Details
Brand
Nike
Breathability
7.5/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Trail
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• Dual Density Midsole• EVA midsole platform• Nike FlyWire technology• Strong breathable mesh upper• Rubber outsole with lugs• Soft fabric interior lining• A wide array of style selections• Low drop offset• Lightweight and suitable for up-tempo trail running
Upper
This part of the shoe has seen the most updates from the first version. It has been outfitted with stronger mesh material but without compromising the shoe’s ability to breathe or provide elasticity. Another improvement has been the addition of more support around the eyelets. The added reinforcement helps with providing more structure and stability. Support reinforcements have also been added through the use of Nike’s FlyWire technology.
Midsole
The Dual Fusion Trail 2 gets the first part of its name, “Dual Fusion,” from its midsole construction. It is comprised of two densities, making it a dual density midsole. It contains a firm layer which is meant for responsiveness and durability and a soft layer which is for cushion and comfort.;The midsole is constructed from EVA material or ethylene-vinyl acetate. EVA is the most commonly used material for the construction of running shoe midsoles. It’s known for its springiness, softness, and durability — all characteristics which can be found within the Dual Fusion Trail 2.
Outsole
The outsole on the Dual Fusion Trail 2 is made from rubber materials. The outsole is outfitted with a collection of moderate length lugs that are intended for grip and traction. They are mostly concentrated toward the forefoot and midfoot regions of the shoe. Toward the back of the outsole, you have unbroken rubber that is dispersed as far back as the heel area. This helps with smoother transitions.
Breathability
Despite added improvements with the shoe’s mesh material, the Dual Fusion Trail 2 has not lost its lungs. Just as with the original, this version provides for a steady supply of air flow to enter the shoe’s internal compartments. This allows runners to get the benefits of feet that stay dry and cool during the entire duration of their runs. And as an added benefit, the shoe’s light-weight nature means that the faster you can run, the more airflow you’ll feel around your feet.
Comfort
The Dual Fusion Trail 2 is comfortable without being overtly obvious about it. It offers comfort in all the right spots without over-extending it in any one particular area. For example, many users have reported being very pleased with the fabric used in the interior lining. It’s smooth, soft, and feels great against the skin. However, the interior padding is not so thick where mobility becomes constricted. Some shoes have the tendency to pad up their interiors so much that it can make our ankles feel claustrophobic. Here, it’s the contrary. It’s the fabric and not the thickness of the padding that provides for the shoe’s comfort aspects.
Style
Style has been another popular highlight for the Trail Fusion 2. Through it has since been discontinued, many color combinations remain widely available online. This is actually not the flashiest Nike shoe out there, and style-wise, as it’s more subdued than some other Nike products out there. In our opinion, what is most appealing is the classic Nike look. You’ll quickly take notice of the iconic swoosh logo imprinted on its sides. In terms of the structure, it has a bit of a retro-racer look which is a throwback to the earlier models of Nike shoes.
Durability
This version of the Dual Fusion Trail has been intended to last longer than the first. As we’ve seen, the shoe’s upper has undergone a facelift. And with this change came an improvement with the shoe’s ability to withstand the dirt and grit of the trail for many more miles. The hard foam portion of the midsole, which makes up one portion of the dual density layer, is designed with durability in mind. The added reinforcement on the shoe’s eyelets add for extra protection against premature wear and tear on the sides.
Protection
Improvements have been seen in this area as well. For instance, the toe cap on the front has been enlarged from the prior version. A wider toe cap aids with flying debris and other fragments that a runner may encounter on the trail. On the outsole, the lugs are intended to provide you with a fair amount of grip and traction. However, as we indicated earlier, they are not as sharp or aggressive as they are on other trail shoes. They’ll be suitable under tamer trails, but they will not suffice under more uneven terrain like hard rocky surfaces, or trails where you’re likely to encounter large branches or anything else that would require the use of specialized elongated lugs.
