NIKE Women's Downshifter 11 Gymnastics Shoe

Product Information

Despite being wider than average near the ball of the foot (100.2 mm), the toebox gets way too narrow around the toes.

The Downshifter range is for the entry-level runner, wanting to benefit from Nike’s legacy when it comes to world-class running technology. If you’re not running too many miles each week, and don’t require the latest technology to shave seconds off your PB, the Downshifter 11 could be a great starting point. It has an EVA midsole that’s not as responsive or cushioned as you’ll find on Nike’s pricier options, but it will get the job done for runners heading out for a few 5Ks each week, and the smart design of the shoe works for casual wear as well. The second edition of the shoe improves on the first by adding more padding and support around the heel while also adding more structure to certain areas of the upper. This means you get a more secure fit around the heel in particular, and the Flywire section around the laces holds the midfoot firmly in place on the run. Key specs – Terrain: Road; Arch support: Stability; Best used for: Training; Weight: 312g (UK 9); Heel-to-toe offset: 8mm

Both versions felt exactly the same. Same cushioning, upper, fit, and shape. If you’re looking for an exact upgrade of your Downshifter 10, this is what this shoe delivers. It’s extremely affordable, has a cool style, a grippy outsole, and can do a little of everything for the entry-level or beginner runner. The outsole is a decoupled pattern, copying the more premium Pegasus 38. This design gave good tread, smooth heel-to-toe transitions, and was flexible enough to remain comfortable. All that adds up to quite a bulky and odd-feeling shoe, but it’s also an undeniably fast one, despite the weight. React foam is used at the heel to provide a cushioned landing while also increasing the durability of the shoe, then the bouncy ZoomX foam used in the Alphafly and Vaporfly is used in the midfoot before you hit the plate and the responsive Air Zoom pods in the forefoot. It all adds up to a springy and speedy ride that only feels better the faster you run in the shoe, but the slightly strange sensation produced by the different foams, the plate and the pods might not suit every runner.

For me, the Downshifter will remain a shoe for casual wear and for the odd shorter run on warmer days. The other thing I don’t like about Nike’s lower-budget shoes is they cram the heel with foam for a high-drop experience. The Downshifter 11 has a 11.6mm drop which is just too much. Their other budget shoe, the Quest 4 has an amazing 13.7mm drop in our tests… Nike, even beginners don’t need this much heel! Surprisingly nice weight on the Downshifter 11 What’s more, considering that this is a budget model, it’s great that they decided to make it more environmentally friendly.

It’s very expensive, not exactly good-looking, and feels huge when you first pull it on, but there’s no other shoe we’d rather have on our feet when it comes to racing the marathon than the Alphafly. It takes the best attributes of the Vaporfly – the ZoomX foam and the carbon plate – and adds Nike’s Air Zoom pods under the forefoot for a poppier toe-off that only adds to the speed of the shoe. OUR VERDICT The Nike Downshifter 10 stands out from Nike’s running shoe line up due to it’s low cost list price and premium design. The Downshifter is much more cushioned and responsive and feels more like a premium line running shoe. The outsole rubber curves up over the toe to give good durability, protecting the softer foam underneath. Key specs – Terrain: Road; Arch support: Neutral; Best Used for: Racing; Weight: 232g (UK 9); Heel-to-toe offset: 4mm

When I first tried on the Downshifter 11, the fit is quite snug for a Nike, coming in a little shorter and narrower than other Nike running shoes, so you may want to consider going half a size up, or if they’re your first pair of running shoes, at least a whole size up from your regular shoe. If the shoe feels even slightly tight on first wear, size up here.On the foot, they feel lightweight, super flexible, and comfortable. On walking around the foam feels adequate, nothing too exciting about it depending on your expectations but all in all, a good first impression. If you’ve had gait analysis and have been told you overpronate – roll your foot excessively inwards when landing – then you may well need a stability shoe to provide extra support. Nike has a few great options here. If you don’t overpronate, then a neutral shoe is the best option for you. How much do you need to spend? My heel had a bit of slip but there’s a second top lace hole for a runner’s knot if that’s a persistent issue. There are a great range of colorways from monochrome to bright and pastel shades to suit every taste.

If you’re the kind of person who looks at runners’ feet as they line up for a race, you’d once have seen a broad range of shoes in use – but not any more. Now, it’s a sea of green and pink, with Nike Vaporfly NEXT% emerging as the go-to option for pros and serious amateurs alike.Compared to the Downshifter 10 I’ve recently been running in, there’s slightly more visible support around the midfoot, however, I really couldn’t feel this when trying it on. The only downside of these was they gathered lots of mud and grass on a run and were quite difficult to get clean. As for the rubber density, our durometer shows it to be close to the average as well. Only 4% softer.