I've run in the Tecton X and the Endorphin Edge and so far I'm not sold on carbon plates for trail shoes, especially when it comes to ultra distances. I've found them fun for workouts or shorter stuff where i can push hard but on longer runs I just don't feel a benefit. Stability in rough, technical terrain is also not where I want it to be.
As much as I wanted to invest the same amount on NIKE's Top of the Range Road Racing Shoes. I considered substituting those with The Ultraflys. 1. I can use them on a Run and still have that "low key" look while wearing these shoes. 2. I can use them 'everyday' once they've met their required miles.
Those lugs seem like they'd wear out quick, although good to see they're going with the Vibram grip like many others! Don't think for almost double the money I would change away from my Hoka Speedgoat 5's and I reckon the Speedgoats are much more durable.
Koudos to you Ben - second honest review of this shoe I’ve seen. This shoe is no good for the Uk in anything but ideal conditions. Needs a bigger lug depth and to be more flexible - possibly a nylon plate. And the colourway 🤦♂️
The Arcteryx Norvan SL is 150g and stays under 200g for my UK12. So saying that 350g for a trail shoe is extremely light is not really true. 100s of models in-between for real faster trail racing or for gnarly ultra events. On the other hand, maybe it is just a one off, but not many brands use full cover outsoles and this vibram layer is very well made. I hope they used a thicker more beefy ankle collar than in the kigers so the stiff plate doesn't cause the shoe peeling off from your heels. In the end, while still is a business, I think it is still better to spend 300€ on a sport or a running shoe, than on cigarettes, alcohol, useless clothes or fastfood. Thanks for the review and keep it up
Enjoyed the review and concur with the assessment. Though having ran ultras in the ultrafly, Kjerag and Tectron I have found the Ultrafly to be the most comfortable by far. Remarkably comfortable I would go as far as saying. Your point on mud is right though - I used the Ultrafly for last weekend’s North Downs Way 100 miler which was a washout. The grip wasn’t great but then again not worse than most regular trail shoes. You’d have to go for specific deep mud trail shoes like Talon’s - but no-one can wear those comfortably for a 100 miler!
Please review the new NB FuelCell SC Trail. I think NB really nailed it with this shoe. I tried the Endorphin Edge, Tecton X 1 & 2, and Speedland SL:HSV amongst the carbon-plated trail shoes and, to me, the SC Trail is far superior in every single way. My current favorites are the Saucony Xodus Ultra (both 1 & 2) and the Peregrine 13 but I think the SC Trail will end up being my all-round favorite after some more miles.
@@davidpage8147 I'm sure I would as I love the Xodus Ultra (1 & 2) and Peregrine 13. I just don't know if I need another trail shoe after getting the SC Trail when I mainly run on the road. What really works well for me with the SC Trail is how great it feels and rides on pavement, which allows me to run both the road and trail in equal distances in a single session. I like the SC Trail for road running as much as my road daily trainers like the Boston 12, Puma Deviate Nitro 2, and Endorphin Speed 3, which is saying a lot. I'd have no qualms about going on a 10-mile road run with the SC Trail, which I would not want to do with any other trail shoes I have. On the flip side, I don't have road shoes I'd want to take on a "real" trail although I will use the Deviate Nitro 2 and Velocity Nitro 2 for road-to-mild-trails kinds of runs.
Awesome gravel trail shoe, but that's about it. Good job Nike for finally using a proper rubber for the sole. Looking forward to seeing them use Vibram in the future.
Ben have you tried the hoka tecton x ? You can get the first version £100 cheaper then the ultra fly and I think it’s better I enjoyed the ultra fly tho
Great review, personally would never entertain a whire trail running shoe,. Even putting it in the washing machine will never get back to its original colour. I much prefer a trail shoe that does not have a traditional lace but has a pull and tag set up like Salomon.
Thanks for testing it out. I think if it was £100 cheaper there might be a market for it but a trail shoe with no protector and white? Really?? It's probably a good road to trail option.
I think Nike release this og colorway just to test the water before they release more colorways. Nike’s trail apartment is not their strongest suit… That said, this shoe makes a good road or lifestyle shoe if money is no object to you.
Too expensive, better options at lower prices. I picked up some exodus ultras for less than £90 I know they don't have a carbon plate, but do you really need them on a trail shoe?
