As a tester and common shoe geek, I’ve a protracted listing of sneakers in my Strava gear listing. For every run, the shoe I put on will get assigned as a way to monitor mileage and hold notes. Whereas I rotate lots, inevitably one standout shoe will get worn so many consecutive days that I’ll change it to my default, in order that Strava will mechanically assign it to my run.
This fall, the Nike ZoomX Zegama ($160) has taken over as my default shoe. Earlier than that, the default was the Hoka Tecton X, one other wonderful shoe and the one I ran in all probability 90% of my runs in over the summer time — see our in-depth Hoka Tecton X overview. It’s a testomony to the general brilliance of this new addition to the Nike lineup, which continues a legacy of class-leading foam response, appears, and efficiency on any fashion of terrain.
There are a number of legacy Nike path operating shoe traces at this level: the Pegasus Path, the Wildhorse, and the Terra Kiger. Whereas I solely have two seasons of expertise with the Pegasus Path line, and none with the others, the ZoomX Zegama takes first for me within the lineup on its debut.
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The Nike ZoomX Zegama. All photographs: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
Nike ZoomX Zegama Higher
The Nike ZoomX Zegama shouldn’t be mild — it has an precise weight of 10.2 ounces (290 grams) for a males’s dimension 9 — and far of that weight is attributed to its very sturdy higher. The sturdy engineered mesh offers wonderful stability, nevertheless it has additionally offered extraordinary sturdiness. As with many Nikes and attributable to my huge ft, the match is slim — though the ZoomX Zegama is in actual fact somewhat wider than different Nike sneakers. That is meant to assist with foot swelling over the longer distances and more durable terrain for which it was designed.
I eked out somewhat extra room by eradicating the insoles. This provides quantity in every single place besides within the heel space. This additionally makes the built-in ankle gaiter, which goals to maintain out particles, rather less efficient for me. Most of the time, the additional looseness within the heel and ankle permits bothersome small stones, pine needles, and different path detritus to sneak in.
Throughout the forefoot, there are very sturdy overlays that lend the higher an air of infallibility. There’s hardly a nick or scuff that might develop right into a gap with these overlays. The laces are sturdy and grippy, and the eyelets prolong effectively excessive of your foot for a really safe lockdown.
With a nod to the tremendous technical race from which this shoe will get its title, the Zegama Marathon in Basque Nation, Spain, I meant to push this shoe to its limits over troublesome descents. I discovered success on many hairball descents right here in Boulder, Colorado, the place I stay, with the laces locked as much as the very best eyelet, however discovered much less confidence when skipping this most locked-in setting for extra consolation.
In keeping with Strava, I’ve run 121 miles within the ZoomX Zegama. The one terrain I haven’t examined the shoe in is talus, which due to the season, I can’t actually entry right here in Colorado. However by mud, snow, sand, and gravel, the higher stays unblemished, comfy, and tremendous supportive.
A lateral view of the Nike ZoomX Zegama.
Nike ZoomX Zegama Midsole
The midsole of the Nike ZoomX Zegama makes use of Nike’s ZoomX foam. In case you’ve been following “tremendous shoe” expertise in street operating, then you’ll have heard of Nike’s ZoomX foam. The froth first appeared within the Nike Zoom VaporFly 4%, the shoe wherein Eliud Kipchoge ran 2:00:25 for a supported marathon, as a part of the Breaking2 advertising venture.
The froth, Nike says, delivers supreme power return. Kipchoge then broke the sub-two-hour barrier in one other supported marathon, making a storm of dialogue across the benefits created by ZoomX foam and different unbelievable applied sciences. Its use — through ZoomX by Nike and related choices from the remainder of the key street shoe manufacturers — is now fully normal among the many world’s finest.
This mechanical benefit has even led to a dialogue round instances, pre- and post-super shoe growth — that’s, ought to instances be acknowledged individually? It doesn’t matter what aspect you tackle the difficulty, there’s no denying how enjoyable it’s to utilize this expertise. The ZoomX Zegama is the primary Nike path shoe to make use of ZoomX foam, nevertheless it’s not precisely the street sneakers’ facsimile.
This shoe makes use of a single layer of high-performance ZoomX foam in simply the heel and forefoot. The remainder of the midsole consists of Phylon foam, or a provider foam that Nike says is supposed to bulk up the middle for absorbing uneven surfaces. That is logical contemplating the predictability of roads versus what we discover on the paths.
Initially, I used to be fairly apprehensive to bomb down technical descents on this squishy, high-stack shoe. The drop is 4 millimeters — the heel has a stack top of 37 millimeters and the toe has 33 millimeters — and I’d advise you to spend time getting used to how the shoe lands earlier than pushing it.
As you learn the way this shoe rolls and flows on descents, the payoff turns into evident. You get good rebound and the arrogance to actually stomp down on the path and take large, heavy leaps, as a result of the froth could be very forgiving and plush. It does assist to verify your foot is securely laced to keep away from the potential for ankle rolls.
A medial view of the Nike ZoomX Zegama.
Nike ZoomX Zegama Outsole
Regardless of Nike yearly providing a shoe within the Pegasus Path line with a Gore-Tex model, many runners would say that no Nike path shoe belongs in circumstances that require safety from rain or snow, because the outsole traction traditionally has been so poor. However with the brand new Nike ZoomX Zegama, it’s my expertise that Nike places this slippery-when-wet fame to mattress. The outsole has been very dependable and sticky by greater than 120 miles of testing, throughout this chilly and snowy fall in Colorado, even at race tempo.
Our shaded and north-facing trails in Boulder basically turn out to be froze all through the winter after the primary couple of snowstorms, however this hasn’t had an unfavorable impact on my runs within the shoe. Maybe listening to customers’ suggestions, Nike has designed an all-new lug configuration for the shoe, meant to reinforce uphill propulsion and downhill braking.
The 4-millimeter lugs are built-in directional chevrons and an elevated quantity of rubber covers the heel and forefoot areas. The midfoot part is lug-free to maintain the load down. The lug sample even does a superb job shedding mud within the notoriously moist Basque Nation the place the Zegama Marathon takes place. It is a actual spotlight.
The outsole of the Nike ZoomX Zegama.
Nike ZoomX Zegama Total Impressions
The Nike ZoomX Zegama is a strong addition to Nike’s varied path operating shoe traces. Utilizing a burly higher, super-shoe midsole foam expertise borrowed from its street sneakers, and a well-developed outsole, Nike presents path runners who wish to go quick in technical terrain a high-performing choice. Whilst you’re getting a reasonably heavy bundle, the applied sciences included within the Nike ZoomX Zegama greater than make up for that additional bulk.
I predict I’ll be operating within the Nike ZoomX Zegama lengthy after extra present sneakers in my testing rotation. And I received’t hesitate to proceed utilizing them on all types of terrain, be it technical or simple. With somewhat apply, it is best to discover the arrogance to go all out on steep, technical descents. And on the rolling or uphill, you’ll love the beautiful power switch from the ZoomX foam.
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- Have you ever run within the Nike ZoomX Zegama? How did they be just right for you?
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A prime view of the Nike ZoomX Zegama.
