Nike - Zegama Series

Nike is having huge sales on last colors of the Zegama 2. I just got a pair for $108 with tax and free shipping.

Mafate Speed 4 is still great. Big fan of the Nike Zegama 2 these days too. Both are on the heavier side but are very protective and have great grip. I feel a bit more nimble in the Mafate though. I have a Kjerag that I really like but I guess I have poor footwork because I think I need more cushion. I really hurt my foot landing on a root in the last race I wore them on. Mafate Speed 4 Lite is very cool but I want to see some reviews from trail runners. Hoka is positioning it as a lifestyle shoe which I think is odd and is causing it to be looked over by real runners (I think).

TX2 is a great choice. I would size up half a size from a Mafate though. The TX2 has a particularly tight toe box. This is one of the things that was updated on the TX3 Now that I think of it though, I would also suggest that you look at the Nike Zegama 2. It's pretty great, if only a tad heavy. Unless you're running some super technical trails, I don't see a reason to stay away from max cushion for a heavier runner, even for shorter races. Unless you are specifically going for highly technical running and very sensitive trail feel, go for the support and give your joints a break

Are you in America? Go to Ross. I’ve found all sorts of nice trail shoes there for like 30-45 bucks. Bought my wife some zegamas recently bought my buddy some terrex ultras, I’ve got puma deviate nitros from there. I see all sorts of shit. Just gotta look incrementally

I'm really enjoying the Zegama 2 for all kinds of trails. The lugs are bit overkill for nontechnical trails but it's not going to kill you to haul around a few extra ounces if you otherwise like the shoe. I've used them for nontechnical 100 milers and had no regrets. They're great shoes, at least on my feet. I've had terrible experiences with Challengers, particularly the ankle collar rubbing on my ankle bones. Chafing, bruising, or both. I get the feeling this is just a me problem, though, as these shoes are otherwise quite popular. Every few years I try on the latest Challenger iteration and experience the same problem. If these shoes are working for you already in 100s, I don't see a point in switching. Zegamas aren't going to make you any faster. You could also consider road shoes for a nontechnial trail 100. I wore Hoka Cliftons for my first 100 mile race and had zero issues.

Good writeup, thanks for your input. Sounds like a great door-to-trail shoe for those of us that live in areas with pretty dry, buffed out trails. I wouldn't expect that outsole to be a grip monster, so this isn't surprising. Kind of disagree about the Zegama 2, I find myself liking it way more than expected. Given the abomination that the Speedgoat 6 has turned out to be, I'm using the Zegama 2 in place of it. Very much for a different purpose than I would a Pegasus Trail. I bounce around between Hoka, Topo, Altra, and Nike. I've been finding myself more impressed with Nike's offerings in recent years and much less by Hoka.

I wear Nike Trail Goretex runners all seasons. In the PNW there's usually a chance we find some kind of moisture all year, and my game is thrown off of I make big shoe adjustments between games.

Nike Zegama 2 - great cushion for the road  but excellent grip for muddy trails with the vibram outsole- plenty of sales, you can pick then up for £99- I have stocked up 👌🏻

I really love the Nike Zegama. I’ve done up to 32 miles of trail in them and my feet were great at the end.

The foam on the zegama 2 is more comfortable for me for long efforts than the challenger. My feet get sore in the challengers a lot faster than the zegama.

Same. It’s a great shoe.

I absolutely love my pair of Brooks Ghost for running in town and even just daily wear sneakers, but the Cascadia just had a weird fit that wasn’t right for me. Off-road, I wear Nike Pegasus Trail GTX or Topo Terraventure.

Plug for Zegama 2s. I’m only 180 lbs but find the performance and the amount of wear I put on shoes differs greatly from my lighter friends. The Zegamas snappy mid and rugged outsole has held up amazingly well (just replacing them after >600 hard miles). They’re high and not super wide and some complain they’re not stable but they work for me, size 15 probably lending some stability. 

Some already said, but I'd look at the: * Topo MTN Racer 3 - tried them on in store and thought they felt great * Brooks Catamount 3 or 4 - I run in the 2's right now and have the 3's waiting in the wings. This is my favorite trail shoe, although it is a little narrow. * Nike Zegama 2 - I didn't like them because I thought the heel drop felt like too much for the trails and would cause stability issues for myself. Foam felt great though. * North Face Summit VECTIV Sky 2 - heard good things about this one that's about to come out. The one might go on sale soon. * adidas Terrex Agravic 3 - heard good things but too narrow for me * adidas Terrex speed - heard good things but too narrow for me * nnormal kjerag - heard good things and is a sustainable brand * Altra Monte Blanc - heard good things from people who have no heel slippage problems, although the heel didn't work for me at all

Rotating out Nike Zegama 2 and Terra Kiger depending on run type and/or weather.

I've the Speedgoat 5 and Zegama 2. The Zegama are way better for me, in particular for long runs 20k+, as I'm getting blisters with the SG5s. Zegama's are so much more comfortable and better fitting and they work very well on tarmac too. Due to the stack height, they are not the most stable, so I wouldn't recommend them for highly technical trails or muddy stuff (but I'd say that's true for the SG5s too). Next trail shoe purchase will be Zegama's again, my feet do love them.

