The Nike Wildhorse 6 is the ‘Nike Trail’ trail running shoe that will suit most trail runners, it has a mid-range drop from heel-to-toe, good cushioning underfoot, and it really feels like this particular Nike Trail running shoe has been designed for hitting the trails hard, like a work-horse.
In this Nike Wildhorse 6 review, I’m going to talk about the key features that I love (and a couple that need improvements), how well they perform while trail running, how they compare with the other two Nike Trail running shoes, whether they’re worth buying, and finally a rating out of 10 with my pros and cons. Let’s get to it!
Nike Wildhorse 6 Review: Table of Contents
- Wildhorse 6 Fit, Features, and Key Specs
- Wildhorse 6 performance review
- Wildhorse 6 VS. Terra Kiger 6 VS. Pegasus Trail 2
- Are they worth buying?
- Nike Wildhorse 6 Review Summary
- Video Review (Coming Soon)
- Photo Gallery
Nike Wildhorse 6 Fit, Features, and Key Specs.
General fit and comfort
As always, let’s start with the important question of how well does the Wildhorse 6 fit – I can confirm that they fit true-to-size and consistently with other Nike running shoes that I have tested and reviewed here on trailandkale.com. They are also consistent in size with other popular brands like On Running, Adidas, and much of the Salomon trail running range. If you run in a brand I haven’t listed here, drop the brand you use in the comments below, and if I’m familiar with them I’ll let you know how they fit relative to them too.
The Nike Wildhorse 6 is a very well rounded trail running shoe when it comes to comfort. There are a couple of things I would change though, including the faux gaiter at the rear, and the padded heel rim inside the shoes, designed to help lock your feet into the shoe. I’ll go into more detail regarding those other features later in this review but overall the Wildhorse 6 is a very comfortable running shoe.
If you enjoy running lots of trail miles with the benefit of a comfortable and cushioned shoe, the Nike Wildhorse 6 is definitely worth checking out.
The Wildhorse 6 has a similar ride to that of the Pegasus Trail 2, but I actually prefer the Wildhorse 6 due to the slightly lower drop of 8mm (the Peg 2 has a 10mm drop). The Wildhorse 6 has a more aggressive outsole too, and actually one that doesn’t feel disproportionately heavy relative to the weight of the upper. Let’s just say this is a more well-rounded trail running shoe whereas the Pegasus Trail 2 has more of a hybrid feel to it, with a weighting towards the road or hard-packed surfaces.
The Wildhorse 6 feel very neutral in their support type, with no feelings of having too much arch support, or not enough for that matter – they feel great underfoot for the runner with average shaped foot arches – and this is actually consistent with all the Nike Trail running shoes. The toe box and shoe, in general, have a medium width.
Wildhorse 6 Key Design Features
1. Upper Mesh construction
There’s some mesh in the upper which is breathable but this mesh is only featured in the forefoot area. So, these shoes can struggle to regulate temperature when running in a very hot environment as there’s no extra mesh-zone to allow air to flow back out. They are however a great choice for cooler runs where you may want your feet to stay warm.
2. Tongue and Internal Sock
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The tongue has padded sections that are embossed/extruded from the thin tongue material, which works much better than it does on the Terra Kiger 6 because the padding is much more flexible on these shoes. I don’t feel any unwanted pressure coming through from the laces when fastened, so that’s a benefit of the Wildhorse 6 over the Terra Kiger 6 and Pegasus Trail 2.
The tongue joins to the internal sidewalls of the shoes to form an internal sock that hugs your feet very nicely. Its construction also reduces the chance of developing any hot spots or blisters as there are less internal seems. Many trail running shoes now use this same internal sock design for securing the foot in place and to help stop blisters caused by chaffing.
4. Faux Gaiter
The faux gaiter at the rear of the shoes is a nice idea but for me, it doesn’t quite work as well as it could. The first problem is that there’s not enough support from the gaiter to lock your feet into the shoes and secure them in place while running technical terrain. Secondly, it doesn’t conform closely enough to your ankles to stop all debris from entering the shoes.
