As usual, the most content-trail-rich review I've seen on the Z2. Now we just need a little (*cough*) attention to the Xodus Ultra 3, since I haven't seen a CP on versions 1 or 2. Consider us curious? Great job, gents!
I have a gtx pair right now, that's not getting much miles due to summer, but it does fit narrower. Like a cross between a Zegama and Speedgoat for shape
@@ConversationalPace and how do you like them? Are the suitable for lets say 50k trails? What would you guys consider the top 3 trail shoes at this moment?
Wish y’all made a video about best backpacking or through hiking trail runners! Been binging your videos starting with the Caldera 7 to find an AT-esque terrain oriented shoe (Adirondacks, Whites, Longtrail, etc). I loved Caldera 5 and very torn on a replacement per y’all’s amazing analysis between the Caldera 7, Asics Trabuco Max 2 and this!
@@ConversationalPace Having an End of Year best shoe for each Distance/Purpose Video would be dope. Especially if thru-hiking was included lol. Great stuff!
Gonna give this shoe a try and the good thing is Nike has the colorway you were showing in the video for under 90 right now, so looking forward to it. Thanks for the great review as always
Wow! Really enjoyed this conversation. I've been torn deciding between the Nike Zegama 2, Peg 5, and Ultrafly as my next trail shoe and this video sealed it for me. Used your RW link and excited to get mine for my long weekend run. 🔥
Zegama is the best. I have to say I tried new Speedgoats 6 from Hoka and they were done after few trails. Then I switched to Zegama 2 and love it so much. It is durable and it always looks like new. The hot take is a bit controversial though 😅 in Alps where there is a lot of technical terrain I would get myself killed running in Alphaflys
Thank you both for such thorough reviews. Loved the Zegama 1 except the stability factor. Sounds like the 2 is worth the hefty price tag! Might have to actually pay full price on a pair of shoes for once
Unlike road marathons, the use cases of trail super shoes is definitely on a spectrum. Definitely saw a few trail prototypes at Western States this past weekend that are blurring the lines even more, which was super exciting to see! Hopefully I'm able to talk more about that in the future!
Loved the comprehensive breakdown, thanks so much. I think like most runners I’ll be waiting for this to go on serious discount before consideration - the cost is up around 20% I believe over v1 and I don’t see a 20% improvement. Looking forward to the next shoe on the review slate 👍🏾🏴🦄😸
The first edition of the Zegama’s were my favorite trail shoe so I was stoked when they updated these. This line continues to be the best value in trail running. They are always on sale. You can get em for about 100 dollars. The vibram was a much needed upgrade! This carried me through the wet/slippery technical Colorado mountain terrain from early Spring into summer. I used to wear the Wildhorses for rugged terrain but I just use the zegama’s for everything now. I agree, the change to the shoe tongue was nice. It’s soft and it allows your ankle to flex a bit more. The Achilles heel of these shoes is the durability though. Both pairs of my Zegama 1’s and the 2’s ripped in the same place on the upper. I ran the 2’s for about 200 miles before the upper and foam looked worse for wear. Dragged them to about 350 before replacing. At this price point it’s a no brainer. But at full price I would pass!
Thanks for watching and giving your take on the shoes! That's surprising the upper tore on both versions for you. Has that been something to happen across the wildhorse as well?
Thank you for the great review gentlemen! I am looking for a new 100 mile trail shoe and I can't wait to try this shoe on. Two questions; what is the stack height and is the Zagama in any way similar to the Nike Invincible? I am trying a pair of the Invincible's out and the stack height is too much and a size 10, which I wore in the first version, is a bit short. The forefoot seems to lack the cushioning that the first version had. I currently wear the Hoka Malfate Speed coming from the Speedgoat. The SG changed too much and I can no longer wear it. The SG3 was the best yet they changed it! Anyway, thanks again for the review! Keep up the great work!
The Zegama is 35mm forefoot 39mm heel, and the Invincible is 31mm Forefoot, 40mm heel. So the drop is a big difference, while the stack is similar. The invincible is all Zoom X foam, which changes the ride quite a bit with ton more bounce and less stability. The Zegama feels more tame and not quite as trampoline-like as the Invincible.
@@ConversationalPace , thank you so much for the reply and information! When I grab a pair I'll definitely use your link. I plan on using it on a fairly technical trail at the Delaware Water Gap in NJ. Thanks again!
@@ConversationalPace just following up -- this is a great shoe. I have tried a ton of different shoes recently -- from Norda to Hoka -- and these are some of the best for putting in a lot of miles. I'm pretty stoked (it also helps that these fit my feet really well).
I live and run in the Eastern Sierra near daily. Typically in Salomon (XA, Genesis) and Sportiva when the going get's rough (Mutant). Also many miles on the Wildhorse 8. After this review I picked up a pair of Zegama 2s with plans to try them out in preparation for 2 big runs this fall (R3 and CtoC). After the usual "do they fit me" concerns, I wanted to see what level of technical terrain they were suited for. After about 150 miles of testing on progressively more technical terrain I felt comfortable enough to use them a few days ago on a Whitney Double (twice from Portal to summit on the same day). 44 miles, 40 of which is brutally technical. Couldn't have been happier. I mean VERY happy. I'm not convinced the uppers will last as long as my Genesis (mmmmMatrix) or Mutants. I have not been particularly happy with my Wildhorse uppers durability and the Zegama 2 feels similar, but at 200 miles they still are holding fine. Also, had to pull out the insoles (which are supposedly not intended to be removable) as I have high arches and need a more arch supportive insole. With that solved, I wouldn't hesitate to head out on 100 miles of technical in these shoes. Thanks for such informative reviews.
Thanks for your feedback and stoked to hear they've been working so well for you! Double Whitney is beefy! Definitely a huge test for the Zegama for sure
Thanks for another detailed and honest review. Just ordered a pair for 130 USD and looking forward to see if it is going to be companion during my 1st 100miler in November. Happy running everyone :)
Another great review, ive been using nike for decades now. I've tried adidas for a few years but found myself coming back to nike due to the consistency of the upper and the durability of the foam. As someone who is 210LBS, I can really notice when the foam on a shoe starts to wear out. Nike also does great discounts/sales, I check the app like once every few weeks, you can get these shoes for as low as $80, especially between seasons. I have an extra pair of wildhorse 8's when my current pair wear out.
