
The Zoom Fly series has come a long way since its debut in 2017 with the original nylon-plated Zoom Fly v1 with Lunarlon foam. That first edition was my introduction to plated shoes, and I ended up owning two pairs, including the FlyKnit version, which remains my favorite Zoom Fly to date. Over the years, the Zoom Fly has carved its place as the OG super trainer, bridging the gap between daily trainers and carbon-plated racers.

The Zoom Fly line-up however lost its way as super trainers evolved. The continued use of React foam didn’t help.  Zoom Fly 5 switched to recycled ZoomX core encased in SR-02 EVA foam.  That didn’t change much for the line-up. With Zoom Fly 6, Nike has switched to Zoom X foam for the first time. At first glance, you might mistake it for an Alphafly, the aggressive midsole geometry and cutouts give it that vibe.  But it’s a completely different shoe underfoot.

<ShoeCard shoeCode="002006006M"></ShoeCard>

#### What makes up Nike Zoom Fly 6?

Under the hood, the Zoom Fly 6 packs a full-length carbon fiber plate sandwiched between a 40mm stack of dual-layered foam. There’s a mild rocker built in and a tapered heel bevel that looks very similar to AF3’s, designed to promote smoother transitions, especially for heel and midfoot strikers.  The shoes weigh about 290g (for UK 10) which is 15g lighter than the previous edition.  It is now roughly the same weight as the Puma Deviate Nitro 3.  Heel to toe drop of 8mm remains the same as the previous edition, making it suitable for runners of all foot-strike types.

##### Midsole

The dual layered midsole has ZoomX foam on the top and SR-02 Eva foam on the bottom. Both foams have the same softness and reads at 25 HA on the durometer scale. For reference, that’s significantly softer than the Alphafly 3, which measures around 35 HA. However, the two layers of the foam differ in characteristics, and SR-02 Eva foam is supposed to be much more durable.

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##### Upper

Nike went for a layered construction here: a thin, transparent mesh overlay (very similar to vaporweave)  on top of engineered mesh. It keeps its shape well and gives the shoe a unique character visually. Breathability, however, isn’t its strong suit, especially in humid conditions.

##### Heel

The heel is well-padded and supportive. The firm heel cup adds to the stability. Combined with the tapered bevel, it creates a very forgiving landing platform, particularly for heel strikers. The lockdown is secure without feeling overbuilt. 

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##### Outsole

One of the most aesthetic outsole designs I’ve seen on a Nike shoe so far. The rubber coverage is generous in the forefoot and the heel, and feels durable. Even after 200km, there’s barely a scratch.


#### Why did I consider this shoe?

I was also looking for a fast-yet-comfortable threshold shoe to rotate with my Puma Deviate Nitro 3. A friend was travelling to Tokyo, and the price there was almost 4000 rupees cheaper. So the timing was perfect.


#### Ride In Zoom Fly 6

Step-in comfort is excellent, and the shoe immediately feels plush underfoot. The combination of a 40mm ZoomX stack and the carbon plate delivers a distinctly cushioned ride. It’s soft – maybe too soft for my taste. At walking pace, it feels almost squishy, and at moderate paces, it lacks the snappy response you’d expect from a plated trainer. 

The first few runs, however, left me conflicted. At easy to moderate paces, the ride feels a bit dull – the softness mutes any sense of snap. It’s only when you push into faster efforts, particularly around marathon pace and faster, that the Zoom Fly 6 comes alive. The plate and rocker work better at those speeds, making it feel efficient and smooth.

Many of my running mates swear by the Zoom Fly 6 for its versatility, but personally, I find it more of a niche shoe for dedicated tempo and long marathon paced runs rather than a do-it-all trainer.

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##### Fit & Comfort

After logging 200km, the comfort remains a highlight. The padding around the heel and collar makes it easy to wear for long runs. The midfoot fit is dialed in perfectly, while the toe box is surprisingly roomy. That’s great for comfort but may not be ideal for racing, where a snugger fit is preferable.

Breathability is the only downside. On humid days, the upper runs warm, and the dual-layer mesh doesn’t vent as well as some other tempo trainers.

##### Stability

Despite the towering 40mm stack, the Zoom Fly 6 is impressively stable. The wide base, padded and firm heel, and a stiff carbon plate help keep it controlled through corners and uneven patches, which isn’t always the case with supershoes.


##### Road Grip 

The outsole delivers dependable traction, even on sandy or slightly dusty roads. Bengaluru roads are full of fine sand, the dried mud after the rains. Wet performance hasn’t been an issue so far, though I haven’t tested it extensively in heavy rain.

