Cushion + Vibram = Winner? // NIKE ZEGAMA 2 REVIEW // Ginger Runner

[@TheGingerRunner]

Been loving the squish of the Zegama 2s, but gimme version 3 already!

[@briangoldman3316]

Ethan, you are still putting out the best reviews in the industry. Thank you for always being honest and being a voice for runners and not the brands. ❤🎉.

[@TheGingerRunner]

Damn thanks my dude!

[@DavidJones-xt4bi]

The first (for me), the best, and the most accurate running shoe reviewer on the internet. So happy to see you back Ethan!

[@jamessimpson9173]

Just picked up my 2nd pair in an UK outlet for £80....an absolute steal....keep up the amazing work 😊

[@edwarddapra7674]

Thanks for the shout out. It was great seeing you out at Cascade Crest 100. Perfect review as always! You’re the man.

[@TheGingerRunner]

I KNEW you’d eventually see the review!! Congrats on the finish!!

[@TechnicallyNotSteve]

The Zegama was very comfy for me, the grip was acceptable but not good. Winner for me. I just did a wet 8 mile race in the 2 and it was stellar. More comfortable, More responsive, nimble enough and the outsole was stuck to everything. They run well on road as well, less cloppy than the 1. I don't find them unstable, agree with the gaitor assessment and lacing to an extent. They also feel warmer than the 1 but not really noticeable. Absolute winner though, look and run great, I even bought another pair for $79 at a clearance center in a mud friendly colorway.

[@rexgorman9561]

Love the one-shot feel of this. Great job!

[@zu_1455]

Just last week I was looking for your review of this shoe! Good timing!

[@simonpollock2799]

can add to the anecdata re: stability and ankle collar weirdness. was able to get them 20% off and have otherwise LOVED them. but, it is a total trip switching between the caldera 7s and the zegama 2s. i’m with you, ethan-gimme version 3!

[@ActiveIdeas]

As always, loved it Ethan ❤

[@janchrisavenant4131]

I have put more than 200miles on my pair of Zegama 2s including a mountain marathon race and can add my praise to the shoe. I had none of the mentioned stability, lacing or fit issues. My only negative will be the massive sole protruding past the heel. Going down steep trails fast (or stairs that are narrowly spaced), I've clipped my heel a few times and man, that could have been a face transplant. Pros: That soft foam- comfort for days, the grip. Cons: Heel protruberence (Michael Scott reference..) and the weight is on the heavier side.

[@slapfan1]

I love this shoe, my favorite shoe in my rotation.

[@JamieAsareZiegler]

I think that colorway is _sweet!_ That said, the stability issue is a dealbreaker for me. To me, there's West Coast trail shoes and East Coast/European trail shoes and the I think the Zegama 2 is the former. When Nike puts Vibram rubber on the Kiger, they'll have my attention.

[@SoManyMiles]

Looks like a really sweet mix of features. Zoom X is a big plus. Would be a blast with carbon and less material at the heel area. Still waiting for Nike‘s next big trail runner.

[@johanneswehrmann]

Looking forward to the Ultrafly 2.

[@bikerdie]

I've got two pairs of these in rotation right now - each with over 200 miles on them. Ran the Wasatch 100 in a pair as well. Overall great shoes but do agree that the lacing system takes some readjusting on the longer trail runs. Haven't noticed stability issues - run on a lot of rocky terrain -- but I have issues with little toe numbness on longer outings. Definitely would recommend them though, especially at the current sale prices that you can find out there.

[@RowOfMushyTiT]

Also got toe numbness. Think it's from the area where the tongue is sewn in. Cuts into you instep (if your have a high instep).

[@carrjeep7538]

Great review. Bad lacing in a modern running shoe drives me crazy. $180 is really tough to justify.

[@airbromez]

My biggest gripe with the shoes is the lack of drainage. They are absolute sponges if you have water crossings in a race

[@hawaiifranke7637]

It just started to rain and I have a trail race tommorow ... using the Zegama 2 with the vibram outsole.