Thanks for watching! Haven't tried the Tecton X 3 yet, but between the Ultrafly and Speed Ultra, I would choose the Speed Ultra due to feeling better on the downhills and liking the feel of the foam on trails more. Another shoe (review coming soon) that would be in consideration for Sonoma is the North Face Vectiv Pro 2
You're right that's actually a great comparison! Mafate has taller outsole lugs and a shorter rocker at the toe. Will handle more technical terrain better, but not run quite as smooth on more mellow terrain. Weight wise, they're very similar. Mafate has a little more volume in the toe box as well. Both are very durable max cushion trainers. Hope this helps!
@@ConversationalPace This is the comparison I needed. I keep going back and forth whether to pull the trigger on the Zegama as I can't try before I buy. I pretty much stick in Mafates/Tectons but the Ultrafly worked well for me too so I'm keen to give another Nike a go..
Hey guys, thanks for the great review. I am a bit late to the party, but what do you think of the Zegama 2 in technical terrain vs the Wildhorse 8. I remember you really liked the WH when you reviewed it. Is the 8mm drop noticeable / detrimental for the Wildhorse in technical terrain. I have Zegama 1's, Peg trails and Kiger 8's in rotation. I am wondering if the Wildhorse could be a 1 shoe to do everything replacement?
I initially preferred the Wildhorse 8 over the Zegama 1, but now that the Zegama 2 has come out, I have a very hard time deciding which one I like more. I think I still lean to the Wildhorse for technical terrain because it's a bit lower to the ground. I don't find the 8mm drop to be an issue at all. BUT if I'm looking to get one shoe to do it all, then I learn towards the Zegama 2
@ConversationalPace Thank you for your reply and thoughts. Yeah it is an interesting choice, hey, Both sound to be great shoes. I am glad to hear that the 8mm drop isn't too noticeable.I think I will go with the Wildhorse this time being considerably cheaper. 👍
You guys seem like you might have as much attention to detail as I do with shoes - I'm beyond pendantic. No one seems to talk about it with the zagama 1's and it's on the Nike epic reacts and Nike footscapes a no one seems to mention it. The medial side, under the toes of the zegama 1, is higher than the lateral side. I had originally thought it was a benefit to me, but as I'm putting more KMs into them, it's really doing a number on my knees as I'm well and truly supernating. Seems like Nike don't even know it's a thing and no one seems to know about it. Curious on your thoughts and feelings. I've been on the fence with zegama 2s for ages, I rotate a pair of altras and vivos for daily work wear, and I quit smoking recently so I'm finally starting to run distances, but I just want wide toe boxes, bouncy shoes with a low drop and a strong outsole so I dont need to replace shoes. Seems like these are it.
Would you wear the Zegama 2 in a longer (time and distance) more technical race than Cocodona? More hiking (long, steep climbs), more crazy steep technical descents. My primary concern is traction on wet rock and comfort. If not, what would you choose? Previously I've worn the Mafate Speed but don't love it.
It's a good question, my litmus test for shoes in these mutli day arenas in pretty simple - is it comfortable? Which mostly pertains to the fit and ride. I choose comfort and foot health over everything in these scenarios, but that's just me. I did notice during the steep and technical sections of Cocodona that the shoe wasn't amazing (some heel lockdown issues), but not terrible. Cocodona is actually a bit more technical than it gets credit for. That said, if I was going into a more true mountain race with even more technicality, honestly, the Mafate would be right up there as an option..a few others - Brooks Caldera 7, and now that I think more about the distance and some flyers that could be considered - I might actually use something like the Salomon S Lab Ultra 3 (v2). Hope this helps! Happy to answer any other questions. - Finn
I find them to be an outstanding recovery day , easy mileage shoe that will save your legs over time. They’ve been perfect for me coming out of a calf strain. On a side note, you guys need to check out the new VJ Maxx 2’s!
Great review as always! Looks like a great all rounder for long distance, but does the lack of toe protection raise concern for survival mode type miles? I need a blow up friendly max cushion type just in case haha
I found that the stack height was enough where if (when) I kick rocks, it's more with the outsole right under my toes. Fingers crossed, but it hasn't been an issue yet!
Haven't gotten to try the Experience Wild yet, but if I were to assume it runs similar to the Fwd Experience, I'd go with the zegama for the more plush cushioning. Experience Wild is going to be lighter and more nimble feeling though
How did these shoes work out overtime? I’ve seen several reviewers talk about how narrow the foot bed is, and how it creates blisters and discomfort, while running long distances.
Both Finn and I didn't have any blister issues in the long term. It's a medium width shoe, but the problem that some have is with the lower volume material toe box. That part of the shoe has definitely been hit or miss with some folks, but it is at least a very soft and seamless material
As my Zegama 1 still is good for at least 200 k I'll wait till I get some discount on the Zegama 2 and also use my Ultraflys which I really like and got with a big discount. How about a Trabuco Max 3 review, I think Asics made the midsole even more cushioned and higher ...?
Yeah just an upper update for the Trabuco Max 3. If we do a review for this one, It'll probably be closer to the fall. Hoping to get that Saucony Xodus Ultra 3 ASAP though!
@ last segment, definitely worth the price for me. Zoomx + vibram. All I need to know. I don’t understand people not caring about vibram (or better) outsoles. All of these in house rubbers or getting a tire company to make you an outsole are so far below Vibram it’s insane. (VJ shoes and other butyl rubber in their own class). My Hot take: If you don’t need Vibram or better on your trail shoe then you don’t need a trail shoe. Get a road shoe with a rubber outsole.
I think there's some value in the lug pattern for dry, lose trails. The rubber compound isn't as crucial then. I agree though, for the most part, there are actually quite a few trail scenarios where a road shoe will work just fine, and there are still a bunch of road shoes that feel awesome on trails.
If you train in a place where your feet are constantly getting wet, this isn't the most ideal upper. Fares much better in dry conditions. Appreciate you watching!
@@ConversationalPace What would you recommend to have a look at instead? For watery conditions where the shoe should still perform (not get swampy etc)? Thanks for the review, I really like those long in depth reviews you are doing.
you may be on to something.., I saw someone finish a trail race in plated saucony road shoes, in the Georgia woods a few months ago. she did fine. I think it was the endo speed 2.
