Nike ZoomX Zegama Path Evaluation

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 ladies’s measurement 8) command consideration with their vibrant shade scheme. However critical path runners don’t purchase path footwear primarily based on shade.

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 footwear. The street footwear 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 footwear to be gentle and responsive however general they’re stiff. Most of that stiffness is again within the ankle the place a gaiter helps stop path particles coming into the again of the shoe. But it surely comes at a value of being stiff and uncomfortable.

In comparison with different Nike path footwear just like the Terra Kiger and the Wildhorse, the Zegama is wider and presents extra cushioning.

Hoka followers would haven’t any hassle transitioning or making an attempt 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, simple trails, they don’t seem to be an answer to extra extremely technical — and particularly — moist trails. The Zegama has a singular lug sample for Nike, which works nicely to grip dry dust trails and grassy cross-country programs.

Nonetheless, in case 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 right down to the Zegama’s lack of ability to supply safe footing on moist surfaces. That’s a reasonably essential “should” for path footwear, no matter whether or not they’re meant 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 footwear I’ve worn previously decade or so of my path operating journey.

Different sides of the shoe do shield the runner’s ft. Amongst them: protecting skins throughout the toes; a firmer outsole service that protects the froth and the aforementioned ankle gaiter.

Nike ZoomX Zegama Path Sturdiness

The again half, together with the gaiter and large stack, remind me of the Wildhorse. Like that different Nike mannequin, these footwear seem like fairly sturdy.

After knocking out my 50 miles of testing, the footwear didn’t show any regarding indicators of damage.

It’s price noting, nevertheless, that I saved these half-dozen or so runs to simple to average terrain. That’s what the Zegama can deal with. If you happen to resolve to convey these out to extra rugged terrain, count on to see the problems associated to sturdiness come up extra shortly.

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 situations, the footwear responded shortly, allowed me to take care of if not velocity up round curvy sections and general held their very own in opposition to different path footwear constructed for velocity.

The consolation, cushioning and ZoomX expertise all work nicely to ship on the quickness guarantees from Nike.

Nike ZoomX Zegama Path Consolation and match

Consider the Zegama as sporting 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’ll work simply positive.

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 one of the 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. It’s possible you’ll must 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 undoubtedly will assist the runner on delicate to average dry trails. If that’s your jam or appears like a race you might be coaching for, the Zegama can be a strong possibility.

However for individuals who search more difficult terrain, or maybe have had heel points previously, the Zegamas won’t be the best choice.

It is going to be fascinating to see Nike’s future variations of the Zegama to see if they’ll correctly handle the problems cited right here. If not there are different choices for these searching for 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 might go for the Kiger if my aim had been to go quick on simple to average trails for a marathon distance or much less.

Hoka Torrent 2: By some means Nike out-cushioned Hoka on this comparability.

Nonetheless, the Torrent is noticeably lighter, rather more nimble and simply as speedy.

This can be a harder name for me. It will depend upon different particulars just like the precise race or coaching run distance, terrain and expectations of needed velocity. Each ought to be capable of deal with comparable conditions whereas giving the runner a superb increase.