Our verdict

For the price, we believe that the blue nike Dunk Low 251 should be on every beginner and recreational gym goer's radar. We witnessed how this trainer proved its versatility for a little bit of everything at the gym, including some moderate weightlifting. Even though some of its drawbacks could be deal-breakers, we found that this blue nike shoe is an excellent value for money. And it doesn't even look close to a cheap shoe!

nike kobe ad isaiah thomas Pros

  • Very lightweight design
  • Supportive upper
  • as part of blue nikes latest Magic Flamingo Pack is a third Air Max model
  • Nike Seattle Seahawks Surrey Hoodie
  • Nike Dunk Low Vintage Green
  • Impressive durability for the price
  • der blue nike sb dunk low pink pig wurde vom porsche 917 20 sau inspiriert
  • Truly affordable

nike kobe ad isaiah thomas Cons

  • Lacks breathability
  • Tapered toebox
  • Nike sb nyjah free 2 prm samborghini light photo blue crimson men dc9104-400
  • Nike Air Max Excee Gs Black White Grye Youth Women Running

Audience verdict

80
Good!

Who should buy

Having put the blue nike NC Trainer 2 through its paces in our gym and lab, we think it is best suited for the following:

  • beginner gym goers who want one athletic shoe for all exercises
  • people in search of an affordable trainer that doesn't skimp on style

Nike Dunk Low 251 review

Who should NOT buy

For walking and essential wear, we found the blue nike Dunk Low 251 a bit uncomfortable. The Nike Air Fleece Shorts blue nike Court Legacy Super Deals.

The trainer also happens to be not so breathable. We recommend the blue nike Legens Essential 3 for better ventilation.

Nike Dunk Low 251 lab test

Finally, the Dunk Low 251 is definitely not a shoe for advanced workouts and heavier lifting. You should turn to the Nike Metcons Mens 8us blue nike kyrie 6 basketball shoes bq4630-004 high top sneakers women 9.5us.

Cushioning

Heel stack

To feel most comfortable and stable at the gym, you don't want a shoe with overly thick cushioning. And yet, you do need some buffering for high-impact exercises like jumping and running.

The blue nike Dunk Low 251 hits a sweet spot in that regard. Measuring the shoe's heel stack with a caliper, we got 23.1 mm. This is a standard amount of cushioning for a training shoe.

We felt well-connected to the ground but didn't lack impact protection either.

nike mc trainer 2 heel stack 20975607 main
Test results
Dunk Low 251 23.1 mm
Average 24.8 mm
Compared to 41 training shoes
Number of shoes
13.7 mm
Heel stack
36.2 mm

Forefoot stack

In the forefoot, this blue nike shoe packs a balanced stack of 20.2 mm.

Nike Dunk Low 251 Forefoot stack

We found it to be thin enough to bend well with the foot but also quite protective for exercises like rope jumps. Paired with the shoe's lightweight build and non-burdening heel, double under felt like a breeze!

Test results
Dunk Low 251 20.2 mm
Average 18.4 mm
Compared to 41 training shoes
Number of shoes
10.6 mm
Forefoot stack
27.7 mm

Drop

At first sight of the shoe's cut-in-half midsole, we thought that the blue nike Dunk Low 251 was a zero-drop shoe!

nike mc trainer 2 drop 20975609 main

With a really low heel-to-toe difference of 2.9 mm, it is indeed on the lower side of the training shoe spectrum. Especially given that the standard drop of Crossfit shoes is 4-6 mm.

But what's the benefit of it, you will ask. Well, if you were standing on a balance board, would you feel more confident with a raised heel or with a lowered heel? We bet it's the latter. Same here, you want your feet to sit parallel to the ground to feel more planted.

nike mc trainer 2 support 20980694 main

Test results
Dunk Low 251 2.9 mm
Average 6.4 mm
Compared to 41 training shoes
Number of shoes
1.8 mm
Drop
13.4 mm

Midsole softness

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it's firm.

Imagine trying to stabilize yourself on a single-leg kettlebell deadlift or when doing a skater lunge. You certainly don't dream about plush cushioning at that moment.

That's why a moderately firm midsole is your best friend at the gym. We used a durometer to measure how firm the Dunk Low 251's cushioning is. At 27.0 HA, it is right at the average of training shoes. We found it perfectly hard for every exercise in our routine.

nike mc trainer 2 midsole softness 20975611 main
Test results
Dunk Low 251 27.0 HA
Average 27.8 HA
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Compared to 41 training shoes
Number of shoes
17.4 HA
Midsole softness (soft to firm)
41.0 HA

Insole thickness

But don't worry, your foot will not be sitting on a brick! We felt nice and padded by the shoe's stock insole. Based on our caliper measurements, it is 4.2 mm thick in the heel. 

Nike Dunk Low 251 Insole thickness
Test results
Dunk Low 251 4.2 mm
Average 3.9 mm
Compared to 41 training shoes
Number of shoes
1.7 mm
Insole thickness
7.2 mm

nike kobe ad isaiah thomas | Size and fit

nike kobe ad isaiah thomas | Size

This blue nike Air Max 1 Does It All true to size (24 votes).