Oh dear, the Alphafly 3 on trails 😱 That thing is the most elaborate stone trap ever made, I can’t cross a gravel path in them without picking up a hitchhiker 🙈 Thanks for this review guys! Put the Zegama 2 on my wish list 😂
@@nicholassmith8044 that's awesome! I can imagine the Alphafly 1 works great for trails. I have on old pair that I take on long run workouts, also on some gravel roads and they're absolutely great. But the 3 has all sorts of cavities in the sole, I think to save weight. I get little rocks stuck in there whenever I'm even close to gravel 😂
I guess the trails I run on don't have much for gravel and it is crushed dirt, but I never got anything caught under them. Definitely would be a bit of a risk though, but the last 40 miles of the states course is pretty buffed out!
@@ConversationalPace the AF 3 sounds like an excellent option then!! A bit less wild than the 1, super smooth and efficient and really comfortable. Stroke of genius 😊
That would be a great combo! Definitley get some race paced miles and long runs in the Speed Ultra though, as that's a shoe you want to make sure the feet/ankles are adjusted to before doing any racing in them 👍
So you didn't use those 4 pairs of Genesis after all like we saw in the Cocodona gear review video? What make you change your mind and what happend to those first pair Genesis?
Finn mentioned in his post race recap that the socks that were working best with his feet were meshing better with the Zegama than the Genesis so he just rolled with it. Definitely a very intuitive, instinctual move by Finn there.
I used mine for a (comparatively paltry) 35 mile ultra, totally agree with the review. They are awesome, my niggles mirror yours. They definitely don’t drain water as well as the wildhorse 8’s, and caused me some blistering at a particular wrinkle on my sole. It 100% needs more toebox vertical room and id say width too, ive heard ultrafly is better but yet to try them out myself. Lace length was rubbish, got much longer ones to lace lock. And for me I’d get rid of the gaiter for a traditional heel. Overall I loved them though, is definitely the best Nike grip ive had. They wont replace my Salomon Wildcross for muddy British Canicross races, but no worries for anything less. They seem way too good to use for training miles 😂
I would agree that the Ultrafly does have a roomier toe box both vertically and horizontally. I forgot to bring it up, but my size 10 also had laces on the short side as well. Thanks for watching!
I don't believe we'll be seeing a new Mafate until 2025 sometime. The Zegama has a longer rocker in the forefoot, whereas the Mafate has a shorter and steeper rocker. IMO, the Zegama feels smoother when running more mellow terrain, and while it can handle more technical trail, I prefer the Mafate on technical trail due to more of the shoe touching the ground.
Thanks for watching! Just being fully transparent, I (Brett) wouldn't be able to complete a review of something as minimal as the Xero Mesa Trail 2. My feet/ankles have never allowed me to do any sort of significant amounts of running in minimal shoes. If Finn is able to though, perhaps this would be his time to shine for a solo review
Cool, thanks for the reply. Personally I love the Xeros, it’s just a different experience to the max cushion take on a trail shoe and using them occasionaly keeps my legs honest - imagine a race with xero mesas as a control shoe that all competitors wear, that would be fascinating. Keep up the top content and thanks again 👍🏾🏴🦄😸
That's a toss up for sure. If you want something stiffer and more bounce, go for the Ultrafly. If you're wanting a more relaxed fit that is more forgiving at conversational paces (oh snap there it is), then the Zegama is better. Also, I didn't love the Ultrafly on technical terrain, due to the stiffness, so Zegama gains points there too.
Zeg 2 on sale today ( 40 % off ) and Ultrafly was also 40 % off some weeks ago on Nike's own online store, so I'll be able to try out the Zeg 2 soon and also put a lot of miles into the "cheap" Ultrafly ...
I really put this shoe through the ringer. Training hard and long with lots of water crossings, I found this shoe holds up well. Zero blisters, no hotspots or any kind of toe the toebox or bad lace bite. I really think this is an all rounder generalist with the comfort of a long distance ultra race shoe. I am using this shoe in my next race as far as they can go without swapping. Hoping it is the second shoe to last a full 100 miles without any major issues. The only other shoe to last me a whole 100 miler was the speedgoat 3. I wasn't a big fan of the side flare and want the laces to be like 1 inch longer for the better use of a runners knot. I definitely see lots of weight reduction but overall this is the most balanced option for anyone in the 100km+ category.
Agreed on all fronts! Could be a little lighter, but for how comfortable and balanced this shoe feels, it doesn't feel that important. Definitely one of the best all rounders in the trail industry at the moment
I (Brett) would pick the Zegama because the fit was much better. For Finn, both shoes fit him well and he chose the Zegama for nearly all of the Cocodona 250 mile for the sake of comfort. For faster, more technical running, it seems like he would lean more towards the Tomir
Haven't tried the SG6 yet, but those should be arriving soon! I (Brett) would pick Zegama 2 over Caldera every time due to how it fits my foot. Finn might be a little more back and forth as the Caldera 7 did work for him very well too
the caldera is already narrow, it seems the Zegama is way more narrow. Speedgoat 5 i hated, completely dead shoe to me. But am very curious about the 6, which micht be available in 2e.
Right, totally! I got SG6, its foam is way harder... But i think it doesnt make shoe feel faster. It feels maybe more durable? Good underfoot geometry overall, water draingage nice, smt missing in Z1. Over 150 km and new upper holding so far.
great review - I listened and wanted to buy this immediatley based on the pros, but feel it'd be too narrow, for me, a member of the vocal minority wide foot community. I think zegama to alpha fly ws100 is a legit big brain move. didn't a mexican runner win an entire ultratrail in the alpha fly this year?
Yeah unfortunately the Zegama is medium width at the most. At Black Canyon this year Jupiter Casas got 2nd place in the Adidas Adios Pro, which was pretty amazing, especially considering how muddy the course was this year.
I put about 300 miles the Zegama 1, love everything about the shoe but the weight. They are so heavy and they feel it. Was disappointed to see the weight has not improved. It is just too heavy to race in, imo.
It's definitely not the lightest shoe, and the only thing having me still considering racing in it is due to how comfortable it is. But if there are other options as comfortable and lighter, that would be a better race option. Thanks for watching!
@JMoff67 I got opposite feeling thanks to zoomX, when you run, the feeling is like -50 g weight in comparison to other shoes. Do you have similar experience?
