
Take the design language of VaporFly and build an affordable shoe for everyday use, then it is Nike Rival Fly. Similar to Vaporfly, it has a highly tapered heel and swoosh extending all the way to top of the upper, and feels fast. In its 3rd edition, Rival Fly 3 fills the gap in Nike running shoes line-up that is left void by discontinued Zoom Elite, and the directional change of Pegasus.

Rival Fly 3 is aptly named. Like other shoes that use “Rival” prefix, Rival Fly 3 is affordable. While its design language is similar to Zoom Fly and VaporFly, it has no similarity in terms of how the shoe is constructed.  This is my first time using the Rival Fly Series since its launch in 2019. I purchased it from Nike.com ₹7,307 (includes Customs).

<ShoeCard shoeCode="002015003M"></ShoeCard>

### What makes up Rival Fly 3?

Nike’s Rival Fly 3 is a lightweight shoe, and weighs around 210gms. The shoe has a 8mm heel-toe drop. At the stack height of 20mm, it is quite a low profile shoe, and is designed for short distances and speed training. In comparison to Nike Pegasus 38 which has 10mm drop and 33mm stack height, one can feel the ground more distinctly.  

__Midsole__

The midsole uses a proprietary cushioned foam, which is quite springy and responsive. While it cannot be compared with modern foams it is soft for a shoe in this range. The midsole also includes a Zoom Air Bag in the forefoot, which is what makes it responsive. 

<LightBox src="/images/nrf3-toebox.jpg" caption="Toe box is roomy" alt="" ></LightBox>

__Outsole__

The outsole of the shoe is as minimal as it can get. It is designed with cutouts  that span from back to front  to make the foot transition easy.  The lugs on the outsole are put together in a wave-like pattern.  On the heel however, there is plenty of rubber for durability.

<LightBox src="/images/nrf3-outsole.jpg" caption="Outsole is optimized for fast transitions" alt="" ></LightBox>

__Upper__

The upper is made of mesh and the design is very thoughtful with Nike swoosh extending all the way till the top top of the forefoot.  The upper mesh keeps the toe box well gripped, with enough room in the front. The laces are unique as the width is slightly bigger than the usual Nike shoes that I’ve tried.  Having said this it is intact and stays firm through the run. 

<LightBox src="/images/nrf3-upper.jpg" caption="Uppper is minimal and airy" alt="" ></LightBox>

### Why did I consider this shoe?

I have been using Nike Pegasus 38 ([see the review here](https://shoegeeks.in/review/nike-airzoompegasus38-002010038/)) as my daily trainer. However, it is not to my liking because of its weight, and they feel slower. I was looking for an alternative neutral daily trainer with a good grip & bounce shoe.  Nike Rival Fly 3 seems to have both of these.  

### Ride in Rival Fly 3

I have run about ~150 kms so far in the shoe.  The runs are a mix of tempo runs, strides, and long endurance runs. Given the minimal nature of the shoe, I did not take time to break in. Even the first run of 10+ kms felt very natural. 

**Tempo Runs**

The shoe fits snugly and with excellent grip and during the tempo runs.  Excellent transitions it offers from initial contact to and toe off makes the running enjoyable. The cushioning is just right for tempo runs. (not too bulky or wobbly like Pegasus 38).

<LightBox src="/images/nrf3-topview.jpg" caption="Light weight, feels very minimal and fast" alt="" ></LightBox>

**Long & Easy runs**

Given its lightweight and softer cushioning it is good for me on long easy run days. I could push and go harder in the last 5-6 kms without any extra effort. The legs were not as tired, there is not much soreness post the run. 

The heel is nicely locked with good paddling and does not slide. The tongue is designed unusually with an asymmetry, however it is just for aesthetics and does not affect the running.  

The mesh upper keeps the toe box airy. It is great for shorter distances of 10kms, up to half marathons. I might even try running a marathon distance in this shoe. 

