Nike Epic React Flyknit - Opinion/Impressions

there are possibly literally a dozen threads on this same topic.

Most people aren't having durability issues like that. Could be a defect. I don't have them but I have heard several reviews which say they are great for casual wear as well.

kid from PA wrote:

there are possibly literally a dozen threads on this same topic.

I only count 3 from the last 2 weeks but most were before the shoes had officially launched.

Here's the longest thread:

If you've run in this shoe we'd love your review for our new running shoe site here:

If you want bounce a soft shoe is never the answer seeing as how you'd compress the soft eva foam...So misleading.

Although the adidas blades or nike shox will give you the most bounce.

You got scammed. It's a lifestyle shoe!

No Fame wrote:

You got scammed. It's a lifestyle shoe!

Agreed I never look at a shoe that wasn't used in a race.

I have mixed feelings about the React. (I left my review twice with NDC, and neither time did they publish it, so I'll add it here). On the negative side, the foam feels rock hard, with absolutely no energy return feeling at all, standing, walking or running. All the Marketing and athletes saying it is like a trampoline is bogus. And certainly not comfy for casual wear. However, on the positive side, I noticed it has a very nice smooth heel to toe transition when running, and the shape seems conducive to heel, mid foot, or forefoot strike. Also, after several weeks of running in them, I noticed that my knees, ankles, and muscles were much less fatigued after each run. For that reason, I am keeping them in my running shoe rotation. But I definitely have a love/hate relationship with these shoes.

Is it just me or the shoes is very narrow in the back and midfoot? I don't know how this is different from other cloud trainers like Vomero.

Sub elite here (sans sponsorship). Given a pair of these by a good buddy that is Nike sponsored, I did a moderate 75 minutes in these shoes today. I found them to be firm, and definitely comfortable. As I've only done one run in them, I can't comment on the durability. Overall, I'm going 8/10.

Ran in them twice, at different speeds. I really don't what Nike was thinking in their marketing campaign. They are NOT bouncy at all, and not even super soft. They even feel a bit firm, but at the same time unstable.

The upper feels nice, but the sole is bullshit. If you want bounce, buy some adidas boost or Saucony Everrun. If you want stability, buy something else (not very experienced in stability shoes).

My verdict: NOT a running shoe. Could be a comfortable lifestyle shoe, but I don't think they look good enough.

The midsole material is great. The problem is the sole needs more rubber to make it more responsive and durable. The rubber needs to extend from the toe to more of the forefoot where you pushoff. I don’t know why they didn’t do this.

The one piece, stretchy flyknit upper doesn’t hold the foot as securely. It’s hard to get the laces tight enough to hold the foot in place. They end up feeling wide and sloppy as a result.

You sound like such a pansy

1. "lack support entirely". what do you mean by "support" and if you mean medial support as in normal running shoe lingo - they don't claim to have that, this one's on you

2. "my ankles were jello because of the low profile fit" WTF does that even mean? Not Nike's fault that you have inhuman ankles

3. "soles were wearing down after after two runs". "soles" do you mean the sole that has hardly any rubber on it, that you saw when you bought it?

But yes, you should be mad at Nike for not designing a shoe for you, or reading your mind and demand your money back.

I seem to have massively different experiences with these than basically everyone else.

Got them the day after they were released in the UK. Hated buying them but really wanted a new easy mileage shoe.

Normally ran my everyday miles in Hoka Clifton 1 or 3.

I actually really love them. Find them really comfortable, bouncy and easy to run in. 10mm (I think?) Drop becomes an issue for me after 16 miles or so but maybe that's because I'm used to different shoes?

Seem super durable, secure upper, perfect for easy road miles. I've actually run some slightly quicker (5:40-5:50 pace) runs in them and felt fantastic in those too. Expensive yes, but thumbs up so far.

Moo Goo wrote:

Is it just me or the shoes is very narrow in the back and midfoot? I don't know how this is different from other cloud trainers like Vomero.

Since the upper is only fly knit sock, it has to be tighter and wrap around foot more than a Vomero to lock down your foot. I find the heel wraps around tightly, almost needing a shoe horn to put on, and the mid foot is also very snug. The mid foot loosens with wear, or you can just take out the insole for more room. The shoe feels very stable to me in running, but one inside running track I use when weather is bad has sharp 90 degree turns, and I noticed when cutting my foot wants to slip off the center of the sole. So while Pegasus is a good multi-purpose shoe, these are pretty much for running only. (Which I guess is why they are called running shoes, duh!)

I'm not sure while some reviewers say sole is very bouncy while mine are rock hard. Maybe manufacturing process tolerance, some foam comes out too firm?

This thread is a perfect example of why shoe review sites are worthless - the official reviews just spout the marketing BS, and everyone's experience is totally different with a shoe.