Trail: Nike Zegama Road: Adidas Boston 12 or Asics Novablast Race: Asics Metaspeed Edge Paris

You should check out the Nike Zegama 2. It was rated as one of the best trail shoes of 2024. Much more durable than the Speedgoat as well. The shoe is amazing. Vibram sole and you get some Zoom X super foam too!

Zegama 2 is great.

Nike Zegama 2 has a sticky Vibram sole and is frequently on sale and widely available. Asics Trabuco Max 2 / 3 also has good grip and is comfortable. Both can be run in on and off pavement. Both are comfortable enough to wear for casual use.

I have no complaints about my Zegama 2.

Nike Zegama 2. I wear them even when not trail running. They’re great and you can find them on sale.

Yuuuup! Little heave but they have good support and that zoomx foam. I’m wearing them for my 50k coming up

I wear Glys and wear trail runners, if you just like brooks try the catamount 2s or 3s, great beginner trail shoes. If you are looking outside the brand I really like the Nike zegama 2s, I plan to wear those on my next ultra

I need low drop so like the Nike Zegama 2 over the Peregrine for added cushion - know some people who have done 100milers in them. YMMV with the drop of course.

Nike Zegamas

Years of Altra-Topo… just went Zegama 2 and love it… will also keep Speedgoat in the rotation… tried on Caldera and liked it…

Zegama 2 is firm, fresh foam more is firm, speedgoat is firm. I have tried them all and they might be softer than an old style trail shoe, but definitely not soft shoes. The softest I have tried so far is ASICS trabuco max 2&3 But I would love to find a similar or softer and bouncy trail shoe, like Neo vista but for door to trail type shoes.

Nike Zegmas! Just completed the CDT in them!

I ran my first marathon (trail) in these last year and yeah, they’re pretty great. They’ve since been relegated to my go-to road shoe but they have still held up really well.

I’m seeing the topo suggestions and maybe they’re your best bet.. but. I hate topo. I just had some cyclones that ripped across the side and didn’t fit my midfoot (likely caused the rip) yet were sloppy at the same time on road downhills. Mtn racer 2’s were foot friendly, but sloppy on tech stuff. Kept my toes safe if I really tied them down tight. Have read the 3’s are even wider and sloppier and refused to try them, but I would have purchased the 2’s again if they didn’t change. I have wide feet, especially the mid foot, but my toes aren’t as wide. This year I’ve used the Zegama 1 and 2, the 2 fit better and were decent, but not my favorite shoes. Also have scarpa ribelle runs and spin ultras that are ok. If I had to grab a shoe tomorrow and do 100K, I would break down and cry ha. My feet suck for every shoe. Need wide, but need secure. Agree that Salomon in wide do work well for me though! They just don’t have models I like. Edit to add: everyone’s idea of technical is different. For me, it’s hopping across rocks, loose gravel, and having to literally “tiptoe” across some sections. When I lived in a less technical area, every shoe worked great!

These are currently on my feet as I type this and the answer is yes. Love this shoe.

The ladies can't get enough of them

What would you say the enduris 4s are most similar to? I just got a pair to replace my zegama 2s which were highly cushioned, with decent grip, but unstable as hell on the downhill. After spraining my ankle in them on a trail i just decided to give them away and try something different.

Zegama 2s crazy comfy and smooth at all paces

When I first got them they took a couple runs to get used to break in . After about 50km I haven't noticed it at all

I love the Pegasus Trail 3. Can get new pairs on ebay for like $60-$100. I'm going to try the Pegasus Trail 5 as soon as black friday comes.

I use trail running shoes for trail hiking and for golf… I have two pairs of HOKA trail running shoes that I have moved to every day shoes because I also wasn’t able to get them in Gore Tex. I alternate two pairs of Nike Pegasus with Gore Tex and love the water proof and thus will not buy another trail runner that isn’t water PROOF!

I would think the logical crossover for the Invincible 3 is the Zegama 2. I’ve got both. I took my Zegama’s (my second pair now) on an 18 miler today with plenty of technical trails and 6,600’ of vert.

Ultraflys are totally fine for 100s if they fit your feet well. They and the Zegama 2s have a vibram sole so less chance of slipping in wet conditions. I’ve worn Ultraflys, Trail Pegs, and Zegamas for nontechnical 100s. I think I liked the Zegamas the most, despite the higher weight. Ultraflys work really well for faster running, but don’t do much once I was on the back half of the race and mixing walking and running a lot more. Trail Pegs are good, but I prefer the Zegama cushion for 100 miles.

Underrated: Nike Zegama Trail 2. Got my second pair yesterday. 10/10 would recommend.

Tried Nike Zegama 2 should be the new Speedgoat

Nike peg trail had a surprisingly wide toe box. I had a massive bunion that required cutting open many of my running shoes and had surgery last year.

I love the Nike peg trail for running and agree they are some of the best looking trail shoes available. However I hate walking in them. Far too soft.

I have had a similar struggle. Brooks cascadia too stiff, hokas too narrow even in a wide, topos too sloppy, not sure about committing to zero drop with altra, I assumed Nikes wouldn't work....but the zegamas fit beautifully. I am a lady and I wear the men's size for the width and it's the best fitting trail shoe I have found.