I find Hoka are just too narrow. I liked the Tecton x minus the blisters and pinching. Picked the ultra fly up with 25% off so more palatable price. First run tomorrow…
I didn’t try hoka tecton x until first version was on clearance and glad I waited. Trail running is so use case specific that I feel it is too expensive to pay high price for shoes that often are wrong for the weather or exact type of trail you may encounter in different races.
I picked it up with a 25% off thankfully, I feel like it will be just a winter running shoe, or just a road to trail, more canal paths than actual fells though.
It is very expensive, very delicate to be a trail shoe, not very stable, too wide at the toe and the sole, although it is binram, the studs are very low, it is behind the adidas terrex and others.
I do think that the lugs need to be deeper at least for the trails over here in UK (Where I run on the Cleveland Way) and for £230 I would rather pick up a pair of Hoka Tecton X 2's for £185.
also noticed the tongue sliding down and bunching, had to stop multiple times to pull it up, wish it had loop in the tongue to put the laces through to prevent this
So expensive! My go to fast trail shoe is the Brooks Catamount 2, great versatile shoe. This Nike as nothing on the North Face Vectiv. Even the Puma grip found in deviate nitro 2 looks better than the 3mm lug depth in this shoe
@@gothicgorey it’s totally fine as the lug shape is flat and broad, I normally run on road for at least 3-5km before reaching my trails. The best thing about the catamount is the secure fit yet has enough space in the forefoot to splay and decent ground feel
Thought Nike had moved on from Vaporweave, so kind of surprised they are revisiting it. Do u think the Ultrafly will be a lot more durable than the Vaporfly?
I’ve never bought in to the carbon footplate scene for two reasons, 1, the price just far too expensive for me. 2, I only see them as being an advantage for top end runners, I’m never going to get anywhere near the front runners regardless of the edge these might give me. I’d much rather spend £100 less on a pair of shoes that will give me so much more than these.
That price is just ridiculous. For me the colour doesnt matter at all. Its trail shoes and they are supposed to look and get dirty. TnF make brilliant plated shoes at a whole different cost, try them instead
I still Love them!!! Where was you running Ben? Is it Surrey? Also, how often do you jog Bushy Park in Hampton Wick? (Please tell me the stags won't chase me if I get exercising)
So intrigued about this shoe and it’s been in the basket so many times, I just cant pull the trigger! .. as you say we could buy 2 pairs of Speedgoats! 😅 And yes white shoes on the trail I love it! .. I have some Arcteryx Norvan LD3’s in White/Phemon, they look amazing covered in mud! 👌🏻 Thanks for the review 👍🏻
Hi Ben. Will you do a review of the Asics Fuji Speed 2? I just ordered them and are curious if they are any good? How do they compare to the Ultrafly and the Tecton X?
are you gonna do a comparison video between the ultrafly tecton and the vectiv. I used alfaflys for my off road 50k . I am thinking of using vaportrails for my next 50k
Just wondering if this would be a more durable shoe over the Vaporfly. I wear the vaporfly for anything from 5k up to HM but the sole is just not very durable and I’m thinking these (although heavier) might offer more value for money over the longer term….
migth be the widest nike shoe ever, I can't wear any nike running shoes because I have wide shoes. I wanted alphafly's but they are super unstable for me.
@@Arki2019 Perhaps for ethical reasons... Nike does have a pretty shocking track record and still today outsources to factories in countries without workers' rights laws.
@@bev9708 as do most big brands not just Nike. It’s a shame we can’t boycott them all. Even the ethical companies, the question is where were the raw materials sourced from and under what conditions
I had my first run in the these yesterday. Wasnt really impressed. I saw a review somewhere where they said it might be Nikes best road shoe. What a load of rubbish! My route has a mile of road before i hit the trail and i found these very stiff. I also have a pair of Zegama and i did the same route 2 days back to back, once in Zegama, second in Ultrafly. I found the Zegama much more enjoyable to run in however i was almost 30seconds per mile faster in the Uktrafly! I also found that my first few runs in the Zegama, they were also quite stiff and unresponsive but have loosened up a lot since. Hoping the Ultrafly will do the same.
This shoe looks hopeless. If you are needing a shoe for a fast cross country race, like here in Australia with our generally hard, compacted ground, it's too heavy by far. And it is clearly no good for anything more technical - with zero toe protection. Just how did it get to be that heavy?? No idea who will buy this shoe
Nothing can compare to innov8 x talons , which have won many x country world champs. No one needs carbon shoes offroad. + the lugs underneath are pathetic, tiny
