Since coming on the scene, Nike has been a partner in some of the most pivotal moments in womenās sports history. These moments arenāt restricted to Serena winning her 23rd Grand Slam or Sheryl Swoopes becoming the first woman to get her own signature shoe. They happen every day in each of our lives. Nike has been a pioneer for inclusivity in sneakers and, as a result, some of the best Nike shoes for women reign supreme.
We already went through some of our favorite Nikes for men, so it only makes sense that we also distinguish the latter: what are the best Nike shoes for women? Just like for men, the best Nikes for women is personal. āThe Bestā can vary depending on your perspective and definition. To some, the best might mean a shoe that you can wear for 10 years and it will be as comfortable as the first day you bought it. To others, the best is about shoes that are limited and rare.
In compiling our list of the best Nike shoes for women, we tried to address each of these varied considerations to find a sneaker for every shopper. Hereās what we came up with:
Running
Nike Air Max 90 Recraft Hyper Grape (W)
For 30 years, the Nike Air Max 90 has served as the foundation for evolution in the Nike Running line. While technologies like Nike React and Vapor have outdated the AM90 in the performance category, this silhouette is still a timeless walking shoe and one of the best Nike shoes for women. The Air Max 90 was the first of its kind to sport bright colorways, breaking down barriers that gender-specific shoes built.
Nike Air Max 270 React Black White Bleached Coral (W)
There is a reason that the Nike Air Max 270 React is a best-seller in both primary and secondary markets: itās comfortable! Having both Air Max and React technology in a shoe is all anyone could ever ask for. The level of comfort delivered throughout the entire sole is unmatched, making it one of the best Nike shoes for women.
Nike P-6000 White Gold Red (W)
When you take design elements from Nike Runningās best-selling Air Pegasus line and modify it to accommodate modern needs, you get the Nike P-6000. Its breathable mesh overlays combined with a cushioned rubber outsole delivers the comfort you deserve. This silhouette is one of the best Nikes for women because itās guaranteed to keep your feet feeling fresh while adding stylish value to any outfit.Ā
Nike React Element 55 Pale Pink (W)
Donāt let heavy sneakers hold you back from feeling light as a feather with the Nike React Element 55 Pale Pink. These shoes are built for any occasion and the proof is in the construction. Its light synthetic upper paired with React cushioning technology provides ultimate flexibility for your feet. Plus, the calm pink colorway speaks comfort and tranquility.
Investment
Nike Air Max 98 Gundam 2018 (W)
For the 20th Anniversary of the Air Max 98, Nike brought back the Nike Air Max 98 Gundam for the first time since its original release and the hype has been real. In the past year, this colorway has averaged a resale price of $336 and premiums of 110%. The Air Max 98 Gundam has been appreciating in resale value non-stop since itās arrival on StockX and there are no signs of slowing down.
Nike Dunk High Retro Be True Syracuse (W)
The Dunk has had a resurgence and everyone has their eyes on getting a pair. This silhouette led the charge for Nike Basketball in the 1980s and is considered one of the best Nike shoes of all-time. While it may be too late for men to get on board with older releases reaching sky-high resale value, it isnāt too late for women. In 2016, Nike re-released the original Be True To Your School Nike Dunk colorways exclusively in womenās sizing. The Syracuse colorway has increased by 82% in resale value in the past year on StockX and with a new Syracuse Dunk Low release on the horizon, demand will be at an all-time high.
Nike Air VaporMax Moc 2 University Gold (W)
Although the VaporMax hype has calmed since its arrival in 2017, some models have maintained the excitement and grown tremendously in resale value. The Nike Air VaporMax Moc 2 University Gold (W) has transformed from a sleeper to a keeper, making it one of the best Nike shoes for women in 2020 from an investment standpoint. This colorway has shown an average premium growth of 75% since this time last year. With this yearās Q1 average resale prices already at $339 on StockX, we expect to see these shoes continue to trend upwards.Ā
Nike Air Foamposite One Marble (W)
We have noticed releases from the mid-2000s having a revival in resale value in the past year, but whatās next? According to our data, we may be heading toward a Foamposite revolution. The Nike Air Foamposite One Marble (W) released in the summer of 2018 and was viewed as a flop after receiving early premiums of -42% on StockX. But since then, this release has been trending upward in resale value on StockX for almost two years, making one of the best Nike shoes for women to invest in.
Rarest
Nike Air Max 97 LX Swarovski Silver Bullet (W)
In 2017, Nike and Swarovski teamed up to create one of the rarest Air Max 97s of all time. This release utilizes Swarovskiās Crystal Fabric to reimagine the classic Air MaxĀ 97 Silver Bullet in a limited release exclusively in womenās sizing. In only 17 sales on StockX in the past year, the Nike Air Max 97 LX Swarovski Silver Bullet (W) averaged a resale value of $797, making them one of the most expensive of their kind on the market.
