What’s faster: Nike Zoom Fly or Nike Zoom Fly Flyknit?

Zoom flys do not have ZoomX foam

RMP wrote:

I couldn’t find the hubby Vaporflys for Chicago for love or money, and we just got the newly released Zoom Fly Flyknits in the post today. He’s been training in the Zoom Flys for long runs + speed + tempos.

From what I understand:

Vaporfly = Zoomx foam + Carbon Plate + super light

Zoom Fly = Zoomx foam (same as Vaporfly) + carbon-infused nylon plate

Zoom Fly Flyknit = React foam + carbon plate (same as Vaporfly)

Would the consensus of knowledgeable people be that the Flyknit or regular ZFs would be quicker? i.e Zoomx foam > Carbon plate (or vice versa)

Thank you!

Has he tried Flyknit uppers before? I personally do not like them as they don’t keep my foot secure. They’re too flexible. If I had run in them longer I suspect blisters may have been on the horizon.

Get the 4% at the Chi Marathon expo. I’m hoping to.

I would LOVE that but I’m also thinking time on feet required to get them queuing > 4% (or any %) improvement given the mad scenes everything they launch previously... although maybe the scalpers won’t show their faces in person vs online.

The "old" Zoom Flys use a lunaron midsole which is super firm so I wouldn't be surprised if its "faster" than the new version with react; however, I think the softer react foam will improve the shoe, making it a better option for anything >15k.

Lunaron foam wrote:

The "old" Zoom Flys use a lunaron midsole which is super firm so I wouldn't be surprised if its "faster" than the new version with react; however, I think the softer react foam will improve the shoe, making it a better option for anything >15k.

Lunarlon in itself isn´t firm. Shoes like Lunarepic, Lunartempo and Lunaracer have Lunarlon and they are rather soft. It´s the plate that makes Zoom Fly firm. Vaporfly has a plate and is still soft because ZoomX is a super soft foam.

React foam

I was looking for some info on this. I have been running and racing full and halfs in the first zoom fly and they are great but when using them for long runs every week they can leave me a bit beat up as they are so firm. I was hoping for ages that the new version would be react foam and therefore softer, seems they are and now I was hoping someone could confirm they do actually feel softer. Also, I assume the new plate means they would end up slightly faster turnover.

Effillo wrote:

I was looking for some info on this. I have been running and racing full and halfs in the first zoom fly and they are great but when using them for long runs every week they can leave me a bit beat up as they are so firm. I was hoping for ages that the new version would be react foam and therefore softer, seems they are and now I was hoping someone could confirm they do actually feel softer. Also, I assume the new plate means they would end up slightly faster turnover.

Zoom Fly is for fast running. There are better shoes for easy running.

Lunaron foam wrote:

The "old" Zoom Flys use a lunaron midsole which is super firm so I wouldn't be surprised if its "faster" than the new version with react; however, I think the softer react foam will improve the shoe, making it a better option for anything >15k.

i think it was actually a lunarlon carrier with a react core. it just wasn't marketed as such because react hadn't really come out as a separate, complete project yet, or at least that's all what i heard

I just got the Zoom Flyknits and tested em out this morning after some track stuff yesterday in the original Zoom Fly. I have had good luck up to 10 milers in the originals, but they feel clunky to me at slower paces, so not for me for a marathon.

First reaction on the Flyknit version -- definitely has softer foam and was still comfortable warming up and cooling down. In same size 10, they don't have the nice 'locked down' feel of the flywire version, and also don't seem as stiff. Same size and shape but feel less noticeable roll off on the toe. I can see using the Flyknits for long runs and marathons, where I cant with the original.

And the plate? Appears stiffer in the hand, but not on the foot. Don't really notice it between the softer foam and stretchy Flyknit. Don't think they are magic, but probably a better match as the training complement to the 4% for long stuff.

See kofuzi's review on YT. What he said.

Zoom Fly Flyknit is vastly superior to the original Zoom Fly and Zoom Fly SP (different upper). They take a range of paces from all-out on the track to jogging a warmup with ease and comfort. They are amazing shoes. I'd still race in the Vaporfly 4% (I have a couple pairs of those so speak from experience), but the new Zoom Fly Flyknit feels kind of similar to the 4% in that they feel awkward/terrible to walk around or stand still in, but once you get rolling they feel like nothing else.

