Nike Zoom Fly 6 Review

All shoes are reviewed by the Fleet Feet tester team, which represents a wide variety of goals, foot shapes, running locations and terrains. Reviewers pound the pavement, climb the hills, tackle the trails, then come together to compare notes. Debates ensue over the feel of the cushioning, the purpose of the shoe, and how it compares to last year’s model. While each reviewer has their own individual preferences, we hope that capturing our debates will help you make an informed decision.

I’ve zoomed through plenty of workouts in the Nike Zoom Fly 3 and plenty of races in the Nike Vaporfly, all with fond memories. Trying the Zoom Fly 3 in 2019 was my first introduction to what an uptempo shoe should feel like, bringing me back to a nostalgic time working as an Outfitter at Fleet Feet Delray Beach and getting ready to run my very first marathon. That’s why I was so excited to get the Zoom Fly 6 on my feet (and on the feet of Kate, Travis and Brandon).

The Zoom Fly 6 can best be described as the supertrainer counterpart to Nike’s top-tier racing shoes, the Vaporfly and the Alphafly. Featuring Nike’s peppy Zoom X foam and a full-length carbon-fiber plate, this shoe has what it takes to keep up the pace.

With thoughtful details designed to add comfort and durability, can the Zoom Fly 6 stand up to other supertrainers on the market? And, perhaps more importantly, can it live up to the Zoom Fly of my rose-colored memories? Read on to find out.

Men's Nike Zoom Fly 6

Men's Running Shoes

Zip and dash through your runs with the Nike Zoom Fly 6.

Shop Men's - $170

Tech Specs

Nike Zoom Fly 6

Weight	7.7 oz (W), 9.3 oz (M)
Stack height	42 mm/34 mm
Heel-to-toe drop	8 mm
Surface	Road, track
Price	$170
Comparable to	New Balance SuperComp Trainer v3, Saucony Endorphin Speed 4
Ride	3/5 on the Firm to Plush Scale
Cushioning	4/5 on the Minimum to Maximum Scale
Energy	4/5 on the Relaxed to Propulsive Scale
Category	neutral

Zoom X foam put a pep in our step

As you may have guessed by the shoe’s name, the Zoom Fly 6 is built with Nike’s proprietary Zoom X midsole foam. This PEBA blend is used in all of Nike’s racing shoes, and it's touted as their lightest and most resilient midsole compound. The Zoom X foam is stacked on top of what Nike calls their SR-02 foam, which is more durable than the PEBA-based Zoom X foam.

Sandwiched in between these two foams is a full-length carbon-fiber plate, which Nike calls their FlyPlate. The plate contracts as you land and flexes as you take off, helping the foam propel you forward. For Travis and I, it lived up to the hype.

“I’m a big fan of this blend of Zoom X cushioning,” says Travis, who ended up running about 30 to 45 seconds faster on his test run than his planned pace. “It felt nice and snappy for a more responsive experience. It was definitely on the firmer side with a good amount of bounce to it.”

I took the shoes out for two runs, the first being an easy run with some strides and the second being a threshold workout with four sets of five minutes at 6:38 pace. During the easy run, I was still recovering from a very taxing track workout two days prior. However, I ended up running in the faster end of my easy pace range. It could have been the first hint of fall weather down here in Florida or the thick stack of Zoom X foam underfoot, but my legs were able to pop up off the ground, even on the steep inclines, and I was able to effortlessly settle into my normal pace after cresting the hills. The shoes felt really smooth during my strides, too, and I was excited to try them for a faster workout.

The outsole of the Zoom Fly 6 is nice and grippy.

During my threshold workout the shoes felt nice and smooth–not too soft, not too firm, and just bouncy enough to feel propulsive. I was especially grateful for the traction underneath, as the roads were slick and it was basically pitch black–my light was dying and I forgot how dark my route gets in the fall. I sometimes have traction issues going over the painted crosswalks when the roads are wet, but not in these shoes. I noticed afterwards that, not only is the rubber on the heel and forefoot grooved, but the grooves have tiny little teeth for extra grip.

While Travis and I lauded the Zoom X foam, Kate and Brandon weren't fans.

“While the foam is soft and cushioned, there was less aggressive toe off than I was expecting,” Brandon says. “The Zoom Fly 6 gets a full carbon plate treatment which makes the shoe more stiff and rigid, but it’s wedged between Zoom X foam and SR-02 foam. There’s much more of this dense, heavy and mushy SR-02 foam than I was expecting.”

“They Zoom Fly 6 felt peppy and kept me moving forward, but something about the feel of the cushion is just not doing it for me. It’s unlike anything I’ve worn before,” she says. “It has an odd feeling that I can’t quite describe. It almost feels like it’s plastic that’s been inflated. Something about it just doesn’t agree with me.”

However, we all agreed that we enjoyed the rocker geometry of the shoe. While it’s a bit too aggressive to feel comfortable for walking and standing for long periods of time, it provides some assistance to roll you forward on the run.

Race-day fit meets everyday comfort

The Nike Zoom Fly 6 has a traditional upper.

Using a two-layer woven mesh system, the Nike Zoom Fly 6 delivers a snug, secure fit. A partially-gusseted tongue sits comfortably atop your foot, while a traditional lacing system makes it easy to adjust the fit. We noticed that the shoe fit true-to-size, perhaps slightly on the snugger side for a race-like fit and feel (racing shoes typically fit tighter than daily trainers to reduce any excessive movement while running at top speeds).

