Updated: November 14th, 2010

Nike LunarFly Black
	Full Name: Nike LunarFly+
	Category: Cushioning
	Weight: 9 oz. (250 gr.)
	Suggested Price: 90$
	Recommended For: Neutral runners

Nike LunarFly+ General Info:

Introduced in October 2010 as a replacement for the Nike Run Avant. The LunarFly+ is a well cushioned, light weight daily trainer for efficient runners that also does a nice job for speed and tempo work. Could also be used on race day.

Nike LunarFly+ Sole Unit:

The sole unit of the Nike LunarFly+ is the same as was used with the Run Avant+, comprised of LunarLite foam. Most shoes sacrifice cushioning or stability for weight, but with Nike’s LunarLite technology, they’ve reduced weight without sacrificing cushioning by bonding the LunarLite foam to it’s Phylon carrier. Phylon is a form of EVA that is highly responsive, and can be compressed and molded in to many shapes. This combination results in a light, but cushioned and responsive midsole unit.The outsole combines the classic Nike waffle pattern with BRS 1000 carbon rubber for enhanced durability. Gender specific flex grooves are also in the outsole offering increased flexibility and efficiency. The waffles, though small, do provide more than adequate traction on several surfaces.

Nike LunarFly+ Upper:

Nike LunarFly Uppers

There aren’t a lot of unnecessary overlays or stitching as the LunarFly uses the classic Nike Zoom Hayward upper which is seamless and simple. Using overlays only in the forefoot and rearfoot, yet providing a snug fit for medium to wide feet. The Fly is available in a standard mesh as well as the Breathe fabric, which is even more open and provides enhanced ventalation, which is a definite plus during summer months. The toebox is spacious and a molded sockliner adds to the comfy fit. The Fly is available in host of head turning colorways, and is anything BUT boring in the looks department…so get ready to hear “love your shoes” on a regular basis!

Nike LunarFly+ Opinion:

It was love at first fit with the Fly. This shoe just felt right with a snug heel, and an upper that wrapped the foot just right without being too tight and a 1-2 run break in period that kept me on my training schedule. My arch would be considered normal to low, and again the Fly fit perfectly in that area. We tried both the Breath and the standard upper material, and found the Breath provided a more “custom” fit that seemed to almost custom mold to the shape of the wearers foot. I raced every distance from 5K to marathon in the Fly and found it to be a very good shoe. I only found two major drawbacks to the Fly: the sockliner tends to slip and bunch up towards the forefoot when damp (sweaty), and it was a tad soft, or squishy. A minor issue is sole wear for mid-foot strikers, as there are only small waffles in the strike zone and the sole wore through to the midsole around 200 miles. If you prefer a firmer shoe, the Fly may not be the shoe for you even though it has an excellent ride, it can feel a bit “squishy” in the midfoot and heel. The LunarFly+ is a “jack of all trades” shoe…daily trainer for some, tempo/speed shoe for some and racer for others, but overall a very solid shoe at a very reasonable price.

Nike LunarFly+ Review by Steve Bryant

Let us know what you think of this shoe in the comments!