3 Best Nike Flyknit Running Shoes in 2025

Jens Jakob Andersen
Jens Jakob Andersen on
3 Best Nike Flyknit Running Shoes in 2025

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Introduced in 2012, the Nike Flyknit running shoes revolutionized the world of running. The state-of-the-art integral knitting technique was something that was never seen before. It was truly innovative creating a one-piece breathable upper, engineered for precision fit and a second-skin feel for runners.

From 5Ks to marathons, or simply for daily jogs and lifestyle use, you can find a pair of Nike Flyknit running shoes for any purpose. However, which pair will work wonderfully for you is a different question and we're here to answer it.

We bought all of these shoes on our own, wear-tested and lab-tested them. Because of that, we were able to select only the best of the best and present them here! 

How we test Nike Flyknit running shoes


Here, we highlight the most impressive Nike Flyknit running shoes. We discovered them following these steps: 

  • We buy all the Nike Flyknit running shoes with our own funds to avoid any brand loyalty and bias.
  • We perform a battery of tests in the lab, which also involves cutting the shoes into pieces. We weigh and measure over 20 parameters. When focusing on the upper, we assess its breathability and put it under the microscope to better understand its structure. We also look inside the shoes to see if there are any additional or overlapping layers that make the shoe less breathable.
  • We cover multiple test runs with each pair, in different weather conditions and running at wildly different paces.

Best Nike Flyknit running shoes overall

What makes it the best?

With more comfort and cushioning than anyone could want, the Nike InfinityRN 4 also provides the durability needed for an awesome daily trainer. After running countless miles and undergoing numerous lab tests, we crown the Nike InfinityRN 4 as the best Nike Flyknit running shoes.

The Flyknit upper on the InfinityRN 4 is thick and stretchy—very stretchy that it creates a snug fit for our feet providing great comfort. Its tongue, which is 5.6 mm thick, is right in the range of the 5.8 mm average. We loved this comfy upper which gave us pleasant runs day in and day out. 

Comfort also extends to the midsole unit with the new ReactX midsole which is both soft and massive. We measured the heel stack on the InfinityRN4 to be 34.3 mm, which is 1.0 mm more than the average. The midsole is out-of-this-world soft—48.98% softer than the average. Running on marshmallows is an understatement. 

The upper also scored well on our lab's durability tests. We tested the toebox against the Dremel and it came out with an excellent score of  4 / 5. The outsole is 13.28% firmer resulting in only a 0.3 mm damage in our Dremel test (0.9 mm is the average). This shoe can definitely outlast other shoes. 

At 316g (11.15 oz) it is notably heavier than the average of 265g (9.35oz). If weight is a concern, lighter shoes are available.

Pros

  • Soft and stretchy Flyknit upper
  • Ideal for heel strikers
  • Comfortable for everyday use
  • Excellent for easy runs
  • Softer midsole
  • Durable, long-lasting outsole
  • Reduced carbon footprint

Cons

  • Average-at-best breathability
  • On the heavier side
  • Sizes run notably small
  • Less energy return than claimed
Full review of Nike InfinityRN 4

Best Nike Flyknit running shoes for racing

Nike Vaporfly 3
86
Good!

What makes it the best?

The Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 3 provides an explosive but plush ride, and has a comfortable and breathable upper, while also bringing traction on dry and wet surfaces. These are more than enough attributes to hail the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 3 the best Nike Flyknit running shoes for races.

All the magic of the Vaporfly 3 comes from the union of the uber-soft ZoomX midsole and the incredibly stiff carbon fiber Flyplate. It has a thicker stack than its previous version while the carbon plate is moved closer to the ground to provide a more aggressive and propulsive underfoot sensation. True enough, we felt like we could break quite a few PBs with these shoes—from the 5k to the marathon.

The engineered knit material creates a very breathable upper while also holding the foot well. Its weave pattern also has a closer knit along the perimeter of the forefoot for structure and a looser knit around the toe box and midfoot for added breathability. We're not kidding when we say that we had some pretty breeze runs in these shoes.

The Vaporfly 3’s waffle pattern outsole is thinner than previous versions which brings only less weight and increased midsole stack but also a very grippy outsole. It grips well on wet pavement and is quieter and less ‘slappy’ than the outgoing Vaporfly.

Unfortunately, we experienced some heel slippage. While this can be countered by using the extra eyelets and thicker socks, runners who prefer non-slippage can look elsewehere. 

Pros

  • Exceptionally breathable upper
  • Outstanding ZoomX cushioning
  • Superb choice from the mile to the marathon
  • Impressively low weight
  • Enhanced stability
  • Plush, cloud-like foam
  • Upgraded outsole for better grip
  • Surprisingly good grip

Cons

  • Uncomfortably large tongue
  • The heel is still too narrow
  • Lacks shock absorption in the forefoot
Full review of Nike Vaporfly 3

Nike Flyknit running shoes with the best shock absorption

What makes it the best?

Among Nike’s Flyknit series, Invincible 3 gave us the best shock absorption in our runs with its tall stack and soft cushion combination. It provides comfort and breathability for long miles and offers a consistent ride through its subtle supportive elements.

With a caliper on hand, its stack stands 35.2/25.6 mm, sitting right above the 34.3/25.7 mm average. Our feet are spoiled with supreme comfort as our lab test confirms it's an excellent shock absorber with its high 131 SA score. Plus, it offers an above-average 68.1% energy return, enhancing the whole experience.

We cut the shoe open and found a strobel lining between the midsole and the insole. This layer provides a stabilizing effect that reduces wobbles and ensures safe and sound landings.

A plush tongue hugs the top of our foot for comfort. Upon checking with our caliper, it’s an extra 1.6 mm of cushion vs. the average. Despite this, we could still feel the breeze flow in and out of the upper. Our breathability test confirms it’s more ventilated than the average, with a 4/5 rating.

Unfortunately, this isn't the most agile shoe. Weighing 10.0 oz (284g), this shoe shines best on recovery mileage.

Pros

  • Way more stable than previous versions
  • Amazing energy return
  • Thicker, more durable outsole
  • A solid ride that works for more runners
  • Breathable
  • Great for recovery days and long easy runs
  • True to size fit

Cons

  • Heel slippage
  • Heel clip can be irritating when cornering
  • Less cushioning than expected
Full review of Nike Invincible 3
Author
Jens Jakob Andersen
Jens Jakob Andersen
Jens Jakob is a fan of short distances with a 5K PR at 15:58 minutes. Based on 35 million race results, he's among the fastest 0.2% runners. Jens Jakob previously owned a running store, when he was also a competitive runner. His work is regularly featured in The New York Times, Washington Post, BBC and the likes as well as peer-reviewed journals. Finally, he has been a guest on +30 podcasts on running.