Your Flight has been canceled.
Traction: The rubber used on the outsole is very durable and work well in all conditions.Damp, wet, dry, cement, track and trail the outsole will keep you on the ground and prevent slipping. The deep pattern will help with longevity and the traction will perform at a high level for a long time.
Cushion: If you prefer some Impact protection with a slight bounce then you will enjoy the setup here. The foam on the midsole feels like Cushlon, which has a slight bounce to it compared to Phylon. The flex grooves featured on the outsole really help get the most out of the forefoot Zoom unit while the Nike Zoom/ Cushlon combo in the heel and forefoot make for a great balance between cushion and responsiveness. Some runners prefer a responsive ride, and some runners prefer a plush soft ride; the flight runner provides the user with a perfect balance somewhere in between.
Transition – While I don’t have an official measurement, the heel height seems higher than the toe. So, if you’re an over pronator and heel striker, the dynamic support system featured in the Flight Runner will aid you in achieving a more stable ride. For those who want more of a minimalist ride, you might want to look for something else that features a lower heel to toe drop. Personally, I’m a moderate runner who mid-foot strikes, during the tail end of runs I began to heel strike due to fatigue and the dynamic support and heel kept my foot stable. However, during the beginning and middle of runs I found it was a little more work to make sure I was landing on my mid-foot/forefoot. Overall, the Flight Runner’s transition is catered towards the more casual/ short distance runners that may over pronate and strike with their heel.
Materials – Hyperfuse and mesh make up the entire upper. The fuse is heavy around the heel and lateral side, when you get to the forefoot and medial area the layers of fuse are stripped to increase ventilation and flexibility for a more comfortable ride. Other areas of targeted Fuse around the eyelets and toe box help with durability. Their overall construction make for a durable running shoe and as stated previously, can translate well to other aspects of off-court training. I personally would have liked to see more of the underlay exposed in the forefoot so that the mesh underlay could be a bit more breathable, and it would’ve made for a lighter overall shoe – the Flight Runner isn’t heavy by any means but it isn’t lightweight either & can weigh you down on the tail end of long runs.
Fit – These fit true to size and for a running shoe, true to size means you have a little room in the front for your toes. When you run your momentum is going forward so naturally your foot moves forward. Running shoes are designed to have a little room for your toes so they don’t slam the front of the shoe which causes discomfort and can also cause black toes (toenails). Other than that, the Flight Runner offers a snug fit, especially in the mid-foot area. For those that have a wider foot, you may want to try these on as going up half a size isn’t ideal since the shoe would is already a bit on the long side length wise. The Dynamic Fit System really locks you in and at times you’re too locked in, especially once you’re well into your run and your feet begin to swell. Occasionally I’d have to loosen the laces for a more comfortable ride but once adjustments were made everything would be fine again. Heel lockdown is decent and I noticed only a little slipping but nothing to noticeable to where it’d bother my run.
Ventilation – While some of the shoe is covered with Hyperfuse, the shoe still remains breathable with its open mesh one-piece interior. Most modern runners offer much more ventilation than the Flight Runner, but if you’re using the Runner as an off-court training shoe then they should do the trick. Fuse for strength and structural support that translates well to weight lifting, running, drills etc. coupled with the comfortable inner mesh sleeve makes for a decently ventilated ride for a versatile running shoe.
Support – The support on these are ample, maybe too much for a running shoe. The Dynamic Fit System really locks you in and if you were to use lateral movements, the Flight Runner will keep your foot on the foot bed. The thick Hyperfuse layer featured on them lateral side also helps keep your foot on the foot bed so you can get the most out of the cushioning. A molded midsole helps with arch support, no complaints here, and the forefoot and heel have a nice wide base to accommodate various stride styles. Overall, the Dynamic Fit, targeted Fuse layers & chunky midsole provide a lot of support that may be overkill for those used to modern or traditional running shoes. Casual/ short distance runners and off-court training is ideal for the setup provided which is great for on-court athletes looking for something that wont stray too far away from their normal court shoe but different enough to cater a wider variety of sports.
Overall – Not only does the Flight Runner act as a more than capable running shoe but the Flight Runner is also a viable option for other training programs an athlete might encounter. The dynamic fit system provides a lot of support for various movements and the Nike Zoom in the forefoot and heel paired with the cushlon midsole give a responsive and comfortable ride. The Flight Runner’s hyperfuse upper provides more structure and support than a modern runner but on court athletes who are looking for a training/running shoe for off-season training will be very happy.
Awesome Nightwing! Would you definitely prefer this over Nike Free runs?
This is not Nightwing, this is Jahronmon. I know it’s not that big of a deal to you maybe, but i feel Jahronmon should get the proper credit he deserves for the work he does at Weartesters too
Agreed
Thank you.
Oh I’m sorry man. Yeah I realised that it was someone else (you) and forgotten to at least edit my post…still a great review, and I agree about more cushion and probably a longer life span of the shoe too.
I’m gonna start calling Jarron “Nightwing Jr.” Great review!
Personally i prefer more cushion in a running shoe so the Nike Free wouldn’t be the best option for my personal taste. If you need cushion i wouldn’t recommend the Nike Free’s i would recommend the Flight runner.
Great Review Jarron! Seems like a very versatile shoe. I love Zoom cushioning and I’ve never tried it on a running shoe, so I’m really interested in these. I’m glad you went over the heel to toe drop which can be a concern for many runners. I hope Nike can make a lower/zero drop running shoe with Zoom cushioning someday, that would be awesome!
