Nike LunarEpic Flyknit | Big test and review

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Price comparison on Nike LunarEpic

Reseller	Leveringstid	Country	Total price	Read more
	2-5 dage		674 DKK	Til butik
	3-5 dage		1,420 DKK	Til butik
	1-2 dage		1,500 DKK	Til butik

What’s great about the Nike LunarEpic Flyknit

You will love this running shoe for its unique fit (flyknit upper) And you will definitely also love the shoe because it is super shock absorbing and super flexible. Nike has created many great running shoes for runners around the world with their Lunar concept. This LunarEpic is another one in the series, now it is just crossed with another of their huge successes, their Flyknit upper.
When these two “phenomena” meet, something magical happens. In the LunarEpic from Nike, you get a super perfect running shoe that quickly becomes one with your feet and the rest of your body.

The ultra-soft and lightweight Lunarlon technology in the midsole of the Nike LunarEpic is a fantastic feeling to run and walk in. It gives you the perfect cushioning and the perfect take-off – every time.

There are many great things about this running shoe, but the last thing I would like to mention is the flexibility of the running shoe. And here I am not thinking about how the shoe works, but that it is a multi-running shoe that covers a lot of distances. It is a running shoe that could actually “stand alone” in the wardrobe. Not that I would directly recommend it, but with the LunarEpic you get a running shoe that is essential in that it covers both short and long distances.

What have others said about the running shoe?

Others have also enjoyed running in the Nike LunarEpic Flyknit. You can see some of their experiences with the shoe below.

Karl Petersen, Exerciser

Merete Andersen

Cool facts about the shoe

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My first experiences with the Nike LunarEpic Flyknit

It’s the same exercise every time, but that doesn’t make it any less fantastic from time to time. I’m always really excited to unpack a new running shoe and check out what it can do and what it’s like for you. From the time the shoe is ordered for testing until it arrives, I usually do a little research online so that I’m fully prepared. When you move in running circles, you know most running shoes by name, but it’s always good to read up a little.

It was of course the same when I had to open and check out the Nike LunarEpic Flyknit for the first time. Sometimes you just get excited more than others, and this was one of those times with this running shoe. The shoe has been all over the internet, and among others. at RunRepeat,I’ve gotten really good reviews along the way, and in my mind it’s always a good indication that we’re dealing with a high-quality running shoe..
The Nike LunarEpic, like the Nike Zoom All Out Flyknit, is a so-called “boot running shoe” and therefore has a slightly different look than the traditional running shoe. Although it is becoming more and more widespread, and people who see advertisements are becoming more and more aware of this structure (especially from Nike football advertisements), I know from previous tests that the kind of running shoe that the Nike LunarEpic Flyknit is, attracts a bit of attention when you are out and about. Because it is still not normal for a running shoe to have ankle support. But I wouldn’t be surprised if it becomes normal one day, because in my universe it makes good sense to give the foot and ankle some extra support.

It goes without saying that such a special running shoe is something you’re looking forward to testing, but it all becomes a little more spectacular when you look at the sole and see its somewhat special structure. It’s not a classic “flat” outer and outsole, but instead an outsole that consists of pods. Read more about it further down in the review.

Of course, the Nike LunarEpic was automatically on the list of running shoes that we had to test, but I must also admit that after a chat with a friend who runs in the LunarEpic himself, I moved it up a bit in the queue. He spoke very warmly of it, and then you just get a little more curious. So all in all, I was very excited to get my new Nike LunarEpic Flyknit through the door, and I was not least excited to try them out in their true element.

My first run in the Nike LunarEpic Flyknit

A pleasure, it could actually be written so easily. For me, the Nike LunarEpic is a really nice running shoe to run in. And it is for several different reasons.
When that trip was about to start, it should be mentioned that I came straight from a test, yes actually this test ran alongside a Nike Zoom **Flyknit, and it is a running shoe that I must say that I am not a huge fan of. But of course the review of the Nike LunarEpic should not be punished by that. And I would also like to honestly admit that it was not an issue, there is simply too big a difference between the 2 shoes for that.

My first run in the Nike LunarEpic was a 6.5 kilometer recovery run. That is, a run at a moderate pace, but all the better time to think about impressions and fit. I have to say that when I stepped into the shoe for the first time, I think I had my challenges with the heel. A little hard to explain, but it was as if the stitching or where the heel separates from the additional upper was too low in relation to my heel. But it only required a small change in the lacing, and then the fact of getting the ankle support up in place so that it sits correctly. Then the discomfort was eliminated.
But the fact that you can put on a running shoe for the first time and then just run away in it, that’s usually a really good indication for me. The LunarEpic just sits there from the start. This is of course due to the superb Flyknit upper which just has the amazing ability to adapt to your foot immediately.

