Nike Flyknit Lunar 2 – review and price comparison

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Price comparison

Reseller	Leveringstid	Country	Total price	Read more
	1-7 dage		1,295 DKK	Til butik

What’s new

The revolutionary Nike Flyknit Lunar+ 2 is a significant upgrade from its previous version Lunar+ 1. I have thoroughly tested the shoe, and give you my review and test of the shoe. I will tear the shoe apart. Overall, it is a lightweight running shoe for the runner with a neutral running style, who appreciates comfortable comfort and quick dirt clearance. You can use the Nike Flyknit Lunar 2 on your fast runs and competitive races. With a heel-to-toe drop of 10 mm, there are also great opportunities to train midfoot landing, if that is something you want to try. However, it is not a natural running running shoe.

The Nike Flyknit Lunar2 is an upgrade from the previous version. My feeling is that the new model is a better shoe for midfoot runners.

In this review, I criticize the Lunar 2 for not meeting my expectations with the flywire technology (a technology that requires you to maintain good posture in the upper part of the foot while running). However, it has improved in the latest version. The fit is better, especially around the upper part of the instep, the shoe fits significantly better in the Flyknit Lunar 2 than in the Flyknit Lunar 1.

The biggest change is in the midsole, which I will discuss later in this Nike Flyknit Lunar 2 review. The new features are primarily reflected in the improved lunarlon cushioning material.

What’s new is that Nike has conducted a very in-depth analysis to test where runners feel the most pressure when landing, rolling over the midfoot and at take-off. Based on their testing, they have come up with a new construction.

When I compared my (albeit worn) Lunar 1s and the new Lunar 2s, I could easily feel the difference in cushioning from the Lunarlon technology. Their change suits me quite well.

You can on youtube see a complete comparison of the 1st and 2nd (video is +10 minutes).

Cool facts about the Nike Flyknit Lunar shoe

My test of the Nike Flyknit Lunar

I am a big advocate of focusing on technology and functionality instead of appearance.running shoes and equipment,but I must admit that I am very visually captivated by the products that Nike releases. I think in the vast majority of cases that Nike makes some of the most beautiful products, and it was certainly no exception with the Nike Flyknit Lunar shoe. The biggest problem was figuring out which of the many bright colors I should choose the shoe in. It ended up being the green/blue version, which I think is the brightest. If you are not into the wild colors, it also comes in more subdued versions.

In this test I go through my first impression. This includes what I think of the Nike Flyknit Lunar upon receipt and after the first run. First impressions are one thing, but how does the shoe hold up over time? In my tests I usually include an analysis after 100km, 500km or 1000km depending on how excited I am about the shoes and how long they last.

First impressions

When I first received the Nike Flyknit Lunar I had no doubt that I had chosen the right color. Call me superficial, but damn, they are gorgeous.

In terms of size, I bought the shoes in a size 43, which was probably half a size too big. I usually wear a 42 in running shoes, and a 42.5 in the lighter race models. I read that they were a bit small in size, which I have to admit I partly agree with and partly disagree with. If you buy the shoes online, I recommend that you buy them ½ size larger than your everyday shoes and ½ size larger than your heavier mass training running shoes. For example, I wear a size 42 in most other everyday shoes from Nike (e.g. Nike Free casual shoes andRoshe Run shoes).

The first run was a walk on a slightly mixed surface. I started on asphalt, where in my test I found that the Nike Flyknit Lunar gave an excellent start. It was very robust and fast. The transition was very natural and I felt that there was a lot of speed in the shoes. When I later moved onto the gravel paths, I was somewhat disappointed, however, as I did not think the grip from the outsole was as I had hoped. Read more about it in my section on the outsole in the technical analysis, which you can find on this page. I actually slipped a bit on the gravel. Therefore, I switched to the grass at the edge of the gravel path, where the grip was better.

After 450 km of running training

I have had my ups and downs with the Nike Flyknit Lunar. It is a great running shoe that is comfortable and has an excellent fast take-off on asphalt. It is a light running shoe, which I am a big fan of. I have used the shoes for a fitness run on asphalt, where they did well, but on gravel paths I must admit that I am disappointed with the grip in the shoes.

After the first 450 kilometers I have to say that I don’t think the flywire technology is strong enough. You can see more about flywire in the technical analysis. When I run in the shoes, my foot collapses. The function of flywire is to support my foot, but in my opinion they don’t do that sufficiently.

