Nike Dual Fusion Run 3

Color: Hyper Cobalt/Volt-University Blue-White

Intended use: All runs except trail and in bad weather.

Surfaces tested on: Road, 20° C/68° F

Upper: Single layer mesh, inner sleeve, welded synthetic overlays.

Midsole: Two different densities of EVA injection stacked over each other.

Outsole: Carbon rubber.

Weight: 290 gms/ 10.2 Oz for a half pair of UK10/US11

Widths available: Only one standard width.

US Retail: $ 80               

The Nike Dual Fusion is another shoe from the Oregon based brand featuring a multi-density midsole, and given the fact there’s a string of other models doing that, some clarification is in order. No, it isn’t a baby Lunarglide 6, with its angled foam insert. The Dual Fusion doesn’t have any gait correction tricks up its sleeve, it is just a shoe which offers a lot of cushioning while balancing it with stability. Here’s a close-up picture of the educational label which comes attached on the brand new shoe. It points at the use of a comfort core, while being surrounded by a foam structure aimed at providing support. The label needs to be updated though; the new Dual Fusion uses two foams stacked together from heel to toe, and not only till the mid foot as the label suggests. The mid-foot has been totally cleaned up by eliminating the windowed, synthetic overlay and instead using a mesh layer which covers most of shoe. Beneath that, there is a full inner sleeve with in-built sponginess which wraps around the foot. Lacing set-up is carried over from Dual Fusion 2, executed by flat straps rising from the upper base and then forming loops at the top. Kind of Flywire-esque, but with flat straps instead of cords. There are leather overlays on the toe bumper, eye-stay and heel, while heat fused layers blends in invisibly around different sections of the upper. Fit, as befits an inner sleeve is snug, and in this case it isn’t tight at all. There’s plenty of open space in the pointy end of Dual Fusion; the forefoot sides being snug, room opens up around the tips of small toe and side of the big one. Can’t really call the DF true to size, as there’s almost a half size allowance between the front wall of the toe bumper and where your foot ends. The strap based lacing is all around pleasantness, coming together quickly once you tug on the lace ends. And because they’re flat, side pressure is spread over evenly without any hot spots. Lacing pressure over the tongue is non-interfering, with the padded tongue insulating the foot from any top down discomfort. Coming to the minor gripes we talked about earlier – the collar area isn’t perfect. The upper heel height is rather high, reaching far upwards along the Achilles. While the collar is soft, the corners of the Achilles tab is formed using folds of welded underlays, so there are firm and a bit unyielding. Runners with Achilles irritation issue should check this area before buying.

Purely from a cosmetic perspective, the upper mid-foot comes across as loose. There are two synthetic leather swooshes welded on upper mesh, and they are relatively thick. The logos bend in waves along their length, raising the thin mesh and making area look slightly puffy. 

The Dual Fusion Run 3 is good value at $80, a sensible buy if the firm Achilles part isn’t a hurdle. It’s got a well cushioned ride, the sleeved upper fits well, is considerably lightweight for its category (290gms/10.2 oz) and has enough outsole rubber to go the distance. You might also want to check out the Dual Fusion Lite 2, which has a similar construction, but with a toned down volume of firmer midsole foam.