Thank you for your support, and yes i hope Nike can do so as well.
Love the detail in your review lots of info to soak up and educate. Jahronmon will you be doing a performance review in the adidas boost 2?
i have a pair of adidas rocket boost’s to review, i would love to review the adidas boost 2 as well.
Great info man. I might pick these up now for Summer training and chillin. Thanks Jarron. Respect.
Thank you, your feedback is absolutely awesome to read.
Please correct the cushioning set up. Zoom in the heel only. Phylon in the forefoot.
Please don’t come to my site to correct people. If you have questions or concerns you can email me. If you feel you can provide a better review then you are entitled to do so elsewhere. Basing your assessment on a product description from a retailer is not a credible source of knowledge. Nike has even mislabeled their own products on their site and cannot be considered 100% accurate 100% of the time. Thanks
So is the cushioning in the heel or the forefoot?
I removed the insole and felt a Zoom unit in both locations.
REALLY! I wonder why Nike wouldn’t advertise that? I’ll be definitely picking these up.
You’re not feeling a zoom unit in the forefoot. It’s strictly the Phylon at it’s folding point. There is NO ZOOM in the forefoot. I don’t need a product website to tell me anything when own then myself. Clown
Take your vagina somewhere else herb.
Static IP address. Get chance. Fact is there is purely Phylon in the forefoot. Just admit to being wrong
Great job jarron! May i ask what are your other runners in rotation, and which is your top pick? Im very curious as to how these stack up against the more established runners in the market. I would also assume these to be neutral right? Thanks!
Right now my running rotation is just what i am reviewing: adidas rocket boost and the UA Spine Clutch.
I was a bit worried when I was “Your flight has been cancelled’ hahaha
But I’m definitely liking the chart used by Nightwing for the basketball performance reviews on your reviews, makes it easier to evaluate everything and this review was legit man 🙂
Great detail and looking forward to other reviews…
Could you answer this question: why does everyone love the Asics? Like I’m curious if “Gel” cushioning is so comfortable why isn’t it implemented in basketball shoes besides the Anta Rondo?
On gel cushioning, from experience gel doesnt give much bounce. Responsiveness (in running terminology- ability to disperse/absorb shock) is very good on gel compared to most foam, but bounce is zero. This i think is the reason why asics and gel based cushion is not that popular in basketball. My two cents
I for one prefer the new balance n2 cushioning and the mizuno wave enigmas over the asics kayano, gt’s because of that “bounce”, but all systems repond to pounding very well.
Asics sold bball shoes for a long time. Isaiah Thomas used to play in them a lot. Once nike exploded I don’t think they had the cash to compete with the marketing machine that is nike, reebok, adidas so they bowed out of bball and became a specialty running shoe company. So I don’t think it’s because “gel” wouldn’t be good for bball; I don’t believe Asics feels they can compete for market share.
I’ve run in Asics for years…we love them because they are rock solid running shoes. There’s no wow factor or “bounce” from gel; all you get is reliable long term cushioning. In the more cushioned models (Nimbus) you can definitely feel the get under foot, but the real advantage of Asics is in the pain you don’t feel in your knees and shins after a run.
totally agree, they may have chosen to focus on the market they serve best, since it would be difficult to grab market share from Nike, et al. well said.
please don’t get me wrong, minimal bounce/feedback doesnt make asics’ gel cushioning inferior at all. it just boils down to user preference.
moreover most prefer asics not only for the gel cushioning but also for the overall engineering of the shoe. my friends rave about the Trusstic thingy and and Fluidaxis line, and i believe them since they have 5+ pairs to compare the asics to.
they are still producing basketball shoes but only limited to the japanese market though. my gel legends are a lil bit worn but still putting up a good run every now and then, though currently alternating between the lebron 9, jordan evo 85 and crazy light 2.
What version of the GelLegends do you have?
Will there be a full length zoom running shoe?
really detailed review!Thx~
Great review…didn’t realize these had Nike’s Dynamic Support system. I typically run in a stablity shoe since I overpronate. I may have to give this a try for the 5k I am training for. Would you recommend for a guy like me or should I stick with Asics and Mizunos?
The flight runner is catered towards more medium to short distance running. For longer runs i would recommend a lighter shoe,
Thanks Jarron…I may still pick these up for my speed work days now that I know zoom is in the heel and forefoot.
by short runs, you mean how much? nice review btw.
I love my $40 asics from Academy! Gel works fine for me. But want to get the Jordan Flight Runner based on this review. Great work! Will Jordan incorporate unlocked zoom in future runners? Is that even necessary?
That’s crazy that you tested running in cement! Just playin..
i slightly over pronate due to being flat footed and I love my brooks ravenna 4s would these be good for training and approximately 3 mile runs
I got them already yesterday. Bought em on ebay. A little wait and I m on my way))))
Did not expect such a snug fit. Cushion is awesome.
Very similar to the Englewood Rose/s
Thanks for the detailed review.
Very impressed with all the aspects you covered in such detail.
Which is exactly what I want to know before I commit to purchasing them.
As such, looking forward to your future reviews.
I run 5km~10km, five days a week.
Converted to the Free 3.0 V5 since last October, and loving them.
I plan to replace them with the all new Free 3.0 Flyknit.
But I’m intrigued by the Flight Runner, and the upcoming Flight Flex.
Watching your review, has helped me decide just where these will fit in my rotation.
Thanks again, and keep up the great work.