Nike Air Max 95 Multi-Color Pony Hair (W)
Classic silhouettes revamped with luxe materials always make the best Nike shoes for women. The Nike Air Max 95 Multi-Color Pony Hair (W) blends athleisure with luxury, using synthetic pony hair and tumbled black leather to this AM 95 to the next level. This colorway released at select European retailers, making it highly coveted in regions that did not have access. In only four sales in the last year on StockX, this Air Max 96 has recorded an average resale price of $517.
Nike Air Force 1 ’07 Olivia Kim (Friends and Family) (W)
Whatās rarer than rare? Friends and family. When Olivia Kim teamed up with Nike to release a capsule collection in 2019, it seemed that she reserved her best pair for the people who have been along for the ride since day one. The Nike Air Force 1 ā07 Olivia Kim (Friends and Family) (W) has become a hot commodity and itās no surprise. A transparent paneled upper with embroidered Betty Boop details gives a new life to this timeless silhouette. Since surfacing on StockX, this Air Force 1 has sold as high as $3,400, making it the most expensive womenās Nike in the past year.
Nike Dunk Low Premium Collection Royale Serena Williams (W)
Everybody knows Travis Scott has his own Dunk, but do they know that tennis legend Serena Williams does as well? This 2006 gem is harder to catch than one of her serves: in the past year, only six pairs have sold on StockX averaging resale prices around $300. With mid-2000s Dunks becoming rarer by the day, we would not be surprised to see these resale prices reach new heights in the near future.
Trending
Nike Zoom Terra Kiger 5 Off-White White (W)
Virgil has released more womenās shoes in the past year than he has over the rest of his entire partnership with Nike, and for good reason. Fans love his shoes and are buying them even if they donāt normally buy in womenās sizing. The Nike Zoom Terra Kiger 5 Off-White (W) ranked as one of the best selling sneakers for men and women over the last 12 months. The white colorway recorded the second-most sales in the Nike sneaker category overall with over 10,000 pairs sold. Numbers like these prove that Virgil has put his stamp on one of the best Nike shoes for women.
Nike Air VaporMax 2019 Cactus Plant Flea Market (W)
2019 was a great year for sneakers because, for the first time, one of the most anticipated sneakers of the year released in womenās sizing. The Air Vapormax 2019 Cactus Plant Flea Market (W) was one of the best Nike shoes for women to release in the last decade for the simple fact that it released at the perfect time. Cactus Plant Flea Market had been blowing up from their work with Kanye, Cudi, and Nigo, and a sneaker with their touch was what the game was missing. A manipulated neon-tube Swoosh with DIY feeling Cactus Plant graphics made this release a stand-out and a best seller, recording almost 3,300 sales on StockX.
Nike Air Force 1 Low White 2018 (W)
The Nike Air Force 1 might be the first Nike to stay trending for four decades. Regardless of the ever-changing world of fashion trends, the AF1 will always be a sneaker rotation staple. In just the past 12 months, almost 4,300 pairs of the Air Force 1 Low White 2018 (W) have sold on StockX. These sales are astronomical for a shoe that is seen as more accessible in its menās release, proving the strength of its classic design.
Nike Vapor Street Off-White Tour Yellow (W)
The Nike Zoom Terra Kiger 5 isnāt the only silhouette Virgil released in womenās sizing that is a buyerās favorite on StockX. More affordable resale prices have led the Nike Vapor Street Off-White Tour Yellow (W) to become one of the best selling Nike shoes for women with over 2,800 sales. This release has further proven Off-Whiteās impact, turning an overlooked Nike running shoe to a grail.
Collaborations
Jordan 1 Mid SE Fearless Melody Ehsani (W)
Even though this is technically a Jordan, Melody Ehsani has proven herself to be one of the most influential women in sneakers so we just had to include this shoe. When Jordan Brand connected with Melody to collaborate on a Jordan 1 Mid for the Fearless Pack in 2019, her design ended up pushing the envelope and setting a new standard for sneaker collaborations. Ehsaniās avant-garde approach to a Jordan 1 Mid makes this release easily one of the best Nike shoes for women.
Nike Air Mowabb Olivia Kim No Cover (W)
The Air Mowabb has historically been a silhouette geared towards men with very few releases in womenās sizing. Olivia Kim didnāt think that was right, so as part of her most recent collaboration with Nike, Kim presented a new colorway of this ACG masterpiece with the Nike Air Mowabb Olivia Kim No Cover (W). Shoes that aim for inclusivity for all sizes will always be the best Nikes for women, and everyone else.
Nike Air Max 97 London Summer of Love
As part of their On Air collection, Nike collaborated with London-based creative Jasmine Lasode to release the Nike Air Max 97 London Summer of Love. Lasode is one of the first women to win a global campaign design contest for Nike, making this release one for the books. Out of many great Air Max designs, this Air Max 97 won the hearts of many through its message of love at first sight.Ā
Nike Air Max 180 High Ambush White
Nike is constantly providing a platform for women to break creative barriers and create something new. So when Nike announced a partnership with Yoon Ambush, we could see the stars aligning. The Nike Air Max 180 High Ambush White brings a futuristic look to a classic Nike running silhouette. Its boot-like appearance combines high fashion with athleisure, gearing it for any setting.
