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Tested using Methodology v0.12
Updated Sep 15, 2026 06:16 PM
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Amazon
Tested using Methodology v0.15
Updated Sep 22, 2026 08:17 PM
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Amazon
Heel Stack Height
33.9 mm
Weight
303.5 g (10.71 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
11.4 mm
Plate
None
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 14
Nike Run Defy
The Nike Run Defy and Nike Downshifter 14 are both basic, stable shoes with similarly limited cushioning. However, the Run Defy is lighter and returns more energy, making it less cumbersome for short runs. You can still choose the Downshifter 14 if you find it heavily discounted; otherwise, the Run Defy is the slightly better choice.
Variants
- Downshifter 14 (Black/Black/Anthracite - (Men - US 9))
- Downshifter 14 (Black/Black/Anthracite - (Women - US 7))
- Run Defy (Black/Anthracite - (Men - US 9))
- Run Defy (Black/Anthracite - (Women - US 7))
Main Differences for
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Threshold
Half/Full Marathon Racing
4.2
4.8
Weight
4.2
6.1
Forefoot Compression Energy Return
2.4
4.7
Full Comparison
Design
Weight
4.2
6.1
Right Shoe Weight Photo
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Left Shoe Weight Photo
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Weight
303.5 g (10.71 oz)
258.9 g (9.13 oz)
Stack Heights
Stack Height Photo
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Heel Stack Height
33.9 mm
33.0 mm
Forefoot Stack Height
22.5 mm
22.9 mm
Heel-To-Toe Drop
11.4 mm
10.1 mm
Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop
10.0 mm
10.0 mm
External Shape
3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Outsole Heel Width
92 mm (3.6")
89 mm (3.5")
Outsole Arch Width
58 mm (2.3")
68 mm (2.7")
Outsole Forefoot Width
113 mm (4.4")
111 mm (4.4")
Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio
2.71
2.70
Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio
5.02
4.85
Internal Shape
3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Internal Length
275 mm (10.8")
279 mm (11.0")
Internal Heel Width
63 mm (2.5")
63 mm (2.5")
Internal Forefoot Width
93 mm (3.7")
94 mm (3.7")
Wide Sizing Available
No
Yes
Forefoot Fit: Width
8.7
10
Forefoot Width Photo
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Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation
0.3 mm (0.013")
0.3 mm (0.011")
Toe TTS Deviation
-5.0 mm (-0.197")
0.5 mm (0.018")
Forefoot Fit: Height
6.5
7.5
Forefoot Height Photo
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Toe TTS Deviation
-4.2 mm (-0.166")
-3.0 mm (-0.118")
Arch Fit: Width
2.3
7.5
Arch Fit Photo
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Arch Width TTS Deviation
-9.1 mm (-0.359")
-4.0 mm (-0.156")
Length Fit
10
10
Toe Clearance Photo
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Heel Rocker Geometry
8.8
7.4
Heel Rocker Photo
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Heel Spring
39 mm (1.5")
21 mm (0.8")
Heel Apex Position
24.9%
19.9%
Heel Rocker Angle
27.5°
19.3°
Forefoot Rocker Geometry
4.7
4.7
Forefoot Rocker Photo
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Toe Spring
36 mm (1.4")
36 mm (1.4")
Toe Apex Position
70.1%
70.1%
Forefoot Rocker Angle
21.8°
21.8°
Foam
Primary Foam Picture
Secondary Foam Picture
Primary Foam Name
Not Advertised
Primary Foam Type
Unknown
Secondary Foam Name
No Secondary Foam
Secondary Foam Type
No Secondary Foam
Laces
Laces Picture
Lace Type
Flat
Width
6.0 mm (0.2")
Thickness
1.4 mm (0.1")
Stretch
3.5%
Other Features
Other Features Photo
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Tongue Gusset Type
Fully-gusseted
Fully-gusseted
Plate
None
None
Performance
Heel Compression Energy Return
0.9
1.9
Heel Compression Video
Heel Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Energy Return
64.1%
67.5%
Forefoot Compression Energy Return
2.4
4.7
Forefoot Compression Video
Forefoot Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Energy Return
68.6%
71.5%
Heel Cushioning
5.7
5.6
Heel Cushioning Picture
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Heel Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 550N
2.76 J
2.37 J
Energy Absorbed At 1100N
7.33 J
7.16 J
Energy Absorbed At 1900N
12.58 J
13.47 J
Forefoot Cushioning
4.4
4.5
Forefoot Cushioning Picture
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Forefoot Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 800N
3.05 J
2.81 J
Energy Absorbed At 1300N
4.81 J
5.02 J
Energy Absorbed At 2050N
6.79 J
7.54 J
Heel Firmness
9.1
9.2
Heel Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 550N
53.2 N/mm
58.3 N/mm
Firmness At 1100N
68.2 N/mm
71.3 N/mm
Firmness At 1900N
96.1 N/mm
96.1 N/mm
Forefoot Firmness
9.9
10
Forefoot Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 800N
90.7 N/mm
96.1 N/mm
Firmness At 1300N
123.2 N/mm
123.9 N/mm
Firmness At 2050N
174 N/mm
170 N/mm
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
4.2
4.2
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 10km
4.69 J
4.64 J
Energy Absorbed At 20km
4.60 J
4.56 J
Energy Absorbed At 30km
4.54 J
4.53 J
Energy Absorbed At 40km
4.50 J
4.49 J
Rocker Stiffness
4.0
3.7
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Force To Flatten The Rocker
30 N
27 N
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
4.8
3.9
Forefoot Bending Video
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
56.0%
53.2%
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
7.3
6.3
Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture
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Forefoot Bending Resistance
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
12.5 N/mm
6.0 N/mm
Forefoot Bending Force
305 N
325 N
Heel Compression Depth
4.5
Heel Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Compression At 550N
9.4 mm
Heel Compression At 1100N
15.4 mm
Heel Compression At 1900N
19.8 mm
Forefoot Compression Depth
3.6
Forefoot Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Compression At 800N
8.3 mm
Forefoot Compression At 1300N
10.5 mm
Forefoot Compression At 2050N
12.0 mm
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Nike Downshifter 14
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