Nike Streakfly 2 Review: 5 Comparisons

Article by Bryan Lim

Nike Streakfly 2 ($180 / AUD 250)

Introduction

With all eyes on the discharge of the Vaporfly 4 (VF4), it isn’t stunning that its little sibling the Streakfly 2 (SF2) has gone somewhat unnoticed. However this shouldn’t be the case because it has been fully redesigned from its predecessor which was launched a full three years in the past. Rather a lot can and has occurred in that point for each the Streakfly lineage and likewise the plated shoe scene. The SF2 now sees a decreased stack peak from 32mm to 27mm and a lower in drop from 6mm to 4mm, and the introduction of a full size carbon fibre FlyPlate. Basically what we’ve is a trimmed down VF4.

The plated shoe scene is now ever extra saturated; some say the VF4 is now not a marathon shoe and can be nice for a 5k as much as a half, whereas the supposed function for the Streakfly can be for a 5k. On the opposite facet of the fence, Adidas has adopted a special philosophy with the much less aggressive Takumi Sen 10 (and shortly to be 11) for shorter distances and the Adios Professional 4 which is able to most distances as much as the marathon and presumably past, occupying the area that the VF4 and Alphafly 3 take up (discounting the unlawful Prime X after all). With out having worn the unique Streakfly, my rivalry is that the SF2, and opposite to ‘‘street racing’ printed on the midsole, is a superb observe shoe and is barely extra fitted to elite street runners to race in.

Professionals:

Floor/observe subject, if desired

The up to date engineered mesh higher provides unimaginable lockdown

Feels extraordinarily mild on the foot

Extra forgiving than most spikes

Phenomenally grippy outsole

Cons:

A really particular shoe that’s typically not required in a rotation, i.e. missing in versatility

Harsher than most different street sneakers

Restricted to forefoot strikers

Sturdiness (possible)

Stats

Spec Weight: Mens 8.5 4.44 oz / 126 g

Pattern Weight: Mens US9 , 4.44 oz / 126 g

Stack Top: Heel – 27mm, Forefoot – 23mm (4mm drop) (decreased from 32/26, 6mm drop )

I wish to word that my measurement of the forefoot and heel each are available in at 30mm.

Platform Width: 70 mm heel / 62 mm

(tapering to 41mm which is the width that contacts the bottom) midfoot / 99 mm forefoot)

First Impressions, Match and Higher

My first impression of the SF2 was concern, and concern that I might not be capable of do ok to convey out the perfect within the shoe! Fears apart, it’s obvious how aggressive they’re when placing them on. You are feeling a number of the softness within the ZoomX foam, however the construction created by the plate and aggressiveness of it’s instantly obvious. Additionally, you will word that the SF2 seems to have a near a zero drop (see foot away from the digital camera within the picture above, and the under picture) and I consider the claimed 4mm drop is for when the shoe is in its supposed ‘racing state’, i.e. titled forwards on the forefoot. Additional and as famous, my measurement of the fore and rearfoot are available in at 30mm, which may be a purpose for the visible look that the SF2 doesn’t have a drop.

The match is totally good and true to measurement for me. I might word that the toe field width could also be restrictive for some, however the general size and width in my measurement supplied the proper match. Within the picture, my index finger factors to the place my massive toe bulges barely over the width of the platform, and does so even with out socks on. The higher is forgiving sufficient such that even with this, there have been no scorching spots or areas the place I felt undue stress on.

What could be stated is that the toe field quantity is surprisingly beneficiant. This was not a problem for me as I can simply match into slim sneakers (e.g. the very outdated Adizero Adios 3). It’s crucial you strive these in retailer earlier than buying.

The tongue is strategically padded skinny, non-gusseted with a non-symmetrical v-shaped ending (see under picture) to wrap across the base of your ankle. The heel collar can also be minimally however strategically padded. The mesh higher can also be minimally however strategically strengthened within the heel cup and forefoot. You see what I’m making an attempt to say? All the things is minimal, and all concessions made to offer consolation are performed so deliberately and are performed so for a purposeful function.

Minimal however needed heel collar cushioning with a properly designed anatomical asymmetrical V-shaped tongue

Minimal however needed toe field reinforcement

Midsole & Platform

As mentioned within the prior part, I might describe the general platform to be on the narrower facet the place a slither of my massive toe protrudes out, though I might say this didn’t trigger any discount in efficiency. Additionally as talked about, strive before you purchase.

