Currently like the Epic React as an all around shoe. Good for recovery and workouts. React foam seems to not beat up my legs so much and possibly shorten recovery time. The flyknit upper was strange at first but I got used to it. Looking to try out the react foam + carbon plate. Should I get the ZF 3 or its predecessor the ZF Flyknit (currently selling at a discount)? Looking to do mostly tempo and workouts in them. I was checking out the turbo pegs but too steep price.
I was disappointed with the Zoom Fly Flyknit after being pretty happy with the Zoom Fly SP. Most of my issues come from the upper, I don't really have anything nice to say about the Flyknit. It doesn't work well in conjunction with the bottom half of the shoes being a bit heavy. It makes it feel like you just trampled through mud because it just stretches and lets the midsole bog down, instead of keeping you glued to it. It doesn't offer any support either, so turning is a nightmare, since the shoes have a narrow base and a high stack height. Feels like you're just gonna fall off the edge. Then last, my feet get really hot in them, they don't seem to breath well and my feet get super sweaty, which means blisters. The only shoes that do it to me. If I could do it again, I would just go for the Zoom Fly 3, which has an upper similar to the SP.
Bump......
The ZF3 gained a few tenths of an ounce, but beyond that is the far better shoe. More stable with the wider base, more React foam in the midsole and a lower drop. I also think the Vaporweave is more versatile than Flyknit. Worth the extra bucks. FYI, the ZF3 is on sale at Finish Line and I think you can apply a promo code to it.
react foam wrote:
Currently like the Epic React as an all around shoe. Good for recovery and workouts. React foam seems to not beat up my legs so much and possibly shorten recovery time. The flyknit upper was strange at first but I got used to it. Looking to try out the react foam + carbon plate. Should I get the ZF 3 or its predecessor the ZF Flyknit (currently selling at a discount)? Looking to do mostly tempo and workouts in them. I was checking out the turbo pegs but too steep price.
You can train in any shoes. What is important is what you race in.
Well, what do you race in?
ZFF is one of the worst shoes I tried last year. The weight of the Zoom Fly makes is worthless. Either get the 4% or Next %, or skip it all together and just get a traditional racing flat.
Thoughts on the Peg Turbo then? Lighter than ZF but no carbon plate.
I had the exact same reasoning as you, but one run in the ZF3 and they went back to Nike. Just couldn't get the heels to lockdown, which sucks when the shoe is so stiff. Felt like I was fighting against the shoe all the time. Honestly the upper sux, especially the neoprene tongue. All the lacing pressure ends up on the top of the foot. They also feel heavy on the foot and I couldn't get a high leg lift.
If you like the Epic Reacts, it might just mean you like more flexible shoes. I now have the Fuel Cell Rebels which complement the Epic Reacts well. They are lighter and more propulsive for tempo workouts (but bad if you pronate).
I will try the Carbon X next, but I have to consider that carbon plates are not for me...
I would also agree to just avoid the zoom flys and go straight to the next%'s, but I must say I am tempted by the custom next %'s with the flyknit upper.
I like the peg turbos a lot. I’d run in them more than once a week if there weren’t so many rolling hills around where I live.
I switch off with both the turbo and zoom fly on longer runs where I mix in workouts.
I like both but prefer the turbos.
Love the Zoom Fly FK
Was not a fan of the Epic React, can't get a tight fit in the heel and the horrible cup design is the only shoe that has given me a single blister in 3 years.