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##### Durability

The outsole is holding up exceptionally well with minimal wear after 200km. The midsole shows some early compression, which is typical for ZoomX at this softness level, but it hasn’t impacted ride quality yet. I’d estimate 600–800km of life, depending on runner weight and usage.

##### Aesthetics

The outsole is holding up exceptionally well with minimal wear after 200km. The midsole shows some early compression, which is typical for ZoomX at this softness level, but it hasn’t impacted ride quality yet. I’d estimate 600–800km of life, depending on runner weight and usage.


#### Review Summary

<ReviewSummaryCard shoeCode="002006006M"></ReviewSummaryCard>

<ProsCard
  title="PROS"
  pros={[
    "Excellent for marathon‑paced workouts and faster threshold runs",
    "Full carbon plate delivers stable responsiveness",
    "Better value and durability than lighter pure racing shoes",
  ]}
/>

<ConsCard
  title="CONS"
  cons={[
"Too soft for mid‑pace and easy sessions",
"Average breathability makes it less ideal for sweaty long runs",
  ]}
/>


<InfoCard title="RECOMMENDATION">
The Nike Zoom Fly 6 perfectly cements its role as the go‑to speed‑training hybrid: soft enough for long miles, firm enough for marathon‑pace tempo runs, and stable enough for everyday use. If you're looking for value, comfort, and some carbon‑plate pop without the extremes of a Vaporfly or Alphafly, this could be your ideal workhorse.
</InfoCard>

The bridge between everyday training and carbon‑plated race days

Nike Zoom Fly 6


The Reebok FloatZig 1 represents a significant step in Reebok's journey, during the current transformative period for the brand. In 2006, Adidas acquired Reebok, and ever since Reebok played second fiddle to Adidas running line-up. However, Adidas sold Reebok to **Authentic Brands Group (ABG)** in 2021\. Under ABG's ownership, Reebok has been focusing on revitalizing its brand identity and product offerings. The FloatZig 1 and its carbon plated cousin FloatZig X1 are an indication of renewed direction.

In December 2021, Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited (ABFRL) procured exclusive rights to distribute and sell Reebok products in India. Under ABFRL, Reebok has been focusing on revitalizing its brand identity and product offerings in India. 

The Reebok FloatZig 1 blends two different lines of Reebok running shoe-lines Zig and Floatride. At its core, the shoe utilizes Reebok's Floatride Energy Foam (used in FloatRide Energy series of shoes), known for delivering a responsive and cushioned ride. This midsole however is sculpted into a distinctive zigzag pattern, which is the trademark characteristic of Zig series (Zig Kinetica and Zig Dynamica).

Reebok India has provided us FloatZig 1 shoes for this review.

<ShoeCard shoeCode="008006001M"></ShoeCard>

### What makes up FloatZig 1?

The Floatzig1 side silhouette resembles the other Floatride series shoes such as ‘Energy Symmetros’ and ‘Energy X’.  However, the resemblance stops at the silhouette.  The zig pattern in the midsole, extended heel bevel, flared midsole, and the layer of the outsole connecting from the front to back makes it look distinctive. 

Like other Floatride shoes, Floatzig1 uses Floatride Energy foam which is based on E-TPU, and is well-known for its soft and responsive nature.   Floatzig1 has a generous 37mm stack height, which puts it in the flush daily trainers category.   With such a high stack and a heel to toe drop at 6.5mm, it is an all-round shoe targeting runners of all foot strikes.

At 305g for UK 10, Floatzig1 is on the higher side of a daily trainer.  So it definitely doesn’t seem aimed at speed training or racing. 

**Midsole**

The midsole of the FloatZig 1 is built around Reebok’s Floatride Energy foam, which scores 23 on the HA durometer, indicating a soft, cushioned ride. The foam feels forgiving on landing yet stable enough not to feel too squishy, thanks in part to the wide base, especially at the heel. What sets it apart visually and functionally is the zigzag cutout pattern along the sidewalls.The midsole also features a late-stage rocker design that aims to promote smooth transitions through toe-off. While the rocker is visually aggressive, its actual impact feels subdued, likely due to the foam’s softness dampening the forward roll effect. It’s a platform built more for comfort and stability over long miles than for energetic toe-offs or speed.

**Upper**

The upper construction is fairly standard for a daily trainer. It uses a dual-layered engineered mesh that strikes a good balance between breathability and durability. The upper also has plenty of overlays to give it a structure and keeps it in shape.  Ventilation is decent even during hot conditions, and it feels sturdy enough to withstand months of use. 

The padding around the collar and tongue is generous, adding to the step-in comfort. The fit is secure, with no noticeable hot spots or pressure points so far. It holds the foot well during lateral movements, without over-constraining it.