Breakdown:

Zoom Fly (original) = crappy mix of Lunarlon (which sucks and lasts about 200 miles) and a primitive version of React foam that was hard and inflexible w/a "carbon inflused" nylon plate (which was extremely stiff). Largely a forgettable and poorly designed shoe that was all marketing.

Zoom Fly Flyknit (really these should be called Zoom Fly 2) = React foam + a real carbon fiber plate in the same general shape as the Vaporfly 4%. However, the plate does not go edge to edge, so the shoes are not as stiff as the Vaporfly. The React foam is very bouncy, but not as soft or light as ZoomX. I did a 23 miler right out of the box in these and they were fantastic. The second best shoe Nike makes next to the 4%.

Vaporfly 4% = ZoomX + carbon fiber plate

Vaporfly 4% Flyknit = same shoe as above with an upper that's more stretchy, thicker, and and a little hotter on the foot. Due to the stretchiness it's a little more forgiving and comfy on the foot, but not as secure.

RMP wrote:

I couldn’t find the hubby Vaporflys for Chicago for love or money, and we just got the newly released Zoom Fly Flyknits in the post today. He’s been training in the Zoom Flys for long runs + speed + tempos.

Would the consensus of knowledgeable people be that the Flyknit or regular ZFs would be quicker? i.e Zoomx foam > Carbon plate (or vice versa)

Thank you!

Somebody has been drinking too much shoe marketing kool-aid. OR else you are a shoe salesman.

Anyone ever have problems with the Zoom Fly soles? I've been running in them for a few months and recently the soles have been sliding back during runs which has become increasingly annoying. The worst it got before I gorilla glued them was the back of the sole was literally sticking out of the shoe by my achilles. Kinda turned me off from getting another pair.

I found you a pair of VF FK in a 13. Email wejo or rojo and get them to send me your email address; they know how to get ahold of me.

So the only thing you have incorrect is that the Zoom Fly original's have lunarlon for the cushion. Like the lunar racers and such. Some people say they have lunarlon with a react core prototype, which sure.

Original Zoom Fly

Point is I got the originals for like 70 bucks and have put nearly 400 mi on them. Looks like no serious wear to me yet. Still baby's my calves way more than any shoe I've worn. Point is lunarlon foam is not wearing quick for me, keep in mind I'm probably 135lbs at most. I like them for faster easy and long runs or tempos, like 6:30-5:30 pace closing. The stiffness does force my cadence up (according to gps watch) and maybe not allow for full push off all the time. I like them and for 70 bucks I really like'em. Trackwork is ok, but they are not flats and will not feel as smooth going real quick cause of that stackheight.

Zoom Fly flyknits

I've tried these on several times for some short runs but do not own them. They are softer and bouncier than the original. I assume the softness is great for people who found the original to stiff and had foot pain issues. The bounce is the energy return and it's more extreme in this model, and the vaporfly is more extreme than that from when I've tested them (don't own those either). In my personal opinion the rebound is a bit extreme for shorter runs, but I can totally see where that energy return would feel great at the end of a long run or a marathon of course. Also, given the shoes makeup it should theoretically last longer than the original if wear is an issue.

In short, for a marathon the new one would be a great shoe. Especially considering he's used to the original. At worst the original is on sale now anyway.

I love the flyknit as I have come to appreciate sock uppers coming from escalantes, Only thing is getting the laces tightened properly as I have to run a little to adjust them right as doing it in the House never works. Plus you can silly overithgten them and get top of foot pressure.

Flyknit more like the vaporfly and non fk version more like Pegasus shoes.

Not as narrow as vaporfly

Outsole is meh...fragile for heavy strikers and dirt road running.

Love em for tempo runs, Pegasus for regular days, Vomero 14 for recovery

They feel fast with softer foam and plate, For a heel striker like me, these are the next best thing aside from my cheaterflys.

Poor mans vaporfly...get the fk version and it it’s a gateway drug to buying the vaporfly