Pros 

• Offers smooth transitions
• Super plush
• Stylish appearance
• Highly cushioned to keep the legs fresh
• Shaped like a rocker
• Excellent heel lockdown
• Quite versatile
• Roomy toe box
• Responsive midsole
• Stable and rides soft 

Cons

• Warm upper
• Almost similar to the original

Take Away: 

The Invincible Run 2 is a max-cushioned running shoe that is marshmallow, compressive and bouncy. The energy return is remarkable but not as vibrant as the Dynablast. It's easily an easy day training shoe or for a recovery training session. 

Introduction

I had a good experience with the first version of the ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit. It was soft underfoot and responsive, especially within the first 124 miles (200km). After that, it gradually lost its magic. Still, I loved its endurance because it served me a whooping 400 kilometers.Hence, the midsole is the greatest strength of the Zoom X Flyknit 1.

Apart from losing its mojo after a couple miles, I wouldn't say I liked its upper mesh, which I thought was lousy. The Flyknit upper was plain. 

However, Nike has significantly updated the Invincible Run 2. As an iteration of the previous version. This shoe is slightly loaded with weight. It is about two ounces heavier yet not noticeable on foot.  

The ZoomX Invincible Run 2 has a 45 mm heel stack height and 36mm on the forefoot, making a 9mm heel-drop, and it is noticeable. 

The Nike Invincible Run 2 is a max-cushioned running shoe excellent for running and walking. Nike's launched the Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit as a marathon training shoe with soft cushioning for easy training days. However, the Invincible Run Flyknit series offers more than what is outlined by Nike. It performs well in tempo runs and can be utilized as daily walking shoes. 

The Nike zoom X invincible run Flyknit 2 Instant impression

My pair of Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit v1 was impressive despite a few issues. I loved the soft and responsive midsole but disliked the upper part because of its narrowness. It was pretty restrictive around the toebox. Still, I enjoyed its performance and its versatility across terrains. 

It was easy choosing the Invincible Run 2 because I couldn't think of any sneakers with as comfortable a midsole unit as the Nike Invincible Run series. I have even included the Invincible Run v1 in my top ten most comfortable running shoes list. My only new expectations were that the new version would have a roomy upper on top of the previous features. 

Interestingly, hardly does Nike disappoint when updating its previous models. The new version of Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit 2 comes with revamped upper. I noticed the eliminated exterior padding in the outer part of the collar and the interior part mildly padded. The upper part of the Invincible Run 2 is sleek, and the whole shoe looks majestic with the elevated stack height. 

It was easy to wear, felt huggy, and comfortable in all areas. I experienced softness underfoot during my initial run. I first attempted a tempo run, cool-downs, and slow marathon, and the experience was mouthwatering. The midsole did not explode even at a fast pace but felt marshmallow, compressive, and slightly compliant. The foot remained fresh at all periods. Hence, on the first go, The Nike Invincible 2 felt like recovery running shoes and for casual wear. 

Nike zoom X invincible run 2 Upper Desigh and fitting 

Nike made significant changes in the upper. Unlike the previous version, this one has more Flyknit and a better version. It is barely not what Nike used in the Vapor Fly 4%. This one has two reflective strips on the medial and lateral sides. I am not a fan of these strips because, in ZoomX Invincible Run v1 volume one, I removed the strips in the medial sides, which I felt were rubbing my big toe. I guess because the upper of the first version runs relatively narrow in the toe box area. 

The changes in the eyelets are noticeable. They are no longer concocted with a single piece of plastic overlay wrapping around the tongue. Instead, they are individual pieces of overlays that weave through the eyelets, creating a new lacing style. The small plastic string overlays do well to enforce eyelets and are also flexible enough to make the fitting around the toe box quite forgiving. It has made the toe box pretty roomier than in the previous version.

The overlays have done well in giving the upper structure. Also, their placement away from the toe ensures that the mesh won't be rubbing the toe. Nike also thought it wise to replace the thick laces in the previous version with standard elastic oval laces I see in the Nike SB dunk series. 

I never had a problem with the flat laces in the V1, so I think Nike made this change out of demand because runners seem to prefer oval laces. These oval laces are slightly thick and look prettier than the flat ones. I hardly experience pressure on top of my foot during a lockdown.

The ankle and heel are slightly padded, and the heel area is somewhat refined with a flexible silicon piece. The heel counter is rigid enough to sustain a heel lockdown. 

Nike used knit material on top of the tongue and a stretching material beneath the tongue. This ensures that the tongue stays in place during running while enhancing snug-fitting. Besides, the tongue rounds off inside the shoe, which also has a fabric, and sock liner, making the Nike Zoom X Flyknit 2 feel unimaginably comfortable on my foot. When you have it on, the foot sits on a padded insole. 