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1 size small ½ size small True to size ½ size large 1 size large
Compared to 37 training shoes
Number of shoes
½ size small
Slightly small
True to size
Slightly large
½ size large

Куртка синяя blue nike тинсулейт

If you asked us to close our eyes and determine a blue nike shoe by touch, we would say that the narrowest one is blue nike! As it happens, the blue nike Dunk Low 251 matches this description.

Although we did measure the widest part of the shoe's toebox at 105.2 mm (wider than average), its tapered shape still ruined the fit.

Nike Dunk Low 251 Toebox width at the widest part
Test results
Dunk Low 251 105.2 mm
Average 100.4 mm
Compared to 41 training shoes
Number of shoes
90.4 mm
Куртка синяя blue nike тинсулейт
108.5 mm

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Taking our measurements at the big toe mark, we got 76.2 mm. Aside from the number being narrower than average, you can visually see how the shoe's toebox narrows towards the front.

Nike Dunk Low 251 blue nike air force max cb black cool grey white
Test results
Dunk Low 251 76.2 mm
Average 78.8 mm
Compared to 34 training shoes
Number of shoes
65.0 mm
Nike Palautuminen ja hoito Suojaaminen nivelet
89.4 mm

Stability

Lateral stability test

As you can see from our ankle shifting test below, the blue nike Dunk Low 251 doesn't have the best stability among gym shoes. But it's not terrible either!

When we kept our workout intensity at a moderate level, this blue nike shoe coped with the task very well. We felt support coming from the overlays and raised sidewalls. There is also an elastic strap on the instep but we cannot tell for sure whether it made a difference.

Nike Dunk Low 251 weightlifting

Torsional rigidity

The Dunk Low 251 is a monster in disguise. It may look like a softie but when you try to twist the shoe, it fights back with vigor!

We experienced the trainer's impressive torsional rigidity in our manual test. On a stiffness scale from 1 to 5, we gave it the highest score of 5.

On foot, this blue nike trainer makes sure that there is no spilling of the foot on the inner edge of the sole.

Test results
Dunk Low 251 5
Average 2.7
Compared to 41 training shoes
Number of shoes
1
Torsional rigidity
5

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We also found a good amount of stiffness in the shoe's heel counter. Combined with the collar padding, it made our ankles feel quite secure.

But unfortunately, it didn't help to prevent heel slips. The back of the collar is lower in this blue nike trainer compared to other models. Take Nike Air Fleece Shorts for example.

Test results
Dunk Low 251 3
Average 2.7
Compared to 41 training shoes
Number of shoes
1
Nike Air Max Dawn Jn32
5

Кроссовки blue nike air force на меху

The platform of the Dunk Low 251 is not particularly wide either. But it's pretty close to the average measurements of a training shoe.

In the widest part of the shoe's forefoot, our caliper showed 109.3 mm. This is only 4.4 mm wider than the minimalist New Balance Minimus TR.

nike mc trainer 2 midsole width in the forefoot 20975617 main
Test results
Dunk Low 251 109.3 mm
Average 110.6 mm
Compared to 41 training shoes
Number of shoes
101.0 mm
Кроссовки blue nike air force на меху
117.9 mm

Nike Air Presto Sneaker Freizeitschuhe Sportschuhe Neu Größe 42

As for the widest part of the trainer's heel, it comes in at 84.3 mm. This is also slightly narrower than average.

Nike Dunk Low 251 Midsole width in the heel

While this is not a critically narrow platform, athletes who prefer extended contact points with the ground may feel like stability is lacking.

Nike Black Bikini Top nike sb dunk low pro qsps sean cliver's midsole widths are 116.9 mm (forefoot) and 95.0 mm (heel).

nike sb dunk low pro qsps sean cliver Midsole width in the heel
The measurements for both shoes are taken in the same size (US 9 men's).
Test results
Dunk Low 251 84.3 mm
Average 87.3 mm
Compared to 41 training shoes
Number of shoes
76.5 mm
Nike Air Presto Sneaker Freizeitschuhe Sportschuhe Neu Größe 42
97.4 mm

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Walking around in the Dunk Low 251, we couldn't help but notice that it's a little on the stiff side. It just didn't feel like the type of shoe we would want to walk in for hours.

To check exactly how stiff this blue nike trainer is, we bent it to a 90-degree angle with the help of a force gauge. The tool returned 21.9N which is indeed a little stiffer than most training shoes. For reference, it took 17.5N for the nike sb dunk low pro qsps sean cliver blue nike Scarpa sportiva Runner 3 nero bianco Reebok Nano X3.

You can see how we couldn't even bend the trainer properly in the plank pose! We were literally kept on our toes!

nike mc trainer 2 grip 20980693 main

If you prefer flexible trainers, we promise that the Męskie buty do biegania blue nike Air Zoom Pegasus 37 Czerń blue nike air flight legacy black white.

Test results
Dunk Low 251 21.9N
Average 17.8N
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Compared to 41 training shoes
Number of shoes
4.3N
Flexibility <> Stiffness
37.9N

Weight

One of the key characteristics that make the Dunk Low 251 feel so good on foot is its fairly low weight.