Responsiveness
The firm part of dual density midsole not only provides durability but this is the portion that allows for a responsive ride. Some shoes only combine a single density layer while others can provide more than 2 densities, all depending on the shoe’s specialization. For the Dual Fusion Trail 2, the firm density layer allows the shoe to retain a high amount of springiness so that a runner can land and be propelled back into their running cycle right after making contact with the ground.
Support
Nike is known for its FlyWire technology which is used in a lot of its road shoes. This technology is especially popular among its light-weight trainers. Nike FlyWire works the same as cables on a suspension bridge. The cables extend outward to the base and hold the bridge together. On the Dual Fusion Trail 2, FlyWire cords are seen on the outer edges which hold the midsole platform together. The cords also give the top portion of the shoe its structure which lends them to provide a safe and secure fit for your foot.
Terrain
We have beaten up a bit on the shoe’s lugs and their lack of aggressiveness. But once again, Nike did not design this shoe for climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. The Dual Fusion Trail 2 will do just fine over relatively rugged trail surfaces which are widely available and what most of us have access to.;A much more positive note about the toned down lugs is the fact that it makes these shoes suitable for on/off road running — meaning that it’s a terrific shoe for switching between trail and road during the same running session.
Price
The Dual Fusion Trail 2 has been discontinued, but it remains widely available for purchase. Its discontinuation means that you can find deep price discounts on a variety of its color combinations. Price ranges as low as the $50 range and as high as the mid $100s. However, we wouldn’t advise paying over $100 for this shoe as the common price range seems to be considerably below that. It also doesn’t make sense to pay such a high price tag for a discontinued shoe. Of course, the price will all depend on the availability of sizes and specific styles
Drop
Offering just the basics when it comes to stability, the Dual Fusion Trail 2 is more minimalist shoe, but not minimalist in the truest sense. It contains a 4 mm drop offset for both the men and women’s versions. It’s a significantly low offset which will be suitable for runners who land somewhere between their mid-foot to forefoot. A lower drop will also discourage heavy heel striking.
Stability
In general, the Dual Fusion Trail 2 is not much of a stability shoe. However, it’s built with neutral arch support and it’s ideal for runners with neutral and under pronation. Supportive features are limited, giving you just a basic amount of stability. It’s designed for the more advanced runner that already has established good running form. Anyone looking for more guidance because of overpronation or heavy heel striking will be best served by a shoe that offers more stability and support.
Flexibility
The shoe’s synthetic mesh upper allows for the seamless movement for your foot. The improved mesh material has been made stronger and more flexible than it was in the first version. Unfortunately, most of the mesh material is concentrated in the front. Toward the middle and back of the shoe, you’ll find more leather which we know can limit a shoe’s flexibility.
Traction
The Dual Fusion Trail 2 gets its grip and traction from its rubber outsole. It allows for sufficient grip over road surfaces and trails. The lugs are thicker toward the front and less aggressive on the rear, where it’s outfitted with a smoother rubberized surface. The purpose for this disparity between the front and back is for ease of movement during running transitions. Some users have also noted that it lacks grip over wet surfaces, making this shoe mostly suitable for dry conditions.
Bottom Line
In summary, the Nike Dual Fusion Trail 2 is a straightforward trail shoe that delivers on its promise to offer comfort, protection, and just enough support to keep you active on the trail. It does it all with the ability to come packaged in a lightweight piece of footwear.;It offers support through the use of Nike FlyWire technology, which utilizes cords to hold the structure of the shoe in place. It offers comfort in very subtle forms. For instance, the use of thin interior padding is a way that Nike manages to keep all components of the shoe to a minimum while still ensuring that enough comfort is generated through the use of quality fabric material. The mesh upper supplies a generous amount of airflow to keep you comfortable as well.;And perhaps the biggest appeal of the shoe is that fact that it’s affordable, even with the name brand recognition of Nike. Also, the fact that it’s easy on the eyes and there are many great style options available doesn’t hurt either.