There are other shoes I’ve run in that feel lighter than the weight, but this one just doesn’t for me. But I get that for some people. I agree though - it is so comfortable, toe box is nice and roomy, but it feels like “too much shoe” for western states (my next race) however when I ran on really rocky technical terrain in Spain I was glad to have it on my feet. Will definitely stay in my training rotation! Thanks for the reviews - love your podcasts!
we both race (ultras) in the same size. 10 for Brett and 12 for Finn. I (Brett) do go down a half a size for road racing though. That answer is going to vary quite a bit from person to person depending on how their foot changes during an ultra. Mine don't swell much, so I've never had to go up an additional half size.
I returned the Zegama 2's after a brief period. Too hot, too chunky, no toe protections, totally overbuilt...onward...I did enjoy the Zegama 1's so pretty disappointed...
J ai acheté ces zegama2 , et j ai vraiment un gros soucis avec cette chaussure , j ai l impression que mon avant pied a pas de place au dessus , trop confiné, pourquoi faut il que Nike gâche toujours quelque chose ......je suis vraiment écoeuré, j attendais bcp de cette chaussure 😡, ça me fait mal de le dire mais je crois que je vais arrêter avec cette marque , et pourtant j ai vraiment essayé 🤔, a la limite ils auraient fait la zegama 1 avec le vibram c était parfait .....
Malheureusement, ce n'était pas la bonne solution pour vous. Avez-vous trouvé que l'avant-pied du Zegama 1 avait suffisamment de place pour vous ? (Google translate)
@@ConversationalPacej ai utilisé une astuce de cordonnier, avec du papier journal humide placé au fond de la chaussure , bien compact , histoire de détendre le mesh en largeur mais aussi au dessus du pied , et après essai cette après midi , le problème est réglé.
Definitely hoping to get the Xodus Ultra 3 in for review! We were waiting for this one since the 2 was just a slight update over the 1 and there were quite a few established reviews out there. Thanks for watching!
Never worn a Nike, ever.. In my life. And this doesnt look like a trail shoe, this looks Walmart. I always say that only performance counts, and that I don't care about the looks (as long as the shoe look fire.. to stay consistent). If they have it in wide I will swallow my pride and try to get it.. 2E would be the reason to Nike for the first time..
@@ConversationalPace Ow man it is the ugliest shoe, they beat Brooks which ain't easy (the Agil looks fire though) It looks like a Nike.. brrr.. Sketchers is more premium to me. on a serious note: This shoe does NOT have the shape of a trailshoe. It looks like a banana. Too narrow too pointy. Speedland got it. Altra with the Mon(t) Blan(c) Carbon got it. Asics with the Trabuco Max 2/3 got it. Brooks with the new Cascadia 18 might have gotten it as well. No pointy narrow shoes on the trails. I have the Salomon S/lab genesis coming for this week, The Topo Traverse and the S/Lab Ultra (All 1/2 size up) But they might all go back and I wait for the speedgoat 6 and the Cascadia 18 in 2e as a can do all shoe inc long hikes with backpack.
As usual, the most content-trail-rich review I've seen on the Z2. Now we just need a little (*cough*) attention to the Xodus Ultra 3, since I haven't seen a CP on versions 1 or 2. Consider us curious? Great job, gents!
That Xodus Ultra 3 is towards the top of our priority list to review, especially because it's such a full rebuild over 1 or 2.
@@ConversationalPace would that also apply for the Merrell
AGILITY PEAK 5? Are those on a list as well?
@@run4fun75 peak 5 is very narrow, but it looks awesome if you fit in it.
Should be up Brett's ally.
I have a gtx pair right now, that's not getting much miles due to summer, but it does fit narrower. Like a cross between a Zegama and Speedgoat for shape
@@ConversationalPace and how do you like them? Are the suitable for lets say 50k trails? What would you guys consider the top 3 trail shoes at this moment?
Wish y’all made a video about best backpacking or through hiking trail runners!
Been binging your videos starting with the Caldera 7 to find an AT-esque terrain oriented shoe (Adirondacks, Whites, Longtrail, etc). I loved Caldera 5 and very torn on a replacement per y’all’s amazing analysis between the Caldera 7, Asics Trabuco Max 2 and this!
We have reviewed enough thru hike eligible shoes at this point where we probably could make a video like that!
@@ConversationalPace Having an End of Year best shoe for each Distance/Purpose Video would be dope. Especially if thru-hiking was included lol. Great stuff!
These reviews are so detailed. Thank you!
Thanks for watching and glad you found the channel!
Gonna give this shoe a try and the good thing is Nike has the colorway you were showing in the video for under 90 right now, so looking forward to it. Thanks for the great review as always
Definitely worth a try for 90 bucks. Hope they work out for you! 🤞
Wow! Really enjoyed this conversation. I've been torn deciding between the Nike Zegama 2, Peg 5, and Ultrafly as my next trail shoe and this video sealed it for me. Used your RW link and excited to get mine for my long weekend run. 🔥
Hugely appreciated! Glad you found the channel and hope you're able to enjoy many miles in these shoes!
Get both 😂
This damn shoe is so amazing! Been waiting for this review.
We were equally stoked about this one!
In the comparison i missed the Saucony Exodus Ultra cause they use exact the same midsole concept.
Still a great test. Thank you!!!
Thanks for watching! We're hoping to do a full review of the Xodus Ultra 3 when that releases
Zegama is the best. I have to say I tried new Speedgoats 6 from Hoka and they were done after few trails. Then I switched to Zegama 2 and love it so much. It is durable and it always looks like new. The hot take is a bit controversial though 😅 in Alps where there is a lot of technical terrain I would get myself killed running in Alphaflys
Haha yeah I definitely wouldn't take the alphaflys on trails in the alps. Much different than the trails in the 2nd half of the States course 😆
Thank you both for such thorough reviews. Loved the Zegama 1 except the stability factor. Sounds like the 2 is worth the hefty price tag! Might have to actually pay full price on a pair of shoes for once
This is definitely one of the rare shoes for myself as well where I feel like you can get $180 worth of use out of it. Thanks for watching!
I love the hot take of the Zegama to Alphafly for WS. Again, calling into question the necessity of trail "super" shoes.
Unlike road marathons, the use cases of trail super shoes is definitely on a spectrum. Definitely saw a few trail prototypes at Western States this past weekend that are blurring the lines even more, which was super exciting to see! Hopefully I'm able to talk more about that in the future!
