Running Shoe
Products
In The Lab
Forums
Newsletters
Join now
Best
Running Shoes For Men Women Nike Brooks Marathon Long Distance For Beginners New Balance ASICS Stability HOKA adidas Cheap Cushioned Heavy Runners On Most Comfortable Saucony PUMA
Tools
Compare 3D Compare Results Table Tool Review List Review Index Graph Review Pipeline Vote Custom Ratings
Popular
ASICS GEL-KAYANO 33 Dynafish Xiaonian HOKA Clifton 11 Li-Ning Red Hare 9 Ultra PUMA Deviate Pure NITRO ASICS MEGABLAST Li-Ning Feidian 6 Elite Saucony Triumph 24 Kiprun Kipstorm Challenger Li-Ning Chaoying Pro adidas Adizero Evo SL ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Kiprun Kipstorm Tempo ASICS SUPERBLAST 3 ANTA Zone 2 90 Brooks Anthem 8 Saucony Endorphin Azura HOKA Bondi 9 Kiprun Kipride Max Nike Pegasus 42
272 Running Shoes bought and tested
Supported by you via membership, and when you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
  1. Home
  2. Running Shoe
  3. Compare

Nike Downshifter 13 vs Run Defy

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

    Top
    Main Differences
    Design
      WeightStack HeightsExternal ShapeInternal ShapeForefoot Fit: WidthForefoot Fit: HeightArch Fit: WidthLength FitHeel Rocker GeometryForefoot Rocker GeometryFoamLacesOther Features
    Performance
      Heel Compression Energy ReturnForefoot Compression Energy ReturnHeel CushioningForefoot CushioningHeel FirmnessForefoot FirmnessForefoot Long Run CushioningRocker StiffnessForefoot Bending Energy ReturnForefoot Bending StiffnessHeel Compression DepthForefoot Compression Depth
    Comments

Products

Nike Downshifter 13
Nike Run Defy 
early access

Tested using Methodology v0.10

Updated Jun 08, 2026 03:39 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon

Tested using Methodology v0.15

Updated Aug 17, 2026 12:13 PM

This review is in Early access

SEE PRICE
Amazon
Nike Downshifter 13 Picture

Track

Nike Run Defy Picture

Track

Heel Stack Height
33.7 mm
Weight
276.3 g (9.75 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
11.1 mm
Plate
N/A
Heel Stack Height
33.0 mm
Weight
258.9 g (9.13 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
10.1 mm
Plate
None

Our Verdict

Nike Downshifter 13

Nike Run Defy

Full comparison details regarding individual product score sets can be found in the section below

GIFT THIS COMPARISON

0 

Variants

  • Downshifter 13 (Black/Bright Citron/Iron Grey/White - (Men - US 9))
  • Downshifter 13 (Black/White/Dark Smoke Grey - (Women - US 7))
  • Run Defy (Black/Anthracite - (Men - US 9))
  • Run Defy (Black/Anthracite - (Women - US 7))

Review

See Nike Downshifter 13 Review
See Nike Run Defy Review
0 
0 

Check Price

SEE PRICE
Amazon
SEE PRICE
Amazon
SEARCH
DicksSportingGoods.com
SEE PRICE
DicksSportingGoods.com
SEARCH
Walmart.com
SEARCH
Walmart.com
Read more

Main Differences for
Half/Full Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Half/Full Marathon Racing 
 

3.6
0.0

Plate 
 

Locked

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

5.4
N/A

Right Shoe Weight Photo  

Nike Downshifter 13 Right Shoe Weight Photo
Nike Run Defy Right Shoe Weight Photo Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Left Shoe Weight Photo  

Nike Downshifter 13 Left Shoe Weight Photo
Nike Run Defy Left Shoe Weight Photo Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Weight 
 

276.3 g (9.75 oz)
Lock g (Lock oz)

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo  

Nike Downshifter 13 Stack Height Photo
Nike Run Defy Stack Height Photo Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Heel Stack Height 
 

