are really unique and fit like a glove, or a sock.
  • I am so impressed with these. My running style is very light and bouncy and the fact that these are so sock like makes my feet so happy. They are so airy and light and the cushion is unbelievable. You wouldn't think it by just looking at them, but they are super durable. They also run pretty dead on in size.
  • These shoes are a runner's dream. They are super light and cozy. They have a very unique style and comfort to them and let your feet breath great.
  • I'm a big dude, pushing 300bs and over 6 feet and these have handled all of it. They are thin and light and cushy. They haven't failed me yet. Looks can be deceiving but these were built with that in mind.
  • These are my daily errand shoes. THey are epically comfortable and my little toes can breath and move around. I also like the quick slip on style, which makes for an easy out the door and go shoe.
  • I ordered these on a spur of the moment due to the design so I wasn’t sure how they were going to fit getting my normal size. THee worked out great. I am super impressed. They are probably the top in comfort our of all my sneakers and they get tons of compliments. I highly recommend these shoes.
  • I was sold on the quick slip on style and now that I have them, I am over the moon with how freaking comfortable they are. This shoe is a great design and very unique and I think everyone should try them if you like your shoes to fit like they were made for your feet.
  • I wear these to work where I am on my feet all day. Then, after work, I am able to take them for my walks. I like the versatility they offer and the comfort and design are like no other. Great shoe Nike. I am impressed and will probably buy these again.
  • I like wearing these casually. They are great on my feet and keep them cool. Nike really outdid these in style and I hope to get another color soon.
Negative
  • I really liked the style of these but that just wasn’t enough. The material on the top was just so thin, extremely thin. I know for a fact these shoes would not last with that material.
  • These are a pain to get on and you can see the elastic stretching out as you use them. They are way to narrow among other size issues. The upper fabric is hard to keep clean due to its rubbery texture. These are just a horrible design in my opinion.
  • These look and feel really cheap. Didn't last three months. Really horrible design.
  • I was not impressed. These were really tight even though I ordered a larger size. They were really uncomfortable, causing a lot of pain so I returned them.
  • The shoes are horrible to clean. They were very uncomfortable and narrow. I wasn’t able to keep these, I was not impressed. The material is just weird, like an old stretched out sock.
  • These didn't work for me at al. they were way too tight and narrow and flat out uncomfortable. They were returned.
  • These came in damaged. They were already questionable due to the really thin fabric. This was very, very disappointing to me. I really liked the way they looked and wanted them to work. I’d be better to actually wear a sock I think.
  • I wanted to love these shoes and the comfort was definitely there. However, I fell in these and my foot went right through the fabric. I feel the material is way to thin and isn't idea for real runners. I am pretty sure they wouldn’t last a 5k.
  • I only wore these twice and there are holes in them and a tear. You would think I was a Lucha Libre the way they started falling apart. I mean , all I did was walk in them. I really liked the comfort but for the cost, I expected them to last more than two wears. I am so disappointed.
  • These were very cheap and didn't last a week with my wear. The sock material tore and I couldn't even return them. I am a very unhappy customer.
Reviewmeter
The Reviewmeter shows you an overall score that you can easily refer to. The highest rating is 10 (100% positive feedback)
Of the 420 reviews we found in total, 31% were negative, and 69% were positive.
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Outsole

Outsole

The thick and light rubber outsole gives you the maximum amount of both durability and grip. The outsole also has vertical and horizontal flex grooves, which help support your foot’s natural movement. Because of the flex grooves and thick rubber, the outsole provides decent traction—not perfect, but respectable. The outsole is extremely durable (again, mostly because of the thick rubber). It is flexible as well, meaning that overall the outsole package of the SE Premium is one that is very well-done.
Midsole