Already on the first run I noticed the very absorbent Lunarlon midsole. I knew that this constellation was good, as I have tested other running shoes from Nike with this shock absorption. But still, you are always a little excited about the whole thing in a running shoe. Does that composition work in this shoe too? And it did. I got a fantastic cushioning feeling with every step, and also got a really good roll forward with every run-off..
If we are going to dwell a little on the Flyknit upper (again), it also has other good properties than just a good fit. It ensures that sweat is led away from your feet, but perhaps even more importantly, it gives you lots of support and support. And you will notice this as soon as you step into the Nike LunarEpic. There is super good support for your feet – I tested, as the pictures indicate, the long model with ankle support, and here the feeling is perhaps a bit more pronounced than in the short version. But it must also be said that you should be ready to run with an ankle-supporting running shoe, because it is definitely a different feeling than in a regular running shoe. In any case, I find that I feel the whole thing a bit more “enclosed” but it is in a good way.
The upper and its material are great, but the finishing touch to the famous I comes when you lace up the shoe with the Flywire lacing system. The Nike LunarEpic fits like a sock around your foot.

I know it’s a cliché, but I have a weakness for manufacturers who do something extra for you. And when you open the box with your new Nike LunarEpic, an extra set of insoles is put in the box. This is solely for the purpose of optimizing the fit even more. One sole is 6 mm and the other is 4 mm. Then you have the opportunity to adjust yourself to the best possible fit. I think it’s cool.

** Flyknit first saw the light of day in 2012. At the time, it was a revolutionary development of uppers from Nike. It was an upper that was developed with the aim of greater ventilation, more support and additional support. All sewn from a long thread, so of course you don’t have any seams in the upper. Flyknit becomes like an extra layer of “skin”. You almost put on your running shoes like an extra pair of socks, just without any irritation..
The Flyknit technology was developed over 4 years by engineers and designers, based on the feedback that Nike received from runners around the world.

More rides in LunarEpic Flyknit

After my first successful run in the Nike LunarEpic, expectations were naturally high when it came to testing the shoe in other types of running. And the Nike LunarEpic did not disappoint here either. It is a super versatile running shoe.
The subsequent trips, which were both the “longer trips” over 12 kilometers, as well as the short sprint trips of 4 and 5 kilometers. These running shoes seem to be able to solve all challenges.

Normally, or rather, it usually ends up that the shoes I run my interval runs in, I almost never end up using for longer runs (half marathons, etc.). Now, I haven’t run more than 21 kilometers in this shoe, but my clear feeling is that it can easily handle it.
And because it can be used for interval running, because I have tried that with great success. It’s just a cool feeling when you run intervals that you feel like there is just shock absorption mounted on your feet. The fact that you don’t feel the upper at all does something in my head when I know I have to run faster. It weighs (my size) only 235 grams.

I’ve probably done about 10 runs in this Nike LunarEpic Flyknit by now, and while it all sounds very sweet, I haven’t yet encountered any challenges that I think are worth mentioning in a review like this. This running shoe reminds me a lot of the Nike Free RN Flyknit, and it’s definitely one of my favorites, so I don’t see why this one wouldn’t be?

Size selection

If you take the fact that Nike sizes are usually a bit small (statistics and my own experience say so) then you should buy half a size bigger. But I would also like to mention that I think I can see a trend in that the newer running shoes from Nike, mainly those with Flyknit uppers, I can see coming back to more normal conditions. I still order size 44 in Nike, which is half a size bigger than in, for example, Adidas and Salomon running shoes. And they fit really well. But I actually think I could run in a size US 9½ which corresponds to a size 43 without me noticing the big difference. And I think that is due to the somewhat more flexible upper in Nike Flyknit running shoes. Otherwise, you can use our size guide

Advantages and disadvantages

Analysis Part 1: Who is the Nike LunarEpic Flyknit aimed at?

Who can use this running shoe, who is the shoe aimed at, and who should definitely stay away from these running shoes. Because my clear belief is that not everyone can or WILL run in the Nike LunarEpic.

Which running style

If in today’s Denmark in 2016 a running style is to be assigned to this Nike running shoe, then it is definitely a running shoe that is aimed at the neutral running style. But the reason I write it that way is that the undersigned has run in the shoe, I am a normal pronation runner, but have not felt any discomfort from running in this “neutral” running shoe. Therefore, I am a little skeptical about only calling it a neutral running shoe.

Fit

Is there a better fit? It has an incredibly tight fit around the foot. Of course, this is an individual assessment, but if you like tight-fitting running shoes, I can’t imagine anything other than loving this running shoe. The material that wraps around your foot is so comfortable that you almost don’t notice it’s there. The tightness of the fit on the shoe is a little like compression. It’s not compression, but it does something fantastic that it fits just as tightly..
The material really does a lot for the fit, but the little feature called Flywire also has to be credited for the sublime fit. It’s the system that goes from the laces down across the shoe to the midsole. When you lace up the shoe, these Flywire threads ensure that the shoe fits snugly to the foot.

