January 19, 2022 |  By Cory Smith

The Nike ZoomX Streakfly steps away from the carbon fiber fad to create a purpose-built, comfortable speed shoe for short-distance races.

After numerous leaks on Instagram and, more recently, a YouTube video from New Generation Track & Field, the wait is over and Nike has finally released full details on the ZoomX Streakfly.

Nike is marketing the ZoomX Streakfly as a mile-to-10K road racing and training shoe. Bearing the namesake of the Streak lineage of racing shoes, the Nike Streak has long been a go-to lightweight racing and training shoe for short distances, such as the mile, 5K, and 10K.

However, ever since the introduction of the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly 4% and a flood of carbon fiber shoes, super-lightweight non-carbon fiber shoes like the Nike Streak have all but disappeared from runners’ radar as a racing option.

The Nike ZoomX Streakfly is about to change that.

The Nike ZoomX Streakfly combines the sensitive feeling of a traditional (non-carbon fiber) racing flat with the cushioning and energy return properties of the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly. If the Vaporfly NEXT% 2 and Dragonfly track spike were to have offspring, the ZoomX Streakfly would undoubtedly be it.

The most exciting thing about the Nike ZoomX Streakfly is instead of a full-length carbon fiber plate as seen in carbon fiber shoes, Nike uses a shortened Pebax plate just underneath the midfoot.

Heath explained that by placing the plate only in the midfoot, as opposed to full length, Nike was able to get the right amount of stiffness while maintaining forefoot ground sensitivity. And that is crucial for short-distance training and racing.

Elliott Heath, footwear product manager at Nike Running, explained the Streakfly’s key elements in detail:

​​“The Nike ZoomX Streakfly midsole features a midfoot plate paired with full-length ZoomX foam — our lightest and most resilient foam — that offers athletes the aggressive ride they enjoy in our racing shoes,” he said. “Compared to our other road racing models, the lower stack height of the Streakfly provides more connection to the ground.”

Heath went on to highlight the Streakfly’s breathable mesh upper and “contoured heel pod” that provides comfort and support. Finally, Nike engineered a “generative traction design” based on runner testing that’s designed to give traction throughout the full stride transition.

I haven’t tested the Nike Streakfly yet, but on a personal level, it appears to already fill a much-needed gap in racing shoes among serious runners. While I love the high stack height, for carbon fiber shoes like the Nike Vaporfly NEXT% 2 and Asics Metaspeed Sky, the thick midsole starts to feel clunky once the pace starts dipping under 5k.

Having a sleeker, lightweight shoe for short races and track sessions — and that allows better connection with the ground while still giving me cushioning and efficiency similar to the Nike Vaporfly NEXT% 2 — would be a huge benefit.

The Nike ZoomX Streakfly launches in February 2022 and will retail for $160.

Cory Smith is a Santa Barbara, California-based athlete, online running coach, and freelance journalist specializing in running- and climbing-related content and gear reviews. He draws from over 25 years as an elite runner and rock climber for ideas, inspiration, and expertise. Check out his portfolio here.

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