Nike Ultrafly

7.7
SCORE

Original price Nike £230.00

From £229.99



Characteristics

  • Gender
    Men Women
  • Men weight
    278 gr
  • Women weight
    245
  • Drop
    8,5
  • Cushion
    Neutral
  • Runner weight
    Light Medium
  • Running gait
    Neutral
  • Surface
    Trail
  • Use
    Racing mixed
  • Pace
    Medium High
  • Technology
    Carbon plate
  • Foot
    Normal feet
  • Strike
    heel
  • Distance
    Short 10K Half-marathon
  • Colour
    White
  • Year
    2023
Lightness
8
Cushioning
9
Flexibility
8
Responsive
9
Stability
8
Grip
7

Awards

Award to the editorial staff's and testers' favourite models

Photos Nike Ultrafly

1 / 5

A bombshell! Nike ZoomX Ultrafly, keep this name safe, because we have the first trail running model from the American brand that includes a carbon plate in its structure. We must remember that it was the first brand to market a shoe with a carbon plate for asphalt, but this time it has cost a little more. However, it is certain that during all this time the designers of the Oregon-based company have been designing and developing a "different"shoe. And beware that its sole also brings surprises, the American brand has teamed up with Vibram to get a totally different shoe in the market.

Nike zoomx ultrafly vibram

This trail running shoe will use the same innovative technology as the Next% asphalt shoes and, of course, will include the well-known ZoomX foam, making it a very cushioned and reactive shoe. Perfect for short and medium distances in not excessively technical terrain and where we seek to run at lively rhythms to get the best possible performance from the shoe and its carbon plate.

Nike ZoomX Ultrafly Features

  • ZoomX midsole: ZoomX foam is Nikes lightest and most reactive foam, offering incredible cushioning.
  • Carbon Plate: FlyPlate carbon plate provides support and propulsion, helping to enhance performance.
  • Vibram Megagrip Outsole: Vibram Megagrip outsole offers excellent grip on a variety of surfaces.
  • Flyknit upper: Flyknit upper is lightweight, breathable and snug to the foot.

Nike Ultrafly Trail, first impressions

Nike zoomX ultrafly

The Nike ZoomX Ultrafly is a new model of trail running shoes that stands out as the first from Nike to incorporate both a carbon plate and a Vibram outsole, designed to provide speed and fit, good grip and durability for light to medium weight trail runners in competitions or fast workouts.

These shoes are a premium product specifically designed for racing and looking for your personal best. They were designed with the collaboration of Nike's elite trail athletes and have been in development since 2021. Nike worked closely with ultra distance runner and coach Tyler Green to create a fast and stable shoe for non-technically challenging terrain in the mountains.

Innovative technology for competitive trail running

The Nike ZoomX Ultrafly is Nike's first trail running shoe to incorporate a carbon plate, a feature previously found only in the brand's asphalt shoes. This carbon plate, known as FlyPlate, provides additional structure, protection and propulsion, improving performance with every step. But it also provides stability while running.

Vibram outsole, durability and grip

Nike zoomX ultrafly

In addition to the carbon plate, the Nike ZoomX Ultrafly also features a Vibram outsole. This outsole uses Vibram Litebase technology, which reduces weight by up to 30% and sole thickness by up to 50% without sacrificing grip or durability. In addition, the outsole is made with Vibrams MegaGrip compound, ensuring excellent grip on both dry and wet terrain. All this on terrain that is not overly technical. They are ideal shoes for trails or mountain trails.

The outsole also uses the Vibram Traction Lug tread to increase the amount of rubber in contact with the ground.

Comfort and performance in every stride

With an 8.5 drop, the Nike ZoomX Ultrafly offers superior cushioning, especially for trail runners who land on their heel. The midsole is composed of ZoomX foam, known for its lightness and reactivity, providing a very pleasant underfoot feel. The carbon plate also adds stability to the shoe.

The Trail Ultrafly's Flyplate carbon plate sits between the shoe's ZoomX foam and the fabric-wrapped midsole, where it provides extra energy return and forward propulsion.

Spectacular design

We can't deny that Nike presents a very attractive shoe, in part thanks to its good work in design and technology applied in all its models.

The design of the Nike ZoomX Ultrafly is minimalist and lightweight, with an upper that offers great breathability. The upper also incorporates a padded collar, promoting comfort, stability and ankle support.

The Nike ZoomX Ultrafly is the choice of elite runners to compete on favorable terrain. With their combination of innovative technology, comfort and performance, these shoes are designed to help you achieve your best times.