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**Heel**

The heel area is particularly well-executed. Wide base at the heel, and extended heel bevel work pretty well. A firm internal heel counter provides structure, while the plush padding around it makes the lockdown comfortable. This combination offers both a sense of support and security, ideal for runners who land further back or need extra control during longer efforts.

**Bottom Sole**

The outsole design is one of the more interesting elements of the FloatZig 1\. It uses a rubber sheet glued onto the midsole. This design gives it a consistent contact patch from heel to toe, despite the zig patterned midsole,  contributing to smooth ground contact and probably better durability. The rubber compound grips well on dry and slightly sandy roads, with no slippage even during sharp turns.

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### Why did I consider the shoe?  

Reebok provided us with the FloatZig 1 to test and evaluate as part of their refreshed running range. Given its build and spec, I was curious to see how it performs as a potential go-to shoe for daily runs, especially recovery and easy efforts where comfort and cushioning matter most.

### Ride in FloatZig 1

The step-in feel is excellent.  It is soft, forgiving, and immediately comfortable. The Floatride Energy foam works well over longer durations, delivering consistent underfoot comfort without feeling too mushy. However, due to the wide midsole platform and the way the energy is absorbed across the base, I felt the ride is a little muted. There’s less “pop” or rebound when compared to other responsive daily trainers.

That makes it suboptimal for speed workouts or tempos, but for easy miles, recovery jogs, and long slow distance runs, it shines. The aggressive rocker is designed to promote forward roll, but due to the softness of the foam, the effect is less pronounced. It’s there, you can feel it subtly, but it doesn't propel you forward dramatically.

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**Comfort and Fit**

With 80 km logged so far, the comfort level remains high. The shoe fits true to size with a slightly snug fit. No signs of irritation or pressure points, and it holds the foot very well during the longer efforts. The plush padding contributes to the wearability of the shoe for longer runs.  However, breathability can be an issue for longer runs in hotter-weather.

**Stability** 

Thanks to its broad base and structured heel cup, the FloatZig 1 feels stable, even when taking corners or running on uneven surfaces. This makes it a good choice for runners who want a little extra support without switching to a full-blown stability shoe.

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**Road Grip**

Monsoon season here in Bengaluru, and lately it has been raining in the mornings.  The shoe’s grip has been excellent to tackle the conditions. Even on sandy or dusty roads, the shoe maintains traction. The outsole rubber, while not overly aggressive in tread design, offers dependable grip for dry and mildly wet conditions.

**Durability** 

So far, wear and tear are minimal. The outsole rubber layer shows hardly any degradation, and the upper has maintained structure without signs of fraying. Given the build quality and materials used, I expect the shoe to last upwards of 800 km, making it a strong value proposition for high-mileage runners.

**Aesthetics & Ergonomics**

I like the look of the shoe.  The vibrant pink-to-white transition on the outer wall of the midsole and black upper & outsole suggests, and the generously placed overlays, gives the shoe an aesthetic that is modern but inspired from Retro designs. **Chunky Aesthetic** with zig pattern is in line with the recent trend of bold, expressive, maximalist sneakers.  The design has enough street appeal to wear comfortably for casual outings, not just workouts.

### Review Summary
<ReviewSummaryCard shoeCode="008006001M"></ReviewSummaryCard>

<ProsCard
  title="PROS"
  pros={[
    "Excellent comfort, ideal for long and easy runs",
    "Stable base adds confidence on uneven surfaces and during long mileage",
    "Outsole and upper materials suggest high durability",
    "Bold aesthetics: Gradient midsole and chunky silhouette offer strong visual appeal",
    "Secure fit with good lockdown; true to size with no break-in issues"
  ]}
/>

<ConsCard
  title="CONS"
  cons={[
    "At 305g (UK 10), it’s on the heavier side for a daily trainer—not ideal for speedwork or races",
    "The wide base reduces responsiveness and energy return",
    "The rocker design doesn’t translate into a forward roll due to the midsole softness",
    "At ₹15,999 retail price, the shoe is priced on the expensive side; there are more versatile options at this price"
  ]}
/>

<InfoCard title="RECOMMENDATION">
  <p>
    The Reebok FloatZig 1 blends plush Floatride Energy foam with a bold zigzag midsole design. 
    It excels in comfort and stability, making it ideal for easy, recovery, and long runs. Though it looks fast because of its rocker, 
    its weight and muted ride limit its use for speedwork. Durable materials and a snug fit make it a solid daily trainer for high mileage. 
    The striking aesthetics also make it versatile enough for casual, everyday wear. The full retail price is on the expensive side.
  </p> 
</InfoCard>



Comfortable and Soft cushioning for longer runs, but has the bounce and versatility to handle tempo runs

Reebok FloatZig 1 Review

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