Midsole

The Nike Sock Dart SE Premium has a Phylon midsole, which gives it a lightweight cushioning. This foam cushioning is very comfortable and also very lightweight. Not only does it add comfort, it is also quite responsive. The insole is not removable, which has caused consternation on the part of more than one reviewer—the insole certainly helps add extra needed comfort, but it’s always nice to have the option to take it out.
Upper

Upper

The upper is like a sock (hence the reason the shoe is called the Sock Dart); it is made of a knitted textile and provides great breathability through the material as well as a lightweight foam cushioning that adds extra comfort. The upper is also very flexible. A strap over the midfoot replaces a traditional lacing system. The color of this strap can be tailored according to your preferences with the NikeiD technology; you can also choose the color of the rest of the upper from a multitude of choices. The only problem with the material is the fact that the knitted textile is so lightweight that it is thin and not particularly durable. For the most part, however, the upper is the best part of this shoe. Just don’t expect it to last forever—all good things must come to an end, and if you use the SE Premium often, the upper will break down much sooner than the rest of the shoe.
Weight

Weight

The shipping weight of the Nike Sock Dart SE Premium is listed to be 2 pounds. So while we don’t have the exact weight of one shoe, from studying the individual features of the shoe and what materials they are made of, it is evident that these features are quite lightweight, in turn, making the overall shoe lightweight as well. The midsole package includes some extra foam cushioning for additional comfort, but this foam is very lightweight. The outsole and upper also don't add much weight even with all of the great components they offer. Although this is not necessarily a minimalist shoe, it has many factors that could be considered minimalist such as the style and weight.
Breathability

Breathability

The knitted textile of the sock-like upper gives the shoe absolutely excellent breathability. It allows your foot to feel free and open. The Nike Sock Dart SE Premium is a great summer shoe because your foot will never feel hot. There is no feature on the SE Premium that takes away from its breathability, and because the ventilation is so comprehensive, you will never be at risk of blisters for breathability reasons. Wear the SE Premium all summer to stay cool through the ventilation of the upper.
Comfort

Comfort

By all accounts, this shoe is extremely comfortable—so much so that many users recommend wearing it around the house as a lounge shoe. Beginning with the upper, this part of the shoe is comfortable because of both the sock-like knitted textile and the lightweight foam cushioning; the laceless design adds comfort as well. The ankle collar and tongue have a little extra padding; no blisters here! And finally, even the outsole and tongue are comfortable. The comfort is one of the two outstanding aspects of this shoe.
Style

Style

The style aspect is the other outstanding characteristic of this shoe. For the Nike Sock Dart SE Premium, NikeiD technology is offered, which gives buyers a fun way to personalize the shoe’s upper and strap and change the colorways to whatever color(s) they would like. The shoe has a futuristic, sophisticated, and minimalist design that includes a low top, and a translucent strap that goes over the midfoot. All of these elements create a very laid-back kind of vibe. This shoe is perfect for everyday wear no matter where you’re going.
Durability

Durability

The outsole is very durable because of the thick rubber, and the midsole is sturdily made as well. The upper fails in this category, however—while the knitted textile provides great breathability and flexibility properties, it, unfortunately, is a very thin material, leaving it prone to ripping or tearing. You will get your money’s worth out of the whole shoe—just potentially not the upper. There is one good thing here, though: since many reviewers have said that this shoe is best for walking or wearing around town (instead of long runs and intense workouts), that would put less strain on the upper, meaning that the whole shoe would last longer.
Protection

Protection

The strap across the midfoot that replaces the lacing system may seem like simply a unique style choice, but it’s actually extremely important as far as protection goes. It keeps your foot in place and stops it from slipping, specifically when you are making turns. However, there is no toe guard, and the shoe does not provide great shock absorption—simply another example of where the SE Premium seems to be made more for stylistic choices than for actual running.
Responsiveness

Responsiveness

The outsole’s flex grooves help with responsiveness in a big way by supporting the natural movements of your foot. The Phylon midsole (a lightweight cushioning) is also very responsive, providing energy back to you. Again, the Sock Dart SE Premium is not necessarily meant to be a minimalist shoe, but it seems minimalist in many ways—such as how it allows your foot to move naturally, and how the midsole cushioning provides good energy return.
Support

