Nike Zoom Fly SP (Special Project)

Name: Nike Zoom Fly SP (Special Project)
Brand: Nike
Rating: 4.7 (19 reviews)

Daily trainer · Neutral · Road · 14.0 oz (women's) · 33/23mm stack · 10mm drop

Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock.

How it ranks

The Nike Zoom Fly SP (Special Project) is one of the strongest daily trainers in our data. Looks and cushioning are its strongest sub-ratings. Durability scores well below its other sub-ratings. The rating is based on 19 runner reviews.

Good

Overall

Good 88

Appearance

Very good 92

Cushioning

Decent 79

Value

Decent 76

Comfort

Decent 71

Durability

Below average 60

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.

Confidence

93 High

High 93

Based on

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.

Brand rating
Our ratings
External ratings

What runners say

“The shoe seems to propel you forward. Like the Kinvara, but MUCH better.”

5/5 Full review 25 mpw training for a half marathon came from the HOKA Clifton 3

“Responsive to changes in pace and the plated rocker keeps them springy and light whilst not sacrificing comfort.”

5/5 Full review 60 mpw training for middle distance came from the Brooks Glycerin GTS 20

“Extremely lightweight and well cushioned; propels you forward.”

5/5 Full review 35 mpw training for a marathon came from the ASICS GEL-Kayano 25

“Bottom tread breaks down immediately unless you're a perfect foot striker; wears out too quickly.”

4/5 Full review 45 mpw

“Built for fast days; wants to go fast.”

5/5 Full review 20 mpw training for a half marathon

“Runs small; size up at least half”

5/5 Full review 20 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Under Armour Micro G Assert 7

“Size up”

5/5 Full review 25 mpw training for a half marathon came from the HOKA Clifton 3

“The rocker shifts weight from back to front, preserving momentum and maximizing energy return.”

5/5 Full review 60 mpw training for middle distance came from the Brooks Glycerin GTS 20

“Amazing cushioning while very responsive”

5/5 Full review 40 mpw training for a half marathon came from the HOKA Hupana Flow

“Go up a half size.”

5/5 Full review 20 mpw training for a half marathon

“Best suited for higher intensity training; wouldn't recommend for easy-paced long runs.”

5/5 Full review 60 mpw training for middle distance came from the Brooks Glycerin GTS 20

“Can tear your Achilles region without socks.”

4/5 Full review 20 mpw came from the Nike Zoom Streak 6

“Size up half a size”

4/5 Full review 75 mpw training for a half marathon came from the New Balance Fresh Foam Zante Solas

“Great feeling of propulsion”

4/5 Full review 30 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 35

“Size up half compared to other Nike shoes”

5/5 Full review 35 mpw training for a marathon came from the ASICS GEL-Kayano 25

“One of the greatest high performance practice/racing shoes ever made”

5/5 Full review 60 mpw training for middle distance came from the Brooks Glycerin GTS 20

“Makes you feel capable of extra mileage even when tight”

4/5 Full review 30 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 35

“Stiff forefoot with minimal give”

4/5 Full review 20 mpw came from the Nike Zoom Streak 6

“Comfortable, stable, with great bouncy feeling”

5/5 Full review 20 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Under Armour Micro G Assert 7

“The lightest of the three versions”

5/5 Full review 20 mpw training for a half marathon

“Runs small compared to regular Zoom Fly”

5/5 Full review 25 mpw training for a marathon came from the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 35

“Shines at speed”

4/5 Full review 50 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Brooks Ghost 11

“Holds up through 200-250 miles”

5/5 Full review 25 mpw training for a marathon came from the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 35

Prefer this shoe over another

61% 14/23

Where to buy

No offers available

Affiliate links included. They never affect our ratings.

Prices updated daily. Last checked Oct 22.

Pros

Reviewers describe a fast, propulsive ride that still feels cushioned.
Runners call it light and use it for tempo runs and racing.
Three reviewers say their legs feel fresher after long runs and marathons.

Cons

Durability averages 3.6 out of 5, the lowest of its six dimensions, and three reviewers say the outsole wears through early.
Twelve of the nineteen reviewers say it runs small and advise going up half a size.
Four reviewers find the forefoot stiff until it breaks in.

Zoom Fly SP (Special Project) rates 88. This shoe has high confidence. See how we rate shoes.

Runner Ratings

19 ratings

5/5 13

4/5 6

3/5 0

2/5 0

1/5 0

See written reviews Write a review

Specs & fit

Sizing and ride details at a glance.

Weight: 14.0 oz (women's)
Release: 2018 Q3
MSRP: $150
Stack: 33/23mm
Drop: 10mm

Runner reviews

Write a review

Better than I expected

5/5

Overall

I got the Fly SPs mostly because they were very inexpensive on ebay, I paid $65 for them and since I'd enjoyed running in the regular Zoom Fly I figured it was a safe bet. They are a touch smaller than the regular Fly shoes so I have to wear thin socks but other than that the fit seems to be the same. I know it may be just marketing, but I've also felt like the Fly has been easier on my legs than regular shoes. It isn't the 4% but in training for the marathon last fall and then racing it, I was very pleasantly surprised at how my legs felt during and after long runs and the race. The shoe has also held up pretty well, I usually get 300-350 miles out of a pair of shoes and these seem to be ok at least through 200-250. So I rated the "value" high since I got them so cheaply.

Anonymous runner · Jul 3, 2019

25 mpw training for a marathon came from the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 35

Comfort: 5/5
Cushioning: 5/5
Durability: 3/5
Appearance: 4/5
Value: 5/5

Fast Shoe, great for road racing

5/5

Overall

Picked these up for bargain price in a Nike Outlet and use them for all road racing. Nice lightweight, feels fast. Went back to try and pick up some more pairs, but no more and had to settle for the standard Nike Zoom Fly.