It’s a hard feeling to describe, but it really is as if you don’t feel the shoe when you’re wearing it. It almost feels like you’ve got some big soft shock-absorbing pads mounted under your feet.

• Size: Normal (Nike)
• Heel: Normal
• Midfoot: normal
• Forefoot: Tight fit
• Shoe tip: normal
• Arch structure: low
• Shoe shape: semi-curved

Base & conditioner

The recommendations from Nike are that it is a running shoe for asphalt. Of course it is. But I have worn it myself in the snow – on forest paths – and there were no problems. There was a really good grip on the surface. Where I can see that problems could arise is with the somewhat fragile upper when you choose to run in the forest. Even if you stay on paths etc. there will be an increased risk of you hitting branches or thorns, and that is where the soft Flyknit upper falls a bit short. Unfortunately, it is very sensitive, and very easy to tear threads, so be careful if you come through a forest or other similar landscape.

Price level

Some runners are a little unhappy with the price, I can see when I read about this running shoe around. It is also correct that it is on the high end when we talk about price, but if you compare it to what you get, then my personal opinion is that the price is fair. It is recommended for 1500,- and will probably be available online for a price between 1000 and 1200,- I actually think it can easily bear that, since I think you get a lot of cool features for this price.

Weight of Nike LunarEpic Flyknit

At only 238 grams for a size 44 (US10), I would say that it is a BIG running shoe, with a LITTLE weight. I actually think it is quite impressive that you can keep so many cool features and such a solid fit down to a mere 238 grams. This also makes the shoe the multi-running shoe that we mentioned before. You can run fast runs without blaming the weight of the shoe for your times, and conversely, you can also use the shoe for longer distances without being affected by a high weight of the shoe.
I’ve had both my shoes – right and left – on the scale, and there’s a small difference of 3 grams between them. That’s an acceptable difference. And not a difference I’ll notice when I run.

Type of running shoe

For me, it is definitely a multi-purpose running shoe. As I have pointed out several times, I will be able to use this Nike LunarEpic for both interval running and competitive running over longer distances. Both without having that annoying little voice telling me that I could optimize my shoes in order to perform better.

Drops and heights on the forefoot and heel

The Nike LunarEpic has a 10mm drop. This means it is a running shoe for heel-landers. If you are working on getting further forward on the midfoot or forefoot to run, then the Nike LunarEpic is probably not the shoe you should be focusing on. This running shoe is designed for what I would call “the normal transition” from heel to forefoot.

Lady:
Heel height: 28mm
Forefoot height: 18mm

Master:
Heel height: 28mm
Forefoot height: 18mm

Analysis Part 2: Technical review of the running shoe

This part of the analysis is where we get into the technical details of the shoe a little more. How it is built, what elements and features have been put into the shoe by the manufacturer. We always try to make it as easy for our readers as possible, but here you can expect some technical terms to appear.

The outsole

The outer part of the shoe, or if you prefer, the lower part, is called the outsole. And on the Nike LunarEpic, it’s a bit special. You see classic outsoles that are practically “flat” with some different notches for various systems. But on this running shoe, you have to be ready to run on pods.
There are anatomically correctly placed pods on the outsole, which help to give you a better landing and perhaps even more importantly a better take-off. These pods are rounded and thus give a very responsive feel. Of course, these pods are placed at the natural contact points for your foot – in this way the best comfort is achieved. In addition, these pods, or rather the spaces between them, help to ensure you have a good grip on the surface. In fact, both asphalt and gravel/paths

Personally, I think it’s an excellent solution with these pods. I won’t put my head on the block that they are the ones that provide everything around the shock absorption and the perfect bounch, but I definitely believe that these pods help in a larger whole. In other words, I can’t feel them directly when I run, I can only feel that I am running on a good and cushioning structure.

If I have to throw a little wormwood into the famous cup, it must be that the outsole is extremely susceptible to pebbles. The grooves in the bottom are often filled with pebbles after a run. You have to remember to empty these grooves every now and then so that there are not too many pebbles in the outsole.

Midsole

The midsole is exactly what makes this running shoe so magical. The Lunarlon midsole is located in the Nike LunarEpic Flyknit. Unlike traditional midsoles, the Lunarlon midsole is not a glued midsole, but an injected midsole, which is therefore lighter. The Lunarlon midsole is also known for its laser-cut sole, which ensures better flexibility and response, as well as making the sole much more “elastic”.

