First Impressions
Strangely enough, I ran across the new Nike Lunar Glide 6 on a run in Orlando Florida. While taking timeout from a business trip to get a few miles in, I found myself at a Nike Store and ventured inside. Almost immediately I spotted the new Lunar Glides. Although I didn’t make my purchase right then and there, I was impressed enough to pick up a pair a few days later at my local Bay Area retailer. Unfortunately, my West Coast connection didn’t have the wild color schemes featured in the Nike-owned outlet and I settled for your basic black.
Features
The Lunar Glide 6 represents Nike’s latest stability shoe. It provides support for mild overpronators thanks to a dual-density midsole. On the medial (arch) side of the foot, the company uses a firmer foam. It was the darkest gray on our test shoe and did a decent job controlling motion. It also contributed to the less-than-plush ride of the Lunar Glide. The shoe felt fairly stiff when compared to some of the other Nike offerings in our current closet including Zoom Elites and Vomeros.
Specs
Weight: 23 oz. per pair (men’s 11)
Drop: 10 mm
Materials: Polyester mesh and synthetic textile uppers, Lunarlon foam rubber
In addition to the stability provided by the midsole, Nike also braces the heel with a plastic counter they call Dynamic Support. It’s more flexible on the exterior and much heavier on the arch-side.
My initial runs in this shoe were comfortable although I found the ride a little harsher than I’d like. I also found the sole pattern to be a little lacking. It’s fine on dry pavement, but slick when wet. The shoe also tends to slide around on decomposing granite trails near my home. The sole’s grooves are also the perfect size to pick up small rocks so beware when coming inside from a run. Your hardwood floors will not like your new-found gravel friends.
Fit
Decent. We actually found that the Lunar Glides run somewhat small and narrower than other Nikes. I sized up to an 11.5 from the normal mens 11. Toe box was a little tight. I typically replace the laces in my shoes with an elastic quick lace, and did so with the Lunar Glide. This made the shoe very easy to get on and off in the dark of the early morning.
Final Verdict
The Nike Lunar Glide 6 is a nice, lightweight everyday trainer. You may also find it a go-to shoe for some race days. We liked the control but found the ride a little harsher than we’d like. But if you enjoy a firmer-feeling shoe, these are a good solution. Find them at Amazon.