The Nike Streakfly 2 is an ultra-lightweight racing shoe built for short, high-intensity efforts from the mile up to 10K. It combines Nike's ZoomX foam with a thin full-length carbon Flyplate, creating a sharp, track-inspired feel that rewards forefoot strikers with rapid turnover and quick transitions. Compared to the original Nike Streakfly, it has an even lower stack height and drop, a more aggressive rocker geometry, and a snug, stripped-down upper, making it far more specialized as a pure speed shoe. This focus on minimal weight and direct ground feel positions it as one of the most aggressive racing options available for short-distance specialists and one that dares you to go faster.
Our Verdict
The Nike Streakfly 2 isn't designed at all for the marathon, as its thin midsole and low stack provide little protection once fatigue sets in. It feels very harsh over long distances and lacks the cushioning needed to support tired legs, making it completely unsuitable for 26.2 miles.
Thin, flexible carbon plate adds some snap.
Very light.
Insufficient protection for anything but very short events.
The Nike Streakfly 2 excels in short races, where its ultra-lightweight build and carbon plate almost make it feel like a road-optimized track spike. It turns over effortlessly at high speeds, providing a snappy, propulsive ride that rewards high-cadence runners with good running mechanics, making it ideal for the mile, 5K, and 10K.
Thin, flexible carbon plate adds some snap.
Very light.
Good bounciness from the ZoomX midsole.
The Nike Streakfly 2 delivers great energy return through its ZoomX foam, especially when loaded on the forefoot. The rebound feels immediate and efficient, giving runners an extra gear at faster paces, though it depends heavily on good form and the ability to stay up on the toes.
Good bounciness from the ZoomX midsole.
The Nike Streakfly 2 offers minimal cushioning, with just enough foam in the forefoot to keep you protected from the ground for shorter distances. The ride feels raw and direct, keeping you close to the ground but offering little comfort for longer efforts or runners who prefer a softer platform.
Insufficient protection for anything but very short events.
The Nike Streakfly 2 provides decent overall stability thanks to the stiff plate and firm underfoot foam, helping it stay planted when running at pace. However, the super-narrow platform and minimal build translate into limited stability as the distance piles up and the form deteriorates, making the shoe a practical option only for very short, fast races. In practice, the shoe's design forces the stabilizing muscles to work harder to stay balanced, which can become taxing on the legs over time.
Thin, flexible carbon plate adds some stiffness.
Decently stable for runners with good form over short distances.
Narrow platform makes for quite an unstable ride.
The shoe's construction engages stability muscles heavily, which can be fatiguing.
Performance Usages
Changelog
- Updated Oct 28, 2025: We've converted this review to Test Bench 0.9, which adds a Forefoot Long Run Cushioning test to our performance section. Read more in our changelog.
-
Updated Oct 01, 2025:
We updated the Forefoot Energy Return, Forefoot Cushioning, Heel Firmness, and Forefoot Firmness boxes to align with the latest test bench, and revised the side-by-side comparisons to keep the review accurate.
- Updated Oct 01, 2025: We've converted this review to Test Bench 0.8.2, which updates our methodology for the impact force range used in our compression tests to improve their accuracy. This also affects all usage and performance usage boxes using those compression tests as score components.
- Updated Sep 08, 2025: Review published.
Check Price
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We bought and tested the Nike Streakfly 2 in men's US size 9, as noted on the label for our pair. The pair we purchased is the Proto edition in the Sail/Total Orange/White/Black colorway, but you can also buy the shoe in several other styles, depending on the region. Other colorways include Ghost/Persian Violet/Blue Lightning/Blue Void, Bright Crimson/Hyper, White/Obsidian Mist/Pure Platinum/Gridiron Orange/Gridiron/Lime Blast, and Glacier Blue/Mint Foam/Black. Unlike some other Nike shoes, this model is only offered in standard width. The design section applies only to the exact model we tested, but we expect other size and gender variants to perform similarly.