2minmaster · Jul 3, 2019

50 mpw training for middle distance came from the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 34

Comfort: 5/5
Cushioning: 5/5
Durability: 4/5
Appearance: 4/5
Value: 4/5

Unicorns do exist!

5/5

Overall

I was in the market for a new Clifton...and by "new" I mean: old. I tried the Altra Duo which is decent enough, the Sketchers Go Run Max which was terrible , the Saucony Kinvara 8 (good for 5'10k) and a few others. As a big guy (205), I need a bit more cushion and structure...but I can also run a 23:00 5k. Not hyper speed, but fast enough that I don't want a fat pig of a shoe. I really liked Clifton 1 (and ATR and Speedgoat for trails), but I thought subsequent versions got watered down and fatter. I really like the Altra footshape deal, but I don't like the zero drop all the time. The Kinvara had a feeling of propulsion and I felt really great and fast in them...but I was feeling beat up after wearing for more than a 10k. So I was looking for a shoe that combined the Hoka cushion and lightness with Kinvara's speediness and propulsion. Turns out, I'd find this unicorn in the most unlikely of places: The Nike Outlet. I really like Nike clothing, but I had no love for Nike since the Lunar Trainer debuted like 10yrs ago, so Nike runners weren't even on my radar. I went to the Nike Outlet to get my kid some shoes and I saw a pair of FlySP in my size (14) for $79. To my surprise, they felt pretty small. Luckily, there were a pair of 15s for only $43! I tried them on and they felt good. The are amazingly light for a shoe this big; they are also incredibly ugly...in white/white. When I strolled around the store, I thought: man...these are really stiff/harsh. But I figured at $43...what could go wrong. So my first run was about 5k...and started out not great. That harsh feeling in the store was there...the first mile or so, but was also very fast. It wasn't just its lightness...the show seems to propel you forward. Like the Kinvara, but MUCH better. The next day I ran a 10k. Again the first mile, maybe two, was like running in a flat...then the shoes magically found cushioning. I was speeding along, propelled forward...yet still cushioned. The best part, I woke up on morning 3 and: no soreness. The shoes were not only fast, but I wasn't beat up or sore after running two fast runs. I now have about 150k in them and they still have that unique combo of cushioning, lightness, and speediness. These have rocketed up to the top of my "favorite shoe of all time" category. In rating this with the stars it's a bit wonky. The cushioning I gave an 8. I think it's perfect, but if you're expecting a Bondi or GoRun Max, you'll be sorely disappointed. One of the reasons I hated the GoRun Max was that it's very marsh-mellowey. It wallows and, despite its cushion, I always felt beat up after wearing it. You'll get none of that from the FlySp...it's FAST. I also gave it a bit low in appearance and value. First value...retail is $150...that is simply too much money for a shoe (to me). However, they're routinely available for about $80-90. At that price, I'd give it a 8-8.5...and if you can find it for $43, mark it as 11 stars. I also bought a second pair a few weeks later for $79...I think that's a fair price and give it a 9. For the appearance, the white/white combo is just not appealing, but I think some of the other colors (like the baby blue and camo) are cool and would give them a 9. In short, the Zoom Fly SP is a great shoe. My longest run in them has been 20K and, even at that distance, my impressions remain true. It's fast yet cushioned, cushioned yet light, light but doesn't beat you up. It's a magical unicorn!!! I'd definitely size up though.

Anonymous runner · Jun 6, 2019

25 mpw training for a half marathon came from the HOKA Clifton 3

Comfort: 5/5
Cushioning: 4/5
Durability: 5/5
Appearance: 4/5
Value: 3/5

Not Nike’s Best Work

4/5

Overall

Although this shoe was touted as Nike’s “Latest and Greatest” upon release, it didn’t live up the wildly high expectations it had been thought to have. This shoe is for fast, and fast deserves comfort. The comfort was less than desirable due to a stiff forefoot with minimal give to it. The forefoot “rock” you felt moving from the ball of your foot to toe-off was significant and something to get used to. For comfort, the most notably sub-par aspect was the upper’s material. If you are a runner who doesn’t use socks, you’re in trouble - it will tear your Achilles region to shreds...goodluck. The shoe runs small in the SP edition (which I hand) and doesn’t stretch due to the type of material it is made of. That being said, go a half size up. The Vaporfly is most definitely the version someone should be investing their time and miles in due to the wildly improved quality and comfort it has vs the Zoom Fly SP.

beansbeansbeans · May 1, 2019

20 mpw came from the Nike Zoom Streak 6

Comfort: 3/5
Cushioning: 4/5
Durability: 4/5
Appearance: 4/5
Value: 4/5

Fast Shoe!

5/5

Overall

I really like this shoe, go up a half size! I have worn the standard Zoom Fly, and the Zoom Fly Flyknit as well. I like this one the best. It is the lightest of the three. The overall look of the shoe to me, its ugly. Terrible. But I care about how it runs. The standard Zoom Fly was ok, just felt like a lot of shoe. This upper is much better and lighter. I also ran in the Zoom Fly Flyknit, it has the flyknit upper and instead of lunar it has react soles with the carbon plate. I can see why they did this, this shoe is stiff, stiff, stiff. They take a little breaking in. But the Flyknit is heavier and has no structure, it feels like a brick on your feet. This shoe is for fast days, it wants to go fast! I would grab some Pegasus for slow days, and break this out for tempo runs, repeats, and race day.

Anonymous runner · Jan 16, 2019

20 mpw training for a half marathon