Nike Zoom Fly 5 Review (2024)

FAQs

Is the Zoom Fly 5 fast? ›

Our Verdict

If you are searching for a running shoe that feels quick and agile, the Nike Zoom Fly 5 could be the one for you. We prefer the previous version due to its insane stiffness and responsiveness, but this is still a great design even with its updated cushioning.

Plus, it rolls well from heel to toe. The tipping sensation you'll feel in many Nike shoes is less intense in the Nike Zoom Fly 5. So if you want to feel like you're being propelled forward without changing your stride too much, you'll enjoy that component. I always forget there is a carbon plate in the Nike Zoom Fly.

The Nike Zoom Fly 5 features a carbon-fiber plate (FlyPlate) and ZoomX foam to offer the best of both worlds in running: comfort and performance. The big evolution of the Zoom Fly 5 comes from its much softer cushioning, which makes it much more comfortable than the previous models with better shock absorption.

This shoe is a speed day trainer that would work for tempos, intervals, and racing. For $160, you can get 300 to 325 miles of life out of it, which is a pretty appealing offer for someone who doesn't want to break the bank and spend $250 on the Vaporfly or $275 on the Alphafly for only 250 miles of use.

With a carbon fiber plate that helps pitch you forward and our ultra-durable Nike React foam, the Nike Zoom Fly 3 has all of our most-up-to-date technology. Learn more about this race-day shoe that will keep you at the front of the pack.

The biggest issue most people will find with this shoe is sizing. They fit about a half to a full size small; I went up to a 12 from my usual 11.5 in Nike shoes. Like any shoe, it is a good idea to try the Zoom Flys on before purchasing them.

Nike Zoom brings fast-off-the-mark responsiveness and decreased pronation while running, increased ground feel and control to field sports, and faster cuts on the basketball court. Runners interested in increasing speed and performance won't want to miss the latest in Nike Zoom Running Shoes.

Nike has now duly launched the latest incarnation of the shoe - the Air Zoom Alphafly Next% - with one carbon plate and a sole thickness of 39.5mm, as well as newly added air pockets. “We are pleased the Nike Zoom Vaporfly series and Nike Zoom Alphafly NEXT% remain legal,” said the U.S company.

The tongue is slightly padded and stays in place during runs while the collar and heel tab are also more padded to improve comfort so the Zoom Fly 5 runs warmer than previous versions. The fit is true to size with a midfoot, forefoot and toe box which are on the narrow side.

This is truly an amazing shoe. It feels comfortable, responsive, cushioned even on slower, easy runs. I would have no issues lacing these up for marathon, where I have traditionally run in a more supportive shoe. The shoe wants you to run fast as you'll get more out it.

Can you run a marathon in Nike Zoom Fly 4? ›

The Zoom Fly 4 is a maximalist trainer and is almost at the 40 mm stack height limit for World Athletics races so although the shoe rides firm, it's still very well cushioned and can easily handle full marathon distances.

Zoom Air Cushioning under the forefoot also provides a responsive spring with every stride. They're great walking shoes for high arches, due to their soft feel and secure fit.

The curve of the carbon plate helps forward momentum and helps to lift the heel of the shoe faster. Carbon plates also enhance energy return by adding structure and stability to the midsole foam.

OUR VERDICT. The Nike Pegasus Turbo 2 is here to rock your workout and push you to long distance racing PRs. The best in Nike's foam technology doesn't come cheap though, so it's best appreciated by serious runners and by those who are chasing marginal gains.

The HOKA Mach 5 are neutral running shoes. The technologies of the Mach 4 and Mach Supersonic come together in this lightweight training shoe. This fast shoe from HOKA is also called the “Carbon X” without a carbon plate.

Nike roll out the special edition treatment on the Air Zoom Mercurial for the first time ever, and the lucky recipient is PSG striker, Kylian Mbappé.

Deubré is a generic term, originating at Nike, Inc. and dating from the mid 1990s, for an ornamental shoelace tag, most commonly seen on sneakers.

Are Carbon Plate Running Shoes Legal? There has been an ongoing debate over whether carbon plates offer athletes an unfair advantage and whether they need to be banned or regulated for competition, for now though they are legal and are very popular amongst the running community.

The Zoom Fly feels like it's 8mm drop, where I find something about the Vaporfly feels rather less. Structure. While the Zoom Fly has a black line down the side, it doesn't have the carbon fiber plate of its better siblings. There is a plate, but it's simply plastic that "carbon infused" (whatever that means).

Ideally, you want the camera to be straight on or slightly above you, pointing downward for the most flattering angle. If the camera is angled up at you, you'll show off your nose hair and a lot of chin.

