Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit 2: 100-Mile Review

Introduction

After more than 100 miles, the Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit 2 has settled into a familiar role: a plush, forgiving daily trainer built around maximum cushioning. Purchased at retail in a UK size 11, which is a US size 12, the shoe clocks in at 345 g, roughly 12.2 oz. Most of that mileage has come on easy days and everyday running, almost entirely on roads and pavement, with a little light trail and gravel mixed in and mostly in dry conditions. It has also served as a do-it-all walking shoe on a recent city trip, where it handled long days of pavement comfortably.

Who This Shoe Is For

This is a shoe for runners who want maximum softness on easy days and everyday miles. The cushioning is generous enough to get you out the door when your legs and mind feel tired, and it doubles well as a comfortable walking shoe for city use. If your running is mostly dry-road mileage at a relaxed effort, this fits that brief well.

It is less well suited to hot, wet, or highly performance-focused use. The heavily padded upper runs warm in summer heat, and the absorbent padding soaks up water, making it a poor match for a persistently wet climate.

Main Strengths

The midsole is the headline. It has been a genuine leg saver, delivering comfort whether running or walking. There is a lot of squish in the ZoomX foam, and even past 100 miles it remains a very cushioned ride, though the out-of-the-box magic does fade somewhat. That seems to come down to the lack of an internal structural element in the midsole: the very compressive foam gradually loses some of its bounce, settling into a soft impact-protection feel rather than anything propulsive.

That last point matters. Do not expect the propulsive snap of a Vaporfly or Alphafly here. The ZoomX in this shoe works more like a very comfortable pillow than a springboard, and the shoe’s bulk dampens any energized feeling further. As pure comfort over long, easy miles, though, it still delivers, and there are plenty of miles left in the foam.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The upper is improved over the original version. The toe box structure keeps material away from the big toe, which prevents the blistering issues some runners had on the V1. Lockdown also improves dramatically with an alternative lacing pattern: switching to an over-under style lacing with a runner’s knot pulled the sides of the upper in over the foot and produced a faultless fit. Still, there is a lot of padding in the heel and around the tongue, and the whole upper feels bulky and warm. It is about 45 g heavier than some lighter-leaning competitors, and that extra thickness absorbs water badly, so wet weather use is a weak spot.

The midsole durability details deserve attention too. The silicone elements in the heel have started to separate slightly from the ZoomX foam, which is notoriously hard for anything to stick to, even with careful treatment. The included insole is also extremely thin with no real structure; it mainly protects the foam from your foot, and swapping in a thicker aftermarket insole made the shoe feel unfocused and less stable rather than better.

The outsole is a mixed bag. The pattern is one of Nike’s best and grips well across a variety of surfaces, but there is arguably too much rubber, adding bulk to an already heavy shoe. Wear after 100-plus miles is concentrated on the lateral heel, the same spot that wore on the V1, while the rest of the outsole and its lug protrusions show barely any wear. Durability here is genuinely impressive, with likely 100 miles of running plus another 20 to 30 miles of casual walking left.

Buying Advice

At 165 pounds in the UK, this is a pricey shoe, and value is the weakest area. The midsole and outsole are essentially the same as the V1, so you are largely paying extra for the improved upper, and that may not be worth the premium. Many runners have picked up the heavily discounted original and love it, and it was a standout in viewer polls of most-used shoes of 2022.

If the V1 worked for you, buying up remaining pairs of the original is a reasonable move. If you are set on the V2, waiting for a discount looks like the smarter play, especially with lingering concerns about the upper-to-midsole bonding. Expect a future version to refine the bulky upper and tighten the value case.

Conclusion

After 100 miles, the Invincible Run Flyknit 2 scores 10.4 out of 12 overall: 2.6 for the upper, 2.7 for the midsole, 2.6 for the outsole, and 2.5 for value. It remains an exceptionally comfortable, durable max-cushion daily trainer with a beautifully soft ride, held back by a bulky, warm upper, some early durability warning signs, and a full asking price that is hard to justify over a discounted V1. For easy-day comfort on dry roads, it delivers exactly what it promises; just buy it on sale if you can.