6 Best Nike ZoomX Running Shoes in 2023

Jens Jakob Andersen
Jens Jakob Andersen on
6 Best Nike ZoomX Running Shoes in 2023
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Nike has nothing to prove. It’s already one of the strongest brands in the running scene. But as it enters the world of super foams, it’s made itself even stronger. 

The Nike ZoomX foam is the brand’s cutting-edge tech. It’s Nike’s lightest, bounciest, softest cushioning to date, and runners swear by it. 

We have tested all versions of the ZoomX shoes and we are here to help you trim down your choices by selecting the best of the best from various categories. We also made sure that you would get all the information you need in the reviews we produced through our extensive testing procedures.

Best Nike ZoomX running shoes overall

What makes it the best?

Gaining outstanding ratings in our lab and run tests, ZoomX Vaporfly NEXT% 2 is our #1 Nike ZoomX model. It’s a racer that goes fast and far while giving the best of both worlds in terms of comfort and responsiveness. Its energy is unmatched!

Like all ZoomX models, this shoe boasts an extremely comfortable foam, measuring 21.8% softer than average. What’s special about Vaporfly NEXT% 2 is that it’s the stiffest shoe of all the ZoomX shoes we’ve lab-tested. Resisting with a force of 83.7N in our flex test, it emerged 175.3% stiffer than the average running shoe. This shoe suits forefoot-strikers as we were launched so effortlessly in our toe-offs. The faster we ran, the better the shoe performed.

With a light weight of 6.9 oz (196g), this shoe is meant for racing. It falls 26.9% below the weight of an average running shoe. Contributing to the airy feeling we had is its insanely breathable upper, scoring 5/5 on our breathability test in the lab. Our feet enjoyed the breeze even in our hot and humid runs.

This is not a pair to train in since it won’t last long like most race shoes. With an outsole that’s 47.1% thinner than average, we noticed the rubber can easily wear away. Best to save this pair for races.

Pros

  • Insanely lightweight
  • Very breathable
  • Bouncy
  • Responsive
  • FAST
  • No break-in period needed
  • Good grip on dry surfaces

Cons

  • Not ideal for wide feet
  • Unstable
  • Forefoot strikers only
Full review of Nike ZoomX Vaporfly NEXT% 2

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Orange (DO2408739)
Dark sulfur/Thunder blue (DJ5182700)
100 white/black-university gold (DM7601100)
White/Black (DJ5458100)
White/Black-Volt-Racer Blue-Bright Crimson (CU4111103)
White/black-metallic silver (CU4111100)
Hyper royal/psychic blue/blue void/yellow strike (DM8324400)
700 volt/bright crimson/light phot (DV3030700)
More colors

Best Nike ZoomX running shoes for wide feet

What makes it the best?

The Invincible Run is a shoe that barely needs an introduction. It’s among the most (if not the most) comfortable max-cushioned trainers, alongside the More and the Bondi. In this third version, the shoe moved away from the unadulterated wildness of the v2 in favor of practicality and versatility. The outcome is a ride that’s less soft and bouncy, more stable and controlled. It’s the Invincible for runners who couldn’t handle the Invincible.

Pros

  • Way more stable than previous versions
  • Tall stack of impact-absorbing cushioning
  • Good energy return
  • Comfort for the entire foot
  • Thicker, more durable outsole
  • A solid ride that works for more runners
  • Breathable
  • Great for recovery days and long easy runs

Cons

  • Poor grip on wet roads
  • Heel slippage
  • Heel clip can be irritating when cornering
Full review of Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit 3

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Men
Women
Any color
Noise Aqua/Green Abyss (Dr2615-401) (DR2615001)
White (FJ1046100)
Blue (DR2615400)
White (FN6821100)
White (FJ3889100)
Black (DR2660001)

Best Nike ZoomX trail running shoes

What makes it the best?

With the release of a ZoomX-designed trail shoe, "the hype train is immediately at full steam," says one expert. And with the Zegama Trail from Nike, it's definitely worth the hype. It's an ultra-distance running shoe that provides all the protection you need when cruising through friendly and moderately technical trails. And if you want surefooted strides, the Nike Zegama Trail musters up all the confidence you need.

Pros

  • Dampens impact
  • Comfy for long distances
  • Stable when bombing downhills
  • Breathable on hot days
  • Built like a tank
  • Form-fitting fit
  • Toe protection is awesome!

