Some people loved the original Nike Streakfly, and some thought it was just ok. Personally, I enjoyed running in it. But the Nike Streakfly 2 goes in a much more aggressive direction, and seeing pictures, I worried my body wouldn’t be able to handle the geometry. Was I right? Let’s find out.
Nike Streakfly 2
Release Date: March 1, 2025
Price: $190
Unisex Weight: 5.1 oz. / 145 g (M10)
Drop: 4mm (27mm heel, 23mm forefoot)
Sizing: True-to-size
- Rundown: The Nike Streakfly 2 is a track spike for road racing. How far you can take it depends entirely on how your body can handle a minimal (by today’s standard) but poppy race-day shoe.
Pros
- It looks aggressively fast like a track spike
- Nice bounce from the ZoomX foam
- Great groundfeel
- Solid traction
- Lightweight
Cons
- Minimal cushion for a road racing shoe
- Wearers need strong Achilles tendons
- Distance recommendation hard to determine
- Narrow fit
What is the Nike Streakfly 2?
According to Nike, “the Streakfly 2 can help you out-kick the opposition on race day. This speedster now comes with a carbon fiber Flyplate, complementing the ultraresponsive ZoomX foam midsole and minimal upper you loved on the original. From the 10K to the mile, it can help you take your distances to the next level.”
While it’s never going to be a shoe that helps you outkick the opposition on race day, I appreciate the aspirational marketing language Nike trots out here. Nike is so good at that.
What’s interesting is that Nike suggests a 10K-to-mile range for the Streakfly 2. To me, that’s the most important question about this shoe.
Cushion
While there’s not a lot of foam underfoot—27mm in the heel and 23mm in the forefoot—the ZoomX is improved from the previous version (where it was apparently not true ZoomX). The ZoomX combined with the full-length carbon fiber Flyplate makes the Streakfly 2 a bouncy ride that feels like the Vaporfly’s little brother.
It’s actually kinda weird to have this much groundfeel in a shoe with ZoomX. At 200 lbs, I feel the pavement with every step. It’s a good experience for interval workouts (especially on the track where the rubber helps cushion the impact) and for distances up to a mile… But larger runners like myself will find it lacking beyond that distance.
The Nike Streakfly 2 is a shoe that allows the foot to work more naturally than a typical race-day model. If you’re a larger runner, you’ll quickly wish for more cushion as the run goes longer. Smaller or more efficient runners, as well as high school athletes, may find the Streakfly 2 delivers much of what they need in a streamlined package (for example, some sub-elites find it fantastic for a 10K).
That type of runner will also be able to handle the track spike-like geometry and enjoy how the Streakfly 2 gets the wearer up on their toes. It sends the right message to the brain when you’re in a fast race; but some runners won’t be able to sustain the type of bouncy, form-centric running needed for longer distances in the Streakfly 2.
Support
Other than a lacing system that locks the wearer in nicely, the Nike Streakfly 2 doesn’t have any support features to discuss here. It’s the type of shoe that leaves you alone with your natural footstrike…which might be good or bad depending on your form.
Traction
The diamond pattern used for the forefoot of the Nike Streakfly 2 grips well. It’s a better traction experience than on the Vaporfly 4. I think this is needed with the aggressive geometry of the Streakfly 2 and will make it a viable race option in wet or dry conditions.
Upper
The Nike Streakfly 2’s upper is a minimal and very breathable engineered mesh that conforms nicely to the foot. There’s not much room above the foot (race fit) and not much wiggle room in the toebox (track spike style). It’s not as accommodating as the Vaporfly or Alphafly but is fairly comfortable if your foot fits.
Is the Nike Streakfly 2 wide foot friendly?
No, the Nike Streakfly 2 is not wide-foot friendly. It’s got a typically narrow Nike fit but is especially narrow in the toebox and heel. Wide-footers should look elsewhere for race-day options.
Is the Nike Streakfly 2 worth $190?
The Nike Streakfly 2 is worth the money if it aligns with your racing use cases and you have strong, bouncy legs that can handle the spike-like geometry.
How to use the Nike Streakfly 2
The Nike Streakfly 2 is best used for short-distance road or track races and the interval workouts that get runners ready for those distances.
Nike Streakfly 2 Summary
The Nike Streakfly 2 has a narrow use case of short-distance races of 10K and below. It also has an aggressive geometry and narrow fit that won’t work for everyone. But if it fits, and your focus is on those types of races, it’s one of the few super shoes that dispenses with trying to work for every road race and is laser-focused on delivering an experience built to help you be lighter on your feet and feel faster than your competition.
The Nike Streakfly 2 is a niche shoe but one that serves that niche extremely well.
How does the Author Run?
Drew Whitcomb (age 43, 6’6″ 200lbs): Runs daily with a once a week rest day. Runs a lot of miles due to testing needs and a growing affinity for long-distance races. Regularly competes in marathons, half-marathons, 10k, and 5k races.
Disclosure
While Nike did provide a pair of the Streakfly 2 to facilitate this review, the company had no involvement in this review, didn’t receive an advance look at it, and has not attempted to influence it.
