Details
Brand
Nike
Heel To Toe Drop
N/A
Breathability
7/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Road
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• The outsole is equipped with a 3/4-inch plate adorned with 6 permanent steel spikes• Rearfoot area of outsole features Sharkskin material for improved traction• Phylon foam cushioning runs the length of the midsole• Dynamic Flywire upper brings a better fit to runners• Arch strap is located internally to secure the foot even further• Tongue made of mesh• Anatomically fitted toe area for enhanced comfort
Upper
The upper of the Nike Zoom Victory Elite 2 is made of Flymesh. The shoe is basically covered in the stuff, and there’s a good reason for it. It’s a super lightweight material. A racing shoe needs to be lightweight to perform well and the Nike Zoom Victory Elite 2 is no exception. The Flymesh is featherlight to keep the shoe’s weight down and help with ventilation. The fit of the upper is snug without messing with the shoe’s breathability. The upper also features a thin mesh tongue which is also meant to enhance breathability. An arch strap is located internally to secure the foot even further. Also, an anatomically fitted toe box helps with fit and enhances comfort. Even with such a tight-fitting racing spike, runners will feel like they have some breathing room. A new Dynamic Flywire construction helps to secure the shoe on the wearer’s foot better.
Midsole
The midsole of the Nike Zoom Victory Elite 2 features foam cushioning that runs the length of the shoe. Since this is a racing shoe, the cushioning is indeed minimal, but there’s at least a thin layer of protection fitted between the outsole and the upper. The midsole’s Phylon foam also acts to give the wearer a bit of rebound. The cushioning runs from heel to toe to ensure the entire foot is protected. Granted, it’s slight protection, but it’s plenty for distances up to 5000m.
Outsole
The outsole of the Nike Zoom Victory Elite 2 features a newly designed spike plate. The 3/4-inch plate is equipped with six steel spikes only in this version they are non-removable. Quite a few runners complained about this since it significantly reduces the longevity of the track spike. Once the spikes have worn down, they are no longer useful, even if the rest of the shoe is still in good condition. Regarding the remainder of the sole, the rearfoot area features a grid-like construction called Sharkskin that helps to improve traction.
Breathability
The Nike Zoom Victory Elite 2’s Flymesh upper does a great job at balancing a secure fit with breathability. Even with a tight fitting upper, breathability is not compromised. A race spike needs to fit super well, heel slippage is a no-no, and any kind of inner foot movement is bad. Unfortunately, sometimes that means a shoe ends up feeling too snug. Not so with the Nike Zoom Victory Elite 2. The fit is comfortable, and airflow is never compromised. Reviewers even commented on how they were surprised at how nice the toe box felt, citing it as roomy, leaving space for swelling. Even the tongue of the shoe is made of mesh and is another area that helps with ventilation.
Comfort
The fact that the Nike Zoom Victory Elite 2 is so lightweight definitely contributes to how comfortable it is. Runners agreed that the shoe felt fast, and stayed put without pinching anywhere or feeling too tight. Even with such a streamlined fit, there’s enough room in the forefoot region to accommodate some foot splay. You wouldn’t know by looking at the track spike, but reviewers appreciated this aspect of the upper fit. There’s also a slight bit of cushioning underfoot to provide a bit of protection and padding.
Style
The Nike Zoom Victory Elite 2 has a sleek and sporty design. They are unisex, so there are no separate color options for men and women. Instead, runners are treated to flash. Bright neon green and blue colors are available, and they all certainly stand out. The colorways are fitting for a track spike like the Nike Zoom Victory Elite 2. If you prefer to stand out a bit, this shoe is a great option. For a shoe that will likely only see the light of day every once in a while during races, it’s nice to have some pops of color here and there.
Durability
The Nike Zoom Victory Elite 2 is fairly durable, but there’s one point of concern that several reviewers mentioned: the spikes. In this version of the Nike Zoom Victory Elite 2, the spikes are not removable. This means that they cannot be replaced even when they’re worn down. The spike plate itself is made of quality materials, but the steel pins will naturally wear down. That’s a given. It’s unfortunate that Nike has decided to make a shoe with permanent spikes and reviewers were quick to point out this negative aspect of the Victory Elite 2. The rest of the shoe fares well regarding durability. The upper is resistant, and the shoe isn’t going to tear apart easily. Keep in mind. This is a racing spike. It’s not meant to be worn for long distances, so don’t expect miracles when it comes to durability.