Loved the comprehensive breakdown, thanks so much. I think like most runners I’ll be waiting for this to go on serious discount before consideration - the cost is up around 20% I believe over v1 and I don’t see a 20% improvement. Looking forward to the next shoe on the review slate 👍🏾🏴🦄😸
Thanks for watching! It would have been nice if they kept the price at $160. I'm sure the Vibram tax was the main reason for the price jump
The first edition of the Zegama’s were my favorite trail shoe so I was stoked when they updated these. This line continues to be the best value in trail running. They are always on sale. You can get em for about 100 dollars. The vibram was a much needed upgrade! This carried me through the wet/slippery technical Colorado mountain terrain from early Spring into summer. I used to wear the Wildhorses for rugged terrain but I just use the zegama’s for everything now. I agree, the change to the shoe tongue was nice. It’s soft and it allows your ankle to flex a bit more. The Achilles heel of these shoes is the durability though. Both pairs of my Zegama 1’s and the 2’s ripped in the same place on the upper. I ran the 2’s for about 200 miles before the upper and foam looked worse for wear. Dragged them to about 350 before replacing. At this price point it’s a no brainer. But at full price I would pass!
Thanks for watching and giving your take on the shoes! That's surprising the upper tore on both versions for you. Has that been something to happen across the wildhorse as well?
@@ConversationalPace nope, no upper issues on those! The lugs on the wild horse 8’s wore down a bit over time but otherwise they aged gracefully.
That's surprising! Must just be something with the shape or added stack height that's torquing the upper in a weird way 🤷
Thank you for the great review gentlemen! I am looking for a new 100 mile trail shoe and I can't wait to try this shoe on. Two questions; what is the stack height and is the Zagama in any way similar to the Nike Invincible? I am trying a pair of the Invincible's out and the stack height is too much and a size 10, which I wore in the first version, is a bit short. The forefoot seems to lack the cushioning that the first version had. I currently wear the Hoka Malfate Speed coming from the Speedgoat. The SG changed too much and I can no longer wear it. The SG3 was the best yet they changed it! Anyway, thanks again for the review! Keep up the great work!
The Zegama is 35mm forefoot 39mm heel, and the Invincible is 31mm Forefoot, 40mm heel. So the drop is a big difference, while the stack is similar. The invincible is all Zoom X foam, which changes the ride quite a bit with ton more bounce and less stability. The Zegama feels more tame and not quite as trampoline-like as the Invincible.
@@ConversationalPace , thank you so much for the reply and information! When I grab a pair I'll definitely use your link. I plan on using it on a fairly technical trail at the Delaware Water Gap in NJ. Thanks again!
@@ajohnson6416 Appreciate it! Hope they work out for you!
I trust you guys and your reviews. I just ordered a pair -- as I think this shoe will fit me and my approach pretty well.
Hope they work for ya! Glad you found value in the review!
@@ConversationalPace just following up -- this is a great shoe. I have tried a ton of different shoes recently -- from Norda to Hoka -- and these are some of the best for putting in a lot of miles. I'm pretty stoked (it also helps that these fit my feet really well).
Love to hear it! Agreed, I can tell this is going to be one of my favorite fitting shoes of the year
I live and run in the Eastern Sierra near daily. Typically in Salomon (XA, Genesis) and Sportiva when the going get's rough (Mutant). Also many miles on the Wildhorse 8. After this review I picked up a pair of Zegama 2s with plans to try them out in preparation for 2 big runs this fall (R3 and CtoC). After the usual "do they fit me" concerns, I wanted to see what level of technical terrain they were suited for. After about 150 miles of testing on progressively more technical terrain I felt comfortable enough to use them a few days ago on a Whitney Double (twice from Portal to summit on the same day). 44 miles, 40 of which is brutally technical. Couldn't have been happier. I mean VERY happy.
I'm not convinced the uppers will last as long as my Genesis (mmmmMatrix) or Mutants. I have not been particularly happy with my Wildhorse uppers durability and the Zegama 2 feels similar, but at 200 miles they still are holding fine. Also, had to pull out the insoles (which are supposedly not intended to be removable) as I have high arches and need a more arch supportive insole. With that solved, I wouldn't hesitate to head out on 100 miles of technical in these shoes.
Thanks for such informative reviews.
Thanks for your feedback and stoked to hear they've been working so well for you! Double Whitney is beefy! Definitely a huge test for the Zegama for sure
Lukewarm take: They should make a trail running industry rule that if a shoe is $180 or above, it should have a matryx or matryx like upper
haha I'd cosign that one 🤣
Wish they would use the mesh from the Kiger 9 upper, that was perfect and way more breathable.
Oh man, yeah the Kiger 9 upper was one of my favorites. Wouldn't be surprising if that upper was a whole ounce lighter than what's on Zegama 2
Thanks for another detailed and honest review. Just ordered a pair for 130 USD and looking forward to see if it is going to be companion during my 1st 100miler in November. Happy running everyone :)
Hope they work for you and good luck with the 100 mile training!
@@ConversationalPace Thank you! Appreciate 👍🏼👍🏼
Another great review, ive been using nike for decades now. I've tried adidas for a few years but found myself coming back to nike due to the consistency of the upper and the durability of the foam. As someone who is 210LBS, I can really notice when the foam on a shoe starts to wear out.
Nike also does great discounts/sales, I check the app like once every few weeks, you can get these shoes for as low as $80, especially between seasons. I have an extra pair of wildhorse 8's when my current pair wear out.
I agree, Nike has always been so consistent regarding the quality of their products
Best shoe reviews on UA-cam. What shoe would you recommend to race Sonoma? Ultrafly, speed ultra, tecton x3, something else?
Thanks for watching! Haven't tried the Tecton X 3 yet, but between the Ultrafly and Speed Ultra, I would choose the Speed Ultra due to feeling better on the downhills and liking the feel of the foam on trails more. Another shoe (review coming soon) that would be in consideration for Sonoma is the North Face Vectiv Pro 2
From a price and use standpoint, I feel like a good comparison could be Mafate 4 vs Zegama 2
You're right that's actually a great comparison! Mafate has taller outsole lugs and a shorter rocker at the toe. Will handle more technical terrain better, but not run quite as smooth on more mellow terrain. Weight wise, they're very similar. Mafate has a little more volume in the toe box as well. Both are very durable max cushion trainers. Hope this helps!
@@ConversationalPace This is the comparison I needed. I keep going back and forth whether to pull the trigger on the Zegama as I can't try before I buy. I pretty much stick in Mafates/Tectons but the Ultrafly worked well for me too so I'm keen to give another Nike a go..
