I’m still amazed by what Nike has done with the Zoom Fly 6 running shoes. The materials are incredible, the build is solid, and the performance is remarkable…
Yet, there are obvious missteps.
Just like Apple, Nike makes these confusing, sometimes frustrating, product decisions that make no sense whatsoever.
The Swoosh
I remember when I got my first pair of Nike soccer shoes in middle school and thought the swoosh made me run super-fast. Since then, this is the first time I’ve felt that way about a pair of Nikes.
I don’t know if it’s how light the shoes are, or the bright blue uppers, but my goodness these shoes are astonishing to hold, wear, and run in.
No joke, these shoes make me run faster. The science is there with the carbon plates, and how they propel you.
However, the moments you notice it isn’t when you want.
Running day to day, the only time I really feel the propulsion is on steep downhills. The Zoom Fly 6s practically push you along.
Am I running faster? Yes. Am I having to be extra careful to ensure I don’t trip and fall? Also, yes.
The Daily
The last few weeks in the Zoom Fly 6s has honestly been great 90% of the time. But when a pair of shoes cost $130 or more, you hit the law of diminishing returns. That last 10% is hard to get.
We’re all different. Varying in size and shape from our toes to our ears.
For me, these Nike’s are like the rest: the toe box is too small.
One of my family members picked up a pair of these too, and they also experienced this. Thankfully, neither of us have had a bad blister form and burst mid-run, but it’s been close.
Either way, I’m left wondering why Nike seems determined to do this with all of their running shoes. Like Apple, Nike makes product decisions that seem to ignore their customers.
While Apple refuses to acknowledge how far behind their AI tools are, Nike is determined to maintain unrealistically shaped shoes designed for small, narrow feet.
(Something that doesn’t seem that bad at first, but then you try shoes from competitors and realize how much nicer Nike’s could be.)
This may be nitpicking, but it’s important to me.
All while Nike’s soft laces, invisible uppers, soft midsoles, durable outsoles, thin tongues, and springy carbon plates are next level. (If you can find these on sale like I did, then you’ve got a serious contender for your next race or daily runners.)
The Heel Drop
Nike’s running shoes almost always have a 10-12mm heel-to-toe-drop. The Zoom Flys 6s thankfully have an 8mm drop.
Because of this, my hips, knees, and ankles don’t hurt after a couple miles in them. (Unlike their Vomero running shoes.)
To be honest, I ran a little over 9 miles the other week, and my knees felt tender for the last 3 miles. Once the tenderness started, it stayed at the same level for the rest of the run. It never intensified or got worse.
It probably came from the first 2 miles of sprints.
Either way, I hope Nike continues in this direction. Pushing their internal norms with lower and lower heel drop amounts.
The Recap
Nike truly did a great job with the 6th generation Zoom Flys. Perfect? No.
There are plenty of areas for them to revisit and improve the Zoom Fly 7s. If they just widen the toe box and lower the heel drop even more, then I could become a Nike junky.
Their shorts and tops are some of my favorite picks. But as a whole, their shoes aren’t.
(Unless you already prefer Nike’s running shoes, then the Zoom Fly 6s could be your next go-tos.)