Ever since carbon fiber was inserted into running shoes, the obsession with the material has yet to abate. If you’re a competitive runner, carbon fiber has been the way to go. With its newest training and racing shoe, Nike is thinking a bit differently about the material — and about runners themselves.
The new ZoomX Streakfly is designed specifically with 5k and 10k distances in mind. Taking athlete feedback into account, the brand identified a gap in its racing line between what it offered for the full and half marathon and what it offered for competition on the track. The ZoomX Streakfly fills that gap. Here’s what you need to know about this innovative new shoe.
CourtesyCutting Carbon
By opting to insert just a midfoot plate, as opposed to a full-length strip of carbon fiber, Nike was able to stuff more lightweight ZoomX foam into the shoe, resulting in a springy, aggressive ride. “Compared to our other road racing models, the lower stack height of the Streakfly provides more connection to the ground,” adds Nike Running Footwear Product Manager Elliott Heath. The shoe is super-light too, just 6.5 ounces.
Up, Up and Away
The upper is a minimal engineered mesh — it’s more structured in the forefoot, where athletes require more containment and control, and more open in the midfoot and beyond, where breathability and lighter weight are more of a concern.
Courtesy