<LightBox src="/images/nrf3-heel.jpg" caption="Heel is well padded, locks very well, and doesn't slide" alt="" ></LightBox>

**Stability**

I have neutral feet and Nike Rival fly 3 provides good enough stability be it speed or easy runs.

**Road Grip**

I have run on a variety of surfaces that include road, and even on wet surfaces. Through all the terrains the grip is decent.

**Aesthetics**

The color of my shoe is bright and quite eye catchy. The tongue is designed unusually with an asymmetry (similar to other shoes with VaporFly design language) which gives a character to this shoe.  

### Review Summary

<ReviewSummaryCard shoeCode="002015003M"></ReviewSummaryCard>

<ProsCard
  title="PROS"
  pros={[
    "Great for short middle distance daily trainer and short races", 
    "Lightweight and responsive", 
    "Modern aesthetics ",
    "Affordable pricing" 
  ]}
/>

<ConsCard
  title="CONS"
  cons={[
    "Cushioning is low can be an issue for some",
    ]}
/>

<InfoCard title="RECOMMENDATION">
Nike RivalFly 3 is an excellent neutral daily trainer for distances up to half-marathon.  It also works great for short races.  If you are looking for an affordable shoe with modern aesthetics, it is a shoe that is highly recommended.
</InfoCard>


Review of Rival Fly 3 - Lightweight neutral daily trainer with modern aesthetic and an affordable price tag.

Nike Rival Fly 3 Review


While Reebok has their roots in running, they haven’t been as popular in the contemporary running scene. Floatride foam-based shoes are a comeback for Reebok into Running. It has been 5 years since Reebok launched the Floatride foam. Floatride comes in 2 variations: _Floatride_ and **_Floatride Energy_**. _Floatride_ is based on PEBAX, while _Floatride Energy_ is made of E-TPU technology.

Floatride (PEBAX) midsole shoes such as Floatride Run Fast and Floatride Run Panthea are geared for faster runs with excellent bounce, while Floatride Energy midsole shoes such as **_Energy Symmetros_**, and Forever Energy are daily trainers with a balance of cushioning and bounce, and are primed for comfortable long runs. 

In the Reebok line of running shoes, Energy Symmetros is positioned as a versatile daily trainer, that can handle long and easy runs comfortably, but also gives the speed if you need it. 

<ShoeCard shoeCode="008005001M"></ShoeCard>

### What makes up Floatride Energy Symmetros?

With a stack height of 29 mm and heel-toe drop of 9 mm, the shoe compares to other versatile neutral daily trainers such as Asics Gel Cumulus, Saucony Ride, and Adidas Solarglide.  However, the key difference is the midsole. It has a high toe spring and beveled heel that almost resembles a rocker geometry shoe.

**Midsole**

Floatride Energy foam used in Symmetros is based on the same E-TPU technology used in Adidas Boost foam. However, Reebok’s version of the foam is configured differently. The key difference is the weight. Adidas Ultraboost 21 weighs 340 grams for men’s UK8, while Symmetros weighs 243 grams for the same size.  The other difference is Symmetros is comparatively less bouncy and feels tad softer. UK 10 as weighed is about 291g.

<div class="d-flex flex-row align-items-center justify-content-center">
    <div class="col-12 col-md-8 px-1">
        <LightBox src="/images/fes-weight.jpg" caption="Floatride Energy Midsole lighter than typical E-TPU midsoles" alt="" ></LightBox>
    </div>
</div>

**Upper**

The Upper of the Symmetros is as simple as it can get.  It is an engineered mesh with very minimal overlays and blends well into the shoe aesthetics. The upper is stiff enough to hold the shape of the shoe, and is highly breathable. Shoe has a gusseted tongue, and the tongue has plenty of padding.

**Heel**

It has a bevelled heel with a high angle, and uses a moulded heel cup to provide stability. It also has a unique heel clip at the back with Reebok written over it. It adds some aesthetic to an otherwise bland shoe. It also has a lot of padding which adds to the comfort.

