The Nike Zoom Fly 3 ranks below most daily trainers in our data. Looks and cushioning are its strongest sub-ratings. Value scores well below its other sub-ratings. The rating is based on 22 runner reviews and 4 other rated shoes in the Zoom Fly product line.
Decent
71
Overall
Decent71
Appearance
Very good92
Cushioning
Good83
Durability
Decent74
Comfort
Bottom-tier59
Value
Bottom-tier59
Confidence
Confidence
How settled the rating is against every other rated shoe. A shoe can rate high on
confidence with relatively few reviews of its own when its product line has a long
record and external ratings from retailer sites agree. Confidence is low when we
have few ratings or when runners disagree.
The bars show roughly how much each source contributes to this shoe’s rating. Their influence depends on how many reviews we’ve collected, how many earlier versions are in the product line, and the external ratings available.
Product line track record
Our ratings
External ratings
What runners say
“Traction in wet is awful—lose 10-20 seconds a mile slipping.”
Reviewers praise a springy, well-cushioned ride for tempo runs and faster long runs, and rate cushioning 4.6 out of 5.
Several reviewers report 300 to 800 miles from a pair.
Three reviewers use it to train for racing in the Nike Vaporfly.
Cons
Several reviewers struggle to get the lacing and forefoot fit right, finding it either tight across the top of the foot or loose at the heel.
Several reviewers find it heavy and bottom-heavy for fast sessions.
Two reviewers report poor grip in the wet, one of them losing 10 to 20 seconds a mile to slipping, and one on light snow and ice.
Rating & Confidence vs. other shoes for sale
Each dot is one rated shoe for sale, placed by its rating and by how
much evidence sits behind it. Shoes toward the top right are both
well rated and well established.
Confidence
5060708090100255075100
Better Shoes Rating
Zoom Fly 3 rates 71.
This shoe has high confidence.
See how we rate shoes.
Better Shoes Rating of prior versions of the Nike Zoom Fly
Each dot is one version of the Zoom Fly, placed by its rating and release year. The gold dot is this shoe.
Rating
406080100
782017712019732021872022862024
Release year
We use the reviews of past versions to inform this shoe’s rating.
See why.
This shoe is a bit more different than the last 2 models of zoom flys. The first and second generation of zoom fly (zoom fly and zoom fly SP) focused more towards a shoe built for tempo runs and usually wouldn't be considered a daily trainer, built for around 250-300 miles. The zoom fly 3, however, caters heavily to a daily trainer as it is able to withstand almost over 500 miles and you definitely got your money worth, unlike the other 2 models. The shoe with added durability comes with added weight which makes it more tailored to long runs and not so much as speed. I've used the shoe for longer runs 10+ miles and I've loved them for stuff like that but I have started using more lightweight shoes like a 4% and older Lunaracer and Lunartempo models for speed-based stuff do to them being more lightweight. 6'5 and 150 lbs if anyone is wondering about what type of runner I am.
willthompson15 · Jan 10, 2020
65 mpw·training for a half marathon
Comfort
4/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
4/5
Zoomfly 3
5/5
Overall
I absolutely love this shoe. It is very comfortable and the carbon shank adds extra bounce that can only be described as feeling like running on clouds.
The Nike zoomfly 3 is a very good shoe. It is marketed as an alternative to the vaporfly, but I don't think that's really what the zoomfly 3 is. It shines as a shoe for faster long runs, as Its copious amount cushioning keeps my legs feeling fresh, and it has a nice springy pop every foot strike. I wouldn't use it as a race shoe though; it is just a little to heavy.
The shoe has a unique springy ride that gives you a nice pop in every step. This has provided useful during workouts or tempo run as the shoe is light weight and provides a decent amount of cushion with a nice springy feeling. However, during longer runs, after about mile 3, sometimes the shoes will start to feel somewhat uncomfortable, and you will notice the cushioning system isn't geared towards longer run. The fit of the shoe is interesting as the vaporfly upper will fit like a sock, and have good breathability. Overall, a good shoe, but not the best shoe for long distance runners.
Anonymous runner · Dec 30, 2019
45 mpw·training for middle distance
Comfort
3/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
4/5
Great responsive shoe, with a nice amount of cushioning
4/5
Overall
Background: Im 6' 3", 155lbs and run 60-70mpw at an average pace of 7:00-7:30 pace and this shoe is great for all around running, even when picking up the pace for a tempo workout. The only thing it's not super good for is super slow recovery days because it wants me to go a little faster than I want to on those days. Durability seems good so far with ~300mi on them but that all depends on your build and stride, they're a good all around shoe for me.
