Nike Air Zoom Streak XC2

The Basics
The Zoom Streak 2 is a racing flat for the distances between 3k–10k. The shoe is super light (5.4oz, size 9), has a full mesh upper, minimal overlays, and a low heel-to-toe drop (21mm–18mm = 3mm). Despite its light weight, the shoe has more cushioning than other racing flats of comparable weight. Wha? The shoe’s light weight but ample cushioning is due to the fact that the shoe’s upper is like a feather, thin, light, and questionably durable.

The Wear Test

I ran sockless in the ZoomStreak2 for roughly 50 miles. My running was on roads, track, some grass, and on a cinder trail. I used the shoe for racing and speedwork (intervals, strides, tempo) under a variety of moderate weather conditions, e.g. heat, cold, rain, sleet. Overall, the shoe had good traction, fairly good response, and was perfect for racing and fast training. Nearly all aspects of the shoe are still in near perfect condition. The paper-thin tongue hasn’t ripped, the tread hasn’t worn away, my big toe hasn’t torn through the mesh upper.

However, I did have one problem that led me to banish my ZoomStreak2s to shoe hell. The major problem I ran into was that while running a hilly 5K in the rain, the material on the heel of the shoe began to wear away, and the lack of fabric began to rub against my achilles. At the end of the race, my achilles was a bloody mess. I had to bandage my achilles for the next week, but another race in these ZoomStreak2 led to another shredded achilles.

The Verdict: 3/5 Bandits
Super light, super comfortable, great ride, good wear, but my achilles tendon will never forgive this shoe. R.I.P. Zoom Streak 2.