Details
Brand
Nike
Heel To Toe Drop
10mm
Breathability
9/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Road
Type
Racing
Key Features
• Quality outsole waffle design• Nike Flyknit upper with unique threading• Stylish designs and vibrant colors• Phylon midsole for great energy return
Upper
The upper of the Flyknit Racers features Nike’s unique Flyknit design, which offers extremely solid flexibility, breathability, and support. Nike Flyknit is woven using ultra-thin yarn and stitched in such a way to promote support and remain lightweight as well. Overall, the upper of the Flyknit Racers has a lot to offer and is very well constructed.
Midsole
The midsole of the Flyknit Racers is made of Phylon, like several other models in the Flyknit line. Phylon is made of EVA foam pellets and is very lightweight and responsive. The midsole is lightweight and responsive, while also providing just a touch of cushion, which is a bit uncommon in most racers, but effective in the Flyknits. Finally, it is notable that the Flyknit Racers have a slightly more arched midsole, which should not be a major factor for most, except those who have unique arches.
Outsole
The outsole of the Nike Flyknit Racer is made of a waffle-style carbon rubber. This design is typical of racing shoes because it promotes great traction. This is particularly useful for racing as better grip allows for a better step and stride.;It is also fairly rigid, allowing for a bit of support, which can also come in handy during a race. One thing to note though is that there have been some reports of holes appearing in the outsole. It appears to be a bit more prone to wear and tear, whether that be due to how thin it is or the material it is made of. This is definitely something to consider for those who want to use the Racers every day but is probably less important for those who plan to use it just for racing.
Breathability
The Flyknit Racers are very breathable as a product of the previously mentioned Flyknit upper design. The ultra-light woven yarn and knitted design allow for great air-flow and an overall breathable shoe. Runners won’t have to worry about sweaty feet during runs or races.
Comfort
The Flyknit Racers are an overall comfortable shoe, due to their lightweight design, and the outsole and midsole material. These shoes generally will be more comfortable for those racing, but certainly, are not lacking in that department for those using the shoes for other purposes.
Style
Nike’s style is well known and popular around the world, and the Flyknit Racers are a great example. Styled similarly to the other shoes from the Flyknit line, the Racers have a modern and sleek look. Though unisex, the Racers are offered in a variety of colors, meaning there is likely a color for everyone. Overall, the design of Nike’s shoes tends to be very stylish and accessible, and this can be seen in the Flyknit Racers.
Durability
The Flyknit Racers are arguably less durable than most common shoes. There have been reports, particularly from those who use the Racers every day of holes in the outsole forming near the toe. The likely cause is the thickness of the outsole, which is light and thin, considering the shoe is for racing. This may be an issue of concern for those using the shoes for everyday use or running. For those who plan to exclusively use the Racers for racing, the Flyknit Racers should provide plenty of durabilities.
Protection
It is important to note that racing shoes tend to have less protection than normal trainers. This is due to their lightweight design, which is optimized for speed. The Flyknit Racers offer less protection than most regular trainers, but a standard amount for racing shoes. This is represented in the upper Flywire technology and outsole design. Overall, solid protection is offered from these Flyknit Racers, but for those seeking very high levels of protection, racing shoes are generally not the choice.
Responsiveness
The Flyknits are very good in this regard. The midsole with its Phylon material gives good energy return with every step. This, in tandem with the outsole waffle design, make the Flyknit Racer a responsive shoe. This is important, as when racing in particular, maximum energy return can make a significant difference with every step.
Support
The Flyknit Racers offer decent but not amazing support. This is again a product of the style of racing shoes, in that they tend to offer less support in favor of speed. The Flyknit Racers still offer decent support though, through the design of the upper, and the material of the outer and midsole. The Racers offer less support than most shoes, perform well enough in that regard for racing shoes.
Terrain
The Flyknit Racers are best on the road. They can be used on other terrain, but the design of racing shoes tend to favor roads and sidewalks. Extended use on rougher terrain like in rocky areas might lead to quick wear on the shoes as well. The Racers are usable in rain however, in case it rains on race day.
Price
The Flyknit Racers are not cheap, especially for racing shoes. They are an excellent pair of shoes, that offer great features and technology, but they are definitely on the higher end of the price spectrum. For comparison, most racing shoes are cheaper than trainers by a decent margin, but the Flyknit Racers are on par with the standard trainers on the market. That being said, they are among some of the better racing shoes offered on the market.
Drop
The drop on these Racers is 10mm. The drop tends to be smaller with lighter shoes to promote a more natural stride and larger with heavier shoes for a more protected step. For the Flyknit Racers, a 10mm drop is arguably a bit large for racing flats, as racing flats tend to fall into the spectrum of lighter shoes. That said, it definitely isn’t so large as to be unreasonable and works fairly well for these shoes.
Stability
The Racers offer a bit less stability than most trainers. Once again, this can be attributed to the fact that they are racing oriented shoes. This stability is traded in favor of less weight and speed. Again, this isn’t to say that the shoe is not stable. The upper is very well designed and offers solid stability, the Flyknits are just less stable than a regular trainer.
Flexibility
The Flyknit Racers are a flexible shoe, in part due to the Flyknit weave of the upper and the midsole material. These two in tandem make the Racer a good shoe for flexibility and by extension, a good shoe for racing.
Traction
The Flyknit Racer has exceptional traction, with its waffle design of the outsole. This design aids the shoe in gripping the ground in a way that benefits the runner. This is to promote speed and strong energy return on strides. On surfaces other than the road, the traction may be a bit less effective, however. Generally, though, the Racers should probably be used on road surfaces anyways.
Bottom Line
The Nike Flyknit Racers are a very solid choice of racing shoes. Their patented Flyknit technology in combination with the quality outsole and midsole make the shoe lightweight and flexible. The only major issues to note are the outsole possibly wearing out with extended use, and the price. The price, in particular, might make some shy away, but the quality of these Racers is well worth it. These shoes are definitely most suited for those seeking shoes for road races. For other purposes, like everyday use or training, the Racers are a very solid and usable pair of shoes, though probably not the absolute best choice. In terms of a racing shoe, however, the Racers are an excellent choice and offer great features.