33.7 mm
Lock mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

22.6 mm
Lock mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

11.1 mm
Lock mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

10.0 mm
Lock mm

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

Preview 3D
Nike Downshifter 13 3D Model Full Shoe
Nike Run Defy 3D Model Full Shoe Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Outsole Heel Width 
 

84 mm (3.3")
Lock mm (Lock")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

60 mm (2.4")
Lock mm (Lock")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

110 mm (4.3")
Lock mm (Lock")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

2.49
Lock

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

4.87
Lock

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Preview 3D
Nike Downshifter 13 3D Model Internal
Nike Run Defy 3D Model Internal Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Internal Length 
 

282 mm (11.1")
Lock mm (Lock")

Internal Heel Width 
 

58 mm (2.3")
Lock mm (Lock")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

91 mm (3.6")
Lock mm (Lock")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

Yes
Locked

Forefoot Fit: Width 
 

8.1
N/A

Forefoot Width Photo  

Nike Downshifter 13 Forefoot Width Photo
Nike Run Defy Forefoot Width Photo Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation 
 

-1.0 mm (-0.038")
Lock mm (Lock")

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

-6.4 mm (-0.254")
Lock mm (Lock")

Forefoot Fit: Height 
 

2.9
N/A

Forefoot Height Photo  

Nike Downshifter 13 Forefoot Height Photo
Nike Run Defy Forefoot Height Photo Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

-8.3 mm (-0.326")
Lock mm (Lock")

Arch Fit: Width 
 

9.3
N/A

Arch Fit Photo  

Nike Downshifter 13 Arch Fit Photo
Nike Run Defy Arch Fit Photo Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Arch Width TTS Deviation 
 

4.6 mm (0.180")
Lock mm (Lock")

Length Fit 
 

10
N/A

Toe Clearance Photo  

Nike Downshifter 13 Toe Clearance Photo
Nike Run Defy Toe Clearance Photo Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Heel Rocker Geometry 
 

N/A

Heel Rocker Photo  

Nike Run Defy Heel Rocker Photo Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Heel Spring 
 

Lock mm (Lock")

Heel Apex Position 
 

Lock%

Heel Rocker Angle 
 

Lock°

Forefoot Rocker Geometry 
 

N/A

Forefoot Rocker Photo  

Nike Run Defy Forefoot Rocker Photo Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Toe Spring 
 

Lock mm (Lock")

Toe Apex Position 
 

Lock%

Forefoot Rocker Angle 
 

Lock°

Foam 
 

Primary Foam Picture  

Nike Run Defy Primary Foam Picture Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Secondary Foam Picture  

Nike Run Defy Secondary Foam Picture Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Primary Foam Name 
 

N/A

Primary Foam Type 
 

Locked

Secondary Foam Name 
 

N/A

Secondary Foam Type 
 

N/A

Laces 
 

Laces Picture  

Nike Run Defy Laces Picture Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Lace Type 
 

Locked

Width 
 

Lock mm (Lock")

Thickness 
 

Lock mm (Lock")

Stretch 
 

Lock%

Other Features  

Other Features Photo  

Nike Downshifter 13 Other Features Photo
Nike Run Defy Other Features Photo Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Non-gusseted
Locked

Plate 
 

Locked
Performance

Heel Compression Energy Return 
 

0.8
N/A

Heel Compression Video  

Nike Run Defy Heel Compression Video Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for videos & test results

Heel Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
Nike Downshifter 13 Heel Energy Return
Nike Run Defy Heel Energy Return Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Heel Energy Return 
 

63.0%
Lock%

Forefoot Compression Energy Return 
 

1.6
N/A

Forefoot Compression Video  

Nike Run Defy Forefoot Compression Video Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for videos & test results

Forefoot Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
Nike Downshifter 13 Forefoot Energy Return
Nike Run Defy Forefoot Energy Return Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

66.8%
Lock%

Heel Cushioning 
 

4.7
N/A

Heel Cushioning Picture  

Nike Downshifter 13 Heel Cushioning Picture
Nike Run Defy Heel Cushioning Picture Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Heel Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
Nike Downshifter 13 Heel Cushioning
Nike Run Defy Heel Cushioning Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