For super rocky and big rock terrain, I run in La Sportiva Ultra Raptor (a half size up from true size and also in wide, because they are snug). While not as light as Speedgoats (or other shoes), which I have also run in, they help me feel more sure-footed. ( I rolled an ankle in the Speedgoats.) The Raptor cushioning for me feels more appropriate for the bigger rocks, without being too firm or too soft. Excellent sticky lugs. Very protective at the toe point. No rubbing at ankles. Tougher construction, less likely to suffer a tear. They double as solid hiking shoes. For most other trail running, I like my Nike Zegama 2’s (I have three pairs, love them! Again, a half size up). I never see anyone else in Zegamas, for some reason. They are rarely reviewed. But for my 3-7 mile runs, they feel speedy. No need to get a wider size. And Nike sells them at a decent price—even discounted, frequently, in the Nike app. Zegamas also have good lugs for my nearby leafy, rooty, scrabbly rock trails in Central Atlantic region. And I wear my older Zegamas for daily walking. (stats: 5’10” 155lbs male).

I just bought a pair of Zegamas and I’m absolutely loving them. Brooks Calder 6 is one of my favorite trail shoes of all time. It was everything I wanted the speedlands GS to be

Zegama is a great shoe but if you’re really looking for some bounce, the Ultraflys are sick.

altras suck. the tread got destroyed in like 2 months and the only time i've felt more like i can slide off of shit is when i wore xero's 360's with literally flat soles. to boot, the tread started separating from the foam lowers within a month because my form sucked at the time and i was rotating over the outside front of my foot. anyway, the shoe shouldn't have failed when it cost so much. horrible. the nike goretex trail runners were wayyyyyyyyy better than altras. but the zero drop was really comfortable so i bought the xeros after the altras, but those were only good for PERFECT conditions because they lacked tread. for winter, i got the insulated van hiking boots (MTE sk8-hi) that are waterproof for winter and those were sick, but really too heavy to play with during anything but the shittiest of new england weather. shoes never got wet from water, but def got wet from sweat because they're thinsulate lined. for this season, i just got a pair of vivo magna forest esc and its like the best of all of it. the michelin soles are fucking INCREDIBLE, i feel like a mountain goat but still have the xero feel i liked. the only downside is now that i actually have grippy bois is that they actually transport moist soil back into the house. this is normal for good shoes that give traction, so i leave a thick bristle brush by the door and clean em out before i walk inside. long story short, if you think altras are durable, you're probably noodle arming and not committing, and then walking around a grass course. i've heard the OG varients were good, but the pair i bought, the pair my boss bought, and the pair the other dude in my league bought are all dogshit and they're from the last year and a half.

I spent a day trying different shoes at different shops. The softer heal counter is a driving force - drop, cushioning and wide toebox are also important. The 3 I narrowed it down to were… in 3rd place Altra Olympus 6 (but no drop), in 2nd the New Balance Hierro - seemed good and 1, which surprised me, the Nike Zagama 2 (which was slightly more flexible than the Hierro - a good or bad thing, I’ll report back). The toebox for the Nike has sometimes been described as narrow, when I tried it on it was fine.

Can confirm. I have a wide ish mid sole and love the Zegamas. They're probably a bit too boxy for anything technical, but smooth gravel and grass they really excel at.

Echo your thoughts on the mudtalons. I used them on a 30k last week that was 50/50 muddy trail into hard pack and roads. My legs were beaten up afterwards. I've just picked up a pair of Nike Zegamas for the same use case you have. I was considering the Mafates, but I think they'd have been too narrow for me.

I've been running in the Zegama 2's for a few months now and they're pretty solid. Vibram sole. Lugs are well spaced and 5mm. Anything too wet and muddy then I just use my mud talons.

The Peg GTX is my favorite trail running shoe for transition season here in Canada. There are about 6 weeks where the ground is wet from snow, ice, slush, or just puddles and it is between 20-40f most days, and that shoe shines there. I have put 180 miles on my pair with about 60 of those being road and they are very comfortable on all surfaces. That being said I do think my feet would get hot running in them on any day over 50 degrees and dry.

I just wore my 001s last weekend for the first time for two back to back trail long runs in Quebec. My initial reaction was “wow, these are worth every penny”. Incredibly comfortable from the first wear, although many people say they need a break in period. The outsole was so grippy I had tons of confidence on technical downhills and they fit my foot perfectly at a half size up. I do about 70-80mpw and just recently transitioned to about 50% of those being trail miles, so my only other trail shoe experience is Hoka Speedgoat 5 and Nike Peg Trail. However, I have about 15 pairs of road running shoes and I prefer these over all of them. Again, YMMV, but I absolutely love them after ~40 miles and I hear they get 500+ miles of use for most people. Also you have to get a .5 size up. 12.5 fit me perfectly and I’m a 12 in every other shoe. Lmk if you have more specific questions but I think the consensus on 001 is that if you have the money and want to spend it on a nice trail shoe, they are worth it!

The Vibram outsole gives superb grip and traction compared to its predecessor, which is borderline slippy in wet conditions. Overall I like the plush and comfy feeling especially on my very long runs. I could go on and on forever in them. I really like it and they have fancy color ways. Not a speed race shoe tho imho.

