I like the look of these shoes, but they seem to run smaller than normal Nike shoes. They seem narrow and short. I am wearing them some each day to "stretch" them out. Hopefully, I can make them a bit more comfortable.
Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2021
Shoes are not what I expected 😒. I run and these are not for running. Shoes are way too narrow and they are funny looking
This shoe is great for lifting and cross traing. I found the odyssey react for sale at a nike outlet for 45$, and decided to give it a try. My first run in it was an easy 7 miles, and it was a let down. The shoe felt kind of flat and stale after 3 miles and it felt like my foot was moving in every direction. The laceless toe box didn't lock down my foot unless I really tightened the laces. That didn't work as it than cut of circulation to my foot. After running in this shoe for 40 miles, it hasn't changed at all. I now only use it for cross training or lifting. If you want a stylish supportive shoe for lifting get the odyssey react, only if it is on sale though, but if you want something for serious running, buy something else.
Reviewed February 17, 2020.
Great sole, lesser upper.
15 miles per week, neutral pronator, medium arches After trying the Nike Odyssey React, I opted to buy the same version but with the flyknit upper. Unfortunately, the upper is very tight and restricting. My toes feel like they are going through the front of the shoe when running/braking. The sole itself is great as the first version was. I would recommend this shoe without the flyknit upper. If flyknit upper is bought, I recommend sizing up at least one half size. Reviewed January 27, 2020.Go to daily trainer
60 miles per week, overpronator, low arches I have an long standing AT issue, and this shoe seems to help keep it under control Reviewed January 8, 2020.Best all around shoe, for the price!
30 miles per week, overpronator This shoe is light weight, but has good cushioning and excellent energy return. In addition, this shoe can be used for literally any distance, which is impressive. Reviewed July 4, 2019.Good, but minimal
9 miles per week, neutral pronator, low arches I like this shoe -- it's light and feels fast, but it's too minimal for me to run high mileage in. Reviewed July 3, 2019.Nike Odyssey React Flyknit 2
22 miles per week, neutral pronator, medium arches Light and comfortable run for daily runner. It runs small to size as the flyknit material compresses snuggly against the foot. I went up 1 full size and it fits very well. Overall a great shoe if you are looking for a light shoe with a springy feel. There is minimal tread so that’s a watch out. Reviewed July 2, 2019.
Improves upon the original Odyssey React
35 miles per week, neutral pronator, medium arches
After running in two pairs of the original Odyssey React I've switched to the Odyssey React Flyknit 2.
I liked the soft, but not mushy, cushioning of the originals and since the midsole/outsole has remained unchanged I appreciate it just as much in the 2.
The Odyssey React Flyknit 2 improves upon the originals by having a much more breathable upper The Flyknit material is much better in warmer temps than the comfortable but hot bootie that was inside the original Odyssey Reacts.
One thing to note, like the original, the Odyssey React Flyknit 2 runs narrow. I had to go up a half size from what I usually wear in Nike in both the Odyssey React models.
The Nike Odyssey React Shield 2 is a solid option for a casual runner or even gym-goer looking for a very comfortable, supportive, “do it all” shoe. I love its versatility, it's not something I often find in running shoes. Considering they have the Nike swagger factor and don’t break the bank like some other Nike models do, I think the Odyssey React Shield 2 is an under-discussed running shoe option for most people!
Pros
- True to size
- Nice, sock-like fit
- Very comfortable
- No break-in period
- Breathable
- Good cushion
- Versatile for gym use
Cons
- For short distances only
- Not for wet surfaces
Audience verdict
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Nike Odyssey React Shield 2 review
I should preface all of this by saying that I am a bit of a Nike fanboy. I run in their 2-in-1 Flexstride shorts, wear their Dri-FIT Miler shirts every day, and currently have the Pegasus 35 Turbo, Invincible, and Vaporfly as a part of my running shoe rotation. However, I was skeptical of Odyssey React Shield 2 because I had never heard a thing about them, which is pretty rare for Nike running shoes. With that said, I was surprisingly impressed.