Do Nike Air Zoom make you faster? ›

The study concluded, “The analysis suggests that, in a race between marathoners of the same ability, a runner wearing Vaporflys would have a real advantage over a competitor not wearing them.” This advantage was consistent across race distances, training volume, gender and the speed of the runner.

The Alphafly, Nike's self-described fastest shoe to date, is touted by the company as a “collaboration” with the man who is both the ultimate poster child for the shoe's efficacy and a kind of talisman for all that is good and wholesome about the sport of distance running.

An independent study published in 2022 by Joubert compared different brands of super shoes and found that the Nike Vaporfly improved running economy by about 2.7 percent at speeds of 16 kilometers an hour (or 6:02 mile pace) compared to a control shoe.

Considering this, the use of Nike's Vaporfly 4% should have been banned in official and major races around the world. However, the interpretation of this rule falls in a gray area and is not entirely illegal as the carbon-fiber plate is not strictly a technical aid.

The technology uses pressurised air and tightly stretched fibres to absorb impact and then snap back for fast movement and reduced stress on muscles, joints and tendons.

Upper Comfort

There is little arch support, and generally, the shoe feels flat across the sole. The Pegasus 39 is ready for speed thanks to Nike's performance upper and firm, responsive design.

In general, Nike running shoes run small. The shoe last, which is the shape of the shoe, tends to be fairly narrow, though the length of Nike running shoes tends to run true to size.

The general identity of the shoe fits on the snug side initially, slowly expanding and molding to your feet over time. The result is ultimately a very comfortable fit. Those who have wider feet will likely have to go at least a half size up.

The Nike Zoom Fly Flyknit running shoes are definitely true to size and I'd only recommend sizing up maybe half a size, if at all. It does depend how thick and padded your running socks are.

How much faster do you race with Nike Zoom Fly 3? ›

Nike says the shoes are about 4 percent better than some of its best racing shoes, as measured by how much energy runners spend when running in them. That is an astonishing claim, an efficiency improvement worth almost six minutes to a three-hour marathoner, or about eight minutes to a four-hour marathoner.

The upper and the sole of the Zoom Fly 4 now work together and the shoe feels much more cohesive. Not only is it a great training companion to the Vaporfly Next% 2 but it's also one of my favourites of all the training companions because of how stiff its carbon plate is- it gives you a similar feel to a racer.

I doubt I'll get the desired 300 miles out of the Zoom Fly 3, 200-250 miles seems like a more realistic target. That's not unexpected with a shoe that proclaims itself race-day ready, but it's also marketed as an everyday shoe. It would be nice to get more miles from the outsole.

An independent study published in 2022 by Joubert compared different brands of super shoes and found that the Nike Vaporfly improved running economy by about 2.7 percent at speeds of 16 kilometers an hour (or 6:02 mile pace) compared to a control shoe.

The shoe. Reliable, durable and comfortable, the Nike Pegasus is arguably one of the best Nike shoes money can buy – and, after 40 iterations, it's gained a huge cult following, often being cited as one of the most popular running trainers.

A durable and well-lugged outsole sits on the bottom, allowing the shoe to handle a variety of terrain over longer miles. The Nike Pegasus 40 remains consistent as a workhorse daily training shoe with some upper refinements, making it a great option for daily training, long runs and a little uptempo work.

Answer: The battery life of Pegasus depends on the number of moves per game and how fast you play. On average you can play for about 10 hours on a full charge.

SHOES SIMILAR TO THE NIKE ZOOM FLY 4

The Saucony Endorphin Speed V2 is often seen as a direct competitor to the Zoom Fly 4, and that's for a good reason. Like the Fly 4, the Endorphin Speed has an internal plate inside a cushioned midsole that results in a speed-friendly marathon shoe.

The fit is true to size with a midfoot, forefoot and toe box which are on the narrow side. If the Zoom Fly 4 didn't work for you because it was too narrow, the Zoom Fly 5 feels slightly wider so you should try it on before you buy it.

And that is, what the shoe is made for: tempo runs up to 10k race pace and long runs. Some runners even use the shoe as a race shoe. It's not a Vaporfly but if you are looking for a cheaper carbon plated shoe with a firmer midsole, then the Nike Zoom Fly 4 can even be a race option.

Is the Zoom Fly 4 a daily trainer? ›

Nike Zoom Fly 4 Review Analysis (2022) The Nike Zoom Fly 4 is a carbon-plate running shoe for daily training. It offers a convincing ride but may lack versatility.

We've yet to come across examples of flattened Vaporfly midsoles. If we had to put a number to the Vaporfly's durability, it should last 400 miles with a midfoot striking pattern.

If you have the Vaporfly 4% or NEXT% for racing and simply want the closest possible shoe to use for fast training, the Zoom Fly 3 fits the bill. If you're looking at it purely on its own merits as a cheaper alternative to the Vaporfly, there are better options.