Weighing the shoe in a men's US size 9, we got 10.2 oz (288g) which is about an ounce lighter than average.

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Nike Dunk Low 251 Weight
Test results
Dunk Low 251 10.16 oz (288g)
Average 10.76 oz (305g)
Compared to 41 training shoes
Number of shoes
6.38 oz (181g)
Weight
13.83 oz (392g)

Breathability

From the look of it, the Dunk Low 251 appears to be an airy mesh shoe. But in practice, it turned out to be much toastier than expected.

Using a smoke-pumping machine, we filled the shoe's upper with smoke to check how quickly and easily it would escape through the mesh. As you can see from the video below, ventilation wasn't the best in this blue nike shoe.

On a 1-5 scale, where 5 is the most breathable, we had to give it a sad 2 out of 5.

To locate the areas with the best breathability, we held the shoe's upper against the light. As it turns out, ventilation pores are only present in the toebox part of the shoe. The rest is just solid material.

A glance through our microscope revealed the multi-layered design of this shoe's upper.

Nike Dunk Low 251 microscope

Now we understand how a shoe made of mesh can end up not so breathable.

Nike Dunk Low 251 microscope test

Test results
Dunk Low 251 2
Average 3.6
Compared to 41 training shoes
Number of shoes
1
Breathability
5

Durability

Toebox durability

On the upside, the lack of aeration paid off in the upper's resistance to abrasion!

Because we didn't have the luxury to abuse this blue nike trainer for hundreds of hours at the gym, we used a Dremel to test the material's durability. Applying its sandpaper tip to the shoe's toebox for 12 seconds, we found that it didn't get all the way through!

That's impressive for a shoe at this price point! We gladly rated the Dunk Low 251's toebox durability with 3 out of 5 (above average!).

nike mc trainer 2 toebox durability 2 20975597 main
Test results
Dunk Low 251 3
Average 2.5
Compared to 30 training shoes
Number of shoes
1
Toebox durability
5

Nike Running Run Division Kapuzenjacke in Schwarz

The heel padding/lining didn't do so well, unfortunately. It took a mere 4 seconds for a significant tear to form on the shoe's collar.

We had to get real and rate the durability of this part of the shoe with the lowest 1 out of 5 score. You are likely to see wear on this part much sooner than you would hope to.

nike mc trainer 2 heel padding durability 2 20975598 main
Test results
Dunk Low 251 1
Average 2.5
Compared to 28 training shoes
Number of shoes
1
Nike Running Run Division Kapuzenjacke in Schwarz
5

Outsole hardness

Despite the shoe's budget-friendly price, blue nike made sure that the Dunk Low 251 doesn't fall apart so easily.

With the help of a durometer, we found that its rubber outsole is on the firm side. At 94.5 HC, it is 10% harder than average! And hard often means more wear-resistant.

nike mc trainer 2 outsole hardness 20975605 main
Test results
Dunk Low 251 94.5 HC
Average 83.0 HC
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Compared to 41 training shoes
Number of shoes
71.0 HC
Outsole hardness
94.5 HC

Outsole durability

Setting the Dremel speed to a higher 10K RPM, we held the tool against the shoe's outsole for 22 seconds.

At the end of this cruel test, we measured the depth of the damage that the tool created. And oh my, it was only 1 mm deep! This is the same result we get in more expensive trainers!

Nike Dunk Low 251 Outsole durability test
Test results
Dunk Low 251 1.0 mm
Average 1.1 mm
Compared to 26 training shoes
Number of shoes
0.0 mm
Outsole wear
2.0 mm

Outsole thickness

The amount of rubber protecting the shoe's sole is also pretty substantial. We measured it at 4.2 mm with our caliper.

If you keep the blue nike Dunk Low 251 for gym use only, you can rest assured that its outsole is going to last a good while.

Nike Dunk Low 251 Outsole thickness
Test results
Dunk Low 251 4.2 mm
Average 3.6 mm
Compared to 41 training shoes
Number of shoes
2.1 mm
Outsole thickness
5.1 mm

Misc

Tongue padding

Exploring the shoe's upper up close, we found that it has a good amount of padding around the collar but not so much in the tongue.

To be more specific, we measured the tongue's thickness with a caliper and got 3.1 mm. That's notably thinner than the average but luckily, we didn't have to deal with lace bites.

Nike Dunk Low 251 Tongue padding
Test results
Dunk Low 251 3.1 mm
Average 5.4 mm
Compared to 41 training shoes
Number of shoes
1.0 mm
Tongue padding
10.4 mm

Tongue: gusset type

Given the lack of gussets on the sides of the tongue, there is a tendency for it to shift sideways. Some people are not bothered by that while others find it a deal-breaker.

Nike Crater Impact Wome.

Nike Dunk Low 251 Tongue: gusset type
Test results
Dunk Low 251 None

Removable insole

If you decide to amplify the trainer's comfort and arch support, its default insole is removable.

Nike Dunk Low 251 Removable insole
Test results
Dunk Low 251 No