Upper material with excellent breathability and lightweight
The upper material, similar to the Mamba V, is made of a single-layer Flymesh that is also used in models like the Vaporfly and Zoom Fly. The upper made of Flymesh (engineered mesh) combines breathability and lightweight properties, featuring woven sections that allow for partial durability and open weaves that provide breathability and flexibility, designed to fit the movements of the foot, resulting in a snug fit for the wearer. - Open weave: Areas prone to heat accumulation, such as the instep and sides - Tight weave: Areas under load, such as the toe and heel The sizing is characterized by a low instep box and narrow width, so those with high arches typical of Japanese people should consider this.
Upper structure that releases heat
- Heat-releasing × heel-holding "hole" There is a large ventilation hole slightly above the upper heel area that releases heat, preventing it from accumulating inside the shoe and wasting energy. Additionally, it is designed not only to release heat but also to securely hold the heel in place, preventing movement within the shoe. There are numerous small ventilation holes throughout the upper, including the instep and sides, providing a breezy feel and high breathability, effectively releasing the "heat" that is a major enemy for long distances. - Drawback Due to its very lightweight nature, the upper is thin, which may lead to slightly reduced durability depending on the landing style, such as forefoot running with toe landings.
Uses the same sole as short-distance spikes like the Zoom 400
The pin count is six, and it comes with stainless steel replaceable 7mm needle pins. Since the pins are arranged across the entire surface, they are exceptionally compatible with flat landings. The nylon resin plate extends from the toe to the 3/4 part, making it harder and superior in rebound compared to other middle-distance spikes. Among NIKE's long-distance spikes, it boasts the second-best rebound performance, following the previous model, which is number one in rebound performance, and ranks second overall alongside the Adizero Avanti. It uses the same sole material as short-distance spikes like the Zoom JA Fly 3 and Zoom 400, resulting in a finish more akin to middle-distance spikes than long-distance. Furthermore, this is a common feature of NIKE's track spikes, characterized by a serrated structure that assists in rolling the center of gravity forward due to the raised area around the ball of the foot.
Sole focused on center of gravity balance
The curvature of the sole is the flattest among NIKE's middle-distance spikes. The raised area around the ball of the foot, characteristic of NIKE's outsoles, is designed to easily transfer the center of gravity to the forefoot upon landing. However, since the sole is flat, it can also handle flat landings without any issues. Additionally, while the sole structure is similar to the Zoom Victory 3, which is more suited for 1500m, the decisive difference is the lightweight and high-rebound Phylon material in the midsole. The Zoom Victory 3 uses a material called Cushlon, which excels in lightness and cushioning, so for those who prefer cushioning over rebound, I recommend the Victory 3 over the Zoom Victory Elite 2. Note that it is quite thin, so cushioning is low.