Popular Running Shoe Comparisons
The Nike Streakfly 2 is Nike's pure short-distance racer, designed for hard efforts from the mile up to the 10K. It's one of the lightest shoes on the market, built with a low stack, carbon Flyplate, and ZoomX foam tuned for quick compression and rebound. The ride is extremely direct and favors midfoot or forefoot strikers, delivering sharp turnover and a powerful toe-off when running at 5K or 10K effort. Compared to the first version, it's significantly lighter and more aggressive, with a more refined execution that makes it far better specialized for its purpose. It doesn't offer much protection, so heel strikers and those used to higher-stack super shoes will likely find it harsh and calf-taxing. Runners who want a similar tool for their arsenal but are willing to carry a bit more weight in exchange for added protection could turn to the adidas Adizero Takumi Sen 11, though it doesn't deliver the same level of efficiency. Runners who just need a decently lightweight option for easier daily training should look towards a shoe like the HOKA Mach 6 instead. For the right runner (experienced and with good form), the Streakfly 2 provides one of the most efficient rides available, but it's not suited for longer runs, easy paces, or those who value comfort over performance.
Within Nike's super shoe lineup, there's also the Nike Vaporfly 4, which covers the middle ground with more cushioning and versatility for 10K up to the half marathon, while the Nike Alphafly 3 is tuned for longer efforts, delivering higher stack and protection for half marathon to marathon racing. Runners chasing 5K and 10K PRs will find the Streakfly 2 an unmatched lightweight weapon, but those who need more protection or want a shoe that doubles for training and racing should look toward the Vaporfly or Alphafly instead.
For additional options, check out our recommendations for the best running shoes, as well as the best long-distance running shoes and the best shoes for running a marathon.
The Nike Streakfly 2 and the Nike Zoom Fly 6 both live in Nike's performance range but take very different approaches. The Streakfly 2 is a featherweight, low-to-the-ground option designed for short-distance racing and fast workouts, excelling in short efforts up to 10K with its aggressive geometry and firm, direct feel. It delivers unmatched efficiency and lightness at those distances but offers little in terms of cushioning, durability, or versatility. The Zoom Fly 6, on the other hand, is Nike's carbon-plated super trainer built for repeated use in training. It carries more cushioning, better durability, and a more structured platform that makes it suitable for intervals, race-pace long runs, and everyday speed work. While not as energetic or efficient as a true super shoe, it provides an approachable plated ride that holds up for a wide variety of training scenarios.
The adidas Adizero Takumi Sen 11 and
the Nike Streakfly 2 are both built for shorter races and fast sessions, but they take different paths. The Takumi Sen 11 carries a bit more weight and sits on a higher stack, offering a touch more cushioning. Its EnergyRods add some stiffness, and in terms of raw midsole energy return, it actually has an edge. The Streakfly 2, however, is in a class of its own when it comes to efficiency at short distances. Its ultra-light build, firm forefoot, and full-length carbon plate make it incredibly snappy and efficient at higher paces, feeling closer to a track spike for the road. If you want a little more substance and protection, the adidas may suit you better, but for pure speed and efficiency over 5K to 10K, the Nike is unmatched.
The Nike Streakfly 2 and the Nike Vaporfly 4 are both lightweight racing shoes from the Oregon-based brand, but they're tuned for very different purposes. The Streakfly 2 is lighter and lower to the ground, designed for all-out efforts over shorter distances like the 5K or 10K. It delivers a firmer, more direct feel underfoot, with a sharp forefoot rocker that rewards fast turnover but offers limited protection for longer efforts. The Vaporfly 4, by contrast, is more versatile and better suited to mid-distance racing from 10K up to the half-marathon. It carries more stack height, providing greater cushioning and protection while still maintaining a snappy, efficient ride, with a carbon plate that's stiffer than the Streakfly's thin, flexible plate.
