The Duel Racer is also compared to another Nike runner, called the Flyknit Racer. Many reviewers who wore the Flyknit Racer reported that it had a very thin outsole that hurt their feet after extended wear. So, what Nike did with the Duel Racer rubber outsole, put smiles on many faces. This design features a broader imprint on the webbed rubber material, which gave wearers more stability. A number of buyers were also pleased with the grip this model provides them with.

The entire body rests on a dual density foam midsole, which on this model is dual-toned. The white colored part is along the midfoot and the forefoot, while the back of the heel is done in light charcoal featuring the Nike branding on the lateral side. These two variant foams also give the wearer different sensation. The cushioning on the white foam feels average and doesn’t energize your running or bounces back harder than compressed when you are walking in them.

On the other hand, the foam incorporated in the heel can put your mind at ease. Although it is made of similar material as the foam on the white portion of the sole, (Phylon cushioning), the foam at the heel feels very soft and well cushioned. While some wearers claimed it is very firm, others reported that it feels exceptionally comfortable.

The upper on this particular model features an engineered mesh material in a combination of light charcoal, pale grey, and black. When you take one look at the duel Racer, you can notice that the way the knit is done reminds of a chain mail that was worn for extra protection under soldier’s armor. While chainmail was made of steel and iron, the knit on the Duel Racer is quite thin, thus flexible and stretchy. The way the mesh was designed works in the same way as the chain mail; although not exactly as stab-resistant as the mail, the TPU overlays on the mesh upper help to some extent, protect the wearer from potential penetration of sharp objects.

The Swoosh logo on this design is in white, and it is embedded into the mesh on both sides. A black fuse material in a triangular shape is placed at the toe area, that holds the bottom eyelet which on this design is in an infrared color. The laces are black, done in a rope style that loops through the eyelets which then allow for the laces to be done quickly and with zero effort. What lies behind the laces is a soft tongue in a neoprene material in a light charcoal color. Nike kept the branding minimal, placing it only on the tongue in black and silver color.

The back of the Duel Racer features a black TPU heel counter which helps to lock your foot down, delivering additional support. It is accentuated with a white foam block and an infrared pull tab with Nike branding in black, for easy putting on and taking off your sneakers.

The Duel Racer is a unisex shoe, with a low-top profile, designed for speed and comfort. This design is done in a one-piece boot-like construction which means that the neoprene tongue material is connected to the rest of the sneaker. There is additional padding located at the back and the side area for extra comfort.

Many reviewers praised this model for its comfort which mainly comes from the insoles. These insoles are removable, and in this model, they are featured in an infrared finish with the Nike branding on the heel, colored in silver. In addition to the insoles, the dual density foam midsole at the heel also contributes to the overall comfort while the mesh upper plays a significant role in keeping the feet dry and fresh. One downside as reported by customers is that the firm heel cup may feel a bit uncomfortable after extended wear or a short run, causing blisters in the process.

The Duel Racer model is regarded as a lightweight sneaker with decent stability and support. Which part does the Duel Racer draw its support from? In this case, it has to be the dual density foam, which is nothing but a high-density and low-density foam bonded together. While the high-density part disperses the blow, the low-density foam absorbs the impact, thus enhancing the natural movement of the foot. In addition to the supportive midsole, the non-traditional lacing system in this model also works well to provide a more secure fit, therefore providing more support to the foot.

When it comes to stability, you may want to choose one of Nike’s Torsion system outsoles, if you tend to overpronate. While it’s true this design is lightweight, stable and supportive, the lack of firmer sock liner construction makes it less desirable amongst runners and fitness fans alike.

On the other hand, the synthetic layers on the upper and the TPU overlays on the heel counter contribute to the shoes’ longevity and stability.

Many buyers reported that despite the firm Phylon midsole, the Duel Racer is not all that bad when it comes to flexibility. By utilizing a knit upper that is somewhat more flexible than any other part on this model, Nike tried to compensate for the firm sole construction. However, what the style lacks in flexibility, it makes up in responsiveness, which is provided exactly by the firm Phylon midsole.