Not having worn Nike for some time (because the Alphafly 1 and Vaporfly Subsequent% v1), I can’t examine how the ZoomX within the SF2 performs towards different present Nike choices, however it positively is softer than the FFTurbo+ within the Asics Metaspeed Paris and maybe solely barely softer than the Lightstrike Professional within the Adidas Adios Professional 4.

The softness of the ZoomX is stabilised by a full size carbon fibre FlyPlate runs near the bottom on the forefoot earlier than rising to the center of the midsole on the mid to rearfoot. The curved form of the plate is clear through the cutout within the midsole on the lateral facet within the forefoot. As as to if the plate’s form is similar within the VF4, that is unclear.

Weight saving is the secret for the SF2 with an aggressively tapered midfoot and an in depth cutout via the size of the midsole foam that exposes the total size FlyPlate. So as to add to the flexibleness promoted via this cutout, I observed that the FlyPlate flexes very simply. This additionally was the case within the SF1, which Ryan reviewed again in 2022. I significantly like this, because the journey is extra forgiving and it feels much more pure to run in, like a conventional flat however with the help of a plate. Evaluate this with the Asics Metaspeed LD, which is a protracted distance observe shoe with an built-in carbon spike plate, there’s completely no flex provided.

Lastly, and likewise as touched on earlier than, the obvious zero to unfavorable drop of the SF2 is certainly noticeable the place heel hanging just isn’t an possibility as you’d lose all efficiencies created by the rockered / curved forefoot geometry and the FlyPlate’s help. To take action can be to work towards the shoe itself.

Outsole

Not a lot could be stated in regards to the outsole when there’s, nicely, not a lot of it, besides that it really works nicely when used in accordance with its supposed function. As within the photographs under, solely the forefoot has intensive outsole protection, and even then there’s a sizable cutout on the lateral facet the place a Swoosh has been added. Be aware that the cutout is uncovered ZoomX foam, as are the white unpainted bits between the webbed outsole design.

As within the picture above, the webbed outsole sample is textured for additional traction, with density rising as you’re employed your approach nearer to the acute forefoot. Within the picture under, and akin to the SF1, two very skinny rubber items have been positioned within the rearfoot. I presume the aim is to offer some safety for the uncovered ZoomX foam. I’m not so certain this works as there’s appreciable put on of the uncovered foam the place the picture under was taken after one 4.5km observe session the place the SF2 has not seen contact with any concrete or bitumen. I’m genuinely intrigued but additionally fearful as to how lengthy the shoe will final whether it is used for ‘street racing’.

Experience, Conclusions and Suggestions

5 smiles for what a singular, bespoke and particular shoe the SF2 is and the way epic it’s when used for paces below 3:15/km (~5:14/mile) which is the kind of tempo I can maintain for 400m and 800m reps. It felt much more phenomenal at faster paces and evidently so once I was doing 300m reps at round 2:45-55/km (~4:35/mile) the place the ZoomX foam and FlyPlate actually enhances one another to offer for easy toe-offs and fast transitions. Nevertheless, at ‘slower’ paces under 3:30/km (~5:38/mile), the SF2 felt virtually useless within the sense that it felt like a uncooked old skool flat. I presume that is the place I begin to midfoot strike and fail to utilise the forefoot of the shoe, which makes up 99% of what the SF2 is all about.

In contrast to its predecessor, the SF2 is under no circumstances approachable in its geometry, stack peak and drop (in at this time’s market and angle in direction of this). Whereas it rides fantastically at tempo, it doesn’t have the construct high quality for any kind of day by day operating, together with warming up earlier than a observe session. This makes the SF2 a really particular shoe for particular makes use of solely. For runners like myself (18 minute 5k, sub 3 marathon runner), I’ll solely take the SF2 out for particular high quality classes, and never even for fartlek or threshold classes. If there was somewhat extra stack within the heel and outsole protection, I may see myself utilizing the shoe a lot extra.

My remaining ideas are that the SF2 can be a competitor to the Adidas Takumi Sen 10/11, however it additionally just isn’t because the TS is way extra versatile. Additionally it is just like the Asics Metaspeed LD, however is technically extra versatile because the SF2 can be utilized on the street. However the query is, would you?

I really like the SF2, however I’ve scored it down for worth as being such a singular shoe, it doesn’t provide that a lot worth for cash because of its lack of versatility. Maybe if I had been a observe athlete or a a lot sooner runner, I may see myself scoring it quite a bit increased.

