Nike ZoomX Dragonfly XC review

In our view, the Dragonfly XC is the perfect pick for:

• Regular users of the Dragonfly series who want the same fast-and-smooth experience for cross-country events.  
• Anyone training regularly on dirt tracks or old-school cinder tracks looking for superior traction and a rugged upper.
• Runners serious about the cross-country season who need a performance shoe made specifically for this gruelling event.

We believe the Dragonfly XC isn't the best choice if you're trying to stick to a budget. It comes at a high price, and we are convinced that the Nike Rival Waffle 6 offers a much better value for many runners.

Additionally, we think it’s not ideal for those racing mostly on the track with only a few cross-country appearances. The Dragonfly XC’s heavier-and-bulkier build feels out of place compared to the lightweight Dragonfly 2. From our point of view, it makes more sense to stay with the standard version and simply swap in deeper pins when needed, saving weight and maximising speed for serious track competition.

This version of the Dragonfly might look a bit beefier than the Dragonfly 2 Elite, but it still follows World Athletics' track and field rules. The maximum allowed heel stack is 20 mm, and Nike cleverly pushed it to 19.6 mm—right at the edge without crossing the line.

The forefoot also pushes the limits at 19.2 mm, making it an ideal choice for runners who want maximum cushioning to save their legs for the brutal final minutes of cross-country races.

That leaves a 0.4 mm drop, a flat drop that's common setup in track spikes. It strongly encourages forefoot striking and comes with a warning—if you’re not used to this geometry, your calves might take a serious beating and stay sore for days.

The midsole of the Dragonfly XC mirrors the regular Dragonfly—it features a dual-layer, full-length Pebax midsole with a softer (18.5 HA) ZoomX slab over the plate. It also has a firmer one—only in the midfoot and heel—sitting below.

Energy return is, as expected from ZoomX, simply awesome. We found that there’s crazy bounce paired with highly effective shock absorption, creating a springy, leg-saving sensation that’s perfect for XC events with lots of downhills.

The insole is non-removable and measures just 2.7 mm, letting ZoomX remain the star of the show.

There’s a second layer of ZoomX, although it’s much smaller. It runs through the midfoot and heel, sitting below the orange plate.

It’s also much firmer at 32.5 HA, which is interesting—it’s the opposite setup Nike used in the track versions, where the heel was softer.

The plate is made from Pebax too, but in a plastic form, not foam. In fact, if you want to learn more about Pebax, check our foams guide—it’s packed with details.

This plate aims to find a sweet-spot balance between the lively propulsion of a carbon plate and the flexibility of a non-plated shoe. In our experience, it feels more like a plate-free setup.

And how’s the fit? That’s the big question for many runners looking at this shoe.

To find out, we made a precision-moulded gel replica and got to work doing what we love. Starting with the widest part of the toebox, we discovered 88.6 mm. That’s firmly in the average range for a spike, meaning you can expect a race-ready fit.

The big toe area offers decent space, and this feels like a no-risk move from Nike. It makes sense, since many runners grabbing this shoe already own one of the Dragonfly models for the track.

In terms of toebox height, we also found a typical experience with no downsides at all, and no extreme height either.

Our callipers measured 26.5 mm, which is no surprise—it’s once again quite average.

The thing with plastic plates like those made from Pebax is that they add plenty of torsional rigidity to boost stability, but without the extreme stiffness of carbon fibre. This one, scoring 4/5, definitely felt rigid to us.

On the flip side, the heel counter is highly flexible, although slightly stiffer than the track versions. Instead of the usual 1 out of 5, this time it scored a 2.

Nike has kept the same last and midsole from the track edition—again, no major changes here.

In the forefoot, we measured a wide 98.8 mm, and in our experience, this stable platform really helps in cross-country events, where ankle-rolling injuries can be a real problem.

The heel is ultra-narrow compared to any running shoe, but perfectly fine for a spike designed for forefoot striking. At 60.6 mm wide, it’s clear—you’re definitely meant to land up front.

We tested the stiffness of this XC spike to show that, even with a Pebax plate, it stays super-flexible from a longitudinal perspective. We only needed 7.9N to bend it to the desired point!

We found that the Dragonfly XC is essentially a rugged-built version of the regular model, which naturally brings a weight increase due to extra material in the upper for abrasion protection, among other changes.

Because of this, the spike sits on the heavier side at 6.4 oz or 181g—adding 1.3 oz or 36g compared to the standard model.

We feared that the design changes made to protect this shoe from abrasion would mean losing the Dragonfly’s signature breathable feel. In our view, it was a real concern, given how airy the previous models were.

However, after testing, we discovered that the Dragonfly XC remains impressively breathable, earning a sky-high 5/5 in our lab. Thanks to its airy upper, ventilation remains excellent even with the added protection.

While some parts of the upper are definitely thicker than in the standard version, Nike left key areas untouched and ultra-ventilated, allowing hot air to escape easily without feeling trapped during hard efforts.

Through our microscope examination, we uncovered Nike’s clever strategy—using the same thin material from the regular Dragonfly, but reinforcing high-wear areas with extra-durable overlays. It’s a smart approach that seems to be working very well.

For cross-country racers wanting the same track-like experience, we think this hybrid construction was the only way to go.

We tested the toebox durability of the Dragonfly XC just like we do with every other spike, in the exact same spot. The tip landed on one of the reinforced areas, and that's how it scored 2/5, which is better than the 1 of the regular Dragonfly.

The heel is slightly different from the standard version, which is why it scored differently, earning a 3/5. It’s not perfect, but it shouldn’t cause any issues with durability.

The Dragonfly XC features a paper-thin 1.0 mm outsole designed to maximise the energy return and cushioning of the ZoomX foam.

The rubber used by Nike is fairly standard in the industry at 80.0 HC, but unusual for running spikes.

It’s one of those road-inspired features the Dragonfly XC carries—and a key reason it weighs more than most spikes.

Another big change in the Dragonfly XC compared to regular running spikes is the addition of removable pins. Runners get two options to suit different course conditions:

• The first option features sharp pins—ideal for dry or hard-packed courses where deep penetration and maximum grip are essential.
• The second option comes with wider, ground-gripping pyramid pins. These are better suited for softer, muddier terrains, offering a more stable hold without getting stuck.

Besides the removable pins, the midfoot and heel feature 1.5 mm minilugs to further boost traction.

The Nike Dragonfly XC is priced in the same range as its sibling, and while it’s not a budget-friendly spike, we believe it’s fairly priced for a reinforced Dragonfly packed with 100% ZoomX foam. There aren’t many alternatives either.

The tongue is everything you could want in a competition-focused shoe—ultra-thin, breathable-light, and stays perfectly in place. We measured just 1.5 mm of thickness using our ultra-precise digital callipers.

We also discovered that Nike kept the fantastic, race-ready notched laces that deliver a premium experience and ensure a locked-and-secure fit every time.

The iconic heel design of the Dragonfly, with its circle-shaped hole, is gone—and for a good reason, since this new design helps block mud and dirt from getting inside the heel. Hence this super-cool new design with the giant X!