Our reviews are 100% organic. We do not accept payment for reviews or bundle with advertising budgets. In most cases, the brand is providing the product to our reviewers free of charge. Nike isn’t a brand to roll out completely new models very frequently, so the announcement of this new addition to their trail lineup triggered a lot of anticipation. Named after the fiercely competitive mountain race in the Basque region of Spain, the ZoomX Zegama is a max cushion trail shoe that features the same ZoomX foam found in popular Nike road models such as the Alphafly and Vaporfly.
Befitting its intended use of long trail days, the last of the ZoomX Zegama is noticeably wider than other Nike trail shoes we have tested, allowing for a more natural spread of the foot. Construction of the upper will be familiar to Nike users, with engineered mesh in the forefoot and midfoot, protective bumper layers around the toebox and reinforced overlays in the rearfoot for stability. A stretchy ankle gaiter is similar to those seen on the Wildhorse or Pegasus Trail GTX shoes, and is effective at keeping debris out with a bit of padding for a snug fit at the heel. A traditional lace system combines with eyelets integrated into the TPU overlays to create a secure fit that maintains its tension well on irregular terrain.
Soft neoprene ankle gaiter
Rounded forefoot with toe bumper
As the name implies, the star of this shoe is the lightweight ZoomX foam midsole. Nike proclaims ZoomX as their lightest, softest and most responsive foam compound, designed to maximize speed by increasing energy return. It was first utilized in the Nike Zoom Vaporfly Elite and 4% shoes that took the marathoning world by storm several years ago, first used by Eliud Kipchoge during Nike’s Breaking2 project. Of course, those shoes also utilized carbon plate technology, but the foam compound is equally critical to the overall speed and comfort of world-class runners. High stack heights of 37/33mm provide a cushioned ride for longer days, with energetic midsole construction that’s responsive and quick.
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- Lateral view
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- Medial view
In the Zegama, the ZoomX foam is part of a dual compound design. A single layer of high-performance ZoomX is most prominent in high impact areas at the heel and forefoot, while the remainder of the midsole is made of what Nike refers to as “carrier foam,” which gives the midsole its considerable bulk while also creating a stable platform for irregular surfaces. This last point is significant for a shoe with lofty stack heights of 37mm/33mm, as a less stable platform could lead to some rolled ankles. We actually did roll an ankle on a technical descent during our very first outing with the ZoomX Zegama. Since then, we’ve logged about 100 miles without incident, but there’s definitely a greater need to be attentive to foot placement in these shoes than with lower profile midsoles. The overall ride quality is smooth, with a great combination of bounce and cushion that is expected from the ZoomX material.
For its new trail model, Nike introduces a new outsole pattern on the Zegama. Outsole rubber fully covers the heel and forefoot areas, with the midfoot section exposed to shave weight and improve flexibility. The 4mm lugs are built in directional chevrons for uphill propulsion and downhill braking, and on dry trails and loose gravel, their grip is very strong. We found the outsole compound to be slick in wet conditions, particularly when rock-hopping or crossing rivers, so this is another area to be cautious, particularly in combination with the high stack height.
Updated outsole lugging
Despite its namesake being one of the most rugged mountain races in the world, we would recommend restricting the ZoomX Zegama to outings on moderate to less technical terrain. However, it does live up to its billing as a long-distance comfort shoe, as the midsole compound protects your feet and diminishes leg fatigue after multiple hours of pounding the trails.
The Nike ZoomX Zegama is available in men’s and women’s versions at www.nike.com.
Features and Specs:
- Recommended use: mild to moderate trails, mixed road/trail days, long trail runs
- Weight: 11.2 oz (Men’s 10), 9.3 oz (Women’s 8)
- Stack heights (heel/toe): 37mm/33mm
- Drop: 4mm
- Upper: Engineered mesh with TPU overlays and soft ankle gaiter
- Midsole: Dual density ZoomX layer with carrier foam
- Outsole: Full heel and forefoot coverage with directional 4mm lugs
- MSRP: $160