Rating: 8.9/10

Experience 9 (50%) Match: 10 (30%) Worth: 6 (15%) Model: 10 (5%)

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5 Comparisons

Adidas Takumi Sen 8 (RTR Assessment)

On paper the TS is the shoe most just like the SF1 and SF2, as each TS and SF are supposed to be shorter distance street racing sneakers. Nevertheless, I feel the TS is extra appropriate to this function. While the TS8 is now not as related, the upcoming TS11 seems to be an thrilling replace to the TS lineage. It seems that the TS11 can be a ‘lite’ competitor to the VF4, and the SF2 is a ‘lite’ competitor to the TS11. It appears Adidas and Nike are somewhat off calibration of their carbon plated line up, with the previous having the TS10/11 for shorter distances, the ever versatile Adios Professional 4 for all different distances, and the unlawful (stack peak sensible) Prime X Strung 3, and the latter having the SF2 for shorter distances, the VF4 for distances as much as the marathon, and the Alphafly 3 because the flagship marathon shoe. Does the TS examine with the SF2, I’d argue no because the TS is way extra versatile and in a position to be worn by many extra extra meaningfully.

Asics Metaspeed LD

At 4.2 oz / 119g within the LD, this is just one of two pairs of sneakers I’ve worn that’s lighter than the SF2. However can the LD be thought-about a operating shoe provided that it could really solely be used on observe? The LD (not model 2) was launched in 2023 and retailed at AUD 400 (250 USD), and was basically the observe model of the Metaspeed+, with a FFTurbo midsole and an uncovered absolutely inflexible sculpted and built-in spike plate which meant that no spikes had been really wanted. The LD is meant for observe races as much as 10,000m. While much less forgiving than the SF2 within the forefoot because of the rigidity of the spike plate, it’s really extra versatile as there’s a perceivable drop and the shoe permits you to midfoot strike and likewise the place the spike plate commences within the midfoot (see picture under). The FFTurbo is noticeably firmer as it’s nylon based mostly and never Pebax. The SF2 is softer and can also be ‘succesful’ of getting used off observe. Much like the SF2, the LD didn’t obtain a lot, if any fanfare upon launch because of is extraordinarily restricted viewers.

Reebok Floatride Run Quick Professional 2 (RTR Assessment)

That is the one shoe I’ve worn that’s considerably (thoughts boggling to make use of this time period) lighter than the SF2, coming in at 3.88oz / 110g. It too utilises a PEBAX solely midsole, however doesn’t have a plate. The RFP2 has a whole lot of floor really feel and has ample flex, because it has no structural aids in its development. While you’ll be able to say it’s much more versatile than the SF2, it actually isn’t, because it too is calf destroying given its very minimal development. THe RFP2 and SF2 are sneakers I’ll solely take out at high quality observe classes. The distinction is that with the RFP2, I can take it on the nice and cozy ups and funky downs as nicely. Every is exclusive inside its personal rights.

Asics Sortie Magic 6 (RTR Assessment)

The SM6 and SF2 additionally weigh the identical, however the SM6 is a conventional flat with no plate, and rides even decrease at near 20mm within the heel. As a conventional flat, the SM6 has much more floor really feel and requires you to generate the facility with no help. The SM6 would even be extra sturdy with its full outsole protection and particularly has a greater traction with a DSP waffle outsole within the forefoot. The SF2 is nevertheless the sooner shoe.

Adidas Adios Professional 4 (RTR Assessment)

I’ve thrown this in as an virtually tongue-in-cheek comparability. The AP4 is the entire reverse of the SF2, as with different max stack plated supershoes. I examine the AP4 as a result of it’s a shoe I might be prepared to put on for the marathon, but additionally at 800m and mile repeats at 3:30/km (~5:38/mile). When it comes to versatility, the AP4 is the exact opposite of the SF2. The place I might use the SF2 is for a observe race if I had been to enter one, and high quality repeats. However for a 5000m observe race, I might really choose the AP4 over the SF2.

Index to all RTR opinions: HERE

Tester Profiles

Bryan Lim lives in Melbourne, Australia. He picked up operating in mid-2016 as a stressed-out regulation faculty scholar and ended up operating a full marathon as his first occasion. Ever since, he has focussed on turning into a greater runner, with PRs of 1:22 within the half-marathon and a pair of:59 within the marathon. Bryan additionally enjoys longer distances and path occasions, and has run the 2024 Comrades marathon in 8:05 and a driveway extremely (52km over 838 laps) within the midst of a Covid-19 lockdown. He additionally enjoys operating tourism, finishing the Chicago Marathon, Amsterdam Marathon, Shonan Marathon and Toronto Half. While having fun with operating, he has taken the group facet of issues with ardour. Bryan is an accredited Athletics Australia group coach and runs his personal native observe membership, Glasshouse Run Membership.

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