Nike ZoomX Zegama Path Introduction
Straight out of the field, the Nike Zegamas (11.3 ounces in a males’s dimension 10.5; 9.3 ounces for a girls’s dimension 8) command consideration with their vibrant colour scheme. However severe path runners don’t purchase path sneakers primarily based on colour.
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 highway tremendous sneakers. The highway sneakers 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 sneakers to be mild and responsive however total they’re stiff. Most of that stiffness is again within the ankle the place a gaiter helps stop path particles getting into the again of the shoe. Nevertheless it comes at a value of being stiff and uncomfortable.
Compared with different Nike path sneakers just like the Terra Kiger and the Wildhorse, the Zegama is wider and provides extra cushioning.
Hoka followers would haven’t any bother 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, straightforward trails, they aren’t 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 filth trails and grassy cross-country programs.
Nevertheless, in the event 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 fairly essential “should” for path sneakers, 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 sneakers I’ve worn previously decade or so of my path operating journey.
Different aspects of the shoe do defend the runner’s toes. Amongst them: protecting skins throughout the toes; a firmer outsole provider 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 sneakers look like fairly sturdy.
After knocking out my 50 miles of testing, the sneakers didn’t show any regarding indicators of wear and tear.
It’s price noting, nevertheless, that I stored these half-dozen or so runs to straightforward to reasonable terrain. That’s what the Zegama can deal with. For those who determine to convey these out to extra rugged terrain, count on to see the problems associated to sturdiness come up extra rapidly.
Nike ZoomX Zegama Path Responsiveness & velocity
The Zegama is constructed for velocity. Interval.
I examined it out on principally flat trails, together with the native highschool cross-country course. Beneath dry circumstances, the sneakers responded rapidly, allowed me to take care of if not velocity up round curvy sections and total held their very own towards different path sneakers 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 carrying tight skinny denims, with a fidgety belt and a flowing Hawaiian shirt. The again of the shoe grips you tightly, very like skinny denims. The Zegama’s tight match is to maintain the heel safe and defend the foot from path particles.
In the meantime, up entrance, the mesh and cushioning mix for a extra snug feeling with good vibes. That mentioned, the safety up entrance is to not be dismissed. It would work simply fantastic.
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 like looking for the perfect 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 strive 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 reasonable dry trails. If that’s your jam or feels like a race you might be coaching for, the Zegama could be a strong choice.
However for individuals who search more difficult terrain, or maybe have had heel points previously, the Zegamas may not be the most suitable choice.
Will probably be fascinating to see Nike’s future variations of the Zegama to see if they’ll correctly tackle 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’d go for the Kiger if my aim have been to go quick on straightforward to reasonable trails for a marathon distance or much less.
Hoka Torrent 2: One way or the other Nike out-cushioned Hoka on this comparability.
Nevertheless, the Torrent is noticeably lighter, rather more nimble and simply as speedy.
It is a more durable name for me. It will rely upon different particulars just like the precise race or coaching run distance, terrain and expectations of vital velocity. Each ought to be capable of deal with related conditions whereas giving the runner a very good enhance.
