3 Best Nike Flyknit Running Shoes in 2023

Our findings from our lab and run tests point to the Infinity Run Flyknit 3 as the best overall Flyknit shoe. That's due to its excellent fit, smooth ride, and outstanding versatility of a top daily trainer.

There is plenty of Flyknit material in the Infinity Run Flyknit 3's upper, which is stretchy, thick, and downright comfortable. The ankle collar and tongue are tremendously padded, with the tongue 2.1 mm thicker than average. That all results in a lockdown fit as the upper conforms to our feet and keeps them securely in place.

The Infinity Run Flyknit 3 also doesn't disappoint in terms of being a do-it-all daily trainer. We feel running in them is so effortless thanks to how smooth the transitions are. Its midsole is 38.8% softer than average, which delivers exceptional comfort on easy days and superb shock absorption for long runs. But it still has the right balance of softness and firmness that make it a great shoe to wear in the gym, the office, or just casually.

However, the Infinity Run Flyknit 3's big downfall is that it's not the best for warmer temperatures. The thicker Flyknit material compromises the shoe's ventilation, which became apparent in our breathability test as the smoke we pumped into the shoe did not pass through the upper so easily.

The Zoom Fly 4 is built to go fast, with its fantastic propulsiveness feeling very similar to Nike's vaunted super shoe, the Vaporfly. And with its Flyknit-infused upper providing a foot-hugging fit and outstanding breathability, there's no doubt the Zoom Fly 4 is the premier Flyknit speed shoe.

The Zoom Fly 4 is a great training companion to the Vaporfly given how close the two shoes feel. With its rockered toebox and stiff carbon-plate design, the Zoom Fly 4 feels very energetic underfoot and gives great toe-off propulsion. It took a whopping 56.3N of force to bend the shoe 90 degrees, which makes it 84.6% stiffer than the average running shoe.

Moving to the upper, the Zoom Fly 4's fit is just what a speed shoe should be. The mesh does not have much stretch and locks the foot into place. But the FlyKnit ankle collar is soft and sock-like, while the rectangular foam in the heel does a fine job preventing heel slip. And despite the Zoom Fly 4's two-layer upper design, the shoe is still surprisingly breathable. We felt a good breeze on our test runs as our feet were kept nice and cool.

However, the Zoom Fly 4's outsole grip is a letdown. While the grip was perfectly good on the tarmac, it got slick in the dirt or on wet surfaces. So those who want more grip in their speed shoes should look elsewhere.

No other Flyknit shoe compares to the Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit 2, which has an insane amount of comfortable cushioning underfoot. Add its smooth ride and surprising springiness, and it is without question the top Flyknit cushion shoe.

It's hard to find a shoe with cushioning quite as good as the Invincible Run Flyknit 2's. It has a thick midsole with 2.3 mm more stack height in the heel than average. And that super-soft ZoomX foam is 55% softer than the average road running shoe, so it is not only supremely comfortable, but it is also superb at absorbing shocks and impact on our runs.

The Invincible Run Flyknit 2 is absolutely brilliant for cruising along at easy paces thanks to its rocker geometry, which makes transitions smooth and seamless. Not only that, but we also felt a good amount of springiness to the shoe, which adds more fun to the ultra-cushioned ride.

However, the Invincible Run Flyknit 2 does get hot due to the knit upper and the padded tongue, which is a whopping 3.2 mm thicker than average. The poorly ventilated shoe scored a 2 out of 5 on our breathability test, with 5 being the most breathable, as the smoke we pumped into it had a hard time escaping the upper.