Nike recently debuted ReactX cushioning in a range of performance footwear. Now, the foam material makes its debut in the streets through the new Ava Rover sneaker. We got our hands on a pair to see how this new tech translates into everyday wear.
Nike has always put innovation at the forefront of their sneaker designs. New technologies are typically designed with running in mind first, and are then adapted to more intense sports like basketball, before finally making their way to lifestyle shoes. This month, their ReactX cushioning foam has finally trickled down into casual sneakers, hitting shelves in the form of the Ava Rover last week.
I have been wearing a pair of the Ava Rover for a little over a week now, testing how the new cushioning compares to some other Nike technologies. The shoe’s construction and materials are similar to the React Element line, especially given that ReactX is directly correlated to some of the issues with the foam’s initial iteration. Their iconic Lunar foam has also come to mind while wearing them. For the Nike Ava Rover Review, I will be weighing the new style against these two previous iterations, specifically the Element 87 and the more recent Lunar Roam. Both of these styles were built with the same purpose of everyday, urban wear, and I find they are quite similar in construction and aesthetics.
SIZING & FIT
Like many Nike shoes, the Ava Rover takes some inspiration from the brand’s long history of running shoes. The toes may be a bit narrow for some feet, similar to past releases like the Element 87. The Rover is similar, and Nike reps recommended going up a half size for the new model. Typically I wear a size 10, and went with a 10.5 for my black & muslin pair, and they were absolutely correct. The half size change is a perfect fit for my feet, leaving plenty of room around the toes while still being snug with very little room to slide back and forth as I move.
COMFORT
The transition from performance purposes to lifestyle wear can be a bit rocky for sneaker technologies. Luckily, Nike seems to have dialed in the design with the Ava Rover. The midsole is full-length ReactX foam, which is plush and easy to squish with your hands, yet provides plenty of density in a larger form like this. The sole is wider than the bottom of your foot, a lesson learned from the Element 87, providing enough stability when you make a misstep or turn a corner a little too hard. This is also enhanced by their flat-molded TPU elements that bridge the upper and sole, which add rigidity to the thin upper while maintaining flexibility.
The Ava Rover’s upper is another interesting development from Nike. The main panels are made from a thin, recycled nylon material that provides plenty of flexibility, and doesn’t seem to crease or show too many signs of wear. This is a massive improvement over the thick, plastic-y clear material used in their Element 87 releases. Inside, the shoe is lined with a thin and plush mesh material, acting as an extra layer of comfort and creating more airflow around your feet. The tongue is made from the same nylon fabric, but adds two cushioned pods at the top to protect the top of your feet. Combined with similar squishy padding in the heels, putting on the Ava Rover is like slipping into a dense sock.
The Rover is also an incredibly light sneaker. Using the thin, lightweight textles for the upper combined with a foam midsole, the shoe weighs in at just 316 grams. For comparison, I also weighed a pair of recent Air Max 95s and a standard leather Dunk Low. These came in at 513 and 394 grams, respectively.
PERFORMANCE
After wearing the Ava Rover consistently over the past week, I think it is one of the better original sneakers from Nike in the last decade. The shoe’s soft midsoles are both sturdy enough for all day wear, but forgiving enough to feel bouncy after a full day’s work. The ultra-thin outsole gives plenty of traction even on slick surfaces, and the construction of the upper felt like my feet were embraced in a gentle hug, despite wearing them for hours on end. Comfort is massively improved from the last React lifestyle shoe, the Element 87, and while I personally love the Lunar Roam, the shoe’s narrow toe box and running inspired forward lean take away from its overall comfort.
All in, the Ava Rover is an excellent addition to Nike’s 2025 slate. I’d like to see them incorporate some of the design elements of the shoe into more classic styles like adidas did with Boost, instead of relying entirely on all-new models to push their latest technologies.
NIKE AVA ROVER RELEASE INFORMATION
Nike’s latest lifestyle sneaker finally arrived last week. The brand debuted the Ava Rover in a wide range of styles, with at least five colorways available in adult sizing, with two more added in Big Kids’ sizing. Pairs are plentiful and available directly from the Swoosh’s website, all of which go for a very reasonable $145 price tag. Hit the links below to find your preferred color scheme.
WHERE TO BUY:
Black/Muslin – Nike
Fossil/Cosmic Clay – Nike
Triple Black – Nike
Wolf Grey – Nike
Check out our on-feet photos below for a better look, and stay tuned to JustFreshKicks on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for more of the latest sneaker news, release dates, and restock alerts.
Words & images by Ben Serleth