My experience with Lunarlon goes back a bit. I have always been a fan of this construction, and actually very impressed with it. There was skepticism at first, as I am an over-pronating runner, and such a sole does not exactly ooze stability. But my fears about this were quickly put to shame, and it has been a favorite of mine from day 1 (maybe 2).

Heel

After some initial difficulties, the heel, like the rest of the shoe, is also optimally fitted. When I look at the shoe from the outside, you can see a visible “heel cup” on the back. Not such a big, bulky one, but more of an outline, where you can see that it is a different material that has been used to support the heel from the outside. Flyknit is great, but molding a heel cup into it would probably be overkill. From the outside, it feels like a laser-printed thing that is integrated into the upper of the shoe. From the inside, I had the same challenge of getting it pulled “up over the heel” so that it fits correctly. When it is in place, it fits really well, and you don’t feel anything about it. That is usually a really good sign

Forefoot

A strange combination of having this tight upper, but combined with room for the toes. I think it’s because the material in the upper is so flexible that the fit doesn’t become claustrophobic, and you still have the feeling that your toes can move. And if we have to describe the forefoot push-off, it’s simply supported by a fantastic midsole with some good “suspension pods”

Upper part

It’s almost pointless to write anything here. If you’ve read the review, you’ll know that the upper is where this entire running shoe wins. Although you may have to get over or get used to the sock-like or boot-like fit, the combination of the soft, flexible and highly breathable Flyknit and the unique Flywire technology is enough for this upper to currently be one of the best I’ve seen on the market in a long time.

Other versions

It happens that the manufacturer makes other versions of a running shoe. And that is exactly the case with the Nike LunarEpic Flyknit. It is manufactured by Nike as the Nike LunarEpic Flyknit Shield. And what does that mean? It is in construction exactly the same running shoe, but a “shield coating” has been applied to the shoe, so that it is strongly water-repellent, and a little more resistant to “rougher weather conditions” in general.

Comparisons

It’s hard to draw direct comparisons to a running shoe that is so unique to its field. The upper really matters to the experience with this shoe, so it’s natural to mention both Nike Zoom Flyknit andNike Free RN Flyknit.All 3 running shoes are for the neutral runner, but I’ll stop comparing here. Read below my direct comparison between the LunarEpic and the Zoom Flyknit from Nike.
Otherwise, you can take a look at all our reviews of running shoes – and look under the column with neutral running shoes. Just be aware that the comparison from my side here goes towards the running style and nothing else. The other parameters are so different in my opinion that you can’t make a direct comparison.

Comparison: Nike LunarEpic Flyknit vs. Nike Zoom Flyknit

I have been lucky or unlucky enough to test these two running shoes from Nike right after each other. And that’s why I thought it was appropriate to include a comparison of these two in this review..
From the outside, they actually look like 2 running shoes that are incredibly similar to each other, but the matter is quite different. Now this is my completely unreserved AND personal opinion. I don’t think you can draw a direct comparison. In my world, there is a huge difference between the 2 running shoes.

Nike LunarEpic Flyknit

A really nice running shoe to step into. Despite some minimal getting used to with the heel, in my world we are dealing with a running shoe with lots of softness, a fantastic fit and a very rolling feeling when you run..
All of that is spiced up with the sublime upper and good ankle support.

Nike Zoom All Out Flyknit

Ankle support and a good upper, this shoe also has that, but that’s where the comparison points end for me. I think that in the Nike Zoom Flyknit we are dealing with a much stiffer running shoe (see our video review of it). A running shoe with a slightly strange structure of its shock absorption, so that for me it gives a strange push with each step.

As you’ve probably already spotted with this comparison, I’m definitely a bigger fan of the Nike LunarEpic Flyknit than the Nike Zoom Flyknit. It’s funny how 2 running shoes that look so similar end up being SO different.

Summary

The best I’ve tried in a long time. “yeah, that’s just something you say” No, it’s not. I tend to be fairly critical with my reviews, and I think that if there is a flaw or something in running shoes that doesn’t work optimally, then bring it to light. But with the Nike LunarEpic Flyknit I just have a hard time finding these sticking points. For me, it’s a well-rounded running shoe that helps optimize fit, performance, and generally the whole mindset around running..
Therefore, this running shoe will undoubtedly get my best recommendation. But remember, as always, my assessment is individual, yours will probably be too. But I believe 110% that this running shoe will please a lot of runners.

Price comparison on Nike Zoom Flyknit

I am daily because a number of retailers to find the cheapest prices. The latest prices are super sharp – just see the table below.

Reseller	Leveringstid	Country	Total price	Read more
	2-5 dage		674 DKK	Til butik
	3-5 dage		1,420 DKK	Til butik
	1-2 dage		1,500 DKK	Til butik