The Nike Zoom Fly 6 is a plated training shoe or super-trainer. It’s designed mainly for fast training sessions, but can also work as an all-rounder or racing shoes. it’s a major upgrade on the Nike Zoom Fly 5, with a lighter design that has more of Nike’s bouncy ZoomX foam in its midsole, and one of the best running shoes we’ve tested this year. Its main competition are top plated trainers like the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 and Hoka Mach 6.

Key Stats

  • Price: £155/$170
  • Weight: 266g/9.4oz (men’s UK 9 / US 10)
  • Drop: 8mm
  • Stack height: 42mm heel, 34mm forefoot

Nike Zoom Fly 6 Review

How’s The Fit

Nick tested his usual running shoe size with the Nike Zoom Fly 6 and it fit well, with no rubbing around the toes or slippage at the heel. It’s not as roomy in the toe-box as some Nike shoes in the same size, but it’s also not cramped enough to make it worth sizing up.

The Run Test: Likes

The Zoom Fly 6 is an impressive all-rounder that feels comfortable for relaxed runs but has a lot of pace for faster sessions too. Nick used the shoe for a tough track session running 10 x 1 mile reps, plus a steady 90 minute run including a 1:15 half marathon, and was pleasantly surprised at how fast the Zoom Fly 6 felt.

It’s also more comfortable than most super-trainers thanks to the padded upper and high level of cushioning underfoot. This is a shoe you can use for pure easy runs of any length, and for a high stack shoe with some soft foams in the midsole, it also felt stable for us during testing.

Overall its versatility is the main feature that stood out about the Nike Zoom Fly 6. It’s a shoe you can use and enjoy using every day, and could even stand in for a carbon plate running shoe come race day, though it does lack the speed of the best super-shoes.

The Run Test: Dislikes

It’s a fast shoe, but the Zoom Fly 6 is not quite as quick as lighter super-trainers like the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 and Hoka Mach X2. It’s also a pretty loud shoe, a problem we’ve come across before with Nike running shoes like the Alphafly 3.

While it’s not too large, the Zoom Fly 6 is also not as nimble as the Mach X2 and Speed 4 and this detracts from its suitability for faster sessions and races compared to those rival super-trainers, even if the Nike is still undoubtedly a quick shoe.

Verdict And Alternatives

The Nike Zoom Fly 6 is an excellent shoe and one of the best super-trainers on the market, especially if you’re looking for a plated trainer that excels for easy runs as well as faster stuff. It’s a great pick for marathon training, and would work well as a long distance racer if you don’t want to buy one of the best carbon plate running shoes.

Its primary competition comes from the Hoka Mach X2 and Saucony Endorphin Speed 4, which are lighter and a bit faster. However, the Nike Zoom Fly 6 is more comfortable, with more foam underfoot than the Speed 4, and a better upper with more padding than the Mach X2.

The New Balance SC Trainer v3 is a similar shoe that excels on the same kind of runs, but much more expensive than the Nike Zoom Fly 6. The Asics Superblast 2 is a plate-free training shoe that offers an incredibly versatile ride, but we find the Zoom Fly 6 a bit quicker for hard interval sessions.

Within Nike’s range the Zoom Fly 6 is the outstanding training option, offering a faster ride than any of the Pegasus shoes while still being comfortable. It’s also pretty good value, especially compared to the heavy Pegasus Premium. If you want a more comfortable and stable shoe just for easy runs then the Nike Pegasus 41 or Nike Vomero 17 would be better options.

Nike Zoom Fly 6 vs Asics Superblast 2

The Superblast 2 is a plate-free super-trainer that is similarly versatile to the Nike Zoom Fly 6 and a bit lighter, but it’s also more expensive and not quite as poppy for faster runs in our experience. Nick compares the two shoes in more detail in this video.

Nike Zoom Fly 6 vs Hoka Mach X2

The Mach X2 is another one of our favourite new super-trainers of 2024, and it’s a bit lighter and faster than the Nike Zoom Fly 6. The Nike is more comfortable though, and has a better upper for daily training, because the Mach X2 can rub at the heel. Here’s our full comparison of the shoes.

Nike Zoom Fly 6 vs Saucony Endorphin Speed 4

The Endorphin Speed 4 is a lighter and nimbler shoe than the Nike Zoom Fly 6, with a more rockered and direct ride. It’s less comfortable and bouncy than the Nike though, and the Zoom Fly 6 is a better option for long hard runs and races. Nick compares the two shoes in this video.

Nike Zoom Fly 6 vs New Balance SC Trainer v3

The Zoom Fly 6 and SC Trainer v3 are similar super-trainers, in that they both offer a lot of comfort while still being fast shoes and work well for marathon training in particular. However, the Nike is a better shoe for most types of runs in our experience, and also a cheaper shoe, especially in the UK, so it’s the one we’d get from this pair.