Nike Zoom Fly 3
93/100
Our Score
General Impression
Our testers have concluded that the Nike Zoom Fly 3 is the perfect trainer for long-distance road running.
It’s fantastic for speed, durability, breathability and comfort.
It’s made using the most innovative Nike technologies that are intended for maximum speed for training and racing days.
Nike technologies such as the VaporWeave and react foam make it one of the best long-distance running trainers available on the market.
Nike Zoom Fly 3 Pros and Cons
Pros
- Nike React foam midsole provides balanced cushioning and smooth movement
- Good grip on any kind of surface
- Grooved outsole designed to channel water from underneath your foot
- A wide variety of colors to choose from
- A secure tight fit to enhance performance
Cons
- Rapid wear of the rubber sole
- Not suitable for a wide foot
- Heavy
- Not suitable for slow running for short distances
- High price tag for an “affordable” option
Nike Zoom Fly 3 Review
The Nike Zoom Fly 3 was released in 2019 and is Nike’s more affordable version of the Zoom Vaporfly 4%, which was a trainer developed as a result of Nike’s “Breaking 2” project. The aim of this project was to break the 2-hours marathon barrier, which Nike came very close to doing.
This project was conducted with a concept trainer called the Zoom Vaporfly Elite, which is not available to the general public. The Nike Zoom Fly and Vaporfly 4% are the closest trainers to the concept model. All three models have an upper with similar aesthetics and a midsole with a unique plate embedded within.
The Nike Zoom Fly 3 is perfect for marathons and general long-distance running. It’s a highly-sophisticated trainer made with materials that enhance your performance, comfort, and breathability. For example, the VaporWeave upper material is designed to reduce the weight and is made from TPU and TPE which is a material that is excellent for breathability and does not absorb sweat and water.
It is the new iteration of the 2018 Zoom Fly Flyknit and the major differences are the VaporWeave upper and the chunkier Nike React foam sole.
Nike Zoom Fly 3 Upper Unit
The upper of the Nike Zoom Fly 3 is made from VaporWeave, which is a versatile thermoplastic elastomer (TPU and TPE) with high durability and flexibility.
This material is used to create high-quality foams used by many companies that produce running shoes. This is the latest update for the Zoom Fly 3’s upper compared to the last version, which had Flyknit.
In a nutshell, it is just as breathable as before but secures the foot better. The upper has a sock-like feel and wraps around the foot well for a snug and tight fit.
It’s also air permeable and is incredibly light, and it does not absorb water or sweat unlike Flyknit and therefore prevents the trainer from that soggy, heavy wet feeling.
The mesh is micro-perforated and intelligently combines water resistance with breathability, which is difficult to achieve.
Arched ribbons are placed on the sides of the shoes. These elastic panels replace Flywire, which decorated many old models of Nike sneakers.
Their goal is to help the lacing system ensure a tight and secure fit due to the protrusions as holes for the laces. These laces attach through the outer-layer mesh for a more secure fit.
The tongue is thin and stretchy and feels comfortable on the foot. Sometimes the heel slips but you can use extra lace loops to lock in the heel nicely.
Nike Zoom Fly 3 Sole Unit
The sole is made out of Nike React Foam and the underfoot is therefore cushioned. It also features a shock-absorbing element located along the entire length of the sneaker so that it is lightweight, flexible and durable.
This foam is a universal shock absorber that responsibly copes with impacts during landing and returns energy during separation from the ground.
React foam originated in the field of basketball and is now gradually replacing all other technologies.
The carbon fiber plate is placed inside the React foam. This layer is quite flexible and easily returns to its original shape.
The sole of the Nike Zoom Fly 3 is made of rubber. This material covers most of the model. It has a wafer shape to increase the traction ability of the Fly 3.
The sole also has shallow grooves for flexibility, which help the foot bend naturally while running.
Furthermore, the heel area is not adjacent to the ankle, reducing pressure on the Achilles tendon.
There is more React foam compared to the last model, the Zoom Fly Flyknit, which increases the height of the shoe overall. This also allows for more responsiveness when you run and along with.
Since the sole is larger due to the extended React foam, you aren’t going to get any ground contact feel.
There’s also the carbon mid-plate which provides you with a springy feel with every step you take.
Another big update from the 2018 Flyknit version is the outsole, notably the tread pattern.
The rubber placement is quite similar.
However, the shape is different particularly in the toe box.
Our testers concluded that due to the wider treads in the outsole, they felt more stable using them compared to the Flyknit.
Additional Information
The heel is 36mm long and the forefoot is 28mm which is the actual stack height.
This falls into the maximum category as far as road shoes go.
The drop height from heel to toe is 8mm as opposed to last year’s Flyknit which was 10mm, so the drop has been dropped by 2mm.
Verdict
The Nike Zoom Fly 3 is just as comfy as the 2018 Zoom Flyknit, but features an updated Upper which does not absorb water and sweat, has a chunkier high-stack sole made from React which makes you feel springy and responsive with each step.
Furthermore, the cushioned feel doesn’t lead you to feel that pavement when running as much as other running trainers