The protective features on the Duel Racer take strength from the protective sole made of Phylon cushioning. This cushioning, despite being firmer than other models, still provides the wearer with decent softness whether he/she is walking or running. In addition to that, the lightweight, mesh upper has great breathing properties, which help protect the foot from excessive sweating, and therefore the sneaker is less likely to cause blisters and discomfort.

One more thing that customers were pleased about was the responsiveness and comfort that they received from this design. Much like its predecessor, the Nike Duelist, this Duel Racer features the same technology called Phylon. Nike has used this cushioning for many years in many of their famous shoes, like the Nike Cortez for instance. This Phylon material is extremely lightweight and responsive. Today, Nike still uses Phylon but upgraded it to what we call now the Lunarlon. As mentioned before, the Duel Racer features a semi-firm Phylon midsole, (stiffer at the front and softer at the heel counter), which helps increase the sneaker’s energy return.

According to some buyers, the thin webbed rubber outsole is somewhat substandard. It provides good traction on flat terrain indoors or outdoors, but one needs to take extra care when walking on wet terrain, since it may be slippery.

Due to the thin rubber outsole, it is not recommended to wear this model on rough terrain, since it may cause for the outsole to wear down quickly. They do, however, perform well on even surfaces, both indoors and outdoors.

Even though the outsole is made of thin material, it is said that it holds up well over time, provided you don’t wear these shoes on rugged terrain. Wearing the Duel Racer on rough surfaces for a long time may cause the outsole to wear down ahead of time. The upper is made of high-quality overlays and is also reported to last long.

The sleek and stylish design makes the Duel Racer suitable for working, running or everyday wear and it can be matched with pretty much any sports attire. Duel Racer is yet another Nike model that drew inspiration from an 80’s runner model and was transformed into a lifestyle sneaker.

When it comes to sizes, the Duel Racer according to some runs true to size, so it’s a good idea to stick to your standard Nike size. But some buyers reported that it runs half a size smaller, so you may want to pay extra attention when choosing a pair for yourself. The fit is compared to the Nike Flyknit racer, with the difference being in the mesh which is quite stretchy, making the shoe even more appealing to those with wide feet. Released on June 22, 2017, the Duel Racer can be found in many different colorways, like grey and white, black and white, black and red, or black and blue to mention a few.

This modern looking lifestyle sneaker owes its breathing system to the upper construction, which is made of stretching mesh material, allowing for ample airflow. Good ventilation then helps your feet stay dry and cool throughout constant use, adding to the overall comfort ratings of this design.

No information has been released about the actual weight of the Duel Racer, but according to reviewers, it is really lightweight and very comfortable.

There is no data available to explain the drop of the Duel Racer. Many reviewers were happy to say that despite the lack of strong stability features, this model provided them with enough sturdiness.

• Mesh upper for breathable comfort
• Web treaded rubber outsole for durability
• Dual-density Phylon foam midsole for support and cushioning
• Elastic lace-up fastening
• TPU overlays
• TPU heel counter

Nike released the Duel Racer in June 2017, therefore continuing to transform old classic styles into modern lifestyle footwear. The changes that the Duel Racer went through, turned this design into a trendy, runner-inspired style. Featuring a stretchable mesh and neoprene upper that wraps around the foot, this model bears a close resemblance to the Flyknit Racer. The top of the shoe appears to have a sort of a sock-liner which most customers were pleased about since the sock-like upper is trendy these days. This knit upper not only wraps your feet for a snug and comfortable fit, but it also allows the feet to breathe well giving the wearer extra comfort. The lightweight foam sole, together with the removable insole, work well to provide the wearer with decent cushioning at all times. At the bottom, the rubber tread has a role to give the sneaker a good grip while you are walking or running on various surfaces.
Bouncing back from the Nike Duelist, both these sneakers are representations of one of Nike’s best concepts, the Nike Free. This is probably one of their best ideas, which help runners with speed and support while at the same time allowing more freedom in movement. For a very affordable price, you can also add this Nike's remake from the 80's and be trendy in the 2000's.