2.36 J
Lock J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

6.25 J
Lock J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

11.40 J
Lock J

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

4.4
N/A

Forefoot Cushioning Picture  

Nike Downshifter 13 Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Nike Run Defy Forefoot Cushioning Picture Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Forefoot Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
Nike Downshifter 13 Forefoot Cushioning
Nike Run Defy Forefoot Cushioning Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

2.75 J
Lock J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

4.90 J
Lock J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

7.48 J
Lock J

Heel Firmness 
 

7.3
N/A

Heel Firmness  

 Preview Graph
Nike Downshifter 13 Heel Firmness
Nike Run Defy Heel Firmness Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Heel Firmness Graph  

Nike Run Defy Heel Firmness Graph Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Firmness At 550N 
 

84.0 N/mm
Lock N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

159.8 N/mm
Lock N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

259.0 N/mm
Lock N/mm

Forefoot Firmness 
 

9.2
N/A

Forefoot Firmness  

 Preview Graph
Nike Downshifter 13 Forefoot Firmness
Nike Run Defy Forefoot Firmness Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Forefoot Firmness Graph  

Nike Run Defy Forefoot Firmness Graph Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Firmness At 800N 
 

172.1 N/mm
Lock N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

331.7 N/mm
Lock N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

572.5 N/mm
Lock N/mm

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

3.7
N/A

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
Nike Downshifter 13 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
Nike Run Defy Forefoot Long Run Cushioning Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

4.30 J
Lock J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

4.10 J
Lock J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

3.96 J
Lock J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

3.84 J
Lock J

Rocker Stiffness 
 

N/A

Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video  

Nike Run Defy Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for videos & test results

Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph  

Nike Run Defy Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Force To Flatten The Rocker 
 

Lock N

Forefoot Bending Energy Return 
 

N/A

Forefoot Bending Video  

Nike Run Defy Forefoot Bending Video Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for videos & test results

Forefoot Bending Energy Return  

Nike Run Defy Forefoot Bending Energy Return Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Forefoot Bending Energy Return 
 

Lock%

Forefoot Bending Stiffness 
 

N/A

Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture  

Nike Run Defy Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Forefoot Bending Resistance  

Nike Run Defy Forefoot Bending Resistance Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Forefoot Bending Stiffness 
 

Lock N/mm

Forefoot Bending Force 
 

Lock N

Heel Compression Depth 
 

N/A

Heel Compression Graph  

Nike Run Defy Heel Compression Graph Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Heel Compression At 550N 
 

Lock mm

Heel Compression At 1100N 
 

Lock mm

Heel Compression At 1900N 
 

Lock mm

Forefoot Compression Depth 
 

N/A

Forefoot Compression Graph  

Nike Run Defy Forefoot Compression Graph Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Forefoot Compression At 800N 
 

Lock mm

Forefoot Compression At 1300N 
 

Lock mm

Forefoot Compression At 2050N 
 

Lock mm

Check Price

SEE PRICE
Amazon
SEE PRICE
Amazon
SEARCH
DicksSportingGoods.com
SEE PRICE
DicksSportingGoods.com
SEARCH
Walmart.com
SEARCH
Walmart.com
Back to Top

Nike Downshifter 13

Nike Run Defy

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 23 minutes ago

Nike Downshifter 13 vs Nike Run Defy: Main Discussion

What do you think of these products? Let us know below.


Looking for a personalized buying advice from the RTINGS.com experts? Members have direct access to buying advice on our member forum.

See All Shoes Discussions
 Share
0 
PreviewBack to editorFormat guide
No comments yet, refresh to see new ones
We make money directly from you via Membership (which gives you access to extra features), when you buy from the RTINGS.com Shop , and when you buy a product after clicking a link to a retailer. Learn more about how we work.
We buy our own products, just like you, mostly from the United States. When a product is discontinued or no longer popular, we sell the review units locally. See what products we currently have for sale.
© 2026 9298-5266 Quebec Inc. All Rights Reserved.