Nike Ultrafly Trail tested by The Pill

The union of the road super shoe and the lightweight trail shoe

Modeled after Oregon ultrarunner Tyler Green’s experience, it is in fact designed for the Pacific Northwest climate: coniferous forests, humidity, lots of rain, and wide, soft trails. There are two main innovations on the Ultrafly Trail: the full carbon plate, a first in Nike for a trail shoe, and the Vibram Megagrip compound outsole, which, with its low and even tread pattern, makes it a safe and decisive off-road shoe. Among the most fun aspects is definitely the midsole, which being made of ZoomX foam gives a springy yet stable and responsive feel. Protecting the ZoomX from debris is an outer fabric that limits wear and tear: functional, but once stained, it won’t wash off. Let’s turn to the upper, which is created from durable and lightweight Vaporweave ripstop material. The fit is comfortable and the outer fabric, being non-stretchy, gives a protective feel. As we said, wearing them the feeling is of a springy and responsive ride. We found it most enjoyable on dirt roads, forestry, single track on false ground, hills, and alternate trails on asphalt. In short, it is a running shoe, designed for running, “power hiking” is not its own.

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