<div class="d-flex flex-row align-items-center justify-content-center">
    <div class="col-12 col-md-8 px-1">
        <LightBox src="/images/fes-heel.jpg" caption="Heel clip is unique and adds some stability" alt="" ></LightBox>
    </div>
</div>

**Bottom Sole**

Bottom Sole of the shoe is interesting. Plastic heel clip at the back extends to the bottom and the heel in the middle. Bottom sole is made of 3 different segments, with the heel clip in the middle. The the other two segments set apart with a guidance line.

### Why did I consider the shoe?  

As I am upping my mileage in my current marathon training cycle, I am looking for a versatile shoe that is comfortable and can take the pounding on the roads.  In the past, I have used Floatride series shoes; Floatride Run Panthea, Floatride Run Fast 2 and Floatride Energy Forever. I liked all of them. So it is no brainer for me to pick up Symmetros as the choice given the rave reviews it has. While I have primarily picked it up for longer easy runs, it proved me wrong with its versatility as a daily trainer.

Another factor that tilted the decision to buy Energy Symmetros is the price considering the discounts.

### Ride in Energy Symmetros

The very first thing you notice when you step into Energy Symmetros how comfortable the shoe feels. As they say first time feel is what determines whether you a like a shoe or not.  That said, it is a bit too soft for my liking, and took couple of runs to get used to it.  Once I got used to it, it has become my defacto shoe for my morning runs.  

**Long Runs** - I have run about 220km so far in the Symmetros.  With its cushioning comfort, it could handle long runs with no problem at all.  Even in the last miles of a long run, I feel extremely comfortable to push myself and take the pounding on the roads.  It could handle marathon and faster paces comfortably.

**Tempo Runs **- What surprised me is how it handled tempo runs.  While it is not a lightweight shoe by any means, with decent responsiveness and lighter than typical E-TPU shoes, it makes it a go-to shoe for up-tempo.  The foot transitions are extremely good, and you can feel the longish stride compared to other training shoes.

**Interval Runs** - It is not an ideal shoe for Speed intervals or VO2 Max intervals.  It just feels a bit too soft, and comes in the way of acceleration.

**Stability**

It is a neutral shoe and I didn’t expect much support from it.  But it does have decent support for a runner like me. I think heel clip design probably has to do with the added stability.

<div class="d-flex flex-row align-items-center justify-content-center">
    <div class="col-12 col-md-8 px-1">
        <LightBox src="/images/fes-grip.jpg" caption="Lot of rubber on the outsole, but road grip is not the best" alt="" ></LightBox>
    </div>
</div>

**Road Grip**

The pattern on the bottom sole gave me the feeling that Road Grip would be good. But in practice, the grip is not that great, and you could feel slight slippage in terrain with loose sand.  I couldn’t test it on wet surfaces though.

**Fit and Comfort**

Fit is true to size, I am using UK 10 which fits me pretty well. Plush midsole, extra padding on the heel (prevents slippage), and padded tongue make it extremely comfortable. Forefoot is spacious enough, and is the upper highly breathable.  

**Aesthetics**

There is not much to write about the aesthetics of the shoe except for the trendy heel clip.  Otherwise, the shoe is minimal and neutral when it comes to design choices. 

### Review Summary
<ReviewSummaryCard shoeCode="008005001M"></ReviewSummaryCard>

<ProsCard
  title="PROS"
  pros={[
    "Super comfortable for longer race paced and easy runs",
    "Bouncy and Versatile enough to handle the tempo runs and even cruise intervals",
    "Very affordable considering the offers",
    "Decent bounce and Fast transitions"
  ]}
/>

<ConsCard
  title="CONS"
  cons={[
    "Road Grip could have been better",
    "Cushioning can be too soft for some runners."
  ]}
/>

<InfoCard title="RECOMMENDATION">
<p>Energy Symmetros is highly recommended as a daily trainer, especially if you have a liking for softer cushioning.  It can handle most runs well, and is a good value for money with offers currently available.
</p> 
</InfoCard>



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

Reebok Floatride Energy Symmetros Review

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Reviews

Nike Rival Fly 3 Review

Reebok Floatride Energy Symmetros Review