Nike Zoom Fly runners

Zoom Fly

The Nike Zoom Fly is a powerful super trainer built with similar technology to the brand’s lightning-fast racing shoes. This gives it comparable speed, but its greater focus on accessibility and durability is ideal for everyday training.

The original Nike Zoom Fly came out in 2017, its Lunarlon midsole and carbon-infused nylon plate combining comfort, responsiveness and stability. A 33mm heel and 10mm drop provided ample shock absorption, with pentagonal lug patterns making for a grippy outsole. The Flymesh upper was snug, breathable and supportive, its Flywire lacing and substantial heel counter ensuring solid containment and its ultra-thin tongue keeping weight down.

The series evolved with 2018’s Zoom Fly Flyknit, which introduced a full carbon-fibre plate to provide a more responsive feel – a feature that has remained ever since. Its Nike React midsole slightly increased weight but greatly improved energy return, therefore supporting longer runs by reducing leg fatigue, while the snug, secure Flyknit upper moulded gradually to the foot for enhanced comfort over time.

In 2019, the Nike Zoom Fly 3 came out, offering a larger midsole stack, lower drop and updated geometry for a cushioned yet propulsive feel, with sleek, strategically placed outsole lugs reducing weight without affecting traction. Its VaporWeave upper was lightweight, breathable and moisture-wicking, while the inner sleeve, stretchy tongue and padded split heel counter delivered excellent comfort. Along with the ribbon lacing, this design effectively contained the foot, and its sleek shape and exaggerated lateral Swoosh created a striking look.

2021’s Zoom Fly 4 featured a new engineered mesh upper with a secure lacing system connected to internal midfoot bands. Thick heel padding enhanced comfort and protected the Achilles, with pull tabs adding convenience. Two years later, the Zoom Fly 5 removed these along with the inner sleeve, relying on the midfoot straps and reshaped heel for firm lockdown. Recycled ZoomX was added to its sole and protected by a durable, EVA-based carrier foam, offering a lightweight, responsive feel while still providing supportive cushioning and energy return. Its wide base produced better stability, and its more extensive outsole had an updated tread pattern for excellent grip.

Nike teased the Nike Zoom Fly 6 ahead of its November 2024 release with an article honouring legendary marathoner Eliud Kipchoge and his invaluable feedback, which noted improvements to weight and comfort. The former was achieved through a thinner, more flexible Waffle-style outsole with improved wet-weather traction, while the latter came from the soft, breathable liner beneath the durable mesh upper and the strategic heel and tongue padding. Small internal reinforcements improved durability in high-wear areas, and the reshaped heel protected the Achilles. Lastly, the stacked, dual-density midsole incorporated top-quality ZoomX cushioning and durable SR-02 foam for outstanding energy return and impact protection, making the Zoom Fly 6 a more versatile daily training partner.

The Nike Zoom Fly pioneered the concept of the ‘super trainer’ – a durable, cost-effective running shoe designed for everyday training with the performance technology to power runners to their greatest race day achievements.