Introducing the Nike Structure 26: A Bold New Standard of Support, Comfort and Performance

Nike is introducing a bold new standard of comfort, support and performance with the redesigned Structure 26: the go-to choice for runners who seek stability and cushioning, whether they’re heading out for a long run, logging routine training miles or looking for an everyday running silhouette.

Building on a three-decade legacy of trusted Structure innovation, the new silhouette combines Nike's most refined stability features with a soft, smooth and responsive cushioning platform — marking a defining moment in the evolution of supportive running footwear.

As the cornerstone of Nike’s supportive cushioning category of road running footwear, the Structure 26 exemplifies the brand’s charge to invent and inspire with intention. By listening to both elite athletes and everyday runners, Nike created an ideal fusion of stability innovation and performance comfort that’s designed to solve the real challenges runners face, helping them feel confident in every mile.

“Evolving the Structure 25 to its newest iteration took balancing consistency with runner-right improvements,” says Ashley Campbell, Expert Product Line Manager, Nike Running. “Based on consumer insights as well as data from the NSRL, we saw an opportunity to improve the heel-to-toe transition of the shoe as well as the step-in feel to deliver support that doesn’t sacrifice comfort. Additionally, with this new design, we aimed to blend performance with style to give runners a shoe they could look and feel good in.”

At the heart of the Structure 26 is Nike’s innovative midfoot support system, which wraps both the medial arch and lateral heel to provide enhanced stability throughout a runner’s stride.

This system pairs with a midsole stability solution new to the Structure franchise. In a bold evolution of Nike’s approach to supportive cushioning footwear, the Structure 26 features a full ReactX foam midsole that helps deliver the stability runners need while maintaining a more comfortable, fluid running experience — all without the use of firmer materials or rigid medial structures traditional to stability footwear.

This approach helps runners who may invert or evert more than others by creating a stable platform with smooth transitions, from impact to push-off.

“I’m doing most of my running in the Structure 26, and the main reason is because it keeps everything — my ankles, my knees and my whole body — moving in the right direction for optimal runs,” says Nike athlete Cole Hocker, who won Olympic gold in the 1,500-meter run last summer in Paris. “My favorite quality about the Structure 26 is how comfortable it is without being too soft. It has a perfect blend of comfort and support to keep me durable throughout my training.”

The Structure 26 also debuts a new mesh upper that works alongside a redesigned zonal outsole to create optimal comfort and performance for runners of all abilities and intensities. The upper features increased collar and tongue padding, creating a premium fit that flexes and moves with your foot while maintaining critical support. High-abrasion rubber in the heel ensures exceptional traction and durability in high-impact zones, and blown rubber in the forefoot provides consistent softness and ground feel.

These innovations create a balance of stability and comfort that positions the Structure 26 as the ideal choice for runners seeking a shoe that provides both confidence and freedom in every turnover, allowing them to focus on what matters most: their run.

“The Structure 26 delivers the perfect combination of support and comfort, providing the right balance of cushioning, stability and responsiveness to make me feel light on my feet while supporting my stride,” says Nike athlete Sinclaire Johnson, the 2022 U.S. champion in the 1,500-meter run. “My favorite quality about the Structure 26 is the way it hugs my midfoot to provide stability while also giving my toes room to breathe. It allows me to move naturally through my gait while giving a touch of support through my midstance. I also love how it gives just the right amount of cushion to keep me fresh while providing great energy return with each step.” 

This level of performance and comfort is the product of groundbreaking running-stability research involving both elite and everyday athletes in the Nike Sport Research Lab (NSRL). Nike engineers have proven that the geometric design of the Structure 26 provides stability similar to traditional stability silhouettes without compromising soft cushioning or smooth transitions.

“When it comes to the evolution of our Structure franchise, a lot of research in the NSRL is around how we can provide stability for runners in a new way,” says Emily Farina, Senior Principal Researcher in the NSRL. “The Structure 26 strikes an innovative balance, providing great cushioning that lessens the impact on your body while offering biomechanical stability at the foot and ankle for runners who want that extra support — all without rigid or bulky materials that can be common in stability footwear.”

The new silhouette anchors Nike’s Structure franchise, one of three distinct categories comprising the brand’s simplified road running footwear lineup, which is based on trusted icons and dedicated to what runners love most: cushioning.

The Structure franchise reflects a new era of supportive cushioning for a stable ride, while Vomero delivers maximum cushioning for ultimate comfort and Pegasus provides responsive cushioning for all-day energy return.

This lineup of complementary running silhouettes provides athletes with their preferred type of cushioned ride for whatever run they want to take. The lineup also makes it easier for runners to determine what footwear offers them the right mix of benefits, technology and price point, providing a more inviting and accessible experience — especially for runners gearing up for the first time or adding a new shoe to their rotation.

The introduction of the Structure 26 — and the innovation at the heart of Nike’s entire road running footwear lineup — reflects Nike’s history as the brand built by runners, for runners, and its continued commitment to creating the most technologically advanced products to help all athletes, from the elite to the everyday, reach their greatest potential.

The Nike Structure 26 will be available July 3 at nike.com and select retail partners.