Slightly taller, slightly heavier. I run trails in Nike Zegama for the most part and appreciate them very much.

I would try them on because everyone has a different foot but I have a pretty large Haglund's on one foot (and likely a little less extreme one on the other - never x-rayed though) and really like the Salomon Ultra Glide (wide), Topo Mtn Racer, just got a pair of the Nike Zegama. I don't know if I would call the heel counter soft (certainly not a shoe expert) but there is padding in the heel which in my case keeps the bump from getting too irritated. YMMV.

How wide are we talking? I know it sounds crazy because of the brand but I love my nike pegasus trails. (But I also focus much more on wide toe box than actual width)

I have Zegama 2 and Ultrafly from Nike. Both good but I would really try Ultraflys at least for me they are crazy nice and roadlike feeling shoes, very stable and responsive. Toe box is very nice and wide and wahts more important the foam in front is like wider on the bottom (hard to explain) just the fron is giving you a very stable run and with a very nice stiff back around ankle it really plants your foot in place (and I had my ankles srrpingkled number of thimes back when I was playing baksetball) . Not sure why they made them so expensive as a stock price and kinda put into premium shoe for racing category bc in reality they are great for easy runs and long runs. And you can find them on sales nowadays like I bought mine new for 130e or so. Zegama is great too but a bit higher and toe is a lil bit smaller and they are a bit less stable (nothing unstable but a bit less then ultrafly) TLDR. I have like 6 pairs from nike (new to running, came from cycling) and I like ultrafly so much that I prefer them over any road shoe I have.

I did a 8 mile with them yesterday in the heat. I didn't get any hot spots nor did that thought cross my mind at all. I've only got a couple runs in so far but I would recommend them.

Same issues, Nike zegama 1 has been great if you can find it on clearance. I haven’t tried the 2 but I think it’s similarly wide. Peregrine 14 is also overall very wide but I personally needed and insole to make that one comfortable in the arch

I recently picked up a pair of Topo Ultraventure 4's for my upcoming 50k race. I have put 250 miles on a pair of Zegama 2's and just under 100 miles on a pair of Brooks Caldera 7's. So far, after 25 miles, the Topo's are really great. They are cushioned, wide, have very comfortable laces and no heel slip. I have some conerns about the stability of the shoe running downhill. The heel is narrower than both the Zegama and Caldera. I also find the outsole heel is much more rounded, and less flat. But I plan to run the race in these Topo's. My other caution would be that the lugs and grip are fairly mild compared to those other 2 shoes. If your race will be technical, muddy, etc. then the Ultraventure 4 isn't for you.

I’m 275lbs so take this advice as my own personal experience. I own 3 pairs of trail shoes: 1. Nike Zegama 2: great shoe, moderate stack, wide toe box, and great grip. ZoomX foam is really fun. My lowest stack shoe. 2. Brooks Caldera 7: very cushioned, wide toe box as well, but I find that I collapse inwardly. If you don’t over pronate, this is the shoe for you. The foam is fairly bouncy and the rocker is aggressive enough to keep you moving forward. 3. Topo Athletic Ultraventure 4: my newest shoe for trails. Ergonomic toe box, great cushion, aggressive insole and support, and ok grip. This is my favorite shoe right now and I plan to use it for my 50k race.

I’ve got about 180 miles in a pair of Nike Zegama 2 and just picked up a pair of Brooks Caldera 7.

Road to trail GTX shoe is basically the description of the Nike Pegasus Trail GTX. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to try them on though as Nike's tend to run a little bit narrow and don't work for everyone. The Hoka Speedgoat also has GTX versions and those will have a Vibram outsole with larger lugs which may not be too annoying walking in urban settings (vs running on roads).

In general almost all trail shoes should meet those criteria so you're asking a pretty open question and essentially getting everyone recommendeing the shoes they wear. Grip is an interesting one. IMO, most trail shoes have good grip for most situations, but there are a couple terrain types where things become more challenging. Wet, smooth rocks are one of those. Vibram outsoles seems to be one of the best outsoles here and is available on multiple brands. Both the Hoka Speedgoat and Nike Zagama 2 have it and both get good reviews for walking and running. Multiple people are recommending Altra shoes to you, but unless you already run in zero drop shoes I'd avoid them. The foam is pretty minimal on many of their models and quality and durability has been a big complaint.

There isn’t as much cushioning in the 6s compared to the 5s. I’ve put 400miles into a pair of 5s but I tried them 6s on in the shop and didn’t like how stiff they felt and ended up getting the Nike Zegama 2s instead. All of my road shoes are Nike so I knew what I was getting.

The Hoka Mafate Speed 4 Lite x Satisfy wrecked my heels the first time I used them. Tore my skin up good and took like 10 days to heal. Surprisingly, they are nice now and have been enjoying them. Nike Zegama 2 is my jam as well and I’ve been rotating in the Nnormal Tomir 2.0

I really like my Pegasus trail for road to trail and non technical trails

Trail: Norda 001 x2 Nike Zegama 1 Nike Zegama 2 Nike Ultrafly Topo MTN Racer 2 Saucony Endorphin Edge Salomon Ultra Glide Road: Hoka Clifton 9 Topo Atmos Saucony Endorphin Speed 3

Trail: Norda 001 x2 Nike Zegama 1 Nike Zegama 2 Nike Ultrafly Topo MTN Racer 2 Saucony Endorphin Edge Salomon Ultra Glide Road: Hoka Clifton 9 Topo Atmos Saucony Endorphin Speed 3

I don’t find the Zegama 2s particularly narrow.

