I was excited to try the Nike Streakfly 2. A couple of years ago, the Streakfly was my racing shoe. I don’t know if carbon-plated shoes are really for me, and I’ve run most of my PRs in those 2012-style racing flats (a different era of shoes, but a different era of life too). The Streakfly reminds me of that time.
It’s the kind of shoe that demands speed. Designed to replace racing flats of the past, it offers a new take on lightweight racing with modern-day tech… think ZoomX foam, a carbon plate, and almost no excess weight. According to Nike, the original version didn’t quite hit the mark. I didn’t think the originial was terrible but I didn’t think: wow this is an amazing shoe.
Thos year, the Nike Streakfly 2 is more aggressive, responsive, and perfect for short-distance road racing. It’s designed for 5-10Ks.
Before trying the Nike Streakfly 2, I had a few questions:
- What distance is the Nike Streakfly 2 made for? It’s made for the 5-10K and for track work or shorter tempos. I wouldn’t run much more in it.
- Was the Nike Streakfly 2 updated? Yes, the Streakfly was updated in a major way and it doesn’t share much resemblance to the original version. I guess that’s good since Nike (and most people agree), it didn’t quite hit the mark.
- Is the Nike Streakfly 2 fast? For 5-10Ks, it’s one of the faster running shoes out there.
- Does the Nike Streakfly 2 fit true to size? No, it’s going to be a narrow-fitting running shoe. It fits like a spike or a racing shoe from before the carbon-plated era. To be honest, I think it’s one of the worst fitting shoes I’ve tried in the last few years.
Let’s get into an honest review of the Nike Streakfly 2.
Quick Facts
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Weight: 4.5 oz (128g)
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Stack Height: 27 mm heel / 23.3 mm forefoot
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Drop: 3.7 mm
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Price: $180
Nike Streakfly 2 Fit
The upper is all about cutting weight. A super-thin mesh covers the entire shoe, offering maximum breathability and barely-there structure. To be honest, the shoe feels like like an outsole with almost no upper. It’s weird and very bottom heavy. There’s almost no padding outside of a small heel cushion. The tongue is paper-thin and not gusseted, but the lockdown still feels secure thanks to a race-ready lacing system. They really went for a barely there upper.
Fit-wise, the Streakfly 2 is snug. Vertical volume is also tight, meaning there’s not much space for toe splay. If you have wider feet or enjoy a roomier toe box, this won’t be the most comfortable ride. It really reminds me of racing flats from before the carbon-plated era. Since my body is no longer used to them, I was concerned because the Nike Streakfly 2 does fit so narrow. Ultimately, I’ve been fine in the shoe, it just hasn’t been as luxurious as of a fit as most the current race shoe market.
In running shoes, I wear between a women’s size 10–11 wide. I found the size 11 to be the best fit. As mentioned, it does fit narrow and I think it’s one of the worst fitting shoes I’ve tried in the last few years. But hey, the Nike Streakfly 2 isn’t designed to run a marathon…just suffer through a 5K–10K. I’m not excusing the last, but I’m just thanking the powers at be they didn’t make one of their marathon shoes fit like this.
Nike Streakfly 2 Ride
The midsole is where the magic happens and you’ll see a heavily updated midsole here. Nike updated the midsole with the real-deal ZoomX foam used in the Vaporfly and Dragonfly spike, and it shows. This is going to be a huge change from the previous version.
This version is softer than many super shoes but still delivers exceptional energy return. The plate, dubbed the Flyplate, is embedded between two ZoomX layers and adds just enough rigidity to push the pace without feeling overly stiff.
What makes the Streakfly 2 stand out is how low to the ground it feels. With just a 3.7 mm drop and moderate stack height, this shoe rewards a strong forefoot strike. It’s reactive, fast, and delivers a true racing-flat feel but with modern propulsion.
It doesn’t feel rigid like traditional plated shoes, adding to that nimble, race-day feel. It can be challenging to remember the Nike Streakfly 2 does have a carbon plate. It really feels like a modern day racing flat and they did a great job with it.
Where does the Nike Streakfly 2 fit into my rotation? It’s a short-distance shoe. It’s designed to run fast for 5-10Ks. Because it’s so low to the ground and lacks the cushion of other super shoes, it’s going to feel like you’re almost running barefoot, so it’s important to work into the shoe if you’re not used to it. I’ve found it to be a great option for short races and track workouts. I like how fast it feels, and I personally like the more responsive feeling and being able to feel the ground more.
Outsole
The outsole focuses rubber coverage in the forefoot and uses exposed foam through the midfoot and heel. It’s designed for grip on clean roads. It’s clear Nike removed anything from this shoe that isn’t needed, including a ton of extra traction. I’m kind of surprised of how much rubber is in the forefoot of the shoe. The heel is barely protected, reinforcing that this isn’t a shoe for daily mileage.
As far as durability, I expect them to last around 100 miles, like almost any other carbon-plated shoe. Although since they are so light and barely there, I wouldn’t be surprised if they last less.
Nike Streakfly 2 Conclusion
As you can guess, Nike didn’t just tweak the original Streakfly…they overhauled it. The Streakfly 2 is light, fast, and built for one thing: short-distance speed. It’s a niche shoe with a specific purpose for shorter races, and for those who need it, it absolutely delivers. It won’t be your long-run trainer, but for racing or flying through intervals? It’s a lot of fun. If you’re someone who misses old racing flats, you’ll appreciate the Streakfly.
Who Should Buy the Nike Streakfly 2
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Runners focused on 5K and 10K races who want a plated, lightweight shoe
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Fans of the original Streakfly who wanted more responsiveness and propulsion
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Midfoot or forefoot strikers who love the feel of a track spike but need something for the roads.
Who Should Not Buy the Nike Streakfly 2
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Runners looking for a half marathon or marathon racer; other models like the Vaporfly or Alphafly offer more support and stack
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Anyone with wide feet or needing extra room in the toe box
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Those wanting a versatile daily trainer
My Current Shoe Rotation:
Easy/Daily Runs: Salomon Aero Glide 3, Mizuno Neo Zen, Topo Magnifly 5, Antepes Muscle Runners, adidas Adizero Evo SL, Newton Gravity 12, ASICS Superblast 2
Long Runs: Topo Specter 2, 361 Degrees Eleos Shoe Review
Trail Running/Hiking: 361 Futura, Speedland SL: PDX, Hoka Tecton X 3
Races/Speedwork: Adidas adizero adios pro 4, 361 Degrees Furious Future 2.0, ASICS Metaspeed Edge Paris, Puma Fast-R Elite 3, Nike Streakfly, Nike Vaporfly 4
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