The Nike Streakfly 2 and the adidas Adizero Adios 9 are both stripped-down speed shoes built for short, fast efforts, but they take different approaches. The Streakfly 2 is much lighter, with a carbon plate and a sharply angled forefoot geometry that gives it a snappy feel reminiscent of track spikes. The Adios 9, while still very light, uses a partial plastic shank instead of a full plate, and its ride is firmer in the forefoot and more grounded with a more traditional flat-racer sensation. Both shoes are firm and snappy underfoot, though the Streakfly 2 feels a bit firmer in the heel.
We've recently started buying and testing running shoes with a very data-oriented approach. While we're just getting started, our methodology already has dozens of tests to help you make the right purchasing decision for your needs. Not only do we use high-end equipment to gather objective data, but we also order multiple sizes of the same shoes for team members to be able to log in miles. This real-world testing is done at various paces and conditions, and with different types of workouts, to cover all the bases. This allows us to verify our results and ensure they align with what you might feel with a specific pair.
Test Results
The Nike Streakfly 2 is insanely lightweight, among the very lightest racing shoes we've tested. Nike trimmed the upper down to the bare minimum and paired it with a low stack of high-performance foam, creating a shoe that almost disappears on foot. It's worth noting that some long-distance super shoes like the adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 2 are only slightly heavier, but those are tuned for marathon efficiency rather than short-distance performance. For mile to 10K racing, the Streakfly 2's featherweight build makes turnover effortless.
The Nike Streakfly 2 has a low stack height, especially for a carbon-plated racing shoe, with a heel that sits quite high, which accentuates how steep and aggressive the forefoot rocker is. The geometry resembles a track spike, creating a sensation that feels close to a negative drop when standing still. On the run, this puts you immediately on your toes, making it aggressive and fast, but uncomfortable for those who land farther back.
This shoe has one of the narrowest platforms on the market, which cuts excess foam and weight but also sacrifices stability. The low stack helps balance this out slightly, keeping it from feeling too unstable. Still, the nimble, narrow width is part of what makes the shoe so light and aggressive.
The Nike Streakfly 2 runs shorter than expected. Multiple measurements confirmed that the shoe comes in shorter than average, and on foot, it feels much more snug than other models in the same size. Wearing a normal sock may feel restrictive, so thinner socks or even going barefoot is the way to go. Pressure points can be noticeable even while walking, which highlights that this shoe isn't intended for extended wear. Size choice is crucial here, as the internal shape emphasizes performance at the expense of comfort.
The Nike Streakfly 2 shows great rebound in the heel, which can help smooth the transition into the midfoot. However, the aggressive rocker and geometry aren't designed for heel striking, so while the foam and plate provide some bounce, the shoe doesn't function well for runners who load heavily at the back.
The Nike Streakfly 2 delivers excellent forefoot rebound, with the ZoomX foam creating a crisp, propulsive toe-off. It doesn't quite have the same bounciness as top max-stack marathon shoes, but the turnover feels immediate and sharp, helping runners access a higher gear at 10K pace and faster.
This model provides very limited cushioning in the heel. It absorbs some of the impacts at lower forces, but protection quickly drops off as the load increases. At faster speeds or higher forces, the heel bottoms out, leaving landings feeling harsh and unforgiving. This, combined with the aggressive geometry, makes it poorly suited for long runs or heel strikers.
This shoe has mediocre cushioning up front. At lower impact forces, it actually compresses quite a bit and feels compliant, softening the ride more than expected for such a minimal shoe. However, as speed and forces increase, the foam can bottom out, leaving a harsher sensation. It works fine for 5K–10K racing, but won't offer lasting comfort for long efforts.
The heel feels firm overall. Light landings and higher loads alike feel quite stiff as the heel locks up and offers little give.
The Nike Streakfly 2 is extremely firm in the forefoot, with stiffness increasing considerably as forces go up. The foam is already firm at low forces, but it gets even more solid as more pressure is applied, keeping the shoe snappy. This tuning matches its racing focus, ensuring power is directed into forward motion rather than sunk into the midsole.