Nike Motiva Review

The Nike Motiva is designed with a lot of cushion and a snug-fitting upper. The steep rocker profile helps to maintain forward momentum, while the tread patterns keep your feet securely planted.

Comfort

Out of the box, I quickly noticed a very different rocker profile on the Nike Motiva. The rocker starts about halfway down the shoe, appearing almost like a half circle instead of the mostly flat shoes I am used to. The shoe is designed to strike the heel first and then roll forward to the toe for push-off, but the impact was felt closer to the midfoot region. The cushion is thicker in the midfoot in front of the heel, which is likely the reason for that feeling. The shoe required some adaptation during my 10,000-step testing period, and it felt like I had to make a gait adjustment every time I laced them up. The Comfortgroove cushion features an uneven pattern designed to absorb impact on uneven surfaces, with a wavy, uneven appearance. Once we adjusted to the shoe, it felt quite comfortable and offered a lot of cushion; there were no hot spots or pressure areas from the knit mesh upper, which fit snug.

Lacing up the Nike Motiva, they fit true to size with appropriate width and length. The shoe easily slides over the foot, and the lightly padded tongue is attached to an inner bootie, which keeps it nice and snug. A soft foam collar encircles the ankle, preventing movement and blisters, while the heel cup feels secure. The toe box feels snug, thanks to the inner bootie and knit upper. The toes can move up and down freely, but toe splay is quite limited. It is worth mentioning that the shoe only comes in regular width, so if you require a wide shoe, you will have to look elsewhere. It is possible to slide the shoes on without using your hands, but you still have to lace them for a snug feel.

Support

This moderately stable and moderately flexible shoe has good support when walking on various surfaces. The dense foam resists pressure well and is more noticeable in the heel than the forefoot. In the flexibility test, the shoe flexed at the toe box, which is indicative of a supportive shoe. However, I found lateral movements to be lacking stability. The thick, soft sole, paired with the drastic rocker, made these less ideal for side steps. The rocker profile of the sole allows more side-to-side motion than we would like, so these are better suited for forward motion.

Shoe Exterior Shoe Interior

The shoe features five eyelets for standard lacing, with an optional sixth eyelet for added heel lock. The eyelets are reinforced, and the bottom three rows have containment loops in the middle of the tongue. Lacing the Motiva is fast and simple, as the laces easily glide through the eyelets and hold a knot securely in place. When securely tied, the upper comfortably hugs the midfoot, with no gaps around the padded ankle. No adjustment was needed during use, and the laces remained as tight as when they were tied.

The twist test examines how well the sole resists torsion and provides support for the user. The easier to twist, the less support the shoe provides. The Motiva performed very well in resisting torsion during the twist test, a characteristic of a good walking shoe. However, during my walk tests, this shoe wanted to roll towards the inside, especially at the end of my stride. Those with a neutral gait will likely be okay, but individuals who pronate may want to consider a different model.

Traction

The Nike Motiva has adequate traction for most indoor and urban applications. The heel and toe have a waffle pattern, while the mid-outsole has a wavy tread pattern. The shoe offered impressive traction on most surfaces, such as tile, carpet, or concrete, but had less grip on gravel and dirt, which was still adequate. Wet conditions did not appear to hinder the ability to maintain traction, and no slipping was observed.

Weight

Even with a thick cushioned sole, the Motiva weighed in at 12.16 ounces per shoe for men's size 10.5. This was about average for the testing group. The weight of the shoes is not noticeable during use and has no impact when going up and down stairs. On longer walks, the shoes did not cause any tiredness or fatigue, and were still light and mobile at the end of the day. That said, we still needed an adjustment period to get used to the rocker.

Durability

The Nike Motiva has some nice features that add to the durability and life of the shoe. The eyelets are reinforced inside and out, and loops on the tongue help to prevent premature wear from the laces. The knit mesh upper may not be the most snag- or rip-resistant, but the inner bootie prevents wear on the underside of the mesh upper. The only toe protection is the very front, where the sole terminates, and the remainder of the toe area is exposed. The unprotected toe raises concerns about wear, but we did not notice any issues during testing. The rubber outsole held up to repeated use but did show some wrinkles in the foam. To prolong the life of walking shoes, most manufacturers recommend cleaning them intermittently or when they are visibly soiled. Nike recommends hand washing the shoes and allowing them to air dry.

Should You Buy the Nike Motiva?

The Nike Motiva is an ideal choice for those looking for a well-cushioned walking shoe who are willing to experiment with a new design. The comfort and stability of the shoe, combined with a durable sole, make this a good option for those wanting a rocker sole. The shoe may not be suitable for individuals who tend to pronate or struggle with ankle or gait stability, as it may take some time to accommodate to this design.

What Other Walking Shoes Should You Consider?

If you are looking for a shoe with plenty of cushion, the Brooks Ghost Max 2 will offer all the comfort you can ask for. The Hoka Transport is a good choice for durability and stability, while the On Cloud 6 is a lightweight and comfortable alternative.