I feel like Tecton is to Ultrafly and Mafate (or speedgoat) is to Zegama
Hey guys, thanks for the great review. I am a bit late to the party, but what do you think of the Zegama 2 in technical terrain vs the Wildhorse 8. I remember you really liked the WH when you reviewed it. Is the 8mm drop noticeable / detrimental for the Wildhorse in technical terrain. I have Zegama 1's, Peg trails and Kiger 8's in rotation. I am wondering if the Wildhorse could be a 1 shoe to do everything replacement?
I initially preferred the Wildhorse 8 over the Zegama 1, but now that the Zegama 2 has come out, I have a very hard time deciding which one I like more. I think I still lean to the Wildhorse for technical terrain because it's a bit lower to the ground. I don't find the 8mm drop to be an issue at all. BUT if I'm looking to get one shoe to do it all, then I learn towards the Zegama 2
@ConversationalPace Thank you for your reply and thoughts. Yeah it is an interesting choice, hey, Both sound to be great shoes. I am glad to hear that the 8mm drop isn't too noticeable.I think I will go with the Wildhorse this time being considerably cheaper. 👍
See my Zegama/Wildhorse comments in my full comments above.
You guys seem like you might have as much attention to detail as I do with shoes - I'm beyond pendantic.
No one seems to talk about it with the zagama 1's and it's on the Nike epic reacts and Nike footscapes a no one seems to mention it.
The medial side, under the toes of the zegama 1, is higher than the lateral side. I had originally thought it was a benefit to me, but as I'm putting more KMs into them, it's really doing a number on my knees as I'm well and truly supernating. Seems like Nike don't even know it's a thing and no one seems to know about it.
Curious on your thoughts and feelings. I've been on the fence with zegama 2s for ages, I rotate a pair of altras and vivos for daily work wear, and I quit smoking recently so I'm finally starting to run distances, but I just want wide toe boxes, bouncy shoes with a low drop and a strong outsole so I dont need to replace shoes. Seems like these are it.
for wide, bouncy, wide, toe box, and durable, you should check out the Topo Ultraventure 4!
I really enjoyrd this chat!!
Thanks for watching!
Would you wear the Zegama 2 in a longer (time and distance) more technical race than Cocodona? More hiking (long, steep climbs), more crazy steep technical descents. My primary concern is traction on wet rock and comfort. If not, what would you choose? Previously I've worn the Mafate Speed but don't love it.
It's a good question, my litmus test for shoes in these mutli day arenas in pretty simple - is it comfortable? Which mostly pertains to the fit and ride. I choose comfort and foot health over everything in these scenarios, but that's just me. I did notice during the steep and technical sections of Cocodona that the shoe wasn't amazing (some heel lockdown issues), but not terrible. Cocodona is actually a bit more technical than it gets credit for. That said, if I was going into a more true mountain race with even more technicality, honestly, the Mafate would be right up there as an option..a few others - Brooks Caldera 7, and now that I think more about the distance and some flyers that could be considered - I might actually use something like the Salomon S Lab Ultra 3 (v2). Hope this helps! Happy to answer any other questions. - Finn
I find them to be an outstanding recovery day , easy mileage shoe that will save your legs over time. They’ve been perfect for me coming out of a calf strain.
On a side note, you guys need to check out the new VJ Maxx 2’s!
Agreed, I love these for easy, chill days. We've got the VJ Maxx 2 in and are starting to log miles on it. So far, it seems pretty sweet!
Great review as always! Looks like a great all rounder for long distance, but does the lack of toe protection raise concern for survival mode type miles? I need a blow up friendly max cushion type just in case haha
I found that the stack height was enough where if (when) I kick rocks, it's more with the outsole right under my toes. Fingers crossed, but it hasn't been an issue yet!
@@ConversationalPace Makes sense thank you!
Great review as always would you choose this over the Altra Experience Wild ?
Haven't gotten to try the Experience Wild yet, but if I were to assume it runs similar to the Fwd Experience, I'd go with the zegama for the more plush cushioning. Experience Wild is going to be lighter and more nimble feeling though
How did these shoes work out overtime? I’ve seen several reviewers talk about how narrow the foot bed is, and how it creates blisters and discomfort, while running long distances.
Both Finn and I didn't have any blister issues in the long term. It's a medium width shoe, but the problem that some have is with the lower volume material toe box. That part of the shoe has definitely been hit or miss with some folks, but it is at least a very soft and seamless material
As my Zegama 1 still is good for at least 200 k I'll wait till I get some discount on the Zegama 2 and also use my Ultraflys which I really like and got with a big discount.
How about a Trabuco Max 3 review, I think Asics made the midsole even more cushioned and higher ...?
2nd that motion for a Trabuco Max 3, although it's just an upper update, IF they don't do an Xodus Ultra 3 review.
They did one on the 2, afaik only the upper changed somewhat.
@@ericperramond3463 curious about the ultra 3 as well..
Yeah just an upper update for the Trabuco Max 3. If we do a review for this one, It'll probably be closer to the fall. Hoping to get that Saucony Xodus Ultra 3 ASAP though!
@ last segment, definitely worth the price for me. Zoomx + vibram. All I need to know.
I don’t understand people not caring about vibram (or better) outsoles. All of these in house rubbers or getting a tire company to make you an outsole are so far below Vibram it’s insane. (VJ shoes and other butyl rubber in their own class).
My Hot take: If you don’t need Vibram or better on your trail shoe then you don’t need a trail shoe. Get a road shoe with a rubber outsole.
I think there's some value in the lug pattern for dry, lose trails. The rubber compound isn't as crucial then. I agree though, for the most part, there are actually quite a few trail scenarios where a road shoe will work just fine, and there are still a bunch of road shoes that feel awesome on trails.
Think water retention issue is a dealbreaker for me. Appreciate these in-depth discussions!
If you train in a place where your feet are constantly getting wet, this isn't the most ideal upper. Fares much better in dry conditions. Appreciate you watching!
@@ConversationalPace What would you recommend to have a look at instead? For watery conditions where the shoe should still perform (not get swampy etc)? Thanks for the review, I really like those long in depth reviews you are doing.
Maybe the new Pegasus 5 Trail Gore-Tex?
you may be on to something.., I saw someone finish a trail race in plated saucony road shoes, in the Georgia woods a few months ago.
she did fine. I think it was the endo speed 2.