“The Zoom Fly 6 has a comfy, dialed-in feel,” says Kate. “It fit me true-to-size without any excess room. I like the slightly padded heel collar and the flared-out tab behind the achilles–no rubbing!”

The simple, traditional upper is a breath of fresh air when it seems like many speedwork and race-day shoes are innovating to the point of uncomfortability. The shoes feel plenty breathable, too, although each run I’ve tested them on has been pretty warm and muggy.

One thing to note about the Zoom Fly 6 is that the built-in sockliner (the piece of manufacturer’s fabric that sits right underneath your foot) is very thin and glued onto the bottom of the shoe.

I was worried I wouldn’t be able to replace it with the Currex insoles I always run with, but the sockliner came out with a gentle lift and tug. Because it was so thin and narrow, though, I was worried my insoles wouldn’t fit or that the shoe would feel too tight with them inside. I wore my thinnest pair of socks (Balega Hidden Dry) and had no issues.

To learn more about finding the right insoles for your feet, head into your local Fleet Feet. Fleet Feet outfitters use 3D fit id® foot scanning technology to gather information about your feet and the support they need by taking precise measurements of your foot length, width and arch height, so you can learn a lot about your feet while you’re there.

Nike Zoom Fly 6 versus Zoom Fly 5

Tech Specs	Zoom Fly 6	Zoom Fly 5
Weight	7.7 oz (W), 9.3 oz (M)	8.5 oz (W), 11.1 oz (M)
Stack height	42 mm/34 mm	39 mm/29 mm
Heel-to-toe drop	8 mm	10 mm
Price	$170	$170

Brandon was the only one who was lucky enough to test both the Zoom Fly 6 and the Zoom Fly 5.

“The Zoom Fly 5 wasn't trash but, well, recycled,” explains Brandon. “The shoe featured recycled bits of Zoom X foam in the middle of a firm and dense midsole. In short, it didn’t feel great. The 6 is a step up from that for sure. And, from my experience, both the 5 and 6 uppers felt good.”

According to Nike, the Zoom Fly 6 has the highest stack height (the difference in height from the ground to your feet) in the Nike Racing Lineup. Wait, even higher than their premium racing shoes like the Vaporfly and Alphafly? That’s right, because World Athletics, the international governing body for track and field, has banned shoes with a stack height exceeding 40 millimeters during competition. In order to keep the Vaporfly and Alphafly “street legal,” so to speak, Nike must keep the stack height lower than 40 millimeters. For a training shoe like the Zoom Fly 6, though, over 42 millimeters is fair game. So you can train in the Zoom Fly 6, but not race in them…technically. It’s unclear whether this rule bans amateur runners from wearing these shoes or if the rules are just for elite runners.

Aside from the increase in stack height, the Zoom Fly 6 also weighs much less than its predecessor–almost an ounce in the women’s model and almost two ounces in the men’s. The heel-to-toe drop (the difference in height from your heel to your forefoot) is two millimeters lower, which is a trend we’ve seen across the industry.

How does the Nike Zoom Fly 6 compare?

We took a look at some comparable models to see how the Nike Zoom Fly 6 stacks up. Here’s what we found.

Tech Specs	Nike Zoom Fly 6	New Balance SC Trainer v3	Saucony Endorphin Speed 4
Weight	7.7 oz (W), 9.3 oz (M)	7.3 oz (W), 9.2 oz (M)	7.2 oz (W), 8.2 oz (M)
Stack height	42 mm/34 mm	40 mm/34 mm	36 mm/28 mm
Heel-to-toe drop	8 mm	6 mm	8 mm
Plate	Carbon-fiber	Carbon-fiber	Nylon
Price	$170	$180	$170

The Nike Zoom Fly 6, the New Balance SuperComp Trainer v3 and the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 are all their respective brands’ version of a plated trainer, designed primarily for speed workouts and uptempo days. These shoes are all suitable for race day, too (although the Zoom Fly 6 exceeds the maximum allowable stack height by World Athletics), but they won’t be as lightweight or propulsive as supershoes designed solely for racing.

The Zoom Fly 6 has the highest stack height of all three shoes, while also being the heaviest. I’ve been doing all of my speed workouts in the SC Trainer v3 and Endorphin Speed 4 and can confidently say that the Zoom Fly 6 stands up to those shoes in terms of both energy return and comfortability.

Who is the Nike Zoom Fly 6 best for?

The Zoom Fly 6 is a perfect choice for runners seeking a speed or tempo day shoe. It’s bouncy and peppy enough to handle fast paces, and it also seems durable enough to log a lot of miles.

The Zoom Fly 6 could also work for runners who want to experience Nike’s iconic Zoom X foam and carbon plate, but need a little bit more support than what’s offered in the Vaporfly and Alphafly. Runners can add an insole into this shoe should they need one, which they won’t be able to do in Nike’s supershoes.

However, Travis notes that many Superfeet insoles may be too thick to add to this shoe. “If a customer wants or needs an insole in this, I would probably recommend the Currex Run Pro more than anything else,” he suggests, which just so happens to be the type of insole I use.

Because of the rocker geometry and aggressive heel bevel, the Zoom Fly 6 isn’t a great choice for walkers or those standing on their feet all day–you’ll have better luck with the Nike Pegasus 41.