I have Gore Tex Nike Pegasus trail runners, and the are awesome for wet grass and rain. I find they dry out fine being exposed to those conditions. I have never waded in them or had my feet thoroughly soaked on the inside of the shoe.

Well, they’re meant for trail running. Not spinning on concrete. I’ve had two different pairs I’ve put around 400 miles on trail running and they’ve held up extremely well. I will agree with you on the Nike goretex trail runners. They were awesome to play disc golf in, but terrible for running.

I used these and SpeedGoat 5 currently. Im so bad at telling the difference between shoes. I can't tell if its a blessing or a curse. No shoes feel faster/slower than another after about a half mile of a run.

I own Zegama 2’s and agree with your remarks on unnecessary complicated upper (and the weight impact it brings). They’re not particularly fast or exciting shoes. But I love the grippy Vibram sole and the combo of soft Zoom X with rock plate to bring protectiveness and stability. For me the rounded and soft nose, together with relatively narrow shape, is spot on. My trails don’t require much toe protection and I prefer some flex up front. For the issues that you describe, the low heel could be ideal. I didn’t like it at first, but have come to appreciate it on steep downhills.

If Nikes work for your feet the Pegasus trails are a nice option, they have a goretex model that is my favorite.

Kalalau is Kauai, not Maui. But the Nike Wildhorse 8s look very nice. Also curious about the Nike Zegama 2s

The Zegamas definitely appear capable of handling longer distances. But if you’re planning on being at the front of the pack, there are definitely faster trail racers. This review is very (=too?) thorough: [https://runrepeat.com/nike-zegama-2](https://runrepeat.com/nike-zegama-2) Just pulled the trigger on a pair for an upcoming 100 k

When I run in similar terrain, I always notice my buddy running in Cliftons.  Zegamas work well. I remove the insoles to make them roomy. It's snug. For context, I typically run with the MTN racer but I've been experimenting. I think any low stacked road shoes are fine. But then, some folks run with super shoes in Western and javelina.

Nike Zegama is the jam

Sweden you have lots of wet slippery rocks. I love Nike peg trails and Zegamas but hey are not the best for wet rock. I have a trail running friend in Norway who has tried almost every shoe and he says the best are the Finnish brand VJ. He said it feels like they are glued to the rocks.

Sweden you have lots of wet slippery rocks. I love Nike peg trails and Zegamas but hey are not the best for wet rock. I have a trail running friend in Norway who has tried almost every shoe and he says the best are the Finnish brand VJ. He said it feels like they are glued to the rocks.

Bases on this you should really look into wider options for trail shoes. Someone mentioned Topo's. Since you're using Nike already, try their Zegama Trail line. But really do try them, they're not that stable and a lot of people twist their ankles but they're really really comfy. Zegama 2 also uses Vibram outsole so they're much more gripper. Also might give Saucony a try since you're already using them. I tried Adizero line recently - they're also really good BUT a weird fit. So make sure to try.

Check out the Nike Zegama 2. I used to only wear Altra because I liked the toe box, even though my foot is not actually that wide. The Zegama is plenty wide (pull out the insole and you’ll see) so it actually supports my foot. In most other brands, my smallest toe is hanging off the insole. The rounded shape of the shoe is also why it works well. It’s not a tapered point like Hoka and many other brands. If more shoes had a squared or rounded toe box they’d fit many “wide” footed runners.

Yes I agree that they are slightly too high, but shouldn't be a major issue for intermediate runners. Although they feel slightly heavy and stiff, they are like you said easy to run at albeit at slow to moderate paces. I don't see any fit issues apart from them being slightly loose in the heels. I disagree a bit on the technical part as they are at least as good or even better than speedgoats in technical terrain performance. Really i have other trail shoes like the Peregrine 13, zegama 2, speedgoats 4 and 5, and the AP5 feels more technically inclined than the rest. The deeply lugged outsoles also seem more durable than the other shoes that I have including those with Vibram soles. That being said, although they are not super comfortable nor speedy, they get the job done better than most competitors at a better value for money. I love them.

Merrell Agility Peak 5 Insane lugs, better than speedgoats, incredibly protective, great for extreme terrain. Nike Zegama 2 Comfy but heavy, the vibram grips well, but somehow the lugs are shallower. Good for walking and slow runs up to moderately rough terrain, but doesn't excel at anything. Saucony Peregrine 14 Good fitting shoe, protective, comfy with sightly lower stack height. Great for everything up to 10 miles, that's when my feet get sore due to the thinner midsole. Very nimble, but they do not grip well on wet rocks or roots. Oh yeah the lugs wear out faster than i hoped affecting the longevity, that's something to be considered as well. Puma Deviate Nitro 2 They are the bomb if you are running your trails instead of walking them. Super light and have enough grip to handle moderate terrain. But they have very little protection on the uppers and outsole (shallow stack height), so you kind of have to watch where you place your feet to avoid sharp rocks and stuff. But goddamn they are fast. I much prefer the Merrell and Puma over the others, because they excel for certain usage conditions. The Zegama is meh (weak energy return) except for walking, while the Peregrine is limited by low stack height and incapability to gain traction on certain surfaces.