[@kriskierulff867]

worst thing about nike’s is how they handle wet conditions, so vibram is a great improvement. I loved my first version of zegama’s regardless, that is until they wore a hole on the heel that causes a blister, so even though the sole’s had plenty of life, they are now unwearable.

[@RowOfMushyTiT]

Hope you'll review the Peg Trail 5, that shoe is insanely comfortable and fun!

[@melissafeldhaus4424]

I haven't tried a Nike since foot surgery---need a wider toe box. But I am a vibrant snob lol. I love vibram on my trailshoes so I am intrigued with this shoe.

[@timpmoriarty]

I just wish Nike made the stock laces 2” longer so I wouldn’t have to crank them down for a heel lock

[@kpark8k]

Looking forward to the Kiger 10 👍

[@RowOfMushyTiT]

Cushlon doesn't excite me.

[@andyhighsmith6519]

Love this shoe! …IF! They could make it a tad more stable w/out losing squish, and could make the upper more breathable (it holds water like a sponge!) without losing any of the comfy fit. That’s my only tweaks though!

[@zacharygarner9425]

Just going to say it. Stability is not an issue with this shoe. Just because the core is soft does not make it unstable

[@RowOfMushyTiT]

For me it's not 'stability' so to speak, rather that the shoe is chonky.

[@79reynevan]

Looking good, however 320g is too much

[@rschreck876]

The golf shoe fringe….

[@christopherorman5769]

Funny. I like the Zegama 2 a lot, but view it as a lesser version of the Tecton x3. Also, ZoomX seems to die at around 200 miles...so while I liked them, they only felt great for about a month. But a great back shoe to have in the rotation.

[@RowOfMushyTiT]

I wouldn't say they're unstable, rather that they're clunky. The heel is a real chonker.

[@stefanobianco2201]

Hi! Can Zegama Trail 2 run on road too or just on trail roads? Thank’s 😊

[@jansommerlund5497]

I disliked the v1 in every way. It was to narrow, firm and so unstable. This one sounds better but I still think I'll skip it

[@matthiassventoest6800]

…hmmm nice 😮

[@jayel7570]

had the Zegama 2 for a couple months now...rocky trail running, disc golf and hiking daily and ive already got the outsole peeling off. Ive also developed the strangest heel pain when wearing them. Maybe my expectations were too high and Altra has spoiled me but also having gone through the ACG Mountainfly 1 (very narrow, somewhat unstable, tough to break in, mostly weatherproof) and 2's (basically wooden clogs) my confidence in Nike trail shoes is.....not high.

[@FromTheRightAngle]

Love your reviews, good to have you back, however, technically you ARE compensated …. Free shoes…. So you don’t need to buy running shoes with your own $. It’s just something I struggle with when reviewers get free products and claim they are completely neutral. Anyways it really is good to have you back. And agreed Nike dropped the ball with colour ways for the Z2, mostly pale lame colour ways.

[@TheGingerRunner]

Yes, I am provided with free product from either brands OR third party, Running Warehouse (I literally say that). That’s why I specify FINANCIALLY compensated, because I don’t make shit from my reviews (other than KZbin Adsense which is garbage). And I donate all product after review cycles. FTC requires I tell you everything, so I do.

[@cb4atl]

Skip this at all costs if you enjoy healthy ankles!

[@johnborton4522]

Perhaps that's true for you, but my experience has been very different. I've put 250 miles on these shoes in the last month in the Eastern Sierra (including a 44 mile, 26,000ft elevation change double ascent of Mount Whitney in a single day). Zero ankle issues.

[@christopherorman5769]

​@@johnborton4522I agree. I've put over 300 miles on my pair with no issues to my ankles.

[@cb4atl]

@@johnborton4522that absolutely may be true for you but this is a really commonly-held complaint from both v1 and v2. I’m glad they’re working for you! I really wish they did for me.