Nike ZoomX Zegama Path Introduction
Straight out of the field, the Nike Zegamas (11.3 ounces in a males’s measurement 10.5; 9.3 ounces for a girls’s measurement 8) command consideration with their vibrant coloration scheme. However severe path runners don’t purchase path sneakers primarily based on coloration.
The Zegamas are interesting due to the ZoomX midfoam expertise, protecting skins and mesh at forefoot, and wider outsole that brings Hoka to thoughts.
Nike ZoomX Zegama Path Impressions
Let’s be clear in regards to the ZoomX foam within the Zegamas. It isn’t the identical as what’s discovered within the street tremendous sneakers. The street sneakers have a plate that provides to the velocity, which isn’t discovered within the path shoe.
The ZoomX foam is understood for its lightness, cushiony feeling and responsiveness. Within the Zegamas, I discovered the sneakers to be mild and responsive however general they’re stiff. Most of that stiffness is again within the ankle the place a gaiter helps forestall path particles coming into the again of the shoe. Nevertheless it comes at a price of being stiff and uncomfortable.
Compared with different Nike path sneakers just like the Terra Kiger and the Wildhorse, the Zegama is wider and provides extra cushioning.
Hoka followers would don’t have any bother transitioning or attempting the Zegamas. However for me, I’d stick with choices just like the Hoka Challenger, Tecton X or Torrent for my path runs on lesser technical terrain.
As succesful because the Zegamas are on flat, straightforward trails, they aren’t an answer to extra extremely technical — and particularly — moist trails. The Zegama has a novel lug sample for Nike, which works effectively to grip dry filth trails and grassy cross-country programs.
Nonetheless, in the event you add water — like whereas navigating rocks criss-crossing a creek — the Zegama is to not be trusted.
Nike ZoomX Zegama Path Safety
That distrust boils all the way down to the Zegama’s lack of ability to offer safe footing on moist surfaces. That’s a reasonably essential “should” for path sneakers, no matter whether or not they’re supposed for dealing with velocity sections or gnarly terrain.
I discovered myself slipping extra on moist rocks and different obstacles than with any of the handfuls of path sneakers I’ve worn previously decade or so of my path working journey.
Different aspects of the shoe do shield the runner’s ft. Amongst them: protecting skins throughout the toes; a firmer outsole provider that protects the froth and the aforementioned ankle gaiter.
Nike ZoomX Zegama Path Sturdiness
The again half, together with the gaiter and massive stack, remind me of the Wildhorse. Like that different Nike mannequin, these sneakers look like fairly sturdy.
After knocking out my 50 miles of testing, the sneakers didn’t show any regarding indicators of damage.
It’s value noting, nonetheless, that I stored these half-dozen or so runs to straightforward to reasonable terrain. That’s what the Zegama can deal with. In case you resolve to deliver these out to extra rugged terrain, count on to see the problems associated to sturdiness come up extra rapidly.
Nike ZoomX Zegama Path Responsiveness & velocity
The Zegama is constructed for velocity. Interval.
I examined it out on largely flat trails, together with the native highschool cross-country course. Beneath dry circumstances, the sneakers responded rapidly, allowed me to take care of if not velocity up round curvy sections and general held their very own towards different path sneakers constructed for velocity.
The consolation, cushioning and ZoomX expertise all work effectively to ship on the quickness guarantees from Nike.
Nike ZoomX Zegama Path Consolation and match
Consider the Zegama as carrying tight skinny denims, with a fidgety belt and a flowing Hawaiian shirt. The again of the shoe grips you tightly, very similar to skinny denims. The Zegama’s tight match is to maintain the heel safe and shield the foot from path particles.
In the meantime, up entrance, the mesh and cushioning mix for a extra snug feeling with good vibes. That stated, the safety up entrance is to not be dismissed. It can work simply superb.
And the belt? That’s like the center of the shoe the place the laces come collectively. It might take some finagling to get the laces correctly set, very similar to looking for the very best match between two belt holes. As soon as you discover that candy spot on the shoe, the laces will safe the foot with out taking away any consolation. You might have to attempt eradicating the laces from the highest eyelet.
Nike ZoomX Zegama Path Conclusions
There’s a lot to love in regards to the Nike ZoomX Zegama. It positively will assist the runner on delicate to reasonable dry trails. If that’s your jam or feels like a race you’re coaching for, the Zegama could be a stable possibility.
However for individuals who search more difficult terrain, or maybe have had heel points previously, the Zegamas won’t be the most suitable choice.
Will probably be attention-grabbing to see Nike’s future variations of the Zegama to see if they will correctly tackle the problems cited right here. If not there are different choices for these in search of a quick path shoe. Among the many comparable ones:
Nike Terra Kiger 8: Its Nike brethren, the Kiger, is a extra nimble, decrease stack, barely extra technical cousin of the Zegama. The perimeters in cushioning go to the Zegama however I’d go for the Kiger if my purpose had been to go quick on straightforward to reasonable trails for a marathon distance or much less.
Hoka Torrent 2: In some way Nike out-cushioned Hoka on this comparability.
Nonetheless, the Torrent is noticeably lighter, rather more nimble and simply as speedy.
It is a more durable name for me. It could depend upon different particulars just like the precise race or coaching run distance, terrain and expectations of essential velocity. Each ought to be capable to deal with comparable conditions whereas giving the runner enhance.