There is generous outer padding on the ankle collar, which I don't think serves any functional purpose. Still, I love the idea of Nike using a Flyknit material to cover the ankle collar. 

My pair fit true-to-size, just like in the original version. Nike also used a more miniature swoosh on the upper- medial side to enhance structure and appearance. 

Overall, Nike has made unique but significant changes to the upper, which I find sleeker and more comfortable than the previous version. It fits well and holds the foot the right way. I have not experienced irritation with Zoom X Flyknit 2. Besides, the 'cool' look is also energizing 

 Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit 2 Sole Component

The midsole is the heart of the Zoom X Invincible Run Flyknit 2. It comes with a chunky Zoom X midsole, making this shoe fun to run in. The plenty of zoom x foam is the reason the Zoom X Flyknit series is distinguishable from other max-cushioned training shoes. Ideally, Nike uses the ZoomX foam in its elite fast shoes like the Nike Alphafly Next% and the Vaporfly Next %, which are all carbon-plated. 

In the invincible series, there is no carbon plate; hence, this changes performance significantly. It is not propelling and is less responsive and bouncy. However, this midsole is compressive, squashy, and forgiving. Hence, it is capable of absorbing a lot of impacts as intended by Nike, making it magnificently comfortable. 

I noticed that Nike packed more ZoomX foam in the midfoot and heel area to increase its stack height. The midsole is also wider, especially at the forefoot, enhancing stability. Nike was clever enough to place a plastic heel clip running through the back of the shoe to prevent the soft ZoomX foam from collapsing and creating instability. 

The Outsole 

Nike chose to retain the waffle rubber outsole design of the original version. The flexible outsole rubber of the Invincible Run 2 offers sufficient grip. The tiny protruding nubs stick out uniformly to dilute the midsole's squishiness. The material is not the hardest or even close to the Adidas Continental rubber.

Still, it complements the soft midsole well to create a balance of squishiness and firmness. It also does well to provide enough protection for up to 250 miles. This shoe has a majestic look because of the rubber wrapping around the midsole to act as a stabilizing element.

The Invincible Run 2 is the first Nike to have extensive rubber coverage. I believe this new design will help extend the longevity of the ZoomX midsole over miles since it is prone to damage from debris. Additionally, I am excited about the profound rocker sole unit that makes the heel-to-toes transition seamless. 

The outsole also makes the Nike Invincible Run quite versatile. It performs well on light trails and roads, whether wet or dry. 

How Nike Invincible Run 2 Performance

The ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit 2 has a super soft and squashy midsole, and I love it that way. I feel it is more comfortable than the previous version, maybe because of the few adjustments made by Nike, including the added stability. The added Zoom X foam is equally distributed across the single-layer midsole, making it comfortable for all runners, whether heel, midfoot, or forefoot strikers. The cushioning is plush, creating a soft feel underfoot. The rocker geometry does well to enhance transitioning. 

I have realized that the ZoomX Invincible Run 2 is more responsive depending on how much effort I exert. It is somehow bouncy but not like the Asics Novablast. Even when I switch up the pace, it does not respond like the Puma Velocity Nitro 2. So I find it more comparable to the Brooks Glycerin 20. The Puma Velocity Nitro 2 is more responsive and lightweight but less soft underfoot. I have done weekly miles with this shoe, and I think it works well for recovery runs or marathon training to keep the legs fresh. 

Why you Should buy Nike ZoomX Invincible Run 2

The Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit comes with slight but significant changes to make it an excellent shoe for runners looking for comfort. It is slightly more comfortable than the previous version due to the added stuck of ZoomX foam, broadened outsole surface for enhanced stability, and a heel clip for more support. It has a roomier toe box and a well-spread fly knit material, which gives it a more structured and sleek appearance. 

The soft midsole makes the Invincible Run 2 an excellent choice for recovery runs. It is exceptionally compressive and lively, yet less propulsive. I efficiently use it as a rotational shoe but always can't resist the urge to reach for it. Suppose you turn it into a daily trainer. In that case, you have to worry about durability because it is not designed to be used alone. However, you can occasionally use it for marathons because it will keep your feet fresh throughout training. It is also an excellent choice for beginners. 

The price can be a turn-off considering that Nike did not make many changes to the shoe. Still, if you had the previous version, you should consider getting the Invincible Run 2. If you have the previous discounted version, consider getting the Nike Infinity 3 and the Puma Velocity Nitro 2. I also use the Nike Invincible Run 2 for casual wear.

Shop Men's  

Shop Women's  

Nike ZoomX Invincible Run 2 reviewed by:

Mike Hardy. At 42, Hardy has been running for more than 15 years. He runs for fitness purposes. He loves running short marathons, especially on Saturdays.