The Zoom Fly was designed to be a cheaper, more durable version of the Nike super shoes. It’s designed to be used for tempo, threshold and interval training. It’s Nike’s only plated training shoe so it fills an important role in the Nike running rotation.
The Zoom Fly has changed drastically from version 1 to version 6, the latest version. This comparison will tell you which version is better for you, version 6 or version 5.
Verdict
The Nike Zoom Fly 6 is a decent speed trainer that’s best suited to tempo, fartlek and long runs. It doesn’t feel as lively or as propulsive as some of the other speed trainers on the market and it’s lacking in excitement and innovation; it is however the fastest Nike trainer currently available. Version 6 sees the addition of proper ZoomX foam, making it lighter and more versatile than previous versions but it doesn’t do anything unique to stand out from the crowd.
The Nike Zoom Fly 5 is a well-cushioned, carbon-plated training shoe suited to long, slow runs. It has excellent stability and a muted forward-tipping sensation during toe-offs. Version 5 has a more traditional, padded upper, a full-length ZoomX core which provides extra cushioning and a wider midsole base for extra stability. The Zoom Fly 5 is the slowest Zoom Fly version to date but also the most comfortable.
Recommended for
Speedwork
Daily training
Cushioning type
Balanced
Balanced
Cushioning amount
Medium cushioning
Highly cushioned
Stability
some stability
some stability
Sizing
true to size
true to size
Retail price
US$170
US$160.00
The Zoom Fly 6 has a dual-density midsole consisting of ZoomX on the top and SR-02 on the bottom layer. The ZoomX provides the soft and lively transitions while the SR-02 layer is for stability and durability.
The Zoom Fly 5 also has a dual-density midsole but it has SR-02 as the carrier foam with ZoomX in the centre of the midsole. The ZoomX in the Zoom Fly 5 is recycled which means that it’s made from scraps of ZoomX which are compressed together to form a solid block.
The ride of the Zoom Fly 6 is softer than the Zoom Fly 5. This is due to the type of ZoomX that’s used in the 6 which is more squishy and easier to compress. The 6 also has a more lively ride which feels more energetic. The 6 rides more like the nike racers, the Vaporfly 3 and the Alphafly 3.
The 6 weighs less than the 5. This makes it feel nimbler and makes it better for long runs because it keeps your legs fresher for longer.
The Zoom Fly 5 has better stability than the 6. This is due to its firmer midsole which translates to less lean bias. Foot strikes feel more planted in the 5 than in the 6.
The carbon plate in the 5 is stiffer than the carbon plate in the 6. This results in the 5 having a stiffer sole with a more prominent forefoot rocker. The 6 has a more natural ride because its midsole has more flexibility.
Both versions are durable thanks to their SR-02 outsoles but the 5 has better durability because its ZoomX in encapsulated in its midsole. This means that it is not accessible to objects which can puncture or scrape the foam.
Both versions have comfortable uppers but the Zoom Fly 6 upper is more similar to a racing upper.
The Zoom Fly 5 upper has more padding and feels like a trainer upper. Version 6 has a thin, flat tongue whereas version 5 has some padding in its tongue.
The 6 is more breathable and more suitable for warm climates. The 5 has softer mesh and is more suitable for cool climates.
Both are very comfortable and suitable for long-distance runs. They are both true to size with a typical Nike narrow fit.
