7 Best Nike ZoomX Running Shoes in 2025

The Vaporfly 4 relentlessly established its dominance among all Nike ZoomX shoes we ran with. Its unmatched speed took us farther and faster than we ever imagined, smashing PBs more stably and comfortably. It bravely challenges the typical supershoe with its more natural ride.

The midsole cleverly combines the ZoomX and Flyplate, which are both designed for maximum speed and energy return. The foam has a velvet touch, giving a buttery smooth ride without feeling overly plush to enhance stability, confirmed by our durometer with a 19.9 HA reading. Our legs felt fresh despite pushing the limit.

Meanwhile, the Flyplate promotes fast and smooth transitions. Our bend test shows it’s 14.6% stiffer than average, enough to make the ride snappier without feeling too rigid. It feels more grounded with its moderate stack height and is a solid option for those who prefer a less assisted ride.

The shoe melts into motion as soon as we start running. It didn’t burden us at all with its feather-light 5.9 oz (166g) construction. It sets a new standard for the next era of supershoes because the current ones in our roster average 7.3 oz (208g).

Unfortunately, we can’t recommend the V4 to heavier runners because the reduced stack height will feel harsher, especially on longer distances. Those who need more cushioning for support should try alternatives.

We found the Zoom Fly 6 to be the perfect tempo trainer among the Nike ZoomX shoes we ran with. Our lab results back up the boundless energy, agility, and durability we observed during testing. It can handle explosive intervals and demanding runs with ease, even having the speed for race day.

Beneath our feet, we unveiled divine cushioning. It features a maximalist 39.7/30.1 mm stack that offers effective impact protection. The ZoomX main foam feels exceptionally responsive with a touch of softness, evidenced by its 16.1 HA durometer reading. We also discovered another base foam with the same softness but is composed differently to improve the midsole’s longevity.

Running in the ZF6 is a breeze because of its airy 8.8 oz (248g) build, 6.8% below average. Even with the presence of a Flyplate, it doesn’t feel too rigid, only 25.9% stiffer than average. Carbon-plated shoes tend to score much higher.

Besides the midsole, the upper and outsole showed remarkable wear resistance against our Dremel. With better performance than the standard in the toebox (5/5), heel (5/5), and outsole (0.8 mm dent vs. 1.0 mm average), ZF6 assures us it can handle multiple training blocks.

However, the streamlined toebox may not suit runners who prefer a relaxed feel. We recommend those with wide or swollen feet to avoid this pair.

Our runs reveal Alphafly 3 exhibits unwavering resilience, top-of-the-line speed, and much-needed cushioning for many miles. Among Nike’s ZoomX line, our lab tests prove it offers elite energy return, maintaining high performance with lasting comfort in a lightweight package.

The midsole eases the pain of high-effort miles with its seamless blend of rebound and comfort. Testing for energy return, the heel returned 74.9% of the force we exerted, and the forefoot 73.9%. Both exceed the average and confirm its exceptional responsiveness. With every landing, the shock-absorbing foam reduces leg strain, scoring above-average at 144 SA in the heel and 113 SA in the forefoot.

Besides the ZoomX midsole, the Air Pods and rigid FlyPlate work together to propel us forward. Our flex test validates our experience when it emerges 89.3% stiffer than average, transforming to insane responsiveness.

Our legs feel fresh with the shoe’s airy build of 7.1 oz (201g). Even with its mega stack, it’s 24.2% lighter than the average. Its well-ventilated Atomknit upper keeps us sweat and blister-free even during endurance runs. Our breathability test validates this with the highest rating of 5/5.

This high-quality shoe comes at a hefty price of $285. We recommend checking other options if budget is a priority.

The Nike Pegasus Premium feels amazing underfoot, from its highly energetic ride to its delightful joint protection to its strong airflow. With beyond-average ratings in our lab tests, this shoe is truly one of a kind.

The cushion offers relief for long distances, with a sky-high stack of 42.8/31.0 mm. Not only that, the foam itself offers leg-saving comfort. In our shock absorption test, we recorded 155 SA in the heel and 136 SA in the forefoot. With both figures above average, Pegasus Premium offers exceptional shock absorption.

With every landing, the foam offers responsiveness that keeps us going. With each stride we take, the platform can transfer a huge portion of the energy we put into our next move. Our energy return test shows solid ratings of 67.3% in the heel and 68.3% in the forefoot, creating a dynamic experience.

We never felt like overheating because of the knit and mesh upper’s undisturbed airflow. In our smoke test, air flowed out seamlessly, so we awarded it the maximum 5/5 breathability score. Unfortunately, the tapered toebox is what restricted our toes. Those with broad feet should find a more accommodating pair.

We tested the Nike Vomero Plus and found it truly lives up to its name as the “Plus” version of the regular Vomero. We loved the cozy upper and the durable construction, which makes the price tag more palatable. It also arrives with a full-length ZoomX midsole and a maximalist build, exactly what we had been expecting by now. While the weight is higher than we’d like and there’s not much room in the toebox, we believe it’s still an excellent option for recovery days or relaxed runs when legs are tired and feet need protective bounce.

Among Nike’s ZoomX models we tested in the lab and on our runs, Ultrafly is the best for trail. It’s a performance-driven shoe that offers unmatched speed, grip, cloud-like comfort, and impressive stability for long distances and races. It deviates from the traditional trail shoe with its world-class energy return and bouncy ZoomX foam.

Ultrafly feels ultra-stiff with its full-length carbon plate embedded in the midsole — driving the shoe’s power with every stride. Our bend test shows it's 31.5% stiffer than average. We can tackle easy to moderate trails with finesse as the Vibram outsole features 3.0 mm lugs that ensure traction.

Unlike other trail shoes' brick-feeling we’re accustomed to, Ultrafly offers a plush and bouncy ride. It holds a superior combination of an above-average stack and a soft Pebax foam, ultimately leading to comfort. Our durometer shows one of the softest readings at 9.8 HA — 63.7% plusher than average! The platform makes long miles roll by and protects our legs from impact.

Ultrafly feels exceptionally stable in our runs — driven by the carbon plate’s rigidity and the vast platform that enhances steady strides. Our caliper shows there’s an extra 10.6 mm space in the forefoot and 3.9 mm room in the heel, catering to all foot strikers.

Unfortunately, the Vaporweave upper felt stuffy during our warmer runs. The mesh has a comfort-focused fabric that limits airflow.