Today, Nike released two speedy shoes inspired by its Breaking2 project. Both models are available now on Nike.com.
The Zoom Fly is an everyday training option that has similar geometry to the speedy shoes worn in the sub-two hour attempt, but with more durable materials for uptempo training runs. The new pair of kicks uses a thick Lunarlon midsole for a cushioned ride and a full-length carbon-infused nylon plate to improve propulsion on toe off. The result is a soft shoe that runs fast. $150, nike.com (men’s, women’s)
Nike also updated its longtime workhorse trainer, the Pegasus, as a member of this go-fast family. The Pegasus 34 gets a new upper made of translucent monofilament yarns—making this nearly see-through mesh extremely lightweight yet structured to contain your high-speed movements. A Cushlon ST midsole provides an everyday soft ride, while Zoom Air units in the heel and forefoot deliver underfoot pop when you turn on the speed. $110, nike.com (men’s, women’s)
A third shoe, the Zoom Vaporfly 4% is slated to come out later this month. While you wait on this $250 pair to hit store shelves, learn more about the technology behind the shoe that can help you chase faster race times.
Jeff is Runner-in-Chief for Runner’s World and the director of product testing. He has tested and reviewed running shoes, GPS watches, headphones, apparel, and more for nearly two decades. He regularly tests more than 100 pairs of shoes each year, and once had a 257-day streak running in different models. Jeff can usually be found on the roads, racing anything from the mile to a marathon, but he also enjoys racing up mountains and on snowshoes. When he’s not running, you’ll probably find him hanging from a ladder making repairs and renovations to his house (he’s also director of product testing for Popular Mechanics).
