When Nike launched its Infinity Flyknit operating shoe, it got here with the caveat that it could assist runners keep away from accidents. Two years later, Nike is again with the third iteration of its straightforward, on a regular basis operating shoe, with some extra tweaks to the higher to supply a easy experience underfoot. However how does it examine to a few of the best Nike running shoes in the marketplace? I’ve run 30 miles within the shoe, over plenty of completely different terrains and kinds of periods, to place it to the check.
Followers of the Infinity will probably be thrilled to listen to not all that a lot has modified between the second and third variations of this shoe. Nike says it has added extra cushioning across the heel and ankle for assist, and has added Flyknit to the higher. It’s nonetheless a snug all-rounder, however in my view, it lacks the flexibility of the unique model of this shoe and is about $50 too costly for many rookies. Learn my full Nike Infinity Flyknit 3 evaluation under to search out out extra.
Nike React Infinity Flyknit 3 evaluation: Worth and availability
The Nike React Infinity Flyknit 3 is £144.95/$160 and has been obtainable within the UK and the US as of April 2022. The shoe is available in 5 completely different colorways for each women and men and is out there in sizes US 5 to US 12 (UK 2.5 to UK 9.5) within the girls’s sizing, and US 6.5 to US 15 (UK 6 to UK 14) within the males’s.
The shoe is dearer than the likes of the Nike Pegasus 38 (and Pegasus 39, additionally launched in April 2022), which value $120.
Nike React Infinity Flyknit 3 evaluation: Design and match
Nike calls this its “most examined shoe.” There’s a little bit of a background story right here — when Nike first launched the Infinity, it got here alongside a physique of analysis that checked out how runners ran, and what they wanted from a shoe to forestall frequent operating accidents. The findings of the examine, carried out by the British Columbia Sports activities Medication Analysis Basis, discovered that the runners sporting the React Infinity had a 52% decrease damage fee than these within the movement management shoe (Nike’s Construction 22), with wearers confirming that they felt much less ache of their knees and toes.
Nike React Infinity Flyknit 3: Specs
Sort: Highway
Drop: Nike has not but confirmed
Colours obtainable: 5
The modifications within the second iteration of this shoe echoed this analysis — with the introduction of a sturdier higher to present runners extra assist. Personally, I missed the lighter, sock-like higher of the preliminary Infinity Run, which I used for lots of lengthy, straightforward coaching miles. The thicker higher someway made this shoe really feel heftier, and fewer versatile. With the third iteration, Nike has tweaked the higher once more, and added extra cushioning across the heel and ankle for a extra supportive really feel underfoot.
Higher
The higher on the Nike React Infinity Flyknit 3 is comprised of Nike’s “Flyknit” materials, which is designed to be sock-like, and hug the foot for a safe feeling. As talked about, the higher modified within the second iteration of the shoe, in an try and make the shoe extra supportive and comfy. Within the Infinity Flyknit 2, Nike added padding to the collar and tongue, and included ‘Flywire cables’ to supply further assist in areas of the shoe.
The higher of the Flyknit 3 feels similar to that of the second model of the shoe — it does really feel slightly lighter, however continues to be not anyplace close to as sock-like because it was within the first model of the shoe.
Midsole
The midsole of the Nike React Infinity Flyknit 3 comprises Nike’s React foam, which is firmer and extra supportive than the ZoomX foam utilized in footwear just like the Nike Invincible Run, or the Nike Vaporfly Next% 2. It’s the identical foam as that used within the Pegasus 38, and provides you a handy guide a rough really feel underfoot, with out being overly bouncy. Like with different React footwear, I discovered I needed to nearly break these footwear in, and it wasn’t till I’d carried out a number of miles in them that I discovered the froth to be cushioned slightly than agency.
Once more, like earlier variations of the shoe, the silhouette is similar — there’s a wider toebox for a steady really feel underfoot, plus a rocker geometry to assist assist the stride, and help a pure toe-off. This rocker isn’t all that exaggerated, nevertheless it’s undoubtedly there.
Nike says it has added extra cushioning across the heel and ankle within the third iteration of the shoe, and these have been snug straight out the field. Nevertheless underfoot, they felt similar to the earlier shoe.
Outsole
The outsole of the Nike Infinity Flyknit 3 is unquestionably constructed for the roads slightly than the paths. There’s no deep lugs right here, however they’re undoubtedly gripper on the pavement than say, the Nike Invincible Run, and through testing, I had no subject with these on moist concrete, the treadmill, or mild path.
Nike React Infinity Flyknit 3 evaluation: Efficiency
Just like the Infinity Flyknit 2, it is a first rate shoe for on a regular basis miles. It’s snug sufficient to put on in your lengthy runs, and it might be responsive sufficient for speedier tempo periods, though sooner runners would possibly discover them slightly hefty, and there are higher footwear on the market for that (take a look at our best carbon fiber running shoes).
If you happen to’re not evaluating them to earlier variations, as I’m, you’re certain to benefit from the responsiveness of the React foam, and the steadiness added to the shoe to assist delicate overpronators within the ultimate miles of a long term.
In addition they look nice too, which isn’t all that essential for a operating shoe, however in my view, in case you’re spending $160 on a shoe, you need to have the ability to put on it to the fitness center or within the workplace as effectively.
Nike React Infinity Flyknit 3 evaluation: Verdict
Whereas the third-generation Flyknit is nice for simple coaching miles, my coronary heart longs for the underfoot really feel of the unique Infinity Flyknit, which I discovered to be much more versatile, and much much less hefty. I’d additionally argue that not all that a lot has modified because the Flyknit 2, so in case you’re on a finances, snap the earlier model up within the sale and also you received’t be disillusioned.
If you happen to’re not trying to spend $160 on a shoe, the Pegasus 38 shares lots of the qualities of the Infinity Flyknit 2 — dependable, constructed for lengthy coaching miles, and comfy underfoot, for $40 much less. What’s extra, the Pegasus 39 is because of drop any day now, so that you’ll seemingly have the ability to snap the 38 up for even cheaper.
If you happen to’re in search of one thing extra thrilling, the ZoomX foam within the Nike Invincible Run is way extra responsive and bouncy, and feels nice, even when operating on drained legs.
