Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit 2 Review: A Max-Cushion Favorite Gets a Better Upper

Introduction

The original ZoomX Invincible Run was a shoe of two halves: a brilliant midsole and outsole wrapped in an upper that rubbed some runners the wrong way. Version two keeps the ride exactly the same and focuses almost entirely on fixing that upper. After a 10-mile test run, the update looks like a genuine improvement rather than a cosmetic one.

Upper: The Big Change for Version Two

The new Flyknit feels more like the knit material most runners expect, with a bit more structure in the toe box that keeps the material away from the toes and makes the fit feel roomier. Small plastic overlays reinforce the eyelets, the tongue padding is more refined, and the heel and ankle padding feels slightly better finished than before. The oval, slightly elastic laces are thicker than the originals and help you get a good lockdown with much less pressure over the top of the foot.

Two things to watch: the irritating reflective strips are back on both the lateral and medial sides, and the previous version’s strips rubbed one tester’s big toe badly enough to cause blisters on long runs. The smaller swoosh on the medial side adds a touch of structure, and the shoe simply looks better overall. Breathability felt fine on test, though the upper still reads a little bulky for what’s underfoot.

Midsole: Pure ZoomX Comfort

With 45 mm of heel stack, around 36 mm in the forefoot, and a 9 mm drop that feels even bigger thanks to how compressive the foam is, this shoe sits you directly on top of ZoomX with no rubberized strorel board in between. It is incredibly squishy and forgiving rather than fast, absorbing plenty of impact by design. On a 10-mile run, the generous foam in the heel and midfoot felt genuinely luxurious and easy on a tight, sore hip.

The ride is essentially unchanged from the original, perhaps slightly better thanks to improved upper lockdown. It is less propulsive than some max-stack rivals, so runners after maximum cushion in a lighter, snappier package may look elsewhere. For easy days, recovery runs, or returning from injury, though, it is hard to dislike once you accept just how soft it is.

Outsole: Loud, Grippy, and Built to Protect the Foam

This is one of the loudest shoes around, but the full rubber coverage likely exists to stabilize the shoe and protect the damage-prone ZoomX foam from sharp objects, which matters in a daily or recovery shoe at this price. The original had excellent grip across varied surfaces and rain, even on light trails, and since the midsole and outsole unit is unchanged there is little reason to expect different behavior here.

The only caveat is durability: the original wore down fairly quickly in the midfoot and lateral heel, though grip remained superb even then.

Value and Buying Advice

At £165 in the UK, this is a very expensive shoe, and plenty of max-cushion rivals cost less. It still out-cushions the On Running CloudMonster, feels softer than the Reebok Floatride Energy X, and costs less than the Adidas Adizero Prime X, while the Asics Novablast 2 is less compressive and forgiving. If you can find the original discounted and its upper works for you, that remains a sensible buy. But if you can get a deal on this version, the improved upper makes it meaningfully better value than its predecessor.

If your current Invincible Run Flyknit still has miles left, use them up first and consider this one later in the rotation.

Conclusion

Scoring 10.3 out of 12 overall, the ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit 2 is a comfortable, forgiving max-cushion shoe that finally pairs its outstanding midsole with an upper worth enjoying. It is too soft and squishy for speed fans, and the price demands patience for a discount, but as a recovery or easy-day option it is easy to recommend.