Nike Epic React Flyknit 2 | Test and review

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Price comparison Nike Epic React 2

Reseller	Leveringstid	Country	Total price	Read more
	5-7 dage		649 DKK	Til butik
	3-5 dage		675 DKK	Til butik
	2-5 dage		749 DKK	Til butik
	1-2 dage		757 DKK	Til butik
	1-7 dage		859 DKK	Til butik
	3-5 dage		914 DKK	Til butik
	1-2 dage		1,200 DKK	Til butik
	3-5 dage		1,241 DKK	Til butik

Price comparison Nike Epic React

Reseller	Leveringstid	Country	Total price	Read more
	1-2 dage		649 DKK	Til butik
	2-5 dage		869 DKK	Til butik
	1-2 dage		1,200 DKK	Til butik
	3-5 dage		1,242 DKK	Til butik

Nike Epic React Flyknit 2 – what happened?

The Nike Epic React Flyknit is easily one of the running shoes that has had the greatest success at Nike in at least the last 10 years. Without being 110% sure of the numbers, it is said that the Nike Epic React Flyknit became one of the best-selling shoes in 2018. Not just in Denmark, but generally worldwide. And that is due, among other things, to its very versatile use. When a running shoe can cover both long distances and fast runs, you can really go far.
Now it’s time for Nike to launch their version 2 of this Nike Epic React. Because even though version 1 was a huge success, there’s always room for improvement. And that’s great about Nike, they don’t settle for anything. If there’s something that can be upgraded, it gets upgraded.

The upper has been given a run through the upgrade machine. In fact, they have managed to make an already flexible and supportive upper even more supportive and flexible. You will also notice that the branding on the side of the shoe has become larger (the Nike logo). The Nike Epic React 2 of course still contains an upper that is built in Flyknit all-over. And that still makes it one of the most lightweight-versatile running shoes you can imagine.

The heel was a point that we have learned that some runners were dissatisfied with. Not so dissatisfied that it was directly annoying when running in the shoe. but among other things the height of the heel was a sticking point. That is what has been changed in the Nike Epic React Flyknit 2. In fact, the height of the heel has been lowered, while at the same time making it more stable. It grips your heel/Achilles tendon better.

The shoe’s other features haven’t been touched. It still has a full React midsole, the seamless upper and of course still as a neutral running shoe.
Our assessment of these updates is simply that it takes the shoe to new heights. I can’t see how these improvements would have a negative impact on an already fantastic running shoe. So I wonder if we’ll see a version 3 of the Nike Epic React Flyknit. We’d be very surprised if we didn’t.

What you should notice about the Nike Epic React

Nike is not known for releasing anything that hasn’t been tested and doesn’t work. That’s certainly not the case with the Nike Epic React. The shoe that will be the pioneer (or woman) for the introduction of the new React midsole when we look at runners. The React midsole has been introduced elsewhere, in connection with other sports.

But there are plenty of highlights about the Nike Epic React that you should notice. In fact, there are so many that we have had to limit ourselves a bit in this section.

But it is clear that we cannot avoid the fact that it is worth taking a shot at the REACT material itself. It is a completely new type of material for the midsole of a Nike running shoe. It can, without them being similar at all, be compared a little to the very popular LunarLon midsole that has prevailed for many years. And the direct comparison with Lunarlon shows that the React midsole is up to 13% more energy-efficient. This means that the midsole gives you more energy back with each step, which you can then use in the next step. This gives you a faster execution of your steps when you are out running.

You may think it’s a repeat, but you can’t help but talk about the upper in the Nike Epic React. It’s a FlyKnit upper, which is this completely soft and fantastic material that not only fits fantastically well around the foot (tight fit) but also increases ventilation and the ability to breathe through the material, so your feet have the best possible conditions when you’re speeding away. Flyknit is like putting a sock on your feet. Or maybe the feeling you have when you step into your slippers or slippers. A fantastic feeling for your feet. And combined with the ultra-soft REACT midsole, the whole experience just gives a WOW effect. The upper is in one piece, and that means you won’t have to bother with a tongue (the part that sits above the instep and under the laces) that isn’t attached and that can risk falling out to one side and causing irritation. You’ll avoid that.

I wonder if it is also appropriate to mention the weight of the Nike Epic React. Because when you have a light midsole and a fantastically light upper. Then it is not difficult to calculate that you have a light running shoe overall. What sometimes happens with these light running shoes is that you lose some comfort. But here you should note that the Nike Epic React has a very high level of comfort, when you consider that the shoe only weighs 226 grams in a size 43. It is a fantastic feeling that you do not even notice that you are wearing a running shoe..
But of course you should also enjoy how much finish there is (again) in a running shoe from Nike. The message from here is that they have of course once again hit the spot, and with the Nike Epic React have created a running shoe that really appeals to a lot of runners.

