Nike Manoa Review

The Nike Manoa boot is back again now that the winter is around the corner, and since I got my hands on a pair making it’s a good time to review its features. This sneaker boot has been around for almost a decade now and it’s part of a series of styles that Nike brings back every fall, one that include the Rhyodomo , the Goaterra and the Guadome. These are styles made for the cold season and not “winterized” versions of popular styles that Nike often comes up with. At $90 for a pair the Manoa is the cheapest of the three and the most basic model that looks a lot like a boot but feels very much like a sneaker. Also it was one of the first sneaker boots ever released, inspiring other styles from adidas and Converse like the Chasker and the Berkshire, respectively. 

The pair I got this time was the Haystack version, one that is reminiscent of the traditional Timberland wheat boot only a lot lighter and somewhat more compact. It runs true to size and especially with the all black version it makes the foot looks smaller than in the traditional boots. Nike advertises this product as an all around boot for tough terrain for both hiking and city streets, however it seems like lately it has become more of an everyday shoe. The most popular version is the triple black one that has pretty much become a hit working boot, especially among law enforcement, postal workers and more.

Upper

The upper of the Nike Manoa is made of genuine leather that was treated to be more resistant to water. However, it’s not advertised as weatherproof so if you want to have these in good conditions for more than a year it’s a good idea to get a water repellent cream or spray that you can find at any store that sells footwear. It features double stitching and a molded Nike swoosh to make it more water resistant. The tongue is stitched on the sides to keep it in place from going side to side and also to keep snow away from getting in, a feature that somehow many other winter boots at this price range are lacking. The padding in the ankle area is minimal which shows Nike’s intention to keep this boot as versatile as possible, being able to wear it on hiking trips in spring or fall as well as in snowy conditions in the winter. A thick padding is more characteristic to a true winter booth which helps to trap the heat within the boot and keep your feet warm. This is why Manoa is a great working boot, your feet will not get overheated if you wear these in less than very cold conditions and you can wear them even indoors when necessary. 

Sole 

The sole of the Nike Manoa is where the comfort of a boot made by a sneaker brand comes in. Nike offers two versions of the sole, one with the ACG logo on them and others that don’t. I got the latter and quite frankly I cannot say that I am disappointed. The ACG versions are not easy to find in the US and they run for the same price as the others. Nike must’ve done the math and  since these sell just fine without the ACG technology they’ve been making a lot of regular versions that offer almost the same benefits. The midsole features Phylon foam which is made of multiple layers of EVA molded together. This is what Nike uses for most of their sneakers, even for the very expensive ones where the Phylon is in addition to more advanced technologies. You can feel how soft the midsole is with your fingers and the same goes for the outsole. The outsole is made of a somehow soft rubber that also feels quite sticky to smooth surfaces for optimal traction. The big lugs in the outsole patterns show the hiking origins of the design but because the material is not very hard it does not affect the comfort while using these casually. Most boots have a hard outsole which makes them very durable but yet not as comfortable as this sneaker boot. What I found out during this Nike Manoa review is that the outsole is still quite durable and offers excellent traction. Some have recommended it for hiking but in that regard the Nike Juniper trail. The Manoa runs a bit narrow like most Nike shoes, if you’re unsure what size to get you can check out the Nike shoes size chart here. 

Bottom Line

To conclude this Nike Manoa review, this is a sneaker boot that is an excellent choice for everyday use, including working for long hours. If you are used to wearing sneakers most of the time these will surely make you happy when the cold season comes around. At $90 per pair they are a great value, with durable leather upper and a Phylon midsole and rubber outsole. Nike has been coming up with various colorways and even some versions featuring some nylon upper, thus widening its appeal to more and more people. There is a reason why the brand keeps bringing these back for almost a decade. If in doubt about the size you need you can check out this Nike shoes sizing chart.