Nike Structure 26 vs Structure Plus

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

Nike Structure 26
Nike Structure Plus

Tested using Methodology v0.10

Updated Mar 24, 2026 04:37 PM

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DicksSportingGoods.com

Tested using Methodology v0.10

Updated Mar 24, 2026 06:48 PM

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Amazon.com
Nike Structure 26 Picture

Track

Nike Structure Plus Picture

Track

Our Verdict

Nike Structure 26

Nike Structure Plus

The Nike Structure Plus and Nike Structure 26 share the same support-shoe DNA, but the Plus feels like a Structure on steroids in almost every way except outright support features. The Structure Plus sits higher and delivers more cushioning, using a top layer of ZoomX over its support platform to create a softer, more premium, more protective ride. The Structure 26, by contrast, uses a full ReactX midsole and stays lower to the ground, which gives it a classic support-trainer feel with a steadier, traditional sense of guidance. Even though both are in a similar weight range, the Structure 26 feels more grounded and support-focused, while the Structure Plus is the better fit if you want a more cushioned and balanced take on the category.

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Variants

  • Structure 26 (Black/Cool Grey/Metallic Silver/White - (Men - US 9))
  • Structure 26 (Black/Iron Grey/Black - (Men - US 9))
  • Structure Plus (Black/White/Anthracite - (Men - US 9))
  • Structure Plus (Iron Purple/Off Noir/Sail/Voltage Green - (Men - US 9))

Main Differences for
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 
 

5.7
6.5

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

3.5
6.2

Heel Energy Return 
 

2.9
4.3

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

29.4 mm
31.7 mm

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

4.6
4.8

Right Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Nike Structure 26 Right Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
Nike Structure Plus Right Shoe Weight Photo

Left Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Nike Structure 26 Left Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
Nike Structure Plus Left Shoe Weight Photo

Weight 
 

293.9 g (10.37 oz)
290.9 g (10.26 oz)

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Nike Structure 26 Stack Height Photo
Compare High-Res
Nike Structure Plus Stack Height Photo

Heel Stack Height 
 

37.9 mm
41.8 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

29.4 mm
31.7 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

8.5 mm
10.1 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

10.0 mm
10.0 mm

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

Preview 3D
Nike Structure 26 3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
Nike Structure Plus 3D Model Full Shoe

Outsole Heel Width 
 

93 mm (3.7")
95 mm (3.7")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

81 mm (3.2")
82 mm (3.2")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

114 mm (4.5")
117 mm (4.6")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

2.46
2.27

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

3.88
3.69

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Preview 3D
Nike Structure 26 3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
Nike Structure Plus 3D Model Internal

Internal Length 
 

277 mm (10.9")
281 mm (11.1")

Internal Heel Width 
 

66 mm (2.6")
68 mm (2.7")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

92 mm (3.6")
91 mm (3.6")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

Yes
Yes

Forefoot Fit: Width 
 

9.3
9.5

Forefoot Width Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Nike Structure 26 Forefoot Width Photo
Compare High-Res
Nike Structure Plus Forefoot Width Photo

Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation 
 

-1.3 mm (-0.050")
0.1 mm (0.004")

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

-2.3 mm (-0.092")
-2.5 mm (-0.098")

Forefoot Fit: Height 
 

6.1
4.5

Forefoot Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Nike Structure 26 Forefoot Height Photo
Compare High-Res
Nike Structure Plus Forefoot Height Photo

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

-4.7 mm (-0.183")
-6.5 mm (-0.255")

Arch Fit: Width 
 

7.9
7.5

Arch Fit Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Nike Structure 26 Arch Fit Photo
Compare High-Res
Nike Structure Plus Arch Fit Photo

Arch Width TTS Deviation 
 

-3.4 mm (-0.134")
-4.0 mm (-0.159")

Length Fit 
 

5.0
10

Toe Clearance Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Nike Structure 26 Toe Clearance Photo
Compare High-Res
Nike Structure Plus Toe Clearance Photo

Other Features  

Other Features Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Nike Structure 26 Other Features Photo
Compare High-Res
Nike Structure Plus Other Features Photo

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Semi-gusseted
Non-gusseted

Plate 
 

None
None
Performance

Heel Energy Return 
 

2.9
4.3

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
Nike Structure 26 Heel Energy Return
 Preview Graph
Nike Structure Plus Heel Energy Return

Heel Energy Return 
 

69.3%
71.0%

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

3.5
6.2

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
Nike Structure 26 Forefoot Energy Return
 Preview Graph
Nike Structure Plus Forefoot Energy Return

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

70.1%
73.9%

Heel Cushioning 
 

6.9
8.0

Heel Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Nike Structure 26 Heel Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
Nike Structure Plus Heel Cushioning Picture

Heel Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
Nike Structure 26 Heel Cushioning
 Preview Graph
Nike Structure Plus Heel Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

2.89 J
3.26 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

8.48 J
10.11 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

15.38 J
17.60 J

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

5.5
7.0

Forefoot Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Nike Structure 26 Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
Nike Structure Plus Forefoot Cushioning Picture

Forefoot Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
Nike Structure 26 Forefoot Cushioning
 Preview Graph
Nike Structure Plus Forefoot Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

3.33 J
4.15 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

5.78 J
7.40 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

8.98 J
11.29 J

Heel Firmness 
 

5.9
5.0

Heel Firmness  

 Preview Graph
Nike Structure 26 Heel Firmness
 Preview Graph
Nike Structure Plus Heel Firmness

Firmness At 550N 
 

61.9 N/mm
52.3 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

109.8 N/mm
97.4 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

226.5 N/mm
208.0 N/mm

Forefoot Firmness 
 

8.9
8.1

Forefoot Firmness  

 Preview Graph
Nike Structure 26 Forefoot Firmness
 Preview Graph
Nike Structure Plus Forefoot Firmness

Firmness At 800N 
 

152.0 N/mm
116.8 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

287.6 N/mm
212.2 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

462.1 N/mm
402.3 N/mm

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

4.8
6.5

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
Nike Structure 26 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
 Preview Graph
Nike Structure Plus Forefoot Long Run Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

5.35 J
7.02 J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

5.21 J
6.90 J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

5.12 J
6.83 J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

5.07 J
6.78 J

Nike Structure 26

Nike Structure Plus

Comments

  1. Comparison

Nike Structure 26 vs Nike Structure Plus: Main Discussion

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