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Nike Lunarepic Low Flyknit 2 – In-Depth Review and Buyer’s Guide
- August 15, 2019
- By Mark
- In Nike, Reviews
Specifications
- Brand: Nike
- LunarEpic Low Flyknit 2
- Material: Leather
- Type: Cushioning
- Terrain: Road
- Weight: 8.80 oz. (249 gr.)
- Heel Drop: 10 mm
- Rating: 4/5
When you start on a fitness path in life, high performing running shoes can be your best ally. Walking, jogging, and running are all unbeatable ways to stay in good shape. Without the right shoe, however, what’s supposed to keep you healthier might be the source of your pain. The Nike Lunarepic Low Flyknit 2 shoe has the potential to solve many of a runner’s problems.
After going through a spinal decompression therapy, I was sold out on the idea of keeping fit to avoid back pain. As I later found out, ill-fitting shoes are a recipe for painful conditions such as damaged and bruised toenails, plantar fasciitis, and even more back pain. I had to find the right running and jogging shoes to live up to my fitness resolutions. Nonetheless; it took me several buys to land on the coziest running gear.
Last update on 2024-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
What to look for when buying running shoes
It is your health on the line, so it is only proper to carry out rigorous research and intensely test out a shoe’s fit and performance before buying. Here are factors to consider.
Quality
The quality of the running shoes is a paramount factor to consider; cheap often turn into costly in the long run. The best quality shoes will provide you with enough support and cushioning from your body weight. The design will also be thoughtful and comprehensive to protect against injuries and complement your strength. Quality shoes also have longer durability, giving you a high return on your investment.
Terrain
Some running shoes can be used on all grounds, but some will limit you to certain conditions. When you are buying running shoes, consider the type of environment you will be using them in. For a terrain that involves large and sharp rocks, for instance, you need a shoe whose outsole is tough to protect against piercings and the risk of related injuries.
Size
The magic formula here is to look for a shoe size that allows you to have at least a thumb’s width of space in the toe box. Tight shoes will feel uncomfortable whereas running in loose shoes can cause injuries such as plantar fasciitis. Likewise, there should be minimal or zero slipping at the heel and the midsole should fit securely and comfortably. Always try the shoes on before you buy them.
Foot morphology
The right shoe wears your foot and not the other way round. It should be able to conform to the shape of your foot without causing a strain. An important question to ask yourself is what your arch type is. If you have high arches, finding a shoe with more stability should be your primary goal. On the other hand, if you have low arches, dense cushioning should be what you are looking for in running shoes.
Nike Lunarepic Low Flyknit 2 Review
Nike advertises the Nike Lunarepic Low Flyknit 2 as a hoe that provides constant support and seamless comfort. This shoe model succeeds the first Lunarepic Flyknit, which was a high ankle version. In the current model, the shoe has no tongue and uses a conventional heel for the upper, removing the need for the inner seam.
The Good
- Smooth ride due to the seamless heal to toe transition
- It’s a lightweight shoe for effortless running
- The Lunarepic Flyknit2 has a stronger grip on most surfaces
- The shoe fits snugly – no separate tongue
- The support of the one piece upper is tremendously reliable
- Flywire lacing extends to the midsole for more support
The Bad
- The forefoot is much narrower than in its predecessor
- The outsole traps pebbles and debris
- Flywire lacing rips easily
The Upper
Compared to its predecessor, the Lunarepic Low Flyknit 2 has more stretch in the upper. The knit fabric is denser and therefore offers a snuggly fit. This feature could help you avoid injuries when running. There are also Flywire cables in the in the knit upper with tiny loops for laces. The cords are hooked to the base of the shoe to secure it in place with an extra ounce of stability.
You will find the one piece design (tongueless) offers not only a comfortable fit but also makes it easier to slip the shoe on. If you are trying to overcome back pain like I was, you will appreciate the fact that you don’t have to bend at all to put on these shoes. Neither will you have cases of cramping and pain after long hours of walking or running in the shoes.
The upper fits comfortably, due the consistency of the materials. Unlike the Lunarepic mid and high, there is no tongue to be repositioned in this case. It fits well, except perhaps for some free movement around the heel. You can reduce that by fastening the laces. There is also sufficient wiggle room in the toe area to minimize chances of toe injuries when running.
Breathability
The inside of the shoe is soft and comfortable. The breathable knit fabric and the secure Flywire knit system blend to create the comfort that most runners want. The perforated upper means you can minimize sweating and avoid conditions such as athlete’s foot. The knit fabric enables free air circulation in and out of the shoe.
