It’s basically the Vaporfly Next% version 1.5. The Vaporfly Next% 2 is a small improvement over the previous version and the new upper doesn’t affect the ride much. The sections of the midsole that aren’t covered with rubber tend to scuff over time but they aren’t high wear areas so it’s not a big concern. I find the outsole traction of the Vaporfly Next% 2 below average because of how hard the rubber is but I also find the durability above average. On the rear, there are two strips of rubber placed vertically which are recessed into the midsole of the Vaporfly. I like how thick this rubber is because I don’t have to save the shoe for race days only. On the outsole, there’s plenty of hard-wearing, thick rubber on the forefoot which is very durable. It’s great for tempo, threshold and speedwork sessions but it doesn’t handle easy runs or even steady runs very well because it isn’t suitable for heel striking- it’s too unstable. It’s the narrow midfoot and rearfoot that makes the Vaporfly Next% 2 not very versatile. I find the Vaporfly Next% 2 unstable when heel striking because of how high my foot sits off the ground so I have to make a conscious effort to forefoot strike. It feels like you’re stepping off of the edge of a step, creating a forward tipping sensation. The Vaporfly Next% 2 has a unique design in that its forefoot is angled upwards but the high toe-spring isn’t rounded so it doesn’t work as a rocker like in other super shoes. The ZoomX foam is so soft that when you load the heel, the carbon plate flexes downwards and then shoots your foot forward like a swimming pool springboard. Most of the responsiveness comes from the heel of the shoe.
What makes the Vaporfly such a lethal weapon is its full-length carbon plate which provides the spring-loaded kick. The 100% ZoomX midsole of the Vaporfly Next% 2 has more than enough cushioning for marathon distances and after long runs of 30+ kilometres, my legs feel noticeably less fatigued than in other shoes with other midsole foams. The Vaporfly Next% 2’s midsole stack height is 40mm in the heel, the maximum allowed by World Athletics so you get a ton of cushioning and very little ground feel. That’s how ahead of its time the Vaporfly Next% was. It’s been two years since the original Next% was launched and the sole unit still holds up to the competition. Not only is it one of the lightest super shoes but it’s also one of the most cushioned and propulsive which is an unbeatable combination. The Vaporfly Next% is the most popular carbon fibre racing shoe by a long stretch so Nike decided to not meddle with it. The midsole and outsole are exactly the same as the previous version.
So has Nike done enough to keep the Vaporfly the default choice for fast marathon runners and is the updated Next% 2 better than its predecessor? Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 2 First Impressions In this day and age, it’s extremely rare for a brand to drop the price of a new version of an existing shoe and this is proof that Nike knows that their lead in marathon racers has been cut. In Singapore, the price dropped by 38 USD. Outside of the US, it also costs less than the previous version. It weighs just 6.6 oz (187g) which still makes it one of the lightest carbon fibre racing shoes you can buy. The Vaporfly Next% 2 is just an upper update. We’ve also seen brands like Atreyu launch an affordable carbon fibre super shoe for just $100. Recently, we’ve seen brands like Asics invent their own super foam which looks and feels exactly like ZoomX.
This was a bold move by Nike, considering that the Vaporfly Next% 2 has been two years in the making and competitors are hot on their heels with their own innovations in racing super shoes.
#NIKE FLARE 2 REVIEWS SERIES#
The Vaporfly Next% 2 is the third iteration of the Vaporfly series and it is only a minor update. The two technologies worked in perfect harmony to create explosive, never before seen propulsion and bottomless cushioning. What made the Vaporfly so special were two things that competitors couldn’t copy: ZoomX foam and the shape of the carbon plate.
#NIKE FLARE 2 REVIEWS FULL#
Before the Vaporfly, elite runners were doing full marathons in pancake-thin racing flats. The Vaporfly 4% was the first of its kind, the pioneer, the very first super shoe. This is the shoe series that started it all.
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