My overall review here of the men’s model is very complete, but if you want more, you can seeanother review here.

What others say about the shoe

This section will be continuously expanded. For now, you will have to “make do” with this overview, which tells you what others generally think of the shoe.

Advantages and disadvantages

Analysis part 1: Who is the shoe aimed at?

Running style

The Nike Flyknit Lunar is a distinctly neutral running shoe, but it can also be used by runners with a supinating running style. I personally tend to overpronate, which has given me some challenges on longer runs where I have needed extra support in the arch. If you are a neutral runner, this will not be a problem for you.

Fit

I think the Nike Flyknit Lunar men’s model has sat well on the foot. There are no problems with discomfort, which I have otherwise experienced with other running shoes. There is also an extra hole for lacing, so you can make your own laces. However, the laces, as previously mentioned, are a bit short, which may make you have some challenges with alternative laces.

In general, the fit is “normal” and can be compared to the fit of many other shoes. Here are some comments on the fit / space in the shoes:

• Heel: normal (maybe a little narrow, but not much)
• Midfoot: normal
• Forefoot: normal
• Toe height: normal
• Arch structure: normal
• Shoe shape: semi-curved (the shape when the shoe is flat on the floor)

In fine clothes

Use the Flyknit Lunar on asphalt or hard-packed gravel. If you run on asphalt, you can run in all kinds of weather with the shoe, you will still have a good start. If it gets sloppy, you will find that the shoe is unstable. When I tested the shoes in mud, I had no chance of keeping up the pace.

Price level

The Nike Flyknit Lunar costs 1400 kroner, which I think is expensive for a shoe with such limited development and technology. I agree that Lunarlon and Flyknit are both very new technologies, but I have rarely seen a competition shoe be this expensive. Normally, the price tag is around 1000 kroner for shoes from other brands of the same quality for the same purpose.

Weight

At only 230 grams in size 43, it is a light running shoe. The stride is good, and you will find that you run faster in this shoe compared to mass training shoes, which typically weigh +300 grams.

Size

I personally wear a size 42.5 in men’s running shoes, and that has also been the case with the Flyknit Lunar. The size has fit perfectly. I recommend that you take the same size as in your mass training running shoes. I also tried a 43, but it was still a little too big.

If you run very long distances your feet will swell, so you need a little extra room to avoid discomfort. The Flyknit upper is stretchy, so it doesn’t matter if the size is a little tight or a little too big.

Type of shoe

It is a competition running shoe that you can use for distances up to the marathon distance. This applies to both men and women. The women’s model is slightly lighter than the men’s model, but women do not need the same degree of cushioning as men, as they are typically lighter.

I recommend the shoe for running on asphalt.

Drops and heights on the forefoot and heel

The heel is 24 mm. This is a good sign that the shoes have some cushioning in the heel. The forefoot is 14 mm, which is very standard for lightweight running shoes. This gives you a drop of 10 mm, which is appropriate for a light running shoe that you need to run fast in. If you go over 15 km/h, you will find that you will land around the midfoot. This is my assessment that from 18 km/h and up you land on the forefoot. However, it depends on your current running style. Are you a heel or midfoot lander?

Analysis Part 2: Construction of the Flyknit Lunar

This analysis is more technical than the previous one. It can be difficult to understand what different technologies do and how running shoes are built. Here I decompose the Flyknit Lunar. I am, to put it mildly, splitting the shoe apart and going into detail with the structure. To give you an overview, I have made the image below, which helps you place the different technologies. It makes it clear how the shoe is built.

The outsole

It must be said that I am not 100% the target audience for the Nike Flyknit Lunar as I have a tendency to pronate. I personally need more support (especially on longer runs) than what this shoe can offer. However, that does not change the fact that I can evaluate the construction of the shoe, including the outsole of the Lunar shoe. The sole is very flat, as you can see in the pictures of the shoe. There is almost no structure in the outsole. This makes it best suited for flat and hard surfaces, such as asphalt or very hard packed gravel. I personally had bad experiences running on loose gravel with the shoe.

The outsole is very thin. It is a choice made by Nike to save weight. Something that I personally appreciate. I would like a flatter and lighter shoe as opposed to it wearing out more easily. However, I must say that I think the sole has worn out unnaturally quickly. The small pads you can see on the outsole have almost disappeared after just 300 km. It gives a slightly worse grip with the surface, but as long as you stay on asphalt, it is not something that makes a big difference.

