I packed the plush Nike ACG Zegama Trail shoes for Chamonix - and I loved how comfortable and smooth they made my off-road runs

When you’re trail running or hiking for hours, the last thing you want is tired feet slowing you down, but a thick midsole isn’t always ideal for rough ground. In recent years, many trail shoes have adopted the higher midsole stack found in road running shoes, but without careful design, they can feel like you’re running on stilts.

I recently packed the plush Nike ACG Zegama Trail shoes for a trip to Chamonix, where I hiked and ran on steep and rocky trails for three days. I loved the combination of comfort and capability. With ultra-soft midsoles, a breathable upper, and great grip, I hiked and ran in comfort, whether I was facing hot sun or torrential rain.

As an outdoors journalist, hiker and trail runner, I’ve tested dozens of the best trail running shoes over the years – including a few from Nike – and ACG Zegamas really stand out. I can run or walk for miles in them without aching feet or rubbing. They’ve managed to cram in a lot of foam underfoot without making me feel totally disconnected from the trail. I might think twice about wearing them for running on very rocky trails, but for gravel roads and long days I can hardly think of a comfier shoe.

Nike ACG Zegama Trail review

Specifications

• Size range: 3 - 9.5
• Weight: 247g per shoe
• Stack height: 38 mm - 34 mm
• Heel-to-toe drop: 4 mm
• Lug depth: 4 mm
• Waterproof version available: Yes

What are the Nike ACG Zegama Trail shoes like for running?

I previously tested the Nike Zegama 2 trail shoes, and I found them to be a bit sweaty and lacking room for my high arches. The ACG (All Conditions Gear) model is a noticeable upgrade in both departments. As soon as I pulled them on, I was struck by how spacious and soft they felt underfoot.

I tested them in the white/orange colourway, which, like most Nike shoes, looks really nice, but I always have to question the wisdom of making trail shoes in white. As it turned out, my first jaunt in them ended with an alpine thunderstorm, and despite a good scrubbing, I now own these in brown/grey.

Nike has the super maximalist approach here, using 38mm of super soft ZoomX foam under the heel. It was enough cushion for me to comfortably run on the roads through Chamonix town centre to reach the trail. That said, it doesn’t behave exactly like a high-stacked road shoe, and that's not a bad thing.

Without a carbon plate, the foam feels quite soft rather than super springy, and even though it’s thick, the lack of a rock plate meant that I was still aware of the roots and rocks on the trail. The longest I’ve run in these in one go is 12k, so this hasn’t posed a problem and means I feel I can respond quite well to what I’m running on, but for longer distances I wonder if I’d start to regret the lack of underfoot protection?

It’s no secret that a very high stack shoe can feel a little wobbly, but the low heel-to-toe drop of just 4mm helps counteract the height and creates a much more stable feel that I really enjoy running in. The result is a smooth ride, and even though I’d still choose a more moderate shoe for very uneven trails, I’m not worried about turning an ankle on the level.

The fit is also much improved on previous editions, with tons of room around my toes for comfort. The pair I’m testing is a half size up from my normal size, but if I lace them up well, I can achieve a good fit around my midfoot for stability, and my heel stays locked in place, which definitely increases my confidence.

Another feature I like more than usual is the stretchy ankle cuff to keep grit and debris out. In other shoes, like the Keen Seek trail running shoes, I have to wrestle my foot in, but Nike has a big pull tab. This makes it really easy to put them on. They didn't rub even when my sock slipped down.

The cuff perhaps works better because it’s woven into a more traditional tongue and lacing system, which all works together to provide support without causing pain on the top of my foot.

They could use a lace garage - a spot to tuck away laces - as I find my laces come untied on overgrown trails, and they do lack a little protection around the toe box. I discovered this when I tripped on a tree root. That said, because I’m more likely to save them for straightforward trails and gravel paths, these technicalities shouldn’t pose a problem.

What are the Nike ACG Zegama Trail shoes like for hiking?

Chamonix’s trails are so steep that any run there involves quite a bit of hiking, which gave me a good opportunity to test out the versatility of these shoes, and though I wouldn’t necessarily have guessed it by looking at them, I think they are also among the best walking shoes.

The Vibram rubber outsole has deep lugs arranged in a multi-directional pattern, which meant I stuck to the trails even when they turned to slop in the rain as I was coming down a particularly steep, rooted section.

The uppers are mesh fabric on the outside, and a sock liner on the inside. I found that makes for a really breathable shoe on a hot day, but one that doesn’t feel as though my feet will freeze when the weather turns colder. They did get soaked through when I got caught in the rain, but that didn’t cause me any rubbing. I didn’t have any newspaper on hand to stuff them with, but they were only a little damp the next morning, and not unpleasant to wear again.

The roomy fit around the toe box is ideal for hiking. I find that the longer I’m on my feet, the more my feet swell, and I’m never worried about rubbing or pinching in these shoes.

Also, the very slight rocker sole means that when I did find reasonably flat sections, I was rolling through each step for a very nice, smooth experience. Honestly, the only thing that would give me pause about packing them for a hiking holiday is that they’re quite big. They take up more room in my suitcase compared to the Merrell Morphlite, for example. Saying that, they’re shoes I’d probably be happy to wear to the airport.

Who should buy the Nike ACG Zegama Trail shoes?

These shoes are on the heavier side. Though I didn't notice on the trail, I might not recommend them for racing or speed days. I think they’re a great pick for anyone enjoying longer runs on more straightforward trails, on a mix of trail and road, or who wants technical capability but won't sacrifice comfort.

If you’ve gone all in on the plush feeling of a maximalist shoe and want room for your toes to splay, you’ll really love the all-day comfort of these shoes. But as always, I’d warn you to watch your step on tricky terrain as so much stack could be an invitation to turn an ankle.

Are the Nike ACG Zegama Trail shoes worth buying?

Priced at £154.99, these shoes are a little cheaper than the Zegama 2s, objectively better, and quite competitive for such a technical pair of shoes.

You get a lot for your money, and as long as you’re clear that these are a plush ride for a long, slow day and not a snappy, responsive shoe, you’ll be very happy with them. Also, they look great.