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I was excited to try the Nike Streakfly. I was a huge fan of the Nike Streak series before the carbon plated era, and in fact, the majority of my running PRs are in those old school racing flats. As we know, recent years have shown the boom of carbon plated footwear, and old school racing flats are mostly a thing of the past—a lot of it having to do with lighter not always being better and so many of those old school racing flats contributing to stress fractures. Anyway, Nike introduced a modern-day racing flat with cushion. I was curious to know:
Nike ZoomX Streakfly Quick Facts:
The Nike ZoomX Streakfly sports an ultra-thin knit upper that is so light you can see your socks through it. It's supportive yet provides plenty of forefoot reinforcement. It also features a lateral lacing system with a notched tongue to ease foot pressure. The wider toe box is a welcome change from the typical tight fit of racing flats, such as the Nike Streak 6. In fact, I don't know if I have used a racing flat that has this much space in the toe box.
The best running shoe uppers disappear off your feet and for the most part, the Nike Streakfly does. I have gone through a couple of pairs now with no issues of hot spots or blisters. Its plush, soft heel counter is a relief compared to the rigid counters of some competitors, offering a comfortable fit without causing Achilles irritation.
In running shoes, I wear between a women's size 10-11 wide and have found the size 10.5 (men's 9) to fit the best. It's actually one of the most comfortable racing flats I've ever owned. Yay for modern-day footwear.
The Streakfly utilizes a full-length ZoomX foam midsole, renowned for its lightness and responsiveness. The lower stack height compared to other models like the Vaporfly offers a more connected ground feel, enhancing the shoe’s responsiveness—perfect for those who felt too far off the ground in other high-stack shoes.
Like I mentioned, I was super excited to try the Streakfly. I am a huge fan of the old school racing flats and have run many PRs in them. Compared to older racing flats, the Nike Streakfly is more responsive and softer. You don't feel the ground as much. Compared to carbon plated shoes, you'll feel the ground a whole lot more. For me, it feels great as a 5-10k racing shoe. I've run longer in it, but I've had enough stress fractures in my life to know I probably need something with more cushion. It's fast and if you are looking for a shorter distance race and workout shoe, it's a great option.
Surprisingly durable for a racing flat, the outsole integrates "runner-informed data" to optimize traction and grip, making it suitable even in less-than-ideal conditions. While not intended for trails, its performance on road and track is decent, especially in taking sharp corners. I've used it in inclement weather and I haven't had any issues with sliding around (or slipping with corners).
The Nike ZoomX Streakfly stands out as a preferred option for shorter distances and those transitioning to lower-profile shoes. While it won’t replace the likes of the Vaporfly or Alphafly in the realm of high-stack, carbon-plated footwear, it offers a lighter, faster alternative for short races and workouts. For those missing the Nike Pegasus Turbo 2, this might be the closest option, providing a lighter, more responsive ride.
Who Should Buy the Nike ZoomX Streakfly?
This shoe is a great choice for someone focusing on shorter races like 5ks and 10ks, who prefer a "closer to the ground" experience or find other carbon-plated shoes and massive stack heights. Its design favors quick, responsive movements, making it a good choice for tempo runs and track workouts.
Who Should Not Buy the Nike ZoomX Streakfly?
Runners looking for a shoe to last beyond 150 miles might be disappointed, as its racing flat nature doesn't promise long-term durability. Or if you're looking for a carbon plated shoe, because this isn't it.
I was paid to write an honest shoe review of my choice.
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