The Nike Zoom Fly has been a staple since the Nike Fast Shoes like the Vaporfly and Nike Zoom Pegasus Turbo came out. Of the three Nike Shoes, the Nike Zoom Fly 3 is the “most affordable.” After enjoying the original Nike Zoom Fly, I wasn’t sure if I would ever get around to doing a Nike Zoom Fly 3 Review.
I choose to get the “Nike Zoom Fly 3 Rise” which is a different color of the Nike Zoom Fly 3.
I skipped running in the second generation of the Nike Zoom Fly but was in the minority of people who liked and appreciated the original Zoom Fly.
The Nike Zoom Fly 3 Rise Fit:
The most significant change to the Nike Zoom Fly comes in the upper. If you’ve run in previous versions of the Nike Zoom Fly, you’ll notice the new VaporWeave Upper (like the Nike Pegasus Turbo 2)
What is Vaporweave?
VaporWeave is the engineered mesh upper material which is made of plastics, specifically TPU and TPE. (TPE is also used in Yoga mats…neat!) Compared to the previous Flyknit upper material, Vaporweave is much more breathable, lightweight, and doesn’t absorb as much rain or moisture. If you run in a torrential downpour, your feet are less likely to be soggy. The lacing system makes you feel secure in place, and your feet aren’t sliding around.
The Nike Fly 3 Rise Ride:
The original Nike Zoom Fly was a staple workout shoe for me in 2017 and a good portion of 2018. I did a lot of workouts in the Zoom Fly.
The midsole of the Nike Zoom Fly 3 has gone through a few changes with the update. Nike has added more React foam with a higher stack height. What do more React Foam and higher stack height mean? The Nike Zoom Fly 3 Rise is now slightly heavier but also has a low heel to toe drop (from 10 mm to 8 mm).
The difference between the Nike Pegasus Turbo 2 and the Zoom Fly 3 is the lack of carbon plate in the Pegasus Turbo. The full-length Carbon Fiber plate is still there in the Zoom Fly 3 Rise. Together with the Nike React foam, the Nike Zoom Fly 3 Rise feels faster and more responsive. My favorite addition to the Nike Zoom Fly 3 Rise is the rubber traction. You are far less likely to slide around than previous versions.
It’s a great workout shoe, racing shoe, or even a full marathon racing shoe. I could see myself doing any of the three. I’ve run a few hard runs in the Zoom Fly 3 Rise and enjoyed the ride.
Nike Fly 3 Rise Conclusions:
Of the Nike Vaporfly (Next%), Nike Pegasus Turbo 2, and the Nike Zoom Fly 3, the Nike Zoom Fly 3 Rise is the cheapest and most durable. It’s designed to either race or train hard. If you are looking for a faster workout shoe, the Nike Zoom Fly 3 Rise is a great option. From the durability to the fit, it is definitely an improvement over the previous versions.
Current Rotation:
Easy/Daily Runs: Hoka Bondi 6, Brooks Ghost 12
Speed Work: New Balance FuelCell Rebel, Reebok Float Ride Run fast Pro, Hoka Rincon, Nike Pegasus Turbo 2
Long Runs: New Balance FuelCell Rebel, Mizuno R2, Hoka Cavu 2
Races: Reebok Run fast Pro
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Questions for you:
What is your go-to fast shoe?
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