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The Nike Odyssey React Shield 2 is nicely cushioned and supportive, gives good energy return or “bounce” when running, and is versatile. They fit true to size and are plenty comfortable for runs of any type or even other types of workouts, but I wouldn’t recommend these for true speedwork sessions. And like always with Nike shoes, your feet will look pretty stylish.
Who should buy it
Anyone looking for a versatile, comfortable, “do it all” type of workout shoe. Casual joggers looking for a shoe to soak up miles and perform well when taking it easy or feeling good and picking up the pace, going for a run on the treadmill, gym-goers looking to work in some running before/during/after the lifts, and even…dare I say…CrossFit.
Who should NOT buy it
I think you should consider other running shoe models if you:
- are running more than 5 miles (consider the Nike Pegasus 38)
- are looking for a fast shoe (the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly NEXT% 2 is amazingly fast)
- want a shoe that works well on wet surfaces (in this case, consider the ZoomX Invincible Run)
A great sock-like fit in the Odyssey React Shield 2!
I can’t really say much other than that Odyssey React Shield 2 fit perfectly in just about every way you’d want. My foot slipped in easily, plenty of room in the toe box, the upper is secure and breathable, the laces are a good length and tighten well to secure the shoe to the foot, and no issues with heel slippage. True to size for my large feet (size 13).
Comfortable for all types of activity
I tested Odyssey React Shield 2 in a variety of settings: easy running, sprinting, jogging on the treadmill, and doing some random exercises in the gym. The shoes performed well and felt good in all activities. Not once did I ever feel any discomfort on any part of my feet, which is rare for a new pair of shoes.
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A nice, “even” ride
This isn’t a shoe that will ever have you thinking about how you feel, either in a very positive or very negative way. You put the shoes on, start running, and don’t even have to think about it again. I ran in Odyssey React Shield 2 after a 20-mile marathon training run and actually felt pretty supported. It’s nice to put a pair of shoes on and not have to question if they’ll be up for the task ahead.
It has plenty of comfortable, noticeable cushion right out of the box. I imagine that with more mileage and breaking them in, even more, the fit would improve over time.
Questionable grip
The shoes held up well on dry pavement and treadmill surfaces, but I did notice a lot of slippage on wet roads compared to other shoes. Not that any shoes perform well in very wet conditions, but I noticed that with the Odyssey React Shield 2 specifically, I felt at risk of a face plant.
Not suitable for long runs or speed work
I don’t think the Odyssey React Shield 2 was ever marketed to be a long-run or speed work shoe, but they don’t perform as such. I think the cushion is plenty for daily running, but anything entering double-digit mileage in a single run would lead to some aching feet.
Sprinting is where Odyssey React Shield 2 performed the most poorly because they are simply too heavy and not responsive enough to be good for anything at a tempo pace or faster, and don’t even think about using these for a track workout.
Another breathable Nike model
I think the upper is something that Nike does consistently well across all of their models except for the Pegasus Turbo 2, which I find a bit tight. The upper “sticks” to your foot in a comfortable fashion, which is something I really appreciate in a shoe.
For reference, I found the fit very similar to the Adidas Ultraboost which has almost become synonymous with the word “sock-like fit” in the comfortable casual shoe wear community.
Eye-popping colorways
I had to include this somewhere in the review because of how rare it is for me as someone who loves eye-popping shoe colorways…my 62-year-old mom really liked how they looked! She is someone who likes subtle style that only stands out when you inspect shoes closely. I know some may read this and think it’s a negative, but don’t worry, plenty of other younger folks complimented me on them as well.
Specs (official)
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Austin Jones
Hey everyone, I’m a relatively new (20 months) but passionate runner training for my first marathon. I run about 50-60 miles per week, usually including a tempo run and a long run, and lift weights 4-5 times per week in addition to running. I’m also currently a radiology resident training (and running) in San Antonio, TX, so I have to fit it all into a tight schedule, be flexible, and often exercise on suboptimal amounts of sleep. But hey, that’s what coffee is for!