The Nike Invincible 3 is a classic high-stack cushioned trainer. Designed to handle those steady-paced miles, it combines Nike's bouncy ZoomX foam with a supportive upper and a robust outsole, providing a secure and enjoyable ride. Whether you're looking for an option for easy runs or a shoe that can pick up the pace when you need it, the Invincible 3 delivers a blend of comfort and energy to keep you moving through most of your training sessions.
Our Verdict
The Nike Invincible 3 isn't the best option for marathon racing due to its heavier weight, which detracts from its good energy return and stability. It also lacks a carbon plate, which is common in high-performance marathon shoes. On the plus side, it's quite stable, helping you maintain good form.
Very energetic, especially for a trainer.
Heavy.
No plate.
The Nike Invincible 3 is okay for shorter races. It has a stiff forefoot foam and good energy return, but its weight and lack of a plate limit its racing potential.
Very energetic, especially for a trainer.
Stiff midsole at the forefoot.
Heavy.
No plate.
The Nike Invincible 3 delivers good energy return, thanks to its full PEBA-based ZoomX foam. The springy and responsive feel is noticeable, making each stride feel effortless. Even at tempo effort levels, the shoe allows you to easily pick up the pace—which is impressive considering it's a daily trainer.
Very energetic, especially for a trainer.
The Nike Invincible 3's cushioning is not bad, providing enough protection for most runners, though it may not be sufficient for those seeking exceptional cushioning. Applying significant force to the forefoot can cause it to bottom out, reducing its overall cushioning and impact absorption potential.
Acceptable energy absorption.
Forefoot can bottom out over longer distances and / or higher forces.
The Nike Invincible 3 offers great lateral stability, which is beneficial for maintaining balance and form, especially on longer runs. That's mainly due to its very wide platform and stiff forefoot foam.
Stiff midsole at the forefoot.
Wide base.
No plate.
Performance Usages
Changelog
- Updated Jul 30, 2025:
We revised the phrasing in the Lateral Stability, Marathon Racing, Cushioning, Heel Cushioning, Forefoot Cushioning, and Compared To Other Running Shoes boxes to better align with the latest test bench scores.
- Updated Jul 30, 2025: We've converted this review to Test Bench 0.8.1, which mainly updates the score components for the Marathon Racing and Lateral Stability usage boxes to improve accuracy.
- Updated May 23, 2025:
We added the Nike Vomero 18 in the Compared to Other Running Shoes box as an alternative within Nike's lineup.
- Updated Apr 02, 2025: Converted to Test Bench 0.8.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the Nike Invincible 3 in men's US size 9, as indicated on the label. The color we purchased is White/Fire Red/Cement Grey/Black. This model is available in a wide range of colorways, from Black/Anthracite/Black to White/Platinum Tint/White/Photon Dust, with many options in between, including the Blueprint Edition, the Electric Edition, and the ability to design your own through Nike's custom-made platform. An extra-wide version is available, but only in men's sizes.
Popular Running Shoe Comparisons
The Nike Invincible 3 is a good choice for runners looking for a daily trainer that offers a stable ride while still delivering the soft, premium feel of the premium PEBA-based ZoomX foam. It's cushioned enough for easy runs, and the midsole returns quite a bit of energy to deliver a bouncy sensation.
While versatile, it sits in a middle ground within Nike's lineup, meaning more specialized options exist depending on your needs. For a more traditional daily trainer, the Nike Pegasus 41 offers a firmer, more grounded ride with less bounce. There's also the Nike Vomero 18, a cushioned daily workhorse that's all about comfort. If you want something lighter and more tuned for speedwork, the Nike Streakfly 6 functions as a super trainer designed for faster efforts. For racing, Nike's top-tier options pair ZoomX foam with a carbon plate and are significantly lighter; check out the Nike Vaporfly 3 if you specialize in races up to 10K and the Nike Alphafly 3, which provides better efficiency for longer distances.
For more options, check out our recommendations for the best running shoes to find the perfect pair.
The Nike Invincible 3 and the Nike Vomero 18 are both daily trainers designed for comfort, but they offer different takes on that goal. The Invincible 3 feels noticeably bouncier, thanks to its full ZoomX midsole, giving it a lively, fun ride that some runners love for easy miles. The Vomero 18, on the other hand, feels more protective, with a higher overall stack and a firmer, more structured dual-foam setup that emphasizes stability and underfoot protection. The Nike's upper is also much more substantial. Both shoes are on the heavier side, and both can tend to bottom out and feel harsher for longer efforts.
The Nike Pegasus 41 and the Nike Invincible 3 are both daily trainers, but they cater to different preferences. The Pegasus 41 offers a firmer, more grounded ride with a bit more stability, making it a more traditional daily trainer. It's also marginally lighter. In contrast, the Invincible 3 is more cushioned, bouncier, and more versatile, thanks to its plush ZoomX foam, which makes it a better option for most.
The Nike Invincible 3 and the Nike Vaporfly 3 serve very different purposes, with the Vaporfly 3 being a carbon-plated super shoe built for racing, while the Invincible 3 is a versatile daily trainer. As expected, the Vaporfly 3 delivers higher energy return, but the gap isn't as big as one might think, highlighting the impressive bounce of the Invincible 3 within its category. However, the Vaporfly 3 is nearly 100 grams lighter, making it far more agile and efficient, a day-and-night difference in terms of speed. Despite this, the Vaporfly 3 is also more cushioned, while the Invincible 3 provides better stability thanks to its wider base.
The Nike Invincible 3 and the Brooks Glycerin Max are both daily trainers, but they offer distinct experiences. The Brooks prioritizes max cushioning with softer foam and a higher stack height, providing better underfoot protection and a plush feel for long, easy miles. On the other hand, the Nike focuses more on energy return and stability, making it more versatile across a wider range of paces. However, this comes at the expense of some cushioning.
Test Results
The Nike Invincible 3 is quite weighty. Notably, the upper feels bulkier than necessary. While marketed as Flyknit, the upper lacks the flexibility and breathability found in more premium and lighter Nike models like the Nike Vaporfly 3, which adds to the total weight.
This shoe delivers impressive heel energy return, with ZoomX foam providing a high level of rebound for a daily trainer. The energy return is on par with or close to super shoes like the Nike Alphafly 3, making it stand out in its category.
This model offers good forefoot energy return. It delivers a springy toe-off, making it a solid choice for a smooth ride.
This shoe offers mediocre heel cushioning, making it suitable for easy days and recovery runs. The plush feel helps absorb impact effectively, providing a protective ride for shorter outings.
The forefoot cushioning on this shoe is just acceptable. At lower forces, it still absorbs impact well. However, heavier runners or those who apply significant force when landing on the forefoot may notice it flattening out, reducing its overall cushioning effect.
The Nike Invincible 3 is quite stiff in the heel, but it's not that stiff at higher forces compared to other shoes like the Nike Pegasus 41. This can be beneficial for heel strikers or when form deteriorates toward the end of a long run, providing a more forgiving ride. However, this comes at the cost of some stability.
The shoe's forefoot is exceptionally stiff across a range of forces. This rigidity enhances stability, ensuring a firm and controlled toe-off, but it may feel overly firm for runners who prefer more softness in the forefoot.
