Nike LunarGlide+ 4 Review
Fit
The LunarGlide+ 4 features a very comfortable, very soft mesh upper. The upper is comprised of three different layers, with the first internal layer being a slightly elasticated wrap, followed by Nike’s Dynamic Flywire running through the mid-foot, and finished off by a thin top layer of breathable meshing. The inside of the shoe feels seamless, allowing you to wear the shoe barefoot, if that’s your thing. The thicker, slightly firmer foam padding in the heel liner, gives the shoe a very secure fit, while still maintaining a very comfortable feel. The Dynamic Flywire through the mid-foot is a real standout feature in my opinion. Instead of the Flywire cables being fixed to the upper, like we’ve seen from previous shoes from Nike, the Dynamic Flywire lets the cables move with your foot, allowing for that secure fit that makes Flywire so great, but without the extra stiffness. The Flywire does a fantastic job of securing your foot in the shoe, with very little wiggle room, giving the shoe a very responsive feel when running. It also allows for a very customizable fit, allowing for many different foot types to fit quite comfortably. The toe box and forefoot is on the larger side, especially given the tighter fit through the mid-foot and heel. The wider toe box allows for your toes to comfortably, and naturally spread out with every step, with no discomfort whatsoever. As far as sizing is concerned, I wore my usual size 9.5US for review, and I can safely say that this shoe fits true to size. So if you are looking to order a pair online, just go with your normal shoe size for the best possible fit.
Feel
The LunarGlide+ 4 is unique for a couple of reasons. The shoe offers a slightly thicker than average sole, with a 31mm heel and a 20mm forefoot. You sit slightly higher off of the ground than most shoes, but at no point do you feel unstable. Given that the LunarGlide+ 4 falls under the “Support” category, one might expect a shoe that weighs 11oz or more, but this shoe weighs in at 9.3oz (in a size 9US). The shoe is deceivingly lightweight, especially for the amount of cushioning that it provides. Another notable feature of the shoe is the flexibility of the sole, due to segmented pieces of rubber in the high wear zones, as well as several flex grooves through the forefoot. The shoe does have a more cushioned feel overall, but still has plenty of responsiveness to it. The use of Lunarlon allows for a firmer feel, while a slightly softer foam underneath provides that extra cushioning. The LunarGlide+ 4 feels cushioned, but I never felt like I was sinking with each step. Instead the shoe had a slightly springy feel to it. This is not a shoe that you are going to want to be doing sprints in, but as a daily runner, I was very happy with them.
Ride
For a shoe that provides this much cushioning, it had a surprisingly fast feel. The 11mm heel-to-toe-drop makes this a shoe more geared towards the heel strike style of running, but I found the shoe to be very suitable for mid-foot striking as well. The shoe has a very smooth feel, mainly because of its flexibility in combination with its responsive cushioning. The LunarGlide+4 is a support shoe, but it must be said that the amount of support that the shoe does provide is minimal. The Dynamic Support system, made up of a combination of two different types of foam in the sole, does a pretty good job of providing that little bit of extra stability for a mild overpronator. The heel features much softer foam, while the forefoot has much firmer, more responsive foam. This gives the shoe a very smooth transition from heel-to-toe, with a soft touchdown, followed by a firmer, more responsive toe-off. If you’re looking for that happy medium between cushioning and responsiveness, than the LunarGlide+ 4 is a shoe that you should definitely take a look at.
The Verdict
The Nike LunarGlide+ 4 has a lot going for it. Offering one of the nicest uppers that I have ever used on a running shoe, a solid fit, and a responsive, yet cushioned feel, the LunarGlide+ 4 is great. As an everyday trainer, this is a shoe that you will really enjoy, and for the price, the LunarGlide+ 4 is an overall good buy.
8 out of 10
