Nike Air Zoom Terra Kiger 6 - Women's Review

The Terra Kiger 6 stands out for its lightweight design that is built to take on wet, rocky terrain. Designed for short to medium distances, it's an excellent choice for race days. The uppers are breathable but lack protection from tiny particulates. It also runs about a half size small, so be sure to size up, especially if you plan on running ultra distances.

Performance Comparison

Foot Protection

Packed with 14.5mm of cushioning in the heel and 10.5mm of cushioning in the forefoot, your feet will be protected from most underfoot hazards. The Terra Kiger 6 also has a segmented rock plate that works to keep your feet from feeling the stabs of underfoot hazards.

While the upper offers excellent breathability and dries out quickly, it captures debris between the layers. We experienced this while running through sandy conditions, causing us to empty our shoes constantly. However, if you're just running over dirt, rock, or grass, this trail runner will likely provide all the protection you need.

Traction

We really love the outsole that does an excellent job sticking to rocky terrain. We used this shoe while scrambling up gneiss ridges, and it performed wonderfully, though it does struggle on any type of muddy or slippery terrain.

Since the lugs aren't very long or aggressive, it also performs well on the road. Unfortunately, when testing on super muddy trails, the lugs didn't shed the mud well, and we were left with a tractionless shoe for miles. It performs impeccably over hard-packed snow but struggles when the snow is deep and soft. Overall, traction scores were “good” on our scale, as many other shoes in this review also feature this kind of performance. Don't be afraid to use the Kiger 6 while tacking technical terrain or hiking off-trail. It'll perform well.

Sensitivity

This shoe boasts a high level of sensitivity. While the midsole has air cushioning, it's thin enough to feel the undulations of the trail. You will feel stable, in control, and confident while treading over treacherous terrain.

Stability

The lower stack height and relatively wide forefoot make this trail runner pretty stable. The outsole around the heel has material that splays out around its base, which adds more lateral stability upon heel impact (if you're a heel striker). It doesn't have any additional stability elements though, offering an average score in this category.

The forefoot, with its low height and wide platform, allows your toes to spread out, which inherently offers better balance. The cushioning underfoot is super airy and perpetuates you forward with every step, while keeping your foot low to the ground. The shoe itself is quite flexible and supportive. Overall, we had no issues with rolled ankles, even though our main tester is renowned for it.

Comfort and Fit

When you get the right size, this shoe fits really nicely. We ordered a size 9 and felt the shoe was just a touch too small. Other testers verified this observation, so we recommend sizing up a half size, especially if you use thicker socks.

The overall comfort is stellar. A combination of the airy yet stiff cushioning, padded tongue, and a supportive collar around the Achilles makes for a comfortable ride, whether you're running one or 20 miles. It comes with a convenient pull-on loop at the back, meaning you can clip this shoe to a backpack if needed. There is also a smidgen of arch support, but it's overall a neutral fit.

We also appreciate the breathable upper, which makes this shoe suitable for both winter and hot summer running. The toe box will fit those with a wide foot, but it is best for those with regular to narrow feet. The toe box also tapers to the top, which isn't the best for downhills. After 10 miles, we felt a hot spot, and on the downhill, our toes felt a bit squished. They were rubbing together and this caused a tiny blister to form.

Weight

Weighing only 8.7 oz per shoe for a size 9, the Terra Kiger 6 is one of the lightest shoes we tested. If you're seeking a trail shoe that doesn't hinder your stride and cadence, this is one to consider.

Value

This shoe has a price tag that is congruent with most trail runners in this review. If you're seeking a low-profile, lightweight trail shoe that doesn't need an aggressive traction pattern, then this is seriously one to consider. After putting 200 miles on it, it shows a little wear and tear, but the outsole is still going strong. Past models that we've tested have seen upwards of 200+ miles of wear. After this period, we noticed the cushioning breaking in, with some wear to the collar. The collar has been updated with this model, which could improve durability. However, we'd assume it'll have similar longevity as previous models as it uses the same materials.

Conclusion

If you're seeking a light and fast trail runner that can easily transition from the road to the trail, the Nike Terra Kiger 6 is one to consider. Its breathable, light, comfortable, and comes with air cushioning underfoot to keep you comfortable mile after mile. This isn't our first choice for ultra distances, but we've seen many women sport them with success. If you do purchase it, be sure to size up a half size, especially if your feet swell when you run.