Details
Brand
Nike
Heel To Toe Drop
N/A
Breathability
7/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Road
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• Breathable mesh• Durable rubber sole• Great no-sew overlays• Plush contoured foam collar• Integrated crash pad• Gripping flex grooves
Upper
As is the case with many advanced running shoes, the Nike Zoom Fly utilizes a breathable mesh upper that allows air to move in and out of the shoe without simultaneously letting in the elements. This way, your foot will be well-ventilated in a way that won’t add any unnecessary weight. The upper is entirely seamless, meaning that you’ll have a smoother experience that’s free of blisters and the like. It also features bonded overlays that hold the entire construction together.
Midsole
There is Cushlon foam as well as Phylon in the midsole, which has been compression-molded. The cushioning, then, is dual-density and does double the work of what cushioning will typically do for your average running shoe. The cushioning is more resilient this way and you’ll enjoy a more plush feel, as well as from the midsole feeling lighter than it normally would. The shoe also takes advantage of the brand’s Air Zoom feature to offer up pockets of cushioning.
Outsole
The outsole of the Nike Zoom Fly benefits from the brand’s BRS 1000 technology, which gives you great traction on a wide variety of surfaces. The outsole is textured and patterned to resemble a waffle in order to provide the best traction possible. This also makes the outsole of the shoe plenty durable, and there’s a layer of carbon rubber that wraps around the heel. What this does is offer another layer of protection that ensures that you have less of a chance of your shoe wearing out before too long.
Breathability
As we’ve touched on earlier, the Nike Zoom Fly is actually quite breathable, thanks in large part to its breathable mesh upper that’s advanced enough to allow for maximum airflow while not sacrificing structural integrity. Overlays provide the structure, and it performs at such a high level that you shouldn’t have to worry about the shoe letting in the elements even on a rainy run. Nike is known for quality, and the Nike Zoom Fly is no exception to this rule.
Comfort
When it comes to comfort, many reviewers have applauded Nike for making such a comfortable shoe, and one that’s simultaneously durable at that. This extends from the outsole to the midsole, where there’s plenty of advanced cushioning that will keep your feet comfy. This even extends to the no-sew overlays that give you a great fit without compromising comfort. The Nike Zoom Fly is a comprehensively comfortable shoe from top to bottom.
Style
Nike is known for embracing bold stylings when it comes to their running shoes, and this applies to the Zoom Fly. There are several different bold color choices for you to choose from, and you can even go the minimalist route and go with a simple black or something similar should that be more in line with your interests.
Durability
You know it’s a good sign when multiple reviewers point to the durability of the shoe as a major plus, and that’s exactly what’s happened with the Nike Zoom Fly. The construction of the shoe is as comfortable as it is durable, and the rubber outsole gives even more durability and traction to ensure that you get a good grip on the road no matter what. And with the added breathability and protection from the elements that the shoe affords you, you should have no problem running in the rain with the Nike Zoom Fly shoes.
Protection
The protection in the Nike Zoom Fly is sound, thanks to the carbon rubber that wraps around the heel of the shoe. This will ensure that there’s plenty of protection for the areas of the shoe that will receive more wear than others, meaning that you’ll likely be able to keep the shoe for much longer than average since you won’t have to worry as much about wearing holes in it. This is just yet another aspect of this shoe that makes it an attractive candidate as your next trainer.
Responsiveness
As we’ve seen so far with so many other features that the Nike Zoom Fly is packing, the responsiveness is more than adequate. This is thanks largely to rubber outsole that utilizes a waffle design to give plenty of durability and cushioning. The shoe has a low profile that will definitely enhance your running experience, and the air pockets that Nike has incorporated into the shoe give it much more cushion and comfort than your average running shoe.
Support
The arch support on the Nike Zoom Fly is made specifically for stability, which means that this shoe will give adequate support for the vast majority of runners. By focusing on the majority of runners instead of catering to specific issues that a runner might have, Nike has made it so that their shoe can appeal to a very broad audience. With that said, that means that those who have specific arch conditions might be better served seeking out a different shoe.
Terrain
The Nike Zoom Fly running shoe is designed specifically for use on the road, as evidenced by its outsole that can deftly grip paved surfaces and the focus on durability and protection. Even with these measures put into place, the shoe is still quite light, which means that it’d be a good option for if you were looking for a marathon shoe. It takes a certain type of shoe to stand up tot he abuse of a long distance run, and the Nike Zoom Fly is definitely one of those shoes.
Price
The MSRP of this shoe is $150. However, since a newer version of this shoe has been released, you can probably grab it at a lower price.
Drop
The heel to toe drop on the Nike Zoom Fly, for both the men’s and women’s version, is 10 mm. While this isn’t the lowest drop we’ve ever seen on a running shoe, it also isn’t the highest either. It’s about average when it comes to heel to toe drops. This means that you shouldn’t see a noticeable impact on your run. Instead, you’ll have a reasonable running experience that will lend itself to comfort no matter what application you’re attempting when it comes to running.
Stability
Now that we’ve covered one of the shoe’s few drawbacks, we might as well get back to singing its praises. In terms of stability, it’s not surprising that a shoe that was specifically designed for stability would excel in this area. You should have no problem getting a stable run, which comes in handy when it comes to long-distance running, where even the slightest misstep could cause you to tumble. That won’t be an issue here with the Nike Zoom Fly, as the shoe has been fine-tuned to deliver the most stable running experience possible.
Flexibility
With all of the other features that the Nike Zoom Fly packs, there were bound to be some drawbacks to the shoe as a whole eventually. In this case, the shoe lacks a bit in terms of flexibility. It’s been described by some reviewers as being a bit unforgiving and that it needs to be broken in for quite a while before it becomes comfortable for the bottom of the foot. Even so, it’s not an issue that’s a deal breaker by any means. It just means that you’ll have to calibrate the relative inflexibility of the shoe into your decision.
Traction
Thanks to the carbon rubber that Nike employed in their outsole on the Nike Zoom Fly, this shoe has quite durable traction. This makes the outsole very reliable, all without adding at all to the overall weight of the shoe. On top of this, the waffle pattern that’s been designed into the shoe means that you’ll have good traction on any number of surfaces. This comes with the added bonus of durability, meaning that the Nike Zoom Fly is optimized for a great running experience.
Bottom Line
The bottom line when it comes to the Nike Zoom Fly is that this is a shoe that is positively loaded with features, whether that’s in the form of superior breathability, durability, protection, or support. It’s a stable shoe that is durable without adding unnecessary weight, and it does this all without gouging you in terms of price. You’d be hard-pressed to find a name brand shoe this loaded with features at such an affordable price.
