It was solely 8 months in the past that I reviewed the Zoom Fly 4 so Nike is early with the Zoom Fly 5 this yr which is a pleasant shock contemplating what number of different trainers have had their launches delayed.
The Zoom Fly is designed to be the coaching companion of the Vaporfly Subsequent%: a extra sturdy, cheaper model which can be utilized for coaching runs- a quick coach which can be used to race in.
I cherished the Zoom Fly 4. Prior to now 6 months, the Zoom Fly 4 has been my go-to velocity coach and the carbon plated coach which I’ve used essentially the most. I’ve put so many miles onto it that I’ve worn proper by the outsole rubber on the lateral heel.
The Zoom Fly 4 labored so properly for me as a result of the midsole geometry and the agency React foam created a seamless journey. It made it very easy to faucet into its velocity. Uptempo runs didn’t really feel jarring and its bootie building higher was good.
The Zoom Fly 5 shares little or no in frequent with the Zoom Fly 4. It has a model new outsole, midsole and higher which have remodeled it into a very completely different beast. The Zoom Fly 5 desperately wanted an enormous replace because the Zoom Fly 4 had the identical sole because the Zoom Fly 3 from 3 years in the past.
This yr’s Zoom Fly 5 will get an enormous improve within the midsole foam division. It now has full-length ZoomX in its midsole, Nike’s high tier tremendous foam. Don’t get too excited although as a result of it’s solely a ZoomX core but it surely’s nonetheless an enormous improve on Nike’s middle-tier foam, React which was within the Zoom Fly 3 and 4.
The Zoom Fly 5 weighs 9.5 oz (270 g) for a males’s commonplace measurement which is a tad lighter than the Zoom Fly 4 which got here in at 9.6 oz (272 g). Its value additionally stays $160 which is nice information contemplating practically each different working shoe has gone up by $10 this yr.
Nike Zoom Fly 5 First Impressions
image of Nike Zoom Fly 5
Once I first noticed pictures of the Zoom Fly 5, I used to be relieved to see that it appeared so completely different from the Zoom Fly 4. The super-thick midsole made it appear like it was going to be a lot softer and extra cushioned. I hoped that it could have comparable ranges of bounce and power rerun to the Vaporfly Subsequent% 2.
Once I lastly acquired the footwear, the midsole felt actually squishy and tender to the contact. The higher felt extra cushioned and extra comfy than the Zoom Fly 4’s higher which got here as a shock as a result of I assumed the Zoom Fly 4 was already extraordinarily comfy.
My first 2 runs have been 10 and eight kilometers. I didn’t benefit from the Zoom Fly 5 in any respect throughout these first 2 runs. It felt fully completely different from the Zoom Fly 4: it was sluggish and troublesome to choose up the tempo. It additionally felt firmer than I anticipated it to really feel; I couldn’t really feel any bounce from the ZoomX.
On the upside, it felt much more steady than earlier Zoom Flys and the higher consolation and lockdown have been implausible. The midsole cushioning felt deeper and extra substantial so I suspected that it could fare higher on lengthy runs.
Nike Zoom Fly 5 Sole Unit
image of Nike Zoom Fly 5
The Zoom Fly 5 has a twin density midsole with ZoomX within the core and an SR02 service foam surrounding it- it’s the identical foam discovered within the Construction 24. This ZoomX is completely different to the usual one: it’s small bits which have been crushed and glued collectively, much like the recycled midsole of the Alphafly Subsequent Nature. This recycled model of ZoomX is firmer than the traditional one.
For those who have been anticipating Invincible Run or Vaporfly ranges of bounce and power return, then you definately’ll be sorely upset with the Zoom Fly 5. You possibly can’t even inform that it has ZoomX in its midsole as a result of it feels so flat and unresponsive.
I need to admit that the Zoom Fly 5 feels rather more protecting padded so it makes lengthy distances a breeze. I did a 25 km lengthy weekend run in it and it carried out fantastically. Transitions have been easy and it nonetheless had that signature Zoom Fly forward-tipping sensation.