And lastly, due to the gaiter not locking your feet into the shoes 100%, Nike has had to engineer another way to improve the fit of the shoes, by way of introducing a padded section inside the shoes. In my opinion, this padded section is far too low on your Achilles to secure your feet in the shoes properly, and can actually cause discomfort if you ever have Achilles flare-ups.
5. Finger Loop at the rear
I find finger loops really useful for slipping on running shoes, so it’s unfortunate that Nike has made the loop on these and also the Pegasus Trail 2 too small to actually get your fingers under. I mean you can use your fingertip but it sure feels awkward, made even trickier when the faux gaiter folds in on itself as you slip the shoes on.
6. Toe Cap Protection
There’s not much toe protection from accidental rock stubs going on in the Wildhorse 6. The only reinforced section is where the grey rubber outsole wraps up in front of the toes, and unfortunately, that doesn’t wrap around to the front edges of the toe box, similar to the Terra Kiger 6. Be aware if you have a tendency to kick rocks by accident when you’re tired and nearing the end of your long run/race. The Pegasus Trail 2 wins in this area!
7. Nike React Cushioned Midsole
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From what I can tell, the midsole in the Wildhorse 6 shares the same construction as the Pegasus Trail 2. I like the feel of the React foam midsoles on these more than the Pegasus Trail 2 though, and I think that’s because the whole of the midsole is generally much more streamlined than what I would describe as an ‘oversized’ midsole and outsole on the Pegasus Trail 2.
The cushioning feels great on the Wildhorse 6, they have nailed the depth of the foam for a soft, cushioned feel that still offers great responsiveness and control. I also like that there’s a rock-plate in there to protect the bottom of your feet from getting spiked by gnarly rocks.
8. Rugged Outsole Grip
The Wildhorse 6 outsoles feature high-abrasion outsole rubber in the heels and softer, stickier rubber in the forefeet for a good blend of traction and durability. It’s a great outsole and I love how the tread extends high up the back of the heel – it’s a unique and badass look!
Wildhorse 6 Key Specifications
1. Weight
The Nike Wildhorse 6 weighs around 10.8oz (306g) for a size US (M) 9 (per shoe) making it lightweight but certainly not the lightest trails shoe out there, it also happens to be the same weight as the Nike Terra Kiger 6. To give you a comparison, last season’s Pegasus 36 Trail weighs 9.1oz.
2. Drop
The Wildhorse 6 has an 8mm drop from heel to toe which feels good when running on the trails. I feel like I have a good amount of control and the slightly larger drop helps reduce overstretch on my hamstrings and calves during climbs
3. Support Type
There’s moderate cushioning in the midsole and a neural footbed. So if you have average arches and feet then these should fit perfectly for you.
4. Shoe Width
The Wildhorse 6 fits true-to-size relative to other Nike running shoes I have used, and the style of fit in the toe box and upper is of medium width.
Nike Wildhorse 6 trail performance review
The Wildhorse 6 is for beginner to intermediate trail runners, who are looking for a comfortable, and durable pair of trail running shoes to take over most terrains and long distances. It’s a very versatile workhorse for sure but it’s not the best performer for those looking to race on technical terrain, that’s what the Terra Kiger 6 is for. The 8mm drop on the Wildhorse 6 really helps to make long, steep climbs that little bit easier, and provides excellent cushioning and grip while running hard downhills. It’s also pretty comfortable for running on road-sections should you need to during your trail run because of the cushioned Nike React Foam midsole.
I would be lying if I didn’t say I was a little disappointed in the lack of ‘heel lockdown’ due to the lack of support in the faux gaiter but as long as you don’t run on anything too technical you should be ok with them.