There's definitely something to performing well in what you're comfortable in!
Oh dear, the Alphafly 3 on trails 😱 That thing is the most elaborate stone trap ever made, I can’t cross a gravel path in them without picking up a hitchhiker 🙈
Thanks for this review guys! Put the Zegama 2 on my wish list 😂
I know a runner who uses his beaten up Alphaflys on 50 and 100 mile trail races, (sub15 hour runner) plus he is in his 50''s
@@nicholassmith8044 that's awesome! I can imagine the Alphafly 1 works great for trails. I have on old pair that I take on long run workouts, also on some gravel roads and they're absolutely great. But the 3 has all sorts of cavities in the sole, I think to save weight. I get little rocks stuck in there whenever I'm even close to gravel 😂
I guess the trails I run on don't have much for gravel and it is crushed dirt, but I never got anything caught under them. Definitely would be a bit of a risk though, but the last 40 miles of the states course is pretty buffed out!
@@ConversationalPace the AF 3 sounds like an excellent option then!! A bit less wild than the 1, super smooth and efficient and really comfortable. Stroke of genius 😊
So based on latest reviews, Zegama 2 for training and Speed Ultra for race day?
Running Grindstone 50k as mid to back of packer. 😊
That would be a great combo! Definitley get some race paced miles and long runs in the Speed Ultra though, as that's a shoe you want to make sure the feet/ankles are adjusted to before doing any racing in them 👍
@@ConversationalPace Ok great thank you!
So you didn't use those 4 pairs of Genesis after all like we saw in the Cocodona gear review video? What make you change your mind and what happend to those first pair Genesis?
Finn mentioned in his post race recap that the socks that were working best with his feet were meshing better with the Zegama than the Genesis so he just rolled with it. Definitely a very intuitive, instinctual move by Finn there.
I used mine for a (comparatively paltry) 35 mile ultra, totally agree with the review. They are awesome, my niggles mirror yours.
They definitely don’t drain water as well as the wildhorse 8’s, and caused me some blistering at a particular wrinkle on my sole.
It 100% needs more toebox vertical room and id say width too, ive heard ultrafly is better but yet to try them out myself.
Lace length was rubbish, got much longer ones to lace lock.
And for me I’d get rid of the gaiter for a traditional heel.
Overall I loved them though, is definitely the best Nike grip ive had. They wont replace my Salomon Wildcross for muddy British Canicross races, but no worries for anything less.
They seem way too good to use for training miles 😂
I would agree that the Ultrafly does have a roomier toe box both vertically and horizontally. I forgot to bring it up, but my size 10 also had laces on the short side as well. Thanks for watching!
How does it compare with the Mafate Speed 4? I’m guessing the Mafate 5 must be due soon?
I don't believe we'll be seeing a new Mafate until 2025 sometime. The Zegama has a longer rocker in the forefoot, whereas the Mafate has a shorter and steeper rocker. IMO, the Zegama feels smoother when running more mellow terrain, and while it can handle more technical trail, I prefer the Mafate on technical trail due to more of the shoe touching the ground.
Nike Zegama 2 or Brooks Caldera 2? Finn ran in Z2, so maybe that’s my answer but curious on your thoughts.
Zegama 2 for me as well. Just fit my foot better and the ride felt a little smoother. Caldera is more stable having a wider platform though
As a counterpoint to shoes of this nature how about trying the Xero Mesa Trail 2 ? I’d be interested to hear what your opinions are 👍🏾🦄🏴😸
Thanks for watching! Just being fully transparent, I (Brett) wouldn't be able to complete a review of something as minimal as the Xero Mesa Trail 2. My feet/ankles have never allowed me to do any sort of significant amounts of running in minimal shoes. If Finn is able to though, perhaps this would be his time to shine for a solo review
Cool, thanks for the reply. Personally I love the Xeros, it’s just a different experience to the max cushion take on a trail shoe and using them occasionaly keeps my legs honest - imagine a race with xero mesas as a control shoe that all competitors wear, that would be fascinating. Keep up the top content and thanks again 👍🏾🏴🦄😸
We'd basically be back racing in 2010 when the minimal shoes were what everyone wore 🤣
I'm having a hard time between the Ultrafly on sale now and these. Thanks a lot for the detailed review! You guys are the best.
That's a toss up for sure. If you want something stiffer and more bounce, go for the Ultrafly. If you're wanting a more relaxed fit that is more forgiving at conversational paces (oh snap there it is), then the Zegama is better. Also, I didn't love the Ultrafly on technical terrain, due to the stiffness, so Zegama gains points there too.
Zeg 2 on sale today ( 40 % off ) and Ultrafly was also 40 % off some weeks ago on Nike's own online store, so I'll be able to try out the Zeg 2 soon and also put a lot of miles into the "cheap" Ultrafly ...
That's a steal! Practically making money at that point 😂
I really put this shoe through the ringer. Training hard and long with lots of water crossings, I found this shoe holds up well. Zero blisters, no hotspots or any kind of toe the toebox or bad lace bite. I really think this is an all rounder generalist with the comfort of a long distance ultra race shoe.
I am using this shoe in my next race as far as they can go without swapping. Hoping it is the second shoe to last a full 100 miles without any major issues. The only other shoe to last me a whole 100 miler was the speedgoat 3.
I wasn't a big fan of the side flare and want the laces to be like 1 inch longer for the better use of a runners knot. I definitely see lots of weight reduction but overall this is the most balanced option for anyone in the 100km+ category.
Agreed on all fronts! Could be a little lighter, but for how comfortable and balanced this shoe feels, it doesn't feel that important. Definitely one of the best all rounders in the trail industry at the moment
Would you guys pick the Zegama 2 or NNormal Tomir 2.0?
I (Brett) would pick the Zegama because the fit was much better. For Finn, both shoes fit him well and he chose the Zegama for nearly all of the Cocodona 250 mile for the sake of comfort. For faster, more technical running, it seems like he would lean more towards the Tomir
Trusted trail reviewers 🔥🔥🔥
Much appreciated!!
Have you guys tried the Speedgoat 6? Don’t think it’s softer anymore. Would you guys pick the Zegama 2 over the Caldera 7 every time?
Haven't tried the SG6 yet, but those should be arriving soon! I (Brett) would pick Zegama 2 over Caldera every time due to how it fits my foot. Finn might be a little more back and forth as the Caldera 7 did work for him very well too
the caldera is already narrow, it seems the Zegama is way more narrow.