Cons

  • Not for wet trails
  • Toe box is not ultra-ready
Full review of Nike ZoomX Zegama Trail

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Men
Women
Any color
Grå (DH0623002)
Yellow (DH0625700)
Green (DH0623301)
Green (DH0623302)
Brown (DH0625200)
Blue (DH0623400)
Black (DH0625003)
Black (DH0625001)
More colors

Best Nike ZoomX cushioned running shoes

What makes it the best?

The ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit 2 from Nike is a daily trainer where comfort is paramount. But what makes it better than most everyday running shoes is it offers a ton of bounce and support to gobble up the miles ahead. On top of this, it offers a smooth, easy ride. Overall, the Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit 2 is a definite must-have for days when your legs are tired and if you want a fun, lively long run.

Pros

  • Plushness overload
  • Protective for long runs
  • Smooth and seamless ride
  • Adds pep to your step
  • Supports tired legs
  • Terrific heel lockdown
  • Spacious toe box
  • Grippy on light trails

Cons

  • Not for wet surfaces
  • Expensive for a trainer
  • Lacks durability
  • Poor airflow
Full review of Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit 2

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Black (DH5425001)
Siren red/black-team red-green (DH5425600)
White (DH5425100)
Game Royal/Blackened Blue/Phantom (DX3372400)
Sail/SailBlack-Light Bone-Mint Foam (DH5425102)
Black/Chlorine Blue/Blue Orbit (DH5425003)
White (DV1745181)
Iron Grey/Kumquat/Wolf Grey (DH5425002)
More colors

Best Nike ZoomX running shoes for speed training

What makes it the best?

It's fast, and it can rake up miles! The Nike Air Zoom Tempo Next% is everything we can ask for in a dedicated tempo trainer. It's comfortable and it's loaded with bounce, springing you forward in each stride! After putting it to the test, it's safe to say that it suits middle to long-distance runs best. And 100 miles after, we still don't see any significant wear from the shoe.

Pros

  • True to size
  • Fast
  • No break-in period
  • Super breathable paper-thin upper
  • Remarkable durability
  • Very comfortable
  • Sleek design
  • Pushes you forward
  • Best for fast long runs (~10 miles)

Cons

  • Unstable at sharp turns
  • Not for slow runs at all
  • Poor traction on wet surfaces
Full review of Nike Air Zoom Tempo Next%

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Black (CI9923001)
Pink (CI9923600)
Volt/Black/Bright Crimson (DV3031700)
White light crimson' (CI9923105)
White (CI9923100)
Gray (CI9923004)
Black/hyper violet-football gr (CI9923009)
Grey (CI9923002)
Gray (CI9923006)

Best Nike ZoomX running shoes for 5K/10K

What makes it the best?

The Nike ZoomX Streakfly is the Oregonian's answer to the critically acclaimed Adidas Adizero Takumi Sen 8, a phenomenal and fast modern-day racing flat. Commended for being fast, this shoe surprised everyone with its comfortable ride and pleasant upper. While not the ultimate short-distance racing shoe, this non-plated hyper-light Nike racer is an excellent tool for a wide variety of workouts.

Pros

  • Screams fast and speed-ready
  • Nike’s lightest racing shoe yet
  • Stable and good at cornering
  • Incredible lockdown
  • Splendid track workhorse
  • Roomy toe box
  • Grippy outsole
  • Eye-catching design
  • Not so expensive!

Cons

  • Narrow-footed runners may experience poor lockdown
  • Insanely thin laces
  • Falls short for racing
  • Heavy runners can “bottom out”
Full review of Nike ZoomX Streakfly

Today's best price

Unisex
Any color
Coconut Milk/Mint Foam/Volt (DX3415100)
Cobalt Bliss Black Ashen 400 (DJ6566400)
Orange (DJ6566800)
White/Volt/Racer Blue/Black (DX1626100)
White (DJ6566100)
White (DJ6566102)
Black / Blue / White / Yellow (DJ6566401)
White (DJ6566101)
More colors

Comparison of the 6 best Nike ZoomX running shoes

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How we test running shoes

We don’t just cherry-pick the shoes we put on this list. To really give you the best, we test them out ourselves and put them through the wringer. How? 

  • We purchase all the shoes we review with our own money to avoid bias. 
  • To make sure we’ve done sufficient testing, we log 30-50 miles in each shoe. 
  • Through our own RunRepeat testing lab, we do a series of tests (e.g. flexibility, durability, breathability tests, etc.). We exhaust our time measuring the different parameters of the shoes so we can completely form our conclusions about each feature. We also slice the shoes into pieces to get deeper into deets!
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.