Additionally, there is no underestimation for the durability of the mesh material used here. This shoes can stand a long time of everyday abuse without showing signs of depreciation. That makes it an ideal choice for people that stand or train for long.
The sole unit
The sole is still the same version used in the Lunarepic. The midsole of the Lunarepic Flyknit 2 comprises of lightweight Lunarlon cushioning .The insole padding is thicker and softer to absorb pressure and keep you from spraining your feet when you run.
The dense sole unit makes for excellent impact absorption and grip. The only challenge is that it might dampen your momentum when running. The outsole, just like in the previous model in this series, consists of separate layers of foam with grooves that help to deliver a super grip and traction.
The sole grooves assist with grip and support. These are the same grooves that attracted many to the Lunarepic Flyknit high ankle version. In the Lunarepic Low Flyknit 2 model, the laser splits stretch out to the midsole sidewalls. Please note that even though the deep grooves on the outside help to enhance the shoe’s grip on dry surfaces, they can also collect a lot of pebbles and debris.
The heel
All runners need strong support around the heels, and that is what you get with the Nike Lunarepic Flyknit 2. The heel resembles the Adidas Ultra Boost’s make. There is sufficient padding around it, and the shoes do away with the hard counter which was troublesome in the original Lunarepic version. Instead, the Nike has used a fused laminate that improves the structure and support of the heel.
The toe box
The Lunarepic Low Flyknit 2 features a spacious toe box. Because of the elastic mesh, the upper easily conforms to your foot shape. The Flywire that extends to the midsole does not impose side pressure on your feet.
Cushioning
The Lunarlon foam on the insole provides a soft cushioning, but the midsole are a tad firmer. From the outsole, there is extra cushioning from the pods and the EVA foam exterior. The robust outsole and the cushy Lunarlon deliver balanced support and cushioning. The thick midsole stack will enable you to run for longer with little fatigue on your feet.
Responsiveness
The forefeet feel more bouncy than the rear. The EVA foam exterior makes for a considerably responsive shoe when combined with the soft cushioning on the midsole. There are more raised pods in the forefoot than the outsole. The Lunarepic Low Flyknit 2, therefore, stands out as a great shoe for forefoot strikers.
Stability
You can expect the same transition quality as was in the Lunarepic Flyknit high version. The midsole have a seamless heel to toe progression. The upper fabric is flexible and fits around your foot with firmness. The Flywire lacing will also help you lock down a secure fit to avoid slipping. The soft collar rises higher around the heel and tongue, minimizing cases of rubbing and blistering. The EVA midsole form a solid base around the Lunarlon foam.
Weight
The Nike Lunarepic Flyknit 2 is a lightweight shoe coming in at under 9 ounces for each shoe. The lightweight feature is suitable for high speed running. Beginners will also appreciate the fact that they can run for longer in these shoes without feeling tired.
What Others Think
The Nike Lunarepic Low Flyknit 2 has mostly received positive reviews from runners. Many users are chuffed about the deep cushioning in the midsole. Even though the outsole is foam as opposed to rubber, not many found fault with it. The laser split pods have been highly praised for their cushioning and support. Then again, the biggest highlight for many on this shoe is the one piece design.
Alternatives to the Nike Lunarepic Low Flynit 2
1. Adidas Cloudfoam Lite Racer
Last update on 2024-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Just like the Nike Lunarepic low Flyknit 2, Adidas Cloudfoam Lite Racer comes in a range of colors for both men and women. You can expect other similarities like a low cut that necessitates a high range of motion, deep cushioning on the collar, and extra support on the heels.
Perhaps unsurprisingly the Lunarepic Low Flyknit 2 stands out with its one-piece design.Adidas Cloudfoam Lite Racer on its part features a tongue that is adequately cushioned. The other difference is that the Nike’s Lunarepic Low Flyknit 2 features a Flywire lacing system that extends to the midsole while Adidas Cloudfoam Lite Racer has a standard lace-up closure for the upper.
While Nike boasts the Lunarlon padding technology on the insole and midsole of the Lunarepic Low Flyknit 2, Adidas uses its Cloudfoam technology on the Lite Racer. The padding spreads to the midsole and sock liner, a feature that increases the shoe’s comfort levels.
Whereas the choices of the Nike Lunarepic Flyknit two are limiting, you could step out stylishly in the Adidas Cloudfoam Lite Racer. There