Nike - Zegama 1

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.  

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

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.

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?

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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

Yea same here. 2 of mine are different versions of hoka speed goats and a could Nike zegamas. I just have a hard time getting rid of the old ones because every once in a while they can be nice for a change of feel on a recovery run

I walk my dogs (and that’s a lot, in my case) in my old Nike trail running shoes (not the Pegasus, the Zegama). They have now almost 2000km on them and are still fine for walks. Don’t run in them anymore. (Did that until more or less 1200km.) So; fine for daily wear I would say.

I have Nike trail runners, I love them-they have support in the toes for when you smash your foot in a root. I cramp badly if I eat as well-so following for the rest. ??

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.

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

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

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.

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.

>... false sense of security so you roll/sprain your ankle worse. This was very true for me :) In my country the "old hiking rule" was that you always need high boots for mountains because they would protect your ankles. But it turns out that with high boots I had a false sense of security and was thus less careful when descending and consequently often twisted my ankle. The high shoe maybe helped a bit and prevented a harder sprain but it still hurt. I then switched to trail runners and I can see that I now walk way more carefully and have a way more precise foot placement than before. Consequently I haven't twisted my ankle ever since the switch. However it must be said that not all trail runners are equal in terms of stability and ground feel... La Sportiva Bushido which I have now are awesome but some Nike trail runners I had in the past were very bad and unstable.

I like Zegama 1, but not the Zegama 2, since the fit is more Hoka like. Like Zegama 1 is more curved and tight in the arch.

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.

Nike Zegama is the jam

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.

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).

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.

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.

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?

The Zegama is the top of the tree for Nike trail shoes, please try them if you see them. Vomero Roam is another good option ???

i also love trail runners (being a trail runner) for lots of stuff but be careful about the sole/tread. the shoes i got for wet stuff (nike zegama) were never intended to be used on (wet) pavement, and i found them dangerous on urban streets in the rain. up until that point they had been my go-to “for literally anything” shoe.

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.

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.

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

Again, I’m sure they’ve gotten better but I had a pair of 2020 wildhorse and 2021 zegama…I was pissed they were called trail shoes, the outsole was horrible and the uppers were super hot. If it wasn’t tightly packed dirt or super small gravel you’d eat shit. The shin scars and swollen wrists and ankles I got from them junkers turned me off to Nike trail (ACG) forever. They usually look great though….