The ahead tipping sensation is barely muted within the Zoom Fly 5 due to the softer midsole so the geometry doesn’t really feel as aggressive because the Zoom Fly 4. I didn’t benefit from the Zoom Fly 5 for any kind of velocity work or uptempo runs as a result of it didn’t really feel punchy in any respect.
image of Nike Zoom Fly 5
There was a carbon plate within the Zoom Fly 2, 3 and 4 however now Nike simply describes it as a “full-length articulated plate”. The Zoom Fly 5’s plate feels comparable in rigidity to earlier variations: it’s not overly stiff so transitions don’t really feel jarring. The plate dips down on the forefoot just like the Vaporfly so that you get a touch of the springboard propulsion impact.
My favorite new function is the broader midsole base which vastly improves stability. This can be a theme this yr with the Alphafly 2, Metaspeed Sky+, and Adios Professional 3, and each Endorphins additionally getting wider internet bases and turning into extra inherently steady. That is nice information for overpronators like myself.
I like the brand new outsole of the Zoom Fly 5. It has extra rubber protection which implies extra sturdiness. The outsole design can also be flatter and the rubber is softer so landings really feel extra padded. Grip has been improved as properly but it surely’s nonetheless barely slippery in moist circumstances.
There’s no rubber protection on the midfoot and there’s additionally a window which lets you see the ZoomX foam contained in the midsole. I observed that in moist circumstances, this window turns into cheesy and it sticks to the highway. You possibly can hear it throughout footstrikes.
The outsole rubber is softer than rubber you discover on each day trainers such because the Pegasus and Construction so it wears down sooner. There’s fairly a bit of wear and tear on the outer heel space on my pair the place the small nubs have worn down however the fee of wear and tear isn’t alarming.
Nike Zoom Fly 5 Higher Unit
image of Nike Zoom Fly 5
The Zoom Fly 5 modifications from a bootie building to a extra conventional feeling higher with a indifferent, gusseted tongue. I’m unhappy to see the bootie gone as a result of it was one of many only a few bootie executions which have been accomplished proper.
The Zoom Fly 5’s higher continues to be an excellent one. The consolation degree is excessive and foot lockdown is superb. It feels extra like a each day coach now than earlier variations which felt like racing uppers.
image of Nike Zoom Fly 5
The tongue is barely padded and stays in place throughout runs whereas the collar and heel tab are additionally extra padded to enhance consolation so the Zoom Fly 5 runs hotter than earlier variations.
The match is true to measurement with a midfoot, forefoot and toe field that are on the slim aspect. If the Zoom Fly 4 didn’t be just right for you as a result of it was too slim, the Zoom Fly 5 feels barely wider so it’s best to attempt it on before you purchase it.
Nike Zoom Fly 5 Conclusion
image of Nike Zoom Fly 5
The Zoom Fly has been remodeled from a coaching shoe for quick exercises/tempo runs to a long-run shoe. It has a softer, extra cushioned midsole which makes it extra suited to straightforward paces and it’s troublesome to choose up the tempo in it.
The Zoom Fly 5 now falls into the identical class because the Bondi X and the Supercomp Coach, the max-cushioned plated class. They’re all stiff, steady and have mild, rockered rides.
I don’t assume the Zoom Fly 5 is an efficient coaching companion to the Vaporfly Subsequent% 2 anymore. It isn’t aggressive sufficient and it feels flat. There’s no bounce or power return from its midsole. The forward-tipping sensation continues to be current when working within the Zoom Fly 5 but it surely’s muted due to the softer forefoot.
For those who’re in search of a long-run shoe, the Zoom Fly 5 is appropriate however there are a lot better choices on the market which are softer and extra energetic. The Supercomp Coach is an instance of a a lot better choice regardless that it’s $20 dearer. The GlideRide 3 is extra versatile but it surely’s softer and plusher; it’s additionally a greater future shoe and $10 cheaper.
As editorial coverage, we don't settle for free samples from firms.
We bought this pair of Nike Zoom Fly 5 at Operating Warehouse with our personal cash.