Support

The SE Premium provides support in one rather unorthodox way—through the strap over the midfoot that helps you feel secure. However, previous reviewers have reported that the shoe does not provide good support and feels as if it is about to slip off when they begin running or doing other forms of exercise. The only redeeming factor here is the extra arch support. In keeping with the tradition of minimalist-like shoes not providing good support, the SE Premium will not be your best choice if you need more stability.
Terrain

Terrain

The Nike Sock Dart SE Premium has somewhat good traction due to the horizontal and vertical flex grooves on the outsole, but it is not nearly good enough for any terrain except the road. Even then, because it does not have great support and is not especially flexible, many reviewers have said that they would not use this shoe for running—just walking. If you do decide to take this shoe for a run, keep in mind that the outsole will not grip any extreme terrain; save the SE Premium for your light road runs.
Price

Price

The price of the Nike Sock Dart SE Premium is average, and to make things even better, it appears that many websites are already running excellent deals on the product. This will help you save money that you can then invest in the fun NikeiD technology (which is a small upgrade in price) to customize your shoe. The shoe offers a lot of exciting features, and it succeeded in so many areas that you will certainly be getting something great for your money.
Traction

Traction

Flex grooves and thick rubber on the outsole make this shoe very grippy. However, the overall traction is not the best, and this is another reason why several people have recommended that this shoe is used for walking only (or even a more stationary workout such as yoga). Nike bills the Sock Dart as a running shoe, but the subpar traction is one of quite a few ways that they fell short of making a good shoe for running. Remember, if you do go for a run in this shoe, use it only for lighter road runs—do not try it on any intense terrain, because the traction simply isn’t good enough.
Flexibility

Flexibility

The upper, with its knitted textile, is very flexible. The flex grooves located on the outsole and the Phylon midsole are flexible too. The overall shoe structure, however, does not provide much flexibility. It is somewhat stiff and restricting.
Stability

Stability

If you’re looking for a stability shoe, you won’t find it in the Nike Sock Dart SE Premium. The SE Premium is more like a minimalist shoe because of the minimal support and stability it provides. Nearly every previous reviewer of this shoe has noted that it did not give him or her good stability and that they did not appreciate this aspect of the shoe.
Drop

Drop

The drop (the distance between the heel and the forefoot height) of the Nike Sock Dart SE Premium is not listed on any websites.
Key features

Key features

• Durable and responsive outsole contains thick rubber and vertical and horizontal flex grooves
• Midsole has a comfortable, lightweight, and responsive Phylon cushioning
• Well-made upper package is breathable, comfortable, and flexible
• Lightweight design
• Comprehensive ventilation makes this the ideal summer shoe
• NikeiD technology lets you customize the shoe’s colors; overall style is very aesthetic
• Translucent strap across the midfoot protects your foot by holding it in place
• Price is average to low
Bottom line

Bottom line

The best parts of the Nike Sock Dart SE Premium are undoubtedly its clean, aesthetic style and its out-of-the-park comfort, but it has a lot of other good aspects, too. The outsole is grippy, durable, and responsive, supporting your foot’s natural movement. The midsole is lightweight and comfortable. The entire shoe is very responsive and comfortable. NikeiD technology offers a fun style option to add to the overall sleek and futuristic look of the shoe, and the durability outweighs the price. In many ways, though, this shoe did not work as Nike had hoped. The lack of traction, support, and protection mean that, although this shoe is billed as a running shoe, it is not actually your best bet to slip on for when you hit the road. The Nike Sock Dart SE Premium is fine for short road runs. Otherwise, we suggest that you enjoy this styling shoe by wearing it around town, using it for easy workouts/walking, or enjoying its first-rate comfort around the house.