Nike ZoomX Streakfly Review Analysis (2022)

Last update: April 2024

The Nike ZoomX Streakfly is a flexible, ultra-lightweight racer for short distances.

The Consensus

Nike ZoomX Streakfly Complete Review Analysis

Introduction

Nike didn’t skimp on marketing for the release of its new ZoomX Streakfly. And it’s easy to understand why; the shoe completes a blind spot in its running collection: the short runs of 5 and 10 km.

The American brand has updated its racing flats, the Nike Streak. This shoe had made the headlines in 2015 when it broke down live at the Berlin Marathon (the sole was flapping out of the shoe, you have to see it to believe it), potentially costing a world record to Eliud Kipchoge.

However, as we will see, the Streakfly has little to do with its ancestor. The real question is whether it can compete with its direct competitor, the Adidas Adizero Takumi Sen 8. Let’s find out, shall we?

Cushioning

Under its very beautiful design with a sleek race profile, the Nike ZoomX Streakfly hides a relatively high stack with 32 mm at the heel stack and 26 mm at the toes.

The foam is ZoomX. It’s the brand’s most popular technology today (and arguably the most effective). It equips all Nike running competition models. The ZoomX foam provides comfortable cushioning, soft without being squishy, and bouncy. As a result, testers were surprised that these racing shoes are so pleasant underfoot. Some even recommended it for daily running!

The brand didn’t go so far as to use a full-length carbon plate on this Streakfly (unlike Adidas and their Takumi Sen 8). However, it still uses a Pebax (flexible polymer compound) shank to promote more stability.

On the one hand, the sole proves to be responsive, ready to return the energy you give it while running. On the other hand, testers also note that the platform is very flexible, especially under the forefoot because the shank is mainly under the midfoot. Is this a good or bad thing? That’s what we’ll see in a bit.

Foot lockdown (upper)

As we can see in the picture above, the Nike ZoomX Streakfly stands out from other racers by its wide and ample toe box and forefoot. This will reassure athletes who have a wider foot. Other runners may be concerned (rightly so) about foot lockdown.

Indeed, with its simple design with minimal overlays to lock in the foot, the Streakfly offers little structure and comes with plenty of room to maneuver.

The ultra-thin engineered mesh upper has a breathy lining for breathability (besides style!). The heel counter is also flexible for comfort resulting in a secure and lightweight heel lockdown.

In addition to being a beautiful shoe with a discreet and classy design, the Streakfly is also ultra-light. Its 170 g/6 oz makes it Nike’s lightest shoe and should be enough to convince the last runners who doubted it that we are dealing with a running shoe built for performance.

Finally, let’s note that the design is unisex. In terms of sizing, the shoe runs a bit large, so you may need to go at least a half size down from what you’re used to.

Grip and durability

The outsole of the Streakfly is very reminiscent of its carbon colleagues like the Vaporfly Next. There’s rubber throughout with a shockwave design defined, according to Nike, from data collected from thousands of runners to improve traction.

According to testers, the grip is convincing on dry urban surfaces, less so in the rain though it’s not poor either.

The Ride

The soft, flexible, bouncy full-length ZoomX foam midsole configuration translates into a comfortable and smooth ride. Testers note that the cushioning is not explosive but offers a good energy return for a nice, easy-flowing ride. There’s a sharp contrast between this model and the Vaporfly and Alphafly that deliver a staggering trampoline-like bounce doubled by a powerful rocker.

Therefore, the Streakfly offers an accessible and comfortable configuration accessible to most runners. Also, the upper and midfoot shank deliver good stability and compensate for the shoe’s overall flexibility.

However, some testers were hoping for more from the Nike Streakfly. They note that Nike prioritized comfort over performance. For example, they say the platform’s flexibility under the forefoot doesn’t allow for such an effective toe-off, which limits propulsion. Similarly, the lack of structure in the upper may limit the shoe’s potential in competition by not holding the foot securely enough at high speed.

Conclusion

The Nike ZoomX Streakfly may not fully live up to the hype surrounding its release, but it does serve an important role in the Nike range. It’s for runners looking for a racer that offers a straightforward design, high-stack cushioning, and easy ride.

Presented as a 5 or 10K shoe, it can go well beyond but will have difficulty competing head-to-head with the heavy-hitting super shoes, much more effective for long distances.

At $160, the Streakfly offers decent value considering its unique design.

Facts

Technical Specs

Cushioning

Technologies

Use

Comparisons

Adidas Adizero Takumi Sen 8

Both shoes are racing flats for short distances. However, the Adidas Takumi Sen 8 is firmer and comes with carbon plates, making it more responsive but less comfortable. Read the full comparison here.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)