Nike Zoom Fly SP (Special Project)

Daily trainer · Neutral · Road · 14 oz · 10mm drop · 33/23mm stack

Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock.

How it ranks

The Nike Zoom Fly SP (Special Project) rates in the 98th percentile overall among daily trainers. Its strongest dimension is looks (97th percentile); its weakest is durability (7th). Of 16 runners who came to it from another shoe, 12 preferred it to what they ran before.

Based on 19 runner reviews.

Nike Zoom Fly SP (Special Project)

/ 5

Exceptional

Overall rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Exceptional (98/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 98% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

98/100
Overall

Overall rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Exceptional (98/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 98% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

98
Appearance

Appearance rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Exceptional (98/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 97% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

98
Cushioning

Cushioning rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Excellent (93/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 91% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

93
Value

Value rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Good (79/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 64% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

79
Comfort

Comfort rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Good (78/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 62% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

78
Durability

Durability rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Below average (57/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 7% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

57

What runners say

“The shoe seems to propel you forward. Like the Kinvara, but MUCH better.”
5/5 Full review
“Responsive to changes in pace and the plated rocker keeps them springy and light whilst not sacrificing comfort.”
5/5 Full review
“Extremely lightweight and well cushioned; propels you forward.”
5/5 Full review
“Bottom tread breaks down immediately unless you're a perfect foot striker; wears out too quickly.”
4/5 Full review
“Built for fast days; wants to go fast.”
5/5 Full review
“Runs small; size up at least half”
5/5 Full review
“Size up”
5/5 Full review
“The rocker shifts weight from back to front, preserving momentum and maximizing energy return.”
5/5 Full review
“Amazing cushioning while very responsive”
5/5 Full review
“Go up a half size.”
5/5 Full review

Prefer this shoe over another

61% 14/23

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Most reviewers like this shoe more than their last shoe.
  • Reviewers rate this shoe better than the previous version of this shoe.
  • Popular shoe among LetsRun.com readers.
  • Rated among the top 25% of shoes overall.
  • Rated among the top 25% of shoes on cushioning.

Cons

  • Many of reviewers think this shoe runs too small.
  • Rated below average on comfort.
  • Rated among the bottom 10% of shoes on durability.

Reader Ratings

19 reader ratings
5/5
13
4/5
6
3/5
0
2/5
0
1/5
0

Runner reviews

Write a review

Showing 16–19 of 19 written reviews

Zoom Fly SP - On Sale

LancRunner · Oct 2, 2018

4/5

Overall

I bought this shoe as it was on sale for 79.99 at the Nike Outlet. So far so good with the shoe. Found it a bit stiff to start, but after breaking it in, feels like a decent shoe. I've been using it for speed work on the track and some tempo-ish runs. When warming up, the shoe feels a bit clunky and not great, but when I put some speed to them, all of that disappears. I would consider getting the new Zoom Fly Flyknit, these shoes aren't the best, but couldn't be beaten to try them out at the price I got them for.
Comfort
4/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Nike Zoon fly

Anonymous runner · Jul 14, 2018

4/5

Overall

I am a midfoot runner with high arches. I love the feel of it and the cushioning it but it is not durable. Bottom tread breaks down immediately unless you are a perfect foot striker. Wears out too quickly for the price.
Comfort
3/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
1/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
3/5

Nike zoom fly

Anonymous runner · Jul 12, 2018

5/5

Overall

Awesome shoe. 55 year old marathoner who has been ru no g for 40 years. This shoe got me back on my forefoot. With age ankle flexibility became an issue. Light and fast enjoy ru ning in them daily. Soles to start to wear. Ran about 55 miles per for a bout a month, including a half marathon and they are starting to wear.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
2/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
2/5

Great cushion, nice ride, could be more durable.

Anonymous runner · Jul 12, 2018

5/5

Overall

I just retired my first pair of Zoom Flys. The ride was smooth and the cushioning was great. Recovery from long runs was seemingly easier because my legs just didn't feel the impact in the same way as they did in other shoes. Fit was good and appearance didn't matter to me. The one drawback with these shoes is that the lifespan is somewhat shorter than most other shoes at this price range. Also, when they wear out, it happens SUDDENLY and there is a vast difference as soon as it happens.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
4/5

Where to buy

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Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

Nike Zoom Fly SP (Special Project)
ASICS SUPERBLAST 2
HOKA Clifton 9
Zoom Fly SP (Special Project)
SUPERBLAST 2
Clifton 9
Current shoe
Choose a model
Reference shoe
Newest / Best overall / Best durability
Lightest / Lowest price / Best comfort
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
14 oz W
—
8.5 oz M Lightest
Stack
33/23mm
—
40/35mm
Drop
1mm
7mm
5mm
Release
2018 Q3
2024 Q2 Newest
2023 Q1
MSRP
$150
$200
$165
Best price
—
$149.99
$131.97 Lowest price
Ratings
Overall
Exceptional (98%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Exceptional (>99%)
Comfort
Above average (62%)
Exceptional (99%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Excellent (91%)
Exceptional (99%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Bottom tier (7%)
Exceptional (99%) Best durability
Good (80%)
Appearance
Excellent (97%)
Exceptional (97%) Best appearance
Very good (84%)
Value
Above average (64%)
Very good (87%) Best value
Good (77%)
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