Speedgoat 5 i hated, completely dead shoe to me. But am very curious about the 6, which micht be available in 2e.
Yeah if Caldera felt narrow, Zegama likely won't work either. Speedgoat 6 in wide is a potential option for sure
@@ConversationalPace Make note: Brett must be having matchstick feet :-)))
Right, totally! I got SG6, its foam is way harder... But i think it doesnt make shoe feel faster. It feels maybe more durable? Good underfoot geometry overall, water draingage nice, smt missing in Z1. Over 150 km and new upper holding so far.
great review - I listened and wanted to buy this immediatley based on the pros, but feel it'd be too narrow, for me, a member of the vocal minority wide foot community. I think zegama to alpha fly ws100 is a legit big brain move. didn't a mexican runner win an entire ultratrail in the alpha fly this year?
Yeah unfortunately the Zegama is medium width at the most. At Black Canyon this year Jupiter Casas got 2nd place in the Adidas Adios Pro, which was pretty amazing, especially considering how muddy the course was this year.
I put about 300 miles the Zegama 1, love everything about the shoe but the weight. They are so heavy and they feel it. Was disappointed to see the weight has not improved. It is just too heavy to race in, imo.
It's definitely not the lightest shoe, and the only thing having me still considering racing in it is due to how comfortable it is. But if there are other options as comfortable and lighter, that would be a better race option. Thanks for watching!
@JMoff67 I got opposite feeling thanks to zoomX, when you run, the feeling is like -50 g weight in comparison to other shoes. Do you have similar experience?
There are other shoes I’ve run in that feel lighter than the weight, but this one just doesn’t for me. But I get that for some people. I agree though - it is so comfortable, toe box is nice and roomy, but it feels like “too much shoe” for western states (my next race) however when I ran on really rocky technical terrain in Spain I was glad to have it on my feet. Will definitely stay in my training rotation! Thanks for the reviews - love your podcasts!
Im dead serious! 💘
🤣🤣🤣 Much appreciated!
Would you guys size up for ultra distances ?
we both race (ultras) in the same size. 10 for Brett and 12 for Finn. I (Brett) do go down a half a size for road racing though. That answer is going to vary quite a bit from person to person depending on how their foot changes during an ultra. Mine don't swell much, so I've never had to go up an additional half size.
@@ConversationalPace thanks for the reply 👌
I returned the Zegama 2's after a brief period. Too hot, too chunky, no toe protections, totally overbuilt...onward...I did enjoy the Zegama 1's so pretty disappointed...
Wow, there can be shoe that is more overbuilt than Z1 upper? 😅
Yeah this Z2 definitely isn't a nimble or breathable shoe. From Nike, the Kiger or Wildhorse would check more of those boxes
Altra Olympus could be a comp too
Wider and even more cushioned!
J ai acheté ces zegama2 , et j ai vraiment un gros soucis avec cette chaussure , j ai l impression que mon avant pied a pas de place au dessus , trop confiné, pourquoi faut il que Nike gâche toujours quelque chose ......je suis vraiment écoeuré, j attendais bcp de cette chaussure 😡, ça me fait mal de le dire mais je crois que je vais arrêter avec cette marque , et pourtant j ai vraiment essayé 🤔, a la limite ils auraient fait la zegama 1 avec le vibram c était parfait .....
Malheureusement, ce n'était pas la bonne solution pour vous. Avez-vous trouvé que l'avant-pied du Zegama 1 avait suffisamment de place pour vous ? (Google translate)
@@ConversationalPacej ai utilisé une astuce de cordonnier, avec du papier journal humide placé au fond de la chaussure , bien compact , histoire de détendre le mesh en largeur mais aussi au dessus du pied , et après essai cette après midi , le problème est réglé.
Très cool !
had to give a like for "Cocodona, shoe donor" by Brett
🤣🤣 I'm glad that one landed
Rock plate?
They do have a plastic rock plate in the forefoot. It's in the same spot as the first Zegama 👍
Thank you
How dare you Brett??!!! Max Trabuco for life 😂🙃
My allegiance stands with only the most comfortable shoe 😂
Commenting because Brett is on something. Not sure he's *onto* something, but he is clearly on something :p
Haha yeah it's called severe sleep deprivation from having a 3 week old when we recorded this review 😆
@@ConversationalPace Congrats, and kudos on having the most miles on this model of any reviewer. I think that title is safe.
All in a day's (or multiple months) work!
Matrix bois
Definitely hoping to get the Xodus Ultra 3 in for review! We were waiting for this one since the 2 was just a slight update over the 1 and there were quite a few established reviews out there. Thanks for watching!
Some times I go with the look, and that shoe is horrible! Also what that thing on top when you use your laces... seems a lot over constructed
Nike definitely added a bit of flair to these ones, for better or worse 😅
Never worn a Nike, ever.. In my life.
And this doesnt look like a trail shoe, this looks Walmart.
I always say that only performance counts, and that I don't care about the looks (as long as the shoe look fire.. to stay consistent).
If they have it in wide I will swallow my pride and try to get it.. 2E would be the reason to Nike for the first time..
hahaha Walmart?? I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder 😂
@@ConversationalPace Ow man it is the ugliest shoe, they beat Brooks which ain't easy (the Agil looks fire though)
It looks like a Nike.. brrr..
Sketchers is more premium to me.
on a serious note:
This shoe does NOT have the shape of a trailshoe. It looks like a banana.
Too narrow too pointy.
Speedland got it. Altra with the Mon(t) Blan(c) Carbon got it. Asics with the Trabuco Max 2/3 got it. Brooks with the new Cascadia 18 might have gotten it as well.
No pointy narrow shoes on the trails.
I have the Salomon S/lab genesis coming for this week, The Topo Traverse and the S/Lab Ultra (All 1/2 size up)
But they might all go back and I wait for the speedgoat 6 and the Cascadia 18 in 2e as a can do all shoe inc long hikes with backpack.
Did I say cascadia? the worst trail shoe i ever tried on? yep.. I have good hopes for 18..
Tell me if I am wrong.
haha we haven't tried the Cascadia 18 out yet, so don't know for sure
even a pair of tnf enduris is way better for non tech ultra distance, than this brick
Haha we don't expect shoes that we like to work for everyone. With that being said, the Enduris is a very underrated option!