Nike Zoom Fly

Color: Black/Hyper Crimson - Photo Blue

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

Surfaces tested on: Road, 21° C/70° F

Upper: Single layer mesh, welded synthetic overlays.

Midsole: Dual density compression molded EVA, forefoot Zoom Air bag.

Outsole: Carbon rubber.

Weight: 280 gms/ 9.8 Oz for a half pair of UK10/US11

Widths available: Only one standard width.

US Retail: $ 90                                          

Nike mentions that the Zoom Fly combines soft Cushlon and EVA, and our wear-testing agrees, except that the Cushlon and EVA aren’t stacked together at a sharp angle. Much like the Lunarglide 6, there’s a base of softer foam inside the shoe, surrounded by firmer EVA all around. Out of the box, the EVA midsole is quite firm to the touch, and it’s only during running foot-strikes that you sense the softer core inside. There’s a difference in how the Zoom Fly midsole is cored out on inner and outer sides, with the medial face being flat and lateral featuring these grooves which is meant to compress with landings – something you saw on both the Structure 17 and the Pegasus 30. The Fly has a forefoot Zoom Air bag seated right under the layer of foam Strobel, so there’s responsive cushioning there. Unlike the Structure (and even the Zoom Elite), the Zoom Fly forefoot sits comparatively much lower to the ground, so the Zoom bag pretty much forms the entirety of forefoot cushioning. Because of this, there’s good feedback from the drop-stitched Air bag, compared to bulkier models. If we had to pick our favorite part of the Zoom Fly, that would be its forefoot. It is slim yet cushioned, and the lower profile (with flex grooves) makes it more flexible than Elite and the Structure.

The traction is great too; forefoot underside has ample coverage of rubber, and the area is very flat in shape – lending the Zoom Fly a planted forefoot feel. That design bodes well for forefoot strikers, and even if you weren’t, you’d still find push-offs efficient in the Fly. That said, the Zoom Air bag feels a bit lumpy and if you pay close attention, you’ll sense the edge where the Zoom Air bag ends and midsole foam begins.

Overall heel to toe transition is good, with a partially articulated crash pad and slightly beveled heel edge. The mid-foot arch area isn’t flared up and we thought this could be a problem (dig-ins), but this did not turn out to be an issue at all. The edges sit lower, and the foam material is conforming. We saw some crease lines just underneath the arch area, which meant that while the arch loaded on that area during the gait cycle, the foam compressed accordingly with weight. Durability comes across as good on the Zoom Fly, with around 85% of the outsole carpeted with carbon rubber.  The heel center line has a strip with reflective text, which scores over the Structure because the latter had no reflectivity at all. The Zoom Fly also has a reflective tongue lace-loop, and while it may not be much, its is still better than having none at all. Upper fit isn’t the Zoom Fly’s strongest suit. Before we get into the unsavory bits, we’ll give you a rundown of it’s finer points. Forefoot is quite roomy, with both vertical and sideways space. It’s got a traditional, stitched-on synthetic leather toe bumper, but rest of the forefoot is pure mesh. This allows the foot a general freedom of movement and foot-splay, apart from making the front well ventilated. The pointy edges of the eye-stay isn’t a threat, as those slide over (forward) the forefoot each time you flex the foot, instead of bending inwards.

The inner lining is smooth, with the mid-foot saddle uses a softer and thinner kind of orange mesh, which serves both as visual contrast and mid-foot wrap. Overall sizing should be treated as true, keeping in mind that there’s 1/3 rd size worth of room ahead of the toes – and half upsize if you intend to run barefoot in the Zoom Fly. That you can easily do – though you do feel the seam under the lateral end of the eye-stay, but not a deal breaker.

The heel area will be another potential area of concern for many runners. Foam padding around the Achilles dip isn’t generous, so the collar doesn’t feel snug. The heel height also sits lower than the Structure 17, so both these factors doesn’t make the collar grip confidence inspiring.

Considering the $90 price, the Zoom Fly offers fair value though. The upper fit needs a bit of sorting out, but its shortcomings are made up for by the Zoom Fly’s ride, which scores on multiple areas. A slightly cushioned heel paired with a responsive, yet low profile forefoot takes the Zoom Fly into a semi-distance flat territory, good for times when you want to weave in some tempo into your workout. It’s also a good alternative in case you don’t want the extreme footstrike correction of Zoom Structure 17.