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.

The ZoomX Streakfly is a non-plated shoe that is extremely lightweight, incredibly fast, and supremely comfortable. For these reasons which we verified on outdoor runs and lab tests, the Nike Streakfly is the best ZoomX running shoe for 5K and 10K distances.

If "lightness" had a photo, it would be the Streakfly. Weighing in at an airy 171g (6.03 oz), it is a stunning 97g (3.42 oz) lighter than the average road running shoe. In shorter races where every ounce (or lack thereof) matters, the Streakfly definitely has the advantage. We're talking about demolishing old PBs.

As it is the renowned ZoomX foam, it is indeed soft, bouncy, and comfortable. It’s super plush and soft—50.6% softer than the average of road running shoes. It also feels extremely bouncy which elevated our speed sessions.

The shoe’s engineered mesh upper is completely ventilated—garnering a brilliant 5/5 on our breathability test. Its fully gusseted tongue and heel area are also amply padded so blisters and hotspots are on the zero count thanks to this magical upper.

Sadly, the fact that it doesn't have a full-length carbon plate nor a rockered geometry limits the shoe to be an all-out racing shoe. Runners should skip these if looking for hyper-propulsive super shoes.

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 £280. We recommend checking other options if budget is a priority.

The Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit 3 boasts a humongous amount of midsole foam that provides steadfast comfort. It also has a bouncy midsole and a stable platform making it simply the best for all-day wear among Nike ZoomX running shoes—our runs, walks, and lab tests all corroborated to choose it.

The enormous slab of soft midsole foam feels incredibly comfortable. From our durometer test, we found that it is a whopping 40.3% softer than the average road running shoe. Meanwhile, its 35.2 mm heel stack height is 2 mm more than the average (33.2 mm), explaining the lovely cushion we felt with every step during long runs or even walking around a new city all day.

Aside from the superior midsole, the Invincible 3 also has a wide platform, a snug fit, and a heel clip that brings the shoe some stability. It measured 121.8 mm on the forefoot (9 mm wider than average) and 102.1 mm in the heel (12.2 mm wider).

Although marketed as an easy day shoe, we were still able to pick up the pace when we wanted to. It is 4.9% less flexible than the average road running shoe, which also contributes to a bouncier feel.

However, the Invincible 3 lacks the grip needed to tackle wet terrain. If traction on wet ground is a priority, there are other options with better grip.

The Nike Pegasus Turbo Next Nature is an extremely reliable and smooth-riding running shoe with a magnificent outsole. Given its pedigree and that it’s made with recycled materials, it is definitely our pick for the best sustainable Nike ZoomX running shoe.

The Next Nature moniker means that the Pegasus Turbo is made from 50% recycled materials from post-manufactured waste. This is definitely the shoe to go with for making an impact on the environment.

However, even if this shoe helps reduce carbon footprint, it doesn't skimp out on performance. The Pegasus Turbo Next Nature, with its 10 mm drop, gave us a smooth ride that felt like we were being propelled forward. 

The outsole of the Pegasus Turbo Next Nature is both grippy and durable. At 2.76% softer than the average road running shoe outsoles, this balance in the softness produces an outsole that gives both adequate traction and durability.

The recycled flyknit upper is padded for comfort and protection. However, it makes the shoe lack ventilation and is not recommended for running under the sweltering sun.

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 calliper 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.