If you're a trail running enthusiast looking for a shoes that offers speed, grip and comfort, the Nike ZoomX Ultrafly is the perfect choice. Find out more about these revolutionary shoes and take your performance to the next level.

Nike Ultrafly Trail: sole

Review of Nike Ultrafly

19 September 2023

Nike Ultrafly: a super shoe for non-technical terrain and medium distances

What a surprise I got when the RUNNEA team informed me that I had the option to try the new Nike Ultrafly. This time Nike brings us a trail running shoe with many new features, including a carbon fibre plate. It's a pleasure to discover this high-speed model from the Oregon brand.

Nike Ultrafly, the first trail shoe with a carbon plate from the Oregon brand

As soon as I opened the box and laid eyes on its design, I was amazed. It initially looks like a road running super shoe, but ithat illusion quickly fades when we see its VIBRAM sole, which is another of the great surprises that Nike incorporates in this model. However, the standout feature of this trainer is that it's the first Nike trail shoe to feature a carbon fibre plate. But let's not get too caught up in admiring it; it's time to put it to the test.

When you put these trainers on you notice a remarkable comfort, but I should note that they are better suited for those with narrower feet.

Trail runner profile of the Nike Ultrafly

Trail runner profile for the Nike Ultrafly

These are high-end shoes, weighing around 280 grams, and offer impressive reactivity thanks to their ZoomX foam. You might recognise this material, as it's used in some of Nike's fastest road running shoes, such as the Varpofly 3Zoom Fly 5 or Zegama, for instance. The Nike Ultrafly is perfect for short to medium distances, but it's not designed for very technical terrain.

With a drop of 8.5 mm and superior cushioning, it is a great option for heel strikers.

I tested it on mixed terrain, which wasn't overly technical, and it performed very well. It allowed me to run at high speeds while taking full advantage of its cushioning and carbon plate. In more technical terrain, it's less impressive, as it feels restrained. It's like caging a beast; it truly shines on easier surfaces like trails and mountain paths.

What I liked most about the Nike Ultralfy

What I liked most about the Nike Ultralfy

The first interesting detail of the Ultrafly is that it offer a very versatile grip. The Vibram outsole with Litebase technology is made with Megagrip compound in the shape of an arrow and 3.5 mm lugs. This combination is able to offer a secure grip on both dry and wet terrain, as long as it's not overly technical. I say this because its lugs are not very prominent and are relatively close together.

As mentioned earlier, the Nike Ultrafly comes with a surprise: a carbon plate called FlyPlate. This technological addition offers protection, stiffness, and reactivity. When combined with the ZoomX foam, it makes the trail running shoe incredibly comfortable and soft while providing ample cushioning and maintaining a highly responsive feel with each stride.

Regarding the upper of this new Ultrafly from Nike Trail, what truly stands out is its exceptional breathability and lightness. The inclusion of a soft collar in the ankle area provides comfort and support, creating a pleasant and secure sensation.

In summary, it's a comfortable upper that offers security during runs and keeps your feet dry.

Opportunities for improvement in the Nike Ultrafly

Areas for improvement in the Nike Ultrafly

One potential improvement for the Nike Ultrafly could be making it suitable for more technical or challenging terrains, while maintaining the reliable Vibram compound's qualities, of course.

Another consideration is that this model might not be the best option for trail runners with wider feet, as it follows Nike's trend of having a relatively narrow last.

In terms of aesthetics, the Nike trail running shoe's light colours make it prone to staining, even with minimal use.

Lastly, the price of £230 is quite high, which might deter some trail runners from considering buying and wearing this model.

What trail shoes can we compare the Nike Ultrafly to

Which trail running shoes can we compare the Nike Ultrafly to?

Final conclusions about the Nike Ultrafly

Final conclusions about the Nike Ultrafly

To close this test of the fastest Nike Trail running shoe for mountain running, it is important to point out that this trainer is oriented to light runners, who are looking for speed, comfort and good grip in fast and not very technical terrains. Also on wet terrain, but it falls a little short on muddy terrain.

This model is best suited for medium-distance runs, where it excels. What I liked most about the Ultrafly is its minimalist design coupled with outstanding breathability and comfort.

For runners who prioritise speed in non-technical mountain terrain, the Nike Ultrafly super shoe is an excellent choice.

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7.7
SCORE

Nike Ultrafly shoe is ranked 219 in the ranking of the best rated running shoes.

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