Nike ZoomX Dragonfly review

We highly recommend the Dragonfly for track enthusiasts seeking a blend of cushioning and performance. In our view, this spike is:

• Ideal for anyone running 5K or 10K, offering one of the most forgiving rides available that cater to all speed levels.
• Perfect for runners who practice interval training ranging from 400m to 5K in the track.
• Suitable for those competing even in shorter events like 800m who prefer more foam and less stiffness than the usual speedsters offer.

While the Dragonfly excels for many athletes, we do not recommend it for those targeting shorter distances—as its features can impede a powerful, ground-contact stride needed for sprints. For events shorter than 800 meters, we think the Nike Air Zoom Maxfly is a better choice.

Furthermore, the Dragonfly carries a price tag of $150, which might be steep for some. For those in search of a more cost-effective alternative, the Nike Zoom Rival D 10 stands out as an excellent choice. It delivers a nice degree of versatility and comfort, making it a great fit for newcomers to track events or weekend warriors who don't want to spend that much.

The heel of the Dragonfly pushes the boundaries of World Athletics regulations, which cap track spike height at 20.0 mm for 2024 and beyond, pending any rule changes, of course. Our measurements show it comes in at 19.8 mm.

The forefoot boasts a total stack height of 17.8 mm, primarily composed of ZoomX foam, which effectively saves your legs for the final laps of 5K and 10K races.

While most track spikes lean towards a zero drop or even a negative offset, the Dragonfly offers a feel similar to low-drop road running shoes.

We discovered in our lab that it features a 2.0-mm drop, which is ideally suited for long-distance events like 5K or 10K. This design not only helps runners who lack that eye-catching forefoot-striking technique but also feels less taxing on the posterior chain and Achilles tendons.

Here’s the highlight of the Dragonfly, which has set it apart since its debut. The shoe boasts a full-length layer of ultra-responsive ZoomX foam, the same material Nike features in models like the Alphafly.

With a softness rating of 20.1 HA, it’s remarkably plush for a track spike, typically known for their firm feel.

We found that this exceptional cushioning has contributed significantly to its success in long-distance events. The use of Pebax foam brings the leg-saving magic of modern marathon shoes to the track, helping runners preserve their muscles for the final kick!

The insole is quite basic and minimal, measuring only 2.8 mm, yet it feels perfectly adequate for a track spike. There’s really nothing more to add about it, and that is a definite plus!

Shifting our focus to the toebox, we immediately recognized that Nike did a big effort to offer a wider fit compared to typical spikes.

With a width of 92.0 mm, we experienced ample space to comfortably tackle 5K or 10K races without any problems!

However, it was the measurement of the big toe that truly unveiled the comfort level of this fit. At 76.1 mm, the taper is unusually generous for a track spike!

Regarding vertical volume, it aligns with most of its competitors but obviously still feels more confined compared to any road running shoe.

Despite its surprisingly low longitudinal stiffness, our manual assessment revealed that the shoe is quite resistant to twisting. This led us to award the Dragonfly a 4/5 for torsional rigidity in our lab tests.

The heel counter is hyper flexible, promoting a fit ideal for track competitions. Consequently, we assigned it a predictable rating of 1/5.

Track spikes typically feature a narrower design, so stability isn't usually expected.

However, our measurements revealed a surprisingly wide forefoot in the Dragonfly for a track spike, measuring 98.2 mm, which does provide some stability and helps mitigate the soft foam's wobbliness.

The heel, mirroring the narrow shape of the midfoot, measures just 60.2 mm in width, necessitating a midfoot or forefoot striking technique.

This result was truly unexpected—despite featuring a Pebax plate, the Dragonfly only registered 17.5N in our 90-degree bend test. This was quite surprising, especially when compared to nylon-plated road shoes like the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4, which typically score between 25N and 40N in the same test.

Some runners might prefer a stiffer sole similar to that of road competition shoes, yet we found the comfort of this more flexible setup to be a major plus for longer distances in the track. Additionally, the target audience for this shoe—world-class athletes—often possesses exceptionally reactive ankles and strong feet, which diminishes the need for a rigid sole.

The Dragonfly is designed with a classic 6-pin setup. Each pin is removable, giving you the ability to tailor the shoe's grip to suit your specific needs perfectly.

We found this very important, as the softer-than-usual forefoot may lead you to choose longer pins for this spike.

During our track tests, the Dragonfly made us feel almost barefoot in terms of weight—a sensation we found astonishing.

After placing it on our scale back in the lab, the reason became clear. At only 4.7 oz or 133g, this shoe stands out as one of the lightest long-distance spikes ever made.

Breathability often takes a backseat in spikes since track events are usually short, but the Dragonfly is crafted for distances ranging from 1500 meters to 10K, necessitating high ventilation, especially due to the warm temperatures of outdoor events.

Luckily, we discovered that the engineered mesh used by Nike features ample spacing between its threads, allowing heat and moisture to escape effectively, which is crucial for longer distances. This is a 4 out of 5 for us.

Using a light, we were able to observe how Nike meticulously designed this model. The toebox and tongue benefit from full ventilation, and there is a noticeable degree of breathability in the midfoot, which we found to be more than sufficient.

Under the microscope, we noted that the Dragonfly boasts a really good upper. It's simpler for brands to use uniform mesh across all parts, but Nike has strategically enhanced ventilation in key areas with remarkable ease and precision.

Lastly, in their pursuit of an ultra-lightweight spike, Nike minimized padding and sacrificed comfort, incorporating only two strips in the rearfoot area that extend through the heel.

The upper is notably minimal and thin, which left us quite skeptical during our fierce test with the Dremel tool.

Regrettably, we discovered it scored a dismal 1/5. Although track spikes generally endure less damage than their road or trail counterparts, a slight enhancement in durability for the next version would be greatly appreciated.

After evaluating the toebox, we shifted our focus to the heel, applying the same specifications with our Dremel: 5K RPM and 3.2N of force.

Luckily, the results showed improvement over the toebox (3/5), yet it still indicates a need for further refinement in the Dragonfly 2.

We measured the thickness of the Dragonfly's outsole at 3.1 mm, but this isn't just any ordinary outsole—it's a Pebax plate that extends from the heel to double as the outsole in the forefoot.

This unique design enhances responsiveness and is quite effective.

We also measured the hardness of the rubber coverage Nike uses in the heel, registering it on our durometer at just 55.0 HC. While that may seem low, it's important to note that this shoe isn't designed for firm heel landings.

The tongue of the Dragonfly, inspired by the Vaporfly, is exceptionally minimal with just 1.4 mm of padding.

We discovered that while this design offers a streamlined feel, those participating in 5K or 10K races should adjust the notched laces with care. Oh, and these laces themselves are a cool premium feature, enhancing both the lockdown and the aesthetic appeal of the shoe.

The Dragonfly lacks a heel tab, yet it incorporates a now-iconic Nike feature—a large hole in the heel counter. This iconic design enhances heel lock and slightly reduces weight, so it's a win-win in our books.