Protection
The outsole is always the first layer of protection in a shoe. The Nike Zoom Victory Elite 2’s outsole helps keep runners from losing grip on the surfaces they’re racing on. The spikes help a great deal in this respect, as does the Sharkskin heel material. When racing, there’s little doubt that exertion will cause the foot to heat up quickly. The Nike Zoom Victory Elite 2 has an upper that ventilates well and ensures a wearer’s foot stays cool.
Responsiveness
As a racing spike, the Nike Zoom Victory Elite 2 needs to be responsive to ensure a smooth ride. Reviewers felt the shoe was very responsive. The midsole’s Phylon foam provides a small degree of energy-return, while the outsole spike plate doesn’t hinder ground-feel. Along with the lightweight design of the shoe, it’s definitely responsive enough for short and mid-distance racing.
Support
The Nike Zoom Victory Elite 2 doesn’t have a lot of support in the traditional sense. If you’re looking to purchase a track spike, you’re likely well aware that it’s not going to be super supportive. Still, the fit of the Victory Elite 2 has improved. The upper offers more support than before thanks to a tighter more secure fit. A small degree of cushioning in the midsole helps to support and cradle the foot.
Terrain
The Nike Zoom Victory Elite 2 is made for short distance track racing. You wouldn’t want to take this shoe out on the pavement or trails since the spikes would most certainly get in the way. The six spikes attached to the spike plate should provide enough traction for most runners.
Price
The Nike Zoom Victory Elite 2 is moderately priced track spike and is a good buy for the price. It’s got a great, bright design scheme. It’s lightweight, comfortable, and offers great traction. The ride in the Nike Zoom Victory Elite 2 really feels effortless. The problem is that the spikes are not removable. Changing them is impossible since they’re permanently installed. This decreases the overall value you get for your money since once the spikes have worn down excessively, the shoes will need to be replaced. It should be noted, though, that the shoe is priced slightly lower than the previous Victory Elite.
Drop
The Nike Zoom Victory Elite 2 features a 0mm drop but keep in mind the spikes and spike plate alter this drop a bit. Reviewers felt the shoe provided a good amount of ground-feel. For shorter distance racing, the weight of the shoe is important. A lightweight track spike is going to perform better than some clunky trainer. You’ll notice that the Nike Zoom Victory Elite 2 doesn’t have a prominent heel. It’s nearly non-existent to ensure the overall weight of the shoe stays low and this results in a lower drop, as well.
Stability
The Nike Zoom Victory Elite 2 features an improved upper fit. In a shoe like the Victory Elite 2, the upper provides most of the stability for the wearer. The upper needs to fit securely so that any kind of slippage inside the shoe is eliminated. Those racing don’t want any kind of movement to happen that might result in a sloppy fit since it can hinder performance. Reviewers agreed that the Nike Zoom Victory Elite 2 fits much like a glove.
Flexibility
The Nike Zoom Victory Elite 2 is quite flexible. The flexibility of the upper material helps wearers move easily and smoothly without feeling constricted by any excessively tight fitting material. The outsole also flexes somewhat to ensure the movement from heel to toe feels intuitive. It’s rigid enough to offer some support but flexes enough to provide a natural feel and ride. Reviewers liked the balance between the hard supportive outsole and the overall flexible ride.
Traction
The Nike Zoom Victory Elite 2 has excellent grip thanks to its six steel spikes attached to its outsole. The spikes allow runners to dig into the track surface and propel themselves forward without any fear of losing traction and balance. The shoe also features a Sharkskin component in the heel area of the outsole. This outsole pattern offers an extra degree of traction for wearers. It’s to be noted that many reviewers were concerned about the fact that the spikes could not be replaced. When they do become dull, they cannot be removed, so if a runner chooses to keep running in the shoe, traction will no doubt be compromised.
Bottom Line
The Nike Zoom Victory Elite 2 is a reliable track spike that is appropriate for a variety of short and mid-level track racing distances. The shoe features a fun, bright design and is built with quality in mind. A newly designed spike plate is resistant to wear and adds a bit of flexibility to ensure a smooth ride. The shoe is also more supportive than its previous iteration and secures the wearer’s foot a lot better than before. A slight price drop makes the Nike Zoom Victory Elite 2 even more appealing for those seeking to upgrade. The non-removable spikes may worry some runners who want to squeeze every ounce of life from the shoe, but it’s really the only negative in an all-around stellar track shoe.