Midsole

The midsole is made of Lunarlon. Lunarlon is a cushioning material that is soft and very resistant to impacts from landings during running. The material in Lunarlon is one of the lightest cushioning materials. For the same reason, you most often see the Lunarlon midsole in the light Nike running shoes and not in the heavy ones.

The previous material was called Phylon and was about 30% heavier per cubic centimeter. Hence the change. In addition, Lunarlon is made in such a way that the impact from the landing is spread very widely across the entire surface of the foot. This greatly reduces the impact and you significantly reduce the risk of injury.

In addition, the Lunarlon midsole is constructed with diamond-shaped cuts, which increase flexibility and cushioning.

Heel

The heel is incredibly soft. There is Lunarlon cushioning in the midsole. It is the same technology that is used in, for example, shoes like Nike Lunarglide. In my testing of the shoes, I noticed how extremely soft the heel landing was. The soft heel makes the shoe ideal for the heel landing. The midfoot is not as soft, however, I did not feel any discomfort when training with a midfoot landing.

Middle

The midfoot features Nike’s crash pad technology, which from the end of the heel to the midfoot gives you the necessary shock absorption (especially important for midfoot and heel landings). Crash pad is used in many of Nike’s running shoes, so it’s nothing special about the Nike Flyknit Lunar.

Forefoot

It has been my assessment that the forefoot push-off is very strong. There is good grip, especially on asphalt, where the shoe performs well.

Upper part

The Nike Flyknit Lunar is particularly known for its upper, which is made of Flyknit. Flyknit is Nike’s newest design trademark. The concept was launched in 2013 and has since grown in popularity. Many new running shoes from Nike comes with the flyknit upper – especially the lightweight running shoes.

Flyknit technology gives you an incredibly comfortable fit. It feels like the material hugs your feet, but without being uncomfortable.

The flap on the upper (the one you hold onto at the front above the laces) is new in the latest version. It’s made as a separate piece of material, but doesn’t seem to be bothersome in any way.

If you occasionally run in the rain, you will find that the Flyknit upper dries quickly (if the rain stops) and when it rains, the shoes are relatively much lighter than many other running shoes. This gives you a competitive advantage that can ultimately make a big difference.

Last but not least, the upper is very breathable with many ventilation channels, giving your feet a comfortable climate.

Nike Flyknit Lunar compared to other neutral running shoes

The Flyknit upper and Lunar midsole are both very unique concepts that are not 100% comparable in other running shoes. However, I have tried many running shoes and find the Nike Flyknit Lunar very similar.New Balance 890 (lightweight for asphalt) and Kinvara from Saucony (in the asphalt version). What all 3 shoes have in common is that they are very light and that they are primarily intended for running on asphalt.

In addition, there is another lightweight like Adidas Adizero Tempo,which is also something to consider when looking at a shoe like the Flyknit Lunar.

Where the Nike Flyknit Lunar stands out from the other models mentioned is that the upper is made as one piece, while the others are made up of different components. This gives the Nike model an advantage in terms of irritation problems from stitching, which you may be unfortunate to experience in the other shoes.

From Nike there is also The Nike Flyknit Racer shoe as an alternative. It is an ultralight running shoe (far lighter than the otherwise lightweight Nike Flyknit Lunar). The difference is that the Racer model does not have the Lunarlon sole, and therefore the Race model has minimal support and cushioning. It is therefore a shoe that you are only recommended to use for lightning-fast runs (interval training and competition), while you can use the Lunar shoe for longer runs as well.

Summary

I tested the Nike Flyknit Lunar over 300 kilometers. My impression from the first run and my impression after 300 kilometers are quite different. As I mentioned in the pros and cons section of my test, I don’t think the durability is good enough considering the price. I am fascinated by the idea of ​​combining the Flyknit upper and the Lunar midsole, which is incredibly soft, but in my opinion the shoe is a bit too thin in the choice of technology.

Where the Nike Flyknit Lunar does well is in the take-off, appearance and comfort when landing on the heel. Here the shoe is to be praised. I would recommend the Flyknit Lunar from Nike to those of you who are looking for a fast running shoe for running on asphalt. Here it does well. If you go out on softer and more unstructured surfaces, it is not recommended.

Price comparison

Here you will find the best prices on Nike Flyknit Lunar

Reseller	Leveringstid	Country	Total price	Read more
	1-7 dage		1,295 DKK	Til butik