Cool facts about Epic React

What have others said about the running shoe?

See below. There you can see what others have said about the Nike Epic React

Søren Mogensen, Love my Epic React running shoes

Ghita Sonderborg, Light and very responsive running shoe

Mie Strobek, A good shoe that fits me well

The first experiences of running in the Nike Epic React

Oh, how excited you were. First of all, it always makes you happy when your new running shoes land, but you’re just a little extra excited when you know that Nike has launched something new and groundbreaking. That’s always fun..
It’s no secret that as soon as something with Flyknit in the name of the shoe is mentioned, I’m usually sold immediately, due to the good fit. But in this case, it was a completely new technology that lay under the top of the shoe. A new groundbreaking construction of a midsole. And it hadn’t been given too little in their launch of the shoe and their focus on this REACT midsole. So Nike had unknowingly helped to raise expectations wildly. So it was exciting.
Let’s just say it didn’t disappoint. The Nike Epic React Flyknit is a super cool running shoe, and you could easily feel that the midsole was new, unique and a different experience. Even when the shoe was unpacked, it reeked of quality. You don’t have to be a running shoe professor to conclude that we are dealing with a quality product.

An energetic running shoe was put on my feet and then it was off to the road. And I use the word energetic because I think it is. Of course, I didn’t know that before I ran in it, but that’s the feeling you had after your first run. This React midsole, which was supposed to be so excellent at giving energy back to you as you take the next step, turned out to be as described. You can feel from the first step you take in the Nike Epic React that the sole is the heart of the shoe. For the first time perhaps in my entire running career, the Flyknit upper stood alone without me giving it a second thought. But it hasn’t been forgotten, because the Flyknit upper is the top of the cake, it’s the icing on the cake or the whipped cream on your Irish Coffee. It completes the shoe, so that you get a 101% unique experience with this shoe. At least that was the feeling I had after my first run.

More experiences with the shoe

The Nike Epic React does not disappoint. At least not for me. I can imagine it will meet the needs of a lot of runners. If it were to hit the nail on the head somewhere, it would be for the type of runner who doesn’t like this tight feeling. The runner who wants the solid support and the feeling of the shoe being very solid under you. Because that’s also one of the things the Nike Epic React is good at. It’s to give you this flying feeling when you stand, walk or run in the shoe. You get the feeling that there isn’t too “much midsole” under you, and of course that also affects the weight of the shoe..
After a few runs in the Nike Epic React, it is also very easy for me to conclude that with this running shoe you get a shoe that solves 90% of the needs of the average Danish runner. You have to be a nerd (like me) or extreme in your approach to running shoes if you are going to find a place where the Nike Epic React does NOT work. It is good for looooooong most distances. I can run both short and long runs in the shoe. The midsole remains the same, it never gets tired. I can try fast runs in the Nike Epic React without feeling like the shoe is holding me back. It was probably not a big surprise, since the shoe only weighs around these 240 grams, depending on the size choice. What is surprising is that it also handles the long and exhausting runs as well as it does. This is due to the React midsole, which is constantly “new and fresh”. A unique midsole if you ask me.

Size selection in Epic React

Buy your running shoes by centimeter measurements, that’s usually the best advice. Look at your previous running shoes. Some manufacturers use the designation cm, and it’s easy to read. Other manufacturers may use JP, you just divide that by 10 and you have your measurement..
In terms of choosing the correct size in the Nike Epic React, there is nothing special that you need to pay attention to. It is like all other Nike running shoes in size. Some may have a tendency to buy half a size larger than usual due to the tight fit. This is also really fine, as long as you are aware that you still run comfortably in the shoe, and that there is no irritation in, for example, the heel, due to that choice.

Advantages and disadvantages

Analysis Part 1: Who should run in the Nike Epic React

In analysis part 1, we start with who can and should run in the Nike Epic React.

Which running style

Forget about the running style. Or if you are the type who really cares that the shoe MUST have a pronation wedge, then the Nike Epic React is probably not the shoe for you. But that being said, I still think the first 4 words in this paragraph are spot on. Forget about the running style. And I think that for the sole reason that I am basically a runner who should run with pronation support (I don’t always do that as I test a lot of running shoes, both with and without) but I don’t experience any irritation when running in the Nike Epic React. I actually feel that it supports me really well compared to other shoes I have tried without pronation support.
The human body can get used to a lot, and it could also be that over the past many years I have taught my body to run in many different running shoes. But the most important thing for me is that I do not experience irritations and “injuries” from running in a shoe. And that is not the case with the Nike Epic React.
It is basically neutral in the running style, but has good support through the support placed in the heel, in particular.