Not a fan of the Speedgoat 6 (as my previous post suggests) but I've been enjoying the Nike Zegama 2 recently!

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.

Given you like the Pegasus, try the Nike Zegema 2. That said, make sure to build distance gradually so all your muscles and tendons get time to get used to the increased load. If your feet hurt, it would also make sense to do some feet strengthening like foot yoga. Finally, make sure your shoes are sized correctly. Running shoe should typically be sized a bit bigger than your day to day shoes.

When I started trail running I did it in road shoes and I did well. Unless if you'll run in very steep climbs or in muddy places road shoes are ok. I run both and I have many different trail and road shoes but sometimes I go for a road run and I decide halfway to do some trails and I do well. For example, the Nike Pegasus (39 in my case) are pretty fine for trail running, the Puma Velocity Nitro 2 are also decent. As long as you won't choose road shoes that are too soft or if the outsole is "flat", you should do fine. The Cliftons or the Cloudmonsters aren't what I would use to run on trails but if that's what you have, go with the Clifton's. Far from being versatile but don't use the Cloudmonster on trails because you might roll an ankle. About trail running being harder, that's because you aren't used to run uphill or maybe because you're running at road running paces. You use a lot more your quads when you're running uphill, that's the biggest difference for me.

I like my Nike zegama 2s

Feels accurate to me. Love them. They’re my go to shoes in the summer.

Been using the gore tex versions for almost 2 years now and have been loving them!

Best shoes for the pnw! What I use as well

They have better cushioning and are more comfy on the road or firm trail. The lugs seem less aggressive…however, I haven’t had any issues w grip. The outer fabric is, as the reviewer stated, more prone to get dirty and pick up dirt/mud. Like the improved toe protection vs the 4s.. I like them but time will have to tell if I like them as much as the 4s. So far, I have like 5 runs and 40mi in them. Haven’t done a long run in them yet. Half of that mileage is on road or dirt road. I typically use the Zegamas on my long trail runs on the weekends and 4s (now 5s) on my weekday mixed surface runs closer to home.

I did a sandy, gravelly, not super technical 50M with the Zegamas and they absolutely slap. Not enough protection for technical stuff but great for flowy smooth-ish stuff.

Second the Zegama. Came from Xodus and really like the Zegama.

I was using the older version of the Xodus and, honestly, don't really love the new Xodus Ultra 1/2. The Zegama is lighter but less bouncy. It's also more stable than the Xodus.

Did they take a bit of getting used to? Did two runs in them on the weekend and found they were a bit rough on the bottoms of my feet. Temps between -5 and -10c though so that might have stiffened them up.

Salomon Genesis work as good road to trails, deal with mud well and i've used up to marathon with no issues as they're well cushioned. Saucony ultra or peregrines - ultras are more cushioned and great road to trail but peregrines are find for short road sections and have a slightly deeper lug and deal with mud and wet grass really well. Peregrines are also my choice of mountain shoe so work well, did a 100k in them and only had some foot pain from minimal cushioning at 50ish miles in! Just got the Nike Zegama 2 and they are fab so far! Managed well in mud, snow, slush and are really cushioned. Need to try them out on more technical terrain but all good so far. They have the react foam so they give a lot of bounce on packed trail and road. Inov8 trailfly i find good on rock and grass, less so on mud, and a bit firm on road, but not terrible.

Inov8 trailfly and nike Zegama are pretty wide comfy fit

So first: Run Repeat does in-depth reviews which includes measuring and confirms stack height and drops. Their [Zegama 2](https://runrepeat.com/nike-zegama-2) review indicates 4 mm is accurate. Second: From a feels perspective: just recently tried on the wildhorse (9mm drop) and then the Zegama (4 mm) and then afterwards put my Kigers (4mm) back on. Was not a long run with the wildhorse and zegama but the zegama defintilty felt lower and more normal to me than the wildhorse just much more cushioned than the Kiger feel. So if you are looking for lower dropped cushioned shoe then I think Zegama fits the bill. If you want less cushioned and low drop then Nike Kiger is a nice shoe and gives a really good ground feel.

I got nike trail runners and they work great. If theres a nike outlet store you can find them on sale.. I make sure I get just the right size and not too loose so they're not sloppy. Personally I put in the spenco runner gel insoles to reduce impact because I play on turf half the time. I also rock the mcdavid level 3 ankle braces om both feet s. This helps make sure I never roll my ankle. Hope this helps

Nike Zegama 2. Excellent grip and fit.

I’ve run a carriage road (dirt and stone) half marathon in vaporfly and it went well. The foam bits of the shoe do get chewed up but they were end of life marathon shoes anyway. If u want an actual trail shoe, I like the Nike Zegama 2

Noooooo!!!! They stink. Heel splitting issues galore. Get the Nike zegama or literally anything else

Mike Zegama 2 are amazing all around shoe. VJ MAXx and LaSportiva Bushido 2 are great if u have a narrow foot.

