Nike - Zegama 1

Salomon Genesis for technical trails. Saucony Endorphin Edge for non-technical trails and non-technical races. OG Nike Zegama retired to short runs and family hikes. North Face Enduris 4. Great shoe, but returning them because the Vectiv plate digs into the sides of my feet. Brand new pair of Mount to Coast T1 that I haven’t had a chance to run in yet.

If you like the fit of Nikes in general, the Zegamas are good shoes. I run in them, have done several ultras in them and like them, but shoe choices are very individual so it really depends on how they feel to you. Are you able to try them on at a local store?

Road: Brooks Hyperions (~200 miles) - speed work during the week gets done on road Trail: Nike Zegama 1s (~300 miles) - main shoes for long training runs and races La Spo Bushidos (~350 miles) - shorter distance trail run and technical run shoes La Spo Prodigio Pros (~100 miles) - newer race shoes, adding to the long run rotation and will replace the Zegamas entirely once those finally die Salomon S/Lab Genesis (~100 miles) - all around trail shoe. Don’t love them but don’t hate them either so rotating these in on trail runs until they die eventually

I ran the entire wonderland trail and TMB trail in zegamas. They’re my favorite trail shoes. I can take them on anything and they feel great. I’ve run thousands of miles in the Zegama 1s and 2s. Both are fantastic imo. I’m a competitive runner and run fast on these trails too. Steep ups, steep downs. Technical terrain. Rarely a blister with those things too.

Nike Zegama is the jam

Yea they do. The 1s did too. It’s thin, nylon I think but it’s there.

I like Nikes. I haven’t tried Innov8 but I’ve tried Hoka and Salomon and don’t like their uppers. Their grip is fine. But the Peg Trail, Wildhorse and Zegama all fit me so much better.

Zegamas are my favorite

Hey OP, I asked a similar question a few years ago and I got the same spiels but I do still think that a high-cut runner isn't a bad idea. I don't think it's completely removing your ankle from the running equation, just giving you extra support. Something like the hoka speedgoat mid seems like a good shoe provided they fit right for you. I've also really wanted to try the Nike Kiger because it's a pretty low stack trail shoe and I think that would feel a lot more stable. Currently I have the Nike zegama and the fit is perfect just feels a bit tall.

I have the Zegama 1 and I think it fits my foot quite well and TTS. Definitely helps to use runners knot for lock down though. Maybe the 2 is different, I'd like to try them.

Does this trail shoe exist? I've been trail running in Western Washington for around 15yrs and been thru a lot of shoes. Here's what I'm looking for. I have shoes that have most of these features, but have not found one that has them all. About me: 50yo male, 210#, 25-35 miles per week (some weeks closer to 100 during the summer), steep/technical terrain, lots of rocks and slick durt/mud 1. Super foam midsole 2. Plate (rock plate or propulsion) 3. 6-8mm of drop. 4. Good energy return 5. 4-5mm lugs 6. Grippy (mostly) full rubber sole 7. Reasonably padded tongue 8. Stack in the 30mm-40mm range 9. Handle 30+ mile days 10. Can be found for $100 or less on sale Most recent shoes Merrell Agility Peak 5 - almost perfect but tongue is too thin and causes discomfort when having to tighten on steep downhills, good foam, but wish it had better energy return. Love the mega grip sole. Saucony Endorphin Rift - close to perfect. Main issue is the lack of plate leads to more rock strikes than I want. Great energy return. Nike Zegama 1 - great cushion and energy return. Sole didn't have enough grip and no plate. Saucony Xodus Ultra (v.1)- again very close but felt very unstable, rolling my ankle numerous times. I have a pair of North Face Vectiv Enduris 3 to try, but I know the 3mm lugs is will keep them from being my daily shoe, but that seems to be the only thing holding them back. Was a big fan of older Xodus series, but have not liked it as much since they switched to the Ultra series. Also less interested in the boutique brands since they are rarely on sale. Go thru too many shoes to be dropping $150+ every time. What am I missing that's out there? The cost piece can be anticipated due to brand (e.g. Merrell, North Face, Nike and Saucony go on sale or on Sierra.com).

Thanks. I picked up my Zegama for $65 when the 2 came out. Maybe I'll grab a pair of the 2 when the 3 comes out. I've had a number of painful rock strikes in my 1s, which is why I think they'd be perfect with a rock plate.

I must be the only guy who likes the Zegama 1 way more than the 2’s, despite the not having vibram soles.

I’m trying to break in the new Altra Olympus 275. Zero drop but their original foot shape. It’s quite a comfortable shoe so far. I’ve been struggling with numb toes on all my trail runs and want to transition to zero drops in the hope of maybe alleviating it.  Other trail shoes I’ve had success with as a high volume, wide foot: Nike zegama 1 (2 was okay but too low volume. Definitely the better shoe - half sized up in both) Hoka Speedgoat 6. Not a fun ride but it fit okay (half sized up) The new hoka Challenger 8 (true to size and 2E) - these are actually pretty nice.  

I also had the one and I’m fairly confident they didn’t either. Runrepeat took their review down of the 1 so can’t confirm. I think both just have a very rigid outsole to house the zoomx that it feels like there’s a plate, which also helps it act stable and eat up rocks and roots on the run. 

Those shoes are clunky and not great for casual use. I have both.

Yes I have Zegama 1 and 2 and the 1 fits much better, although Zegama 1 is just slightly short or low over the big toe. The Zegama 1 is more banana shaped with a curved midfoot, but the Zegama 2 is quite straight. The main problem is over the instep it's very tight and I struggled with foot circulation and had to relace them in in different patterns to get them to work. They run a bit differently too - the Zegama 1 I could get up onto my toes easily, but the Zegama 2 just wants to cruise in a midfoot striking position. Doesn't feel agile on uphills especially with the heel lift.

The rim and core shoes like Prodigio Pro/Max, Zegama, Xodus Ultra, bypass this limit as they offer a softer cushion inside without losing stability by having a firmer rim of foam on the outside.

Topo Ultraventure is a solid alternative. Nike Zegama also similar.

I've had fairly good luck with them, they usually crap out for me around 500-600 miles. I feel like that ZoomX midsole starts to get pretty lifeless around 500 miles. Uppers also start to tear for me, but that could just be due to the heaps of sweat and dirt that dry them out. Really great shoe overall, been my go-to for the last few thousand miles of trail running. Wish it was maybe just a touch lighter though, but nothing's ever going to be perfect.