Fit

Tight and generally tight fit. You have to be aware of that if you want to run in the Nike Epic React. There is a difference between a light and heavy tight fit if you ask me. There is a huge difference between whether the upper is light and nice, or it is heavy and thick. If you have a tight fit with an upper that is heavy and thick, it can be both annoying and uncomfortable for the feet.
If you have an upper that is light and fine like Nike Flyknit, it is a comfortable experience and at the same time it gives you some advantages, such as better ability to breathe through the upper.

Surfaces and conditions

Stick to the hard surface. Asphalt, concrete, sidewalk. In any case, stay away from anything that can damage the soft upper. Both the sole and the upper are built to perform on the hard surface. That’s what you call an asphalt running shoe.

Price level

The price level is fine. As previously mentioned, it is of course a matter of taste, but I actually think that for 1,250,- you get a lot for your money. If nothing else, in the Nike Epic React you get a running shoe that can be used for both long, short and fast runs. And imagine if you found it on sale too.

What does the Nike Epic React weigh?

It weighs a mere 226 grams in size 43. And if that alone doesn’t make you think wow, then I don’t know what will. 226 grams for a shoe that can be run both long and short distances in. That’s fantastic. Normally, shoes of this weight class are reserved for race and competition running shoes.

Care and maintenance of Zoom Fly

Like you would maintain any other running shoes. For example, you should never wash them in the washing machine. You can read our guide about washing and maintenance of running shoes here.It gives you all the good tips.

Drop height in Nike Epic React

A relatively high drop of 10mm. So you don’t have to be afraid of getting into the drop. Maybe some, judging the shoe by its appearance, will tend to say that the shoe had a lower drop. But that’s not the case. 10mm drop in the Nike Epic React.
This gives you a “normal” gait when running in the Nike Epic React. Heel landing.

Analysis Part 2: Technical Review of the Nike Epic React

Here we try to make you aware of the more technical details of the shoe. Of course, without it becoming too technical and incomprehensible. We keep the worst nerdiness to ourselves, or at least we write about it so that ordinary people can understand it too.

The outsole

Nothing special about it. It does what it’s supposed to do, and nothing more. In fact, it’s perhaps worth mentioning that some people find it to be a bit underwhelming, precisely because it’s so minimal in its design.
One thing is for sure, this is an outsole for absolutely hard surfaces. You shouldn’t approach places with loose gravel or sand in these shoes, otherwise you risk skating around.

Midsole

It should hardly be necessary to write more about it. But on the other hand, it’s the whole heart of this shoe. So of course, there should also be some facts on the table about the Nike REACT midsole.
React is, in short, a stronger, lighter, more supportive and of course a more energetic midsole than you’re used to from Nike. It is often compared or held up against its predecessor, the Nike LunarLon, and it beats it by a long way. Both in lightness and in responsive energy.

Heel

Surprisingly good support for the heel. Not a place I’ve had my focus. And that’s usually a sign that it’s doing a good job. If you don’t notice anything about the heel, it’s doing its job.

Shock absorption

You will experience the “flying” feeling. The unique way the React midsole shoots energy and softness back to you is perfect. There is one thing you must not doubt about the Nike Epic React, and that is its softness/cushioning. It plays max.

Forefoot

A very tight construction via Flyknit in the forefoot. I can see my bunion when I have the shoe on, it fits so tightly. But it is in no way too much or too narrow. And it is not because there is Flyknit. Super soft material with a unique ability to fit uniquely on your foot. Enjoy, it is absolutely fantastic.

Upper part

We’ve just touched on the forefoot. The Nike Epic React has an upper made of Flyknit throughout the shoe. A super soft and very flexible upper that fits perfectly around your foot. You don’t put on a pair of running shoes when you step into the Nike Epic React, you put on a pair of socks with a midsole. That’s probably the best and most descriptive way to describe it.

Comparisons to Nike Epic React

It is very unique of its kind. And it is groundbreaking. Therefore, it can be difficult to find direct comparisons. But you can certainly take a look at Nike Zoom Fly which has some of the same virtues as the Nike Epic React.
There is also already a little brother or sister if you want to the Nike Epic React. Take a look at Nike Odyssey React. Also a surprisingly fantastic running shoe.

Summary

Well, it’s not really that difficult. At the time of writing, the most apt and complete running shoe for him or her who wants a shoe that can do a little, or actually a lot of everything..
Personally, I have a penchant for Nike running shoes, especially those with Flyknit uppers. That’s why my personal rating is also a clear 10, if I could give it one. There’s not much wrong with the Nike Epic React

Price comparison on Nike Epic React

Our automatic update constantly keeps an eye on the best prices for Nike Epic React for you. Below you will find the best prices right now from our running shoe partners.

Reseller	Leveringstid	Country	Total price	Read more
	1-2 dage		649 DKK	Til butik
	2-5 dage		869 DKK	Til butik
	1-2 dage		1,200 DKK	Til butik
	3-5 dage		1,242 DKK	Til butik