Wildhorse 6 VS. Terra Kiger 6 VS. Pegasus Trail 2
I’ll keep this short because I’m going to be updating my Nike Trail Running Shoes Compared post very soon, which will go into much more detail on the matter.
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If you asked me which shoes I personally would prefer to trail run with, I would tell you the Nike Terra Kiger 6 – because they are the lightest option, have a nice low drop, and have the most secure heel lockdown out of all this season’s Nike Trail running shoes.
I still run with the Pegasus 36 Trail mostly though, and have stocked up on multiple pairs just in case they get discontinued by Nike – (MESSAGE TO NIKE: Please don’t, you made something very special there! :)). The Wildhorse 6 is the lightest (albeit marginally) trail shoes in the latest Nike Trail lineup, the most minimal, and race-worthy, and personally I feel they have the best control and trail-feel too.
RELATED: Nike Pegasus 36 Trail Review / Nike Pegasus Trail 2 Review
Are they worth buying?
Yes, these shoes are worth buying if you’re a beginner to an intermediate trail runner who enjoys running with shoes that are comfortable, cushioned underfoot, durable and well-priced. They’re a great workhorse shoe that will tackle many different terrains but just be cautious of the more technical trails and the faux gaiter doesn’t support your ankles too well and the chances of rolling your ankle could be very real in the mountains.
See below to get the best price for the Wildhorse 6 at our favorite merchants:
Zappos.com
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$130.00 | See Deal |
Nike.com
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$130.00 | See Deal |
Backcountry.com
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$71.47
out of stock
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See Deal |
Rei.com
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$64.83
out of stock
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See Deal |
Amazon.com
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See Deal |
ARE YOU NEW TO TRAIL RUNNING? — Have a read of our Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Trail Running – it will get you up to speed on all things trail running! 🙂
Nike Wildhorse 6 Review Summary
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Nike Wildhorse 6 Video Review – (Coming soon to our YouTube Channel)
Nike Wildhorse 6 Photo Gallery
I hope you enjoyed this Nike Wildhorse 6 review – please let me know if you have a question by dropping it in the comments below. There’s also some related reading below too. Happy Trails! 🙂 –Alastair.
Related Reading
- Nike Pegasus Trail 2 Review
- Nike Terra Kiger 6 Review
- Nike Trail Running Shoes Compared: Which ones are the best for me?
- Nike Pegasus 36 Trail Review
- Nike Pegasus 36 Trail Gore-Tex Review
- ALL Nike Running content
I can really relate to your comment about the new ridge of extra padding at the heel not being a plus for the shoe! I had the shoe mailed to me from Nike and the Wildhorse was the most comfortable of the three I received (Trail 2, Terra Kiger 6 and the Wildhorse 6–still waiting for the Peg 36 Trail to arrive). Yes, very comfortable if only I could rip out that extra heel padding! So disappointed that Nike chose to design the heel that way. I went through a few years of intense heel pain if ANY shoe pressed on that Achilles heel area. I had to wear all backless shoes for quite a while and only boots (that didn’t “grab” my heel) in the winter. Not due to running, but a drug that I was on inflamed the Achilles area of my heel! Have not had that problem for several years now, but trying on those shoes brought that pain back immediately so they are going back!! So sad because they are so good looking and fit perfectly in all other areas of my foot! Rejected the Terra Kigers because there is not nearly enough padding in the forefoot for me and the Trail 2s had the same heel problem and were weirdly tight near the toes. I have two pairs of regular Pegasus 37 runners and one pair of regular Peg 36s that are heavenly, so I’m thinking that the Peg 36 Trails might be perfect! They are hard to find! I took a 6 (Women’s) in the regular Pegs so not sure if that translates into a 6 in the 36 Trail, so ordered both 6 and 6.5. Not crazy about what was available—Echo Pink (to use in the dirt??!) and also found Khaki/Blue which might be much better! Can’t wait to find out if those will work! Thanks for all of your information on the trail shoes—very helpful!!