Nike Invincible 3 Review: Max Cushion, ZoomX Energy, and a Whole New Feel
GEAR & SHOE REVIEWS
Nike calls the Invincible 3 “their most comfortable everyday ride,” and as someone who reviews shoes weekly and spends way too much time rotating through trainers, I couldn’t resist diving into what makes this model so unique. The Invincible line has always been intriguing—ZoomX foam in a daily trainer is already a bold move—and this third iteration brings noticeable changes in feel, firmness, and stability.
This shoe was provided for review, but as always, every thought here is fully my own.
Design, Purpose & Tech Specs
The Nike Invincible 3 is built as a max-cushion daily road trainer—the shoe you put on for recovery miles, long easy runs, or days when you just want comfort above all else.
Tech Specs (Women’s):
Weight: 9.1 oz
Drop: 10 mm
Stack Height: 40 mm heel (the legal max for road racing)
Foam: Full ZoomX midsole
Upper: Nike “Flyknit” (though very different from classic Flyknit)
Outsole: Full-coverage waffle-pattern rubber
This is the softest, highest stack you’ll find in Nike’s lineup outside of racing shoes.
Upper & Fit: Not Quite the Flyknit You Expect
Nike calls this a Flyknit upper, but if you’re imagining the stretchy, breathable Atomknit-style knit from the Vaporfly or Pegasus+, this isn’t that.
This version feels more synthetic, less stretchy, and definitely less breathable. The upside? It cleans easily. A quick wipe and it looks fresh again, which I actually appreciate for a daily trainer.
Other upper notes:
Tongue: Noticeably thicker than previous Invincible models. A little too cushy for my Florida heat tastes, but very comfortable.
Heel collar: Nicely padded, secure, not overly bulky.
Toe box: Wider than past Invincibles — finally a bit more room to breathe.
Reflectivity: Nike claims reflective details, though on my colorway I didn’t see much beyond the pull tab.
Fit: True to size for me, with a generous toe box. No hot spots, no slipping.
Midsole & Ride: ZoomX Without a Plate — A Different Kind of Bounce
This is where the Invincible 3 gets interesting. It uses full ZoomX foam, Nike’s premium racing foam. But there’s no carbon plate, which completely changes the ride.
ZoomX in the Invincible 3 feels:
Softer than the Invincible 2
More stable than the Invincible 1 (thankfully)
Much firmer than I expected — likely because of the redesigned full rubber outsole, which also adds durability and structure
Less “bouncy” than ZoomX in the Vaporfly or Alphafly
When I first stepped in, it reminded me of slipping into a Hoka—high stack, plush cushioning, very soft landings. But on the run, it actually feels firmer than the upper suggests.
The rocker shape of the outsole gives smooth transitions, and the shoe feels predictable and controlled—not wild and wobbly like the Invincible 1 once was.
Outsole: Durability For Days
This outsole is one of Nike’s beefiest. Nearly full-coverage rubber wraps the bottom to stabilize that soft ZoomX and protect it from the road.
Compared to shoes like the Pegasus or Vomero with cutouts, the Invincible 3 is noticeably more structured and built to last.
Traction is excellent, and durability is easily one of the high points of this shoe.
Color Options & Pricing
Nike went wild here:
15 women’s colorways
20 men’s colorways
Some of the names feel like tongue-twisters (classic Nike), but the selection is huge. Price varies because the shoe has been out over a year:
$108–$180 depending on size/color
$180 was the original retail price
If you’re flexible with color, you can absolutely score a deal.
Comparing the Invincible Line (1 → 2 → 3)
Here’s the evolution as I’ve experienced it:
Invincible 1: Fun, bouncy, but unstable. Like running on a trampoline.
Invincible 2: More structured upper, toned down bounce.
Invincible 3: Completely different feel — firmer, more stable, more durable, and honestly more “serious.”
This is the most controlled Invincible yet.
My First Impression
When I opened the box, I loved my chosen colorway. Clean, bold, and something I’d wear casually.
Sliding in felt luxurious — very cushioned, very plush, very high off the ground. The tongue was the first thing I noticed: thicker than I personally prefer, but comfortable.
The upper material didn’t wow me, but I immediately appreciated that it would be easy to wipe clean. That’s rare with knit uppers.
Overall, the shoe felt promising and very different from anything else in my rotation.
On the Run: What the Invincible 3 Actually Feels Like
After several runs, here’s the best way to describe it:
Soft landing, firmer ride than expected. Stable. Predictable. Durable.
It’s not a bouncy, energetic ZoomX experience. Instead, it’s controlled and a bit muted. Some runners will love that. Some will miss the trampoline feel of the earlier versions.
For me personally, it felt:
Great for easy miles
Nice for long slow runs
Too soft for speed work
Too heavy for tempo or race-pace efforts
Not something I’d use for rotation’s “fast day” or “long run day” shoes
But very comfortable for everyday running and recovery miles
This is a daily trainer that does many things well—just not at an exceptional level for my needs as someone training with dedicated shoes for speed and long runs.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Extremely durable outsole
Max cushion ZoomX feel without instability
Much more stable than previous versions
Tons of color options
Great for recovery and easy days
Cleans easily
Wide toe box finally!
Cons
Heavier than previous Invincibles
Upper runs warm in hot climates
Not as bouncy as earlier versions or other ZoomX shoes
Expensive at full retail
Doesn’t excel at speed, tempo, or long steady runs
Who Is This Shoe For?
This shoe is perfect if:
You want one do-everything shoe and aren’t chasing PRs
You love max cushion and soft landings
You need stability but don’t want a stability shoe
You run mostly easy or moderate paces
You want comfort and durability in one package
This shoe might not be for you if:
You prefer lighter, snappier daily trainers
You want more bounce from ZoomX
You already have a dedicated shoe for each type of run and rotate heavily
You run in hot, humid climates (upper runs warm)
Final Thoughts
The Nike Invincible 3 surprised me. It’s not the soft trampoline ride of early Invincibles, nor is it the snappy, plated ZoomX experience most of us associate with Nike’s racing lineup.
Instead, it’s a high-stack, highly cushioned, stable daily trainer that fills the niche for runners who want one comfortable, reliable shoe that can handle nearly any type of everyday run.
It’s not a perfect fit for my specific rotation—but it’s a shoe I’ll keep wearing casually and for easy runs, and it’s a fantastic option for newer runners or anyone who just wants comfort without thinking too hard about the rest.