Kit & Gear

REVIEW: Nike Zegama 2

Equipped with an ultra-responsive ZoomX foam midsole, the Nike Zegama Trail 2 is designed to conquer steep ridges, jagged rocks and races from trailhead to tip. Optimal cushioning complements a rugged outsole made for your trail running journey.

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Our Sportsshoes x Nike Athlete in Residence, Seb Batchelor, has recently been testing the new Nike Zegama 2 in preparation for the Transalpine race later this year.

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Seb says: I’ve already put in a lot of miles in the ZEGAMA 2 and I’m massively impressed, it’s my new favourite shoe in the Nike Trail range. The full ZoomX midsole is incredibly responsive, you can effortlessly eat up the trails. I’ve also experienced no foot fatigue even on 5 hour runs due to the comfort of both the upper and midsole. The Vibram outsole is a great addition, grip is now second to none, I can descend with a huge amount of confidence for a shoe with a larger stack height. Nike put a huge amount of testing into this shoe, and it shows, they are well and truly on the map for high performing trail shoes!

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Key features

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Engineered Mesh Upper

Stronger and more flexible than normal mesh, the upper of the Nike Zegama 2 has been created with engineered mesh uppers that encase each foot in breathable comfort. Perforations within the fabric increase airflow, creating a better, healthier environment for your feet to thrive in. The upper also includes an internal heel counter that helps to increase stability on a variety of terrains, whilst the built-in gaiter seals out dirt and debris so you stay comfortable and protected. Overlays stretch across the toe for extra durability. Finishing the upper of the shoes is a traditional lacing system that locks down the midfoot for greater stability and control, so you can feel confident out on the trail.

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Nike ZoomX midsole

Ultra-light and super-responsive, this ZoomX foam midsole material delivers Nike's greatest energy return yet for responsive comfort on the trail. It absorbs impact and then expels it back out for a bounce-like effect. This energy-return technology reduces the use of superfluous muscle power, diminishing fatigue and enhancing performance, keeping you going for longer. The revolutionary ZoomX foam is manufactured from Pebax, a product conventionally used in plastic bridges and other moulded parts and yields cushioning that is not only lightweight but soft and springy. Until now, these three characteristics (collectively) have proven nearly impossible to achieve. Pebax has a lower density than some thermoplastic alternatives and this makes it lighter, flexible and more impact-resistant, whilst giving it a higher capacity for energy return. When blown into a foam these properties remain, gifting you with a lively underfoot feeling that encourages you to run fast. Signalling the incredible resilience of ZoomX, the tiny creases that occur on every midsole, do not have an impact on the foam's performance; these beauty marks are a result of the autoclave process which places the foam under extreme heat and pressure. The ZoomX sheets are then compressed in a Phylon preform which shapes the midsole parts. Because the special foam is so lightweight (one-third the weight of Cushlon), Nike can use more of it to separate your foot from the ground; this means you get a thick and supportive midsole that will spare your joints as you strike down onto the hard, unforgiving ground.

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Vibram Megagrip Outsole

Vibram Zegama outsole made with Vibram Megagrip has a diverse lug pattern highlighted with wide spacing. This means you get traction for more technical terrain and on softer ground the lugs cut into the earth for non-slip performance so you can feel comfortable every time you step out.

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Behind the design

This special design is part of our ongoing #IYKYK series. It traverses the Pyrenees mountains via the GR 11, using the coastal lighthouses as your guide from the Mediterranean Sea to the Cantabrian Sea.

GR 11 is a bucket-list excursion for worldwide trail-running enthusiasts. The painted red-and-white stripes on the midsole signify the signage colours used along the trail. The "lighthouse to lighthouse" landmarks on the insoles and splashes of yellow throughout represent beacons of light for the runners fortunate to complete the entire course. The deep blues herald the ocean waters that greet the runners at the 750-km trek's start and finish. Greens and greys represent the rocks and limestone peppering the Pyrenees.

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