Motiva is designed for walking; Pegasus/Trail are general purpose entry level runners; Zegama are for low-drop (avoid if you are a heel striker) and ZoomX foam (more responsive); Juniper are brick-hard trail "runner" (makes for good walking/hiking shoes though, Juniper 2 Gore-Tex is my go-to wet weather walker); dunno much about Winflo GTX, but it is a budget shoes, so worse foam, but it looks very well insulated, so probably great for cold weather. All and all, sounds like Peg/Trail GTX are your best bet, which to choose depends on you needing the lugs or not, also which feels more comfortable for you (Trail 5's sizing is a bit odd, extremely narrow midfoot, it's the first Pegasus I couldn't wear TTS for). Unless you don't intend to run with them, in which case Juniper Trail 2 GTX will be very good value for money, they are heavily discounted in outlets these day.

Motiva is designed for walking; Pegasus/Trail are general purpose entry level runners; Zegama are for low-drop (avoid if you are a heel striker) and ZoomX foam (more responsive); Juniper are brick-hard trail "runner" (makes for good walking/hiking shoes though, Juniper 2 Gore-Tex is my go-to wet weather walker); dunno much about Winflo GTX, but it is a budget shoes, so worse foam, but it looks very well insulated, so probably great for cold weather. All and all, sounds like Peg/Trail GTX are your best bet, which to choose depends on you needing the lugs or not, also which feels more comfortable for you (Trail 5's sizing is a bit odd, extremely narrow midfoot, it's the first Pegasus I couldn't wear TTS for). Unless you don't intend to run with them, in which case Juniper Trail 2 GTX will be very good value for money, they are heavily discounted in outlets these day.

I got the ZoomX Zegama (v1) as an all purpose one , bit of running , Cricket in the local park, walks in general. In the long run I found the Zegama's a bit off. Apparently the Zegama's (v 1&2 ) both have a 4.5mm Heel To Toe Drop, and Given that I'm fairly flat footed , apparently the sweet spot for me is 8.5-9 mm (Evident with the ASICS Gel Cumulus 26 & NB 860v12 GTX). Recently, I got my wife the all black Pegasus 41s and she swears by them and has been nudging me to get an all black pair. I've tried the PT5 GTX (TTS for all my Nikes) and found them great. The only bummer is the price tag of £145 which is holding me back !!!

Local trails. Have ran the 50k. Minimal climbs and lots of sand. You can wear road shoes if you want. But if the construction is thin, it might tear up quicker than normal from sharp rocks. Grip will be no issue as it’s fairly flat. Highly recommended gaiters as you will fill your shoes with sand etc. My usual shoe of choice, Nike peg trail (recent - Nnormal Kerajg).

I have Zegama 2 for some time now. Did around 100km with them. The vibram outsole is amazing on dry smooth and wet rocks. I know it’s a great update to the proprietary nike outsole since I have Wildhorse 8 as well and they are much more slippery. Great protection underfoot as well but wouldn’t recommend them on more technical rocky terrain (scrambling).

I’m an ultraventure fan too and get it. I tried Nike zegamas on a whim and really like them. Wide toe box and light and springy.

I've had the same issues with recent Speedgoat models. Check out Nike Zegama 2, La Sportiva Prodigio, Salomon Genesis. Always depends on foot shape to get the right match. Good luck!

Nike Zegama 2, Nike Wildhorse 8, Asics Trabuco Max 3. I see a lot of you running in the Topo Ultraventures. How do they compare to the shoes in my rotation?

I have the Asics Trabuco Max 3s, which I jokingly call my clown shoes because that’s exactly how they feel! I’m constantly stubbing them on branches, rocks, and gravel, and it’s like the lugs are magnets for anything they could possibly trip over. I only wear them when I have to. Just to make it more dufficult for you; I’m a big fan of the Nike Zegama 2! They’re my go-tos! I also like the Nike Wildhorse 8. They’re not as cushioned, but they’re total workhorses.

Not sure how technical Zion is - this makes a huge difference on whether you can just roll with something more road shoe-like in terms of stack/drop or whether you need to be more locked in and low to the ground. That said, a lot of people start with Hoka Speedgoats cause they are sort of jack of all trades and have a Vibram outsole. I know I started there until I learned better what worked best for me personally. That said, just know the Hokas have a very narrow toe box, which, once you get into ultra distances, can be an issue depending on foot shape, but 60k is terribly long, so you will probably be just fine. I would also just say that the recent Speedgoat models tend to twist on the foot for me at least, they changed the upper pretty radically with the 5, and I have moved away from them. But a lot of people love them, and I certainly used to as well! My current fav all-around shoe is Nike Zegama 2. That also is comfy and has Vibram (and fits my foot better).

Nike Zegama. I have had quite a few kilometers with them and they are still perfect. Good grip, very comfortable. They feel like a glove.

I wear nike goretex trails. Typically get them for around £45 in the Nike outlets.

I have a a number of miles on the lights trails with a fewer versions of the Pegasus. Worked out well for me.

My main trail shoes now are the Zegama 2, they aren’t narrow in the toe box, and they have Vibram Megagrip so they don’t have issues in wet conditions. They took a little bit to get used to with the cushier foam and more stack height than previous shoes I wore, but they really are great.

I really like the zegama 2, just not a big fan of how it looks. Does the tpu plate in the vectis add any noticeable difference. Does it help as a rock plate?

I have the GTX peg 4’s, before that the regular Peg Trail 3. The React foam was such an upgrade with the GTX 4’s, that I immediately got the Peg Trail 5 now that they have React as well. Ran a Rocky, muddy half last weekend and pretty much same experience as OP. Pretty great shoe overall, not a lot of complaints especially since I got my pair for less than $100

Zegama 2 for longer chill trail runs. Favorite so far. Speedcross 5 for rougher more technical terrain.

Zegama's are heavy, I'd go with the challenger in this situation and I've used the Zegamas in a 100.

I second these. They are my favorite long run trail shoe.

Nike zegama 2

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

I’ve got two pairs of trail runners 1 merrell and 1 Nike Pegasus gtx. Both 9.5ik size. The merrell are roomier but have a slightly harder sole. The Nike have a softer sole but are tight across the width of the foot. So as others have said try and get to a running shop and try them on with different types of socks.

I have a couple of pairs of trail runners . Nike Pegasus gtx. Normally use them for road running and a bit of trail. When I 1st got them they felt very tight round top of foot. They have given a bit but not too much. I’m normally a size 9 but have them in 9.5. I wouldn’t try and wear thicker socks with them, just trainer/running socks as they are very snug. I also have a pair of Merrel agility peak 5’s. These are better on actual trails again they are in 9.5 but can wear a slightly thicker socks if in colder weather. As with all shoes try them on in a shop if you can.

Any recent Pegasus has a decent outsole that works on trails, as do a lot of Puma shoes with the PumaGrip outsole, namely the Deviate and the Velocity. Craft’s road shoes are all trail capable and I’ve been a fan of the CTM Ultra lineup as a trail-capable road shoe.

Yeah I have been playing in these for years. Liked them so much I have a pair for regular stuff outside and a pair for disc golfing

Zegama have a way more aggressive tread/lugs.  Challenger is a road-to-trail shoe with less aggressive tread.  I haven't worn Challengers since the 6, but between those and the new Zegama, I find the Zegama to be squishier and the Challenger to feel more stable.  If you like the Challenger, why would you switch?

Zegama 2s probably have the best long distance comfort for your feet, however at the expense of raw performance and agility. But there is a paradox that more cushioning does not always equal more comfort. I find with max stack cruiser shoes I don't have ground feel and run with worse form and more impact. I've run longer distances in the Kiger 9s than the Zegamas for instance.

Rocker compensates for low drop, so the Speedgoat doesn't really feel like a low drop shoe. Altra is very flat - you are going to feel the drop alot more. Why not try the Zegama 2s? They are softer than Speedgoats and not as pointy in the toebox. 4mm drop and rockered so similar in feel.

If you are after absolute foot comfort, Zegama 2 is king.

Zegama 2

I wouldn't obsess with drop as rocker compensates for low drop nowadays. Altra is tough on the legs rather because it's a very flat shoe. Zegama 2 doesn't feel low drop IMO as it transitions nicely.

I love them too, but i wouldn't consider them soft or squishy, especially compared to max stack trail shoes like the Zegama 2 or Trabuco Max 2.

Nike Trail is quite different in fit to their road shoes. Kiger 9 has a pretty wide toe box, but is very locked down over the midfoot and heel. Kiger is a bit more of curved last compared with the Zegama 2 which is a bit more straight.

Grip on the Peg trail 5 is totally fine - it's quite not on Vibram levels, but it's not a deal breaker like on the 4's. The real reason I wouldn't recommend them is because of the high drop and high heel + soft ReactX makes them too unstable for hiking. Light hikes are fine though and it's really good on road. Zegama 2 is really a long distance cruiser shoe, it's too bulky and soft for hiking and has a huge protruding heel. But maybe not that bad if you are used to Speedboats. Tomir 2 is way better as a hiking shoe and performs well on technical terrain, but road running would suck on it and has pretty aggressive lugs. Arc'teryx Norvan LD4 might be another option as it's a good hiking shoe, vibram, but it's not too cumbersome and outsole is not too aggressive for some road. Maybe new Nike Kiger 10 is an option as it's now Vibram.

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

I really like the Peg Trail 5 for your use case, it’s super comfy, not too soft and the grip is fine too. I struggled with the Zegama, it’s a big, cumbersome beast and it started to hurt my feet from mile 18 ish and I couldn’t work out why. The Tomir I really liked the look off but they go up to a UK 12 in size and I needed bigger. The outsole on them is brilliant as I have it on another pair of shoes.

Nike Zegama 2, Nike Ultrafly, Asics Novablast TR.

I just got these [Air Pegasus Trail 3s](https://a.co/d/fnNa56G). They're light and comfortable and, after three or four rounds in wet weather, very waterproof.

I second this. I was a Moab 2 guy for the last few years, but I just got Pegasus Trail 3s and they're life-changing. Light, springy, comfy, and waterproof.