Nike ZoomX Streakfly Assessment | Operating Sneakers Guru

LibraReview

Updated on:

Nike ZoomX Streakfly Review | Running Shoes Guru


When Nike launches a brand new racing shoe, it sells out. Rumours of the ZoomX Streakfly have been circling since early final 12 months and again in February 2022 when it launched in some elements of the world, it offered out instantaneously.

Such was the advertising and marketing hype surrounding the Streakfly. Sadly I wasn’t in a position to buy a pair within the first spherical of launch so I needed to wait 2 months till its wider launch in April. There are actually sufficient pairs to go round, no less than right here in Malaysia.

Over the previous 3 years, shoe firms have been specializing in the excessive stack racing sneakers in addition to the super-thick, unlawful racing sneakers (above 40 mm in stack top) however the low stack top racers have been an untapped market.

Adidas was first to the marker with their 5K/10K racer, the Takumi Sen 8. Later within the 12 months, New Steadiness will launch their Tremendous Comp Pacer and there are rumours of the Saucony Sinister however proper now, it’s Nike’s flip to wow us with their short-distance racer.

The ZoomX Streakfly is an evolution of the Zoom Streak sequence which was Eliud Kipchoge’s weapon of selection earlier than he switched to tremendous sneakers.

The Zoom Streak 6 prototype was that notorious shoe that rose to fame as a result of when Eluid used them within the Berlin Marathon, their insoles got here unfastened and had been flapping round his ankles. He nonetheless managed to run a 2:04 in that race.

The Streakfly is a very completely different beast from the Zoom Streak. It now has a brilliant foam midsole, a skinny, knit higher, and a design which resembles the bestseller, the Vaporfly Subsequent% 2.

It weighs 0.9 oz (25.5 g) lower than the Zoom Streak 7 and it prices a considerable $50 extra as effectively.

Nike ZoomX Streakfly First Impressions

picture of Nike ZoomX Streakfly - copyright Running Shoes Guru

image of Nike ZoomX Streakfly

When first pictures of the Streakfly emerged, I used to be hopeful that it will have a full-length, stiff carbon plate in its midsole however I used to be dissatisfied to search out out later that it’s solely a Pebax shank within the midsole, just like the plastic shanks discovered within the Zoom Streak sequence.

A full-length carbon plate would have made it a brilliant shoe however it will even have made it way more costly. I knew from the get-go that the Streakfly wouldn’t be comparable within the journey to the Vaporfly in any respect.

My first run was a ten km steady-paced run. The adjectives that stood out probably the most through the first run within the Streakfly had been clean, minimal, and delicate. It additionally felt very versatile and pure.

The shoe that the Streakfly jogged my memory most of on the primary run was the Nike Pegasus Turbo 2. Each sneakers are low-profile ZoomX sneakers however the distinction is that the Peg Turbo 2 had a layer of React foam in its midsole as an alternative of being full ZoomX so the Peg Turbo 2’s cushioning felt extra substantial underfoot however not as bouncy.

Nike ZoomX Streakfly Sole Unit

picture of Nike ZoomX Streakfly - copyright Running Shoes Guru

image of Nike ZoomX Streakfly

The Streakfly has an general delicate journey character. The super-soft ZoomX midsole of the Streakfly has a really excessive fee of compression so that you get a excessive stage of floor really feel (not like within the Vaporly and Alphafly) as a result of there isn’t any carbon plate in its midsole. I craved for somewhat extra stack top though it’s solely a 5K/10K shoe as a result of the ZoomX compresses a lot when loaded.

The Streakfly has a stiff Pebax shank in its midfoot which gives some midfoot rigidity and stability. The shank doesn’t prolong into the forefoot just like the Ultraboost 22’s LEP System or the Takumi Sen 8’s EnergyRods so the Streakfly stays very versatile within the forefoot.

The versatile forefoot makes transitions within the Streakfly really feel very relaxed. To me, the Streakfly appears like a coach and never a racer. I loved it for regular runs between 4.45 minutes per km as much as 5.half-hour per km however nothing sooner.

When doing strides and brief distance sprints within the Streakfly, I used to be lacking the highly effective toe-off that I get in stiff, carbon tremendous sneakers. There’s nothing to launch you ahead within the Streakfly, no springboard impact. This makes it onerous to suggest the Streakfly for racing as a result of there are such a lot of higher choices that may provide you with a much bigger benefit.

The Streakfly is much more steady than the Takumi Sen 8 and carbon racers just like the Vaporfly/Adios Professional as a consequence of its wider midfoot but it surely’s nonetheless very unsupportive and unstructured so something longer than 10 km turns into uncomfortable.

picture of Nike ZoomX Streakfly - copyright Running Shoes Guru

image of Nike ZoomX Streakfly

On the outsole, all the forefoot is roofed in thick, however delicate ribbed rubber with two vertical strips on the rearfoot defending the outer heel. There’s loads of delicate, uncovered midsole foam on the midfoot which can also be ribbed so I didn’t have any issues with grip.

Sturdiness is the Streakfly’s greatest weak point. After simply the primary run, which was 10 km, I seen loads of scuffing on the lateral facet of the rearfoot not lined with rubber. The issue with ZoomX is that it’s extraordinarily brittle so it must be protected with rubber.

The Streakfly is designed for racing so there isn’t full outsole rubber protection. It could have been an important coaching shoe if it had extra outsole rubber, just like the Pegasus Turbo 2.

Nike ZoomX Streakfly Higher Unit

picture of Nike ZoomX Streakfly - copyright Running Shoes Guru

image of Nike ZoomX Streakfly

The Streafly’s higher feels very roomy and accommodating for a racing shoe, particularly within the midfoot and toe field so I believe it's appropriate for wide-footed runners.

The size is true to measurement however I needed to put on my thickest socks as a way to fill the area within the shoe and get a very good lockdown. Even with thick socks, I seen loads of materials bunching on the highest of the toe field so it’s not your typical, dialed-in racing match.

The higher is hyper-thin and marketed by Nike as a knit materials but it surely feels extra just like an engineered mesh. It’s so porous that I might see my socks via the fabric however I couldn’t really feel any breeze on my ft as a result of I needed to put on thick socks with it.

picture of Nike ZoomX Streakfly - copyright Running Shoes Guru

image of Nike ZoomX Streakfly

There isn't any padding within the collar or the heel tab to save lots of weight and the heel tab is lengthy and skinny so it folds over whilst you’re working however I believe Nike designed it to fold over. Heel lockdown is nice as a result of there are double final row eyelets so you need to use a runner’s knot.

The tongue of the Streafly is hooked up to an internal sleeve so there’s no tongue motion and the lacing space is offset just like the Vaporfly’s lacing to alleviate stress on the highest of the foot. I don’t thoughts this offset lacing setup however I additionally don’t assume it’s needed.

Nike ZoomX Streakfly Conclusion

picture of Nike ZoomX Streakfly - copyright Running Shoes Guru

image of Nike ZoomX Streakfly

The Streakfly is a very enjoyable shoe due to its featherlight weight and its tremendous delicate journey. Its draw back nonetheless is its fragile construct so it could actually’t be used for normal coaching.

At $160, it’s nonetheless comparatively reasonably priced. The Pegasus Turbo 2 was $180 and its midsole wasn’t even full ZoomX just like the Streakfly’s. The Pegasus Turbo 2’s outsole was nonetheless much more sturdy and it was an important shoe for coaching.

The ZoomX Streakfly is a vastly completely different shoe to its predecessor, the Zoom Streak 7. It’s a lot softer, lighter and extra versatile. It’s additionally way more costly but it surely has a contemporary, partaking journey. For my part, it’s an improve but it surely doesn’t dwell as much as the advertising and marketing hype.

The Streakfly doesn’t have a spot in my shoe rotation as a result of I’d choose a brilliant shoe over it for any racing distance. The Streakfly doesn’t provide a lot velocity help, primarily due to the dearth of an aggressive carbon plate.

It’s additionally not nice for coaching due to its fragile build- it’s even much less sturdy than the Vaporfly/Alphafly and I might be very shocked if you will get 400 km out of it.

In comparison with the Takumi Sen 8, the Streakfly has a greater match for my foot form; it didn’t give me blisters just like the Takumi did. It’s additionally softer and extra relaxed than the Takumi so it doesn’t really feel as quick. It’s much less sturdy but it surely does value much less as effectively. If I needed to choose one, I’d choose the Streakfly.

I’d suggest the Streakfly to you for those who worth a light-weight construct above the rest as a result of, at 6 oz, the Streakfly is likely one of the lightest trainers available on the market. I’d additionally suggest it to you for those who cherished the super-soft journey of the Pegasus Turbo.

As editorial coverage, we don't settle for free samples from firms.
We bought this pair of Nike ZoomX Streakfly at Operating Warehouse with our personal cash.



You'll be able to view the unique put up right here

Leave a Comment