Nike Air Zoom Maxfly review

We think the Nike Air Zoom Maxfly is a must-have spike for those seeking:

• Explosive power and protection from the Air Zoom unit.
• Top-tier performance across sprints from 60m to 400m, with versatility extending all the way up to the 1500m for some.
• A supremely aggressive, stiff ride balanced with a certain degree of comfort.

While we appreciate the responsive Air Zoom unit in the Maxfly's forefoot, we recognise it won't suit everyone's preferences. Those craving a traditional, grounded ride might find a better fit in the Adidas Prime SP2.

We also don't recommend the Maxfly for distances beyond 800m. Its focus is clearly on shorter sprints. Instead, check out the versatile and budget-friendly Nike Zoom Rival D 10—its comfortable design could be a smarter choice for longer races especially if it's your first spike.

We measured the forefoot at 16.8 mm, slightly higher than the heel. This strategic design maximises forward propulsion by placing extra cushioning and responsiveness precisely where sprinters need it most, under the ball of the foot.

The heel-to-forefoot difference creates a negative drop of -0.9 mm. While this might seem unusual for a traditional road shoe, we think it's an ideal design for elite-level spikes. This aggressive configuration promotes explosive propulsion for peak performance.

However, in our view, runners who are new to the world of spikes should exercise caution when first stepping into a shoe like the Maxfly. Ease into doing drills in them gradually to give your calves and Achilles tendons time to adjust and prevent injury.

The Maxfly features Nike's top-tier ZoomX foam, identical to that found in their other top-performing racing shoes like the Alphafly 3.

This specialized formulation boasts incredible density with a remarkably firm yet responsive feel (29.0 HA on our durometer test)—everything a competitor craves for explosive track performance.

As is standard in running spikes, the Maxfly keeps things minimal with a thin 2.8 mm insole. This lean design ensures a close, direct connection to the midsole.

In top-tier track spikes, optimal speed demands one key feature, a carbon plate. The Maxfly delivers with Nike's renowned Flyplate technology, which is a full-length carbon plate positioned strategically above the foam and Air Zoom unit. With each step, this setup maximizes compression for explosive energy return.

Just be prepared—unlike simpler foam-based spikes, the Flyplate creates a noticeably stiff and aggressive ride no matter the distance.

This unit evokes us those found in Nike shoes like the Pegasus 40, yet it's dialled up in size and width for the ultimate in energy return and forefoot cushioning.

With minimal vertical space in the toebox, we discovered that the design prioritises an ultra-snug, race-ready lockdown to efficiently channel power down into the track.

However, width-wise, things expand somewhat—our measurements showed 87.3 mm at the upper's widest point, which is decently roomy for this kind of spike.

While the Maxfly prioritises a performance-driven, streamlined fit, the big toe area boasts a surprisingly generous width. Thanks to this less aggressive taper than many running spikes.

Despite that carbon plate, the Maxfly retains a surprising degree of flexibility, earning a respectable 4/5 on our rigidity test.

This welcome bend gives it a more forgiving feel compared to some ultra-rigid spikes.

To ensure a secure fit when accelerating into full-speed sprints, the Maxfly's heel counter boasts some structure. We found that this added support provides excellent heel lockdown—crucial for maximizing power with every stride.

Now for midsole measurements! Given the Maxfly is engineered for blazing-fast 60m to 400m sprints (with even some 800m/mile runners opting for it), a streamlined design seemed inevitable in the forefoot. And with our digital calliper measuring a lean 93.9mm, our expectations were fully confirmed.

As with the forefoot, the MaxFly boasts a remarkably narrow heel—just 59.2mm according to our digital calipers.

But remember, we're talking about a sprint-focused shoe here. This design keeps feet locked in for pure performance. This is more a Ferrari than an Audi A8!

Weighing in at 6.0 oz (169g), the Maxfly falls short compared to other aspects of its design.

It's certainly not a heavy spike, but Nike has set the bar high, and this weight closely mirrors the Vaporfly 3, which has twice the stack height of the Maxfly.

Though breathability may not top the priority list for running spikes designed for explosive sprints, some ventilation helps, especially during longer training sessions in summer. We were pleasantly surprised by the Maxfly's average-at-best performance in our smoke-pumping test.

This surprised us, as sprint spikes prioritise an exceptionally lightweight build, and super-light uppers typically score an easy 5/5 for breathability. The Maxfly landed a respectable 3/5, though.

Shedding more light on the situation (pun intended!), we discovered a dense Flyweave mesh. This feature improves support and stability.

Our microscope offered the ultimate proof. There's not a single ventilation hole or gap in the tightly woven mesh.

Finally, we took a detailed look at the upper and found surprisingly plush padding for such a sprint-focused spike, especially in the heel area.

Runners who are prone to discomfort in this region will deeply appreciate this design choice.

Now comes the moment of truth—testing upper durability with our Dremel. You might think wear and tear doesn't matter much with sprint spikes, but big toe nails have been known to rip open those flimsy uppers really quickly!

Thankfully, the Maxfly held its own during our Dremel test, earning a strong 3/5 score. This indicates enough toughness to withstand the rigours of its intended lifespan.

In the heel area, the MaxFly truly shined, demonstrating impressive resistance to wear and tear.

We gave it a flawless 5-out-of-5 score! With durability like this, runners can trust that the heel will remain intact for years.

Our measurement revealed an outsole thickness of 1.9 mm.

Notably, its strategic placement allows for added traction and responsiveness in the forefoot while dipping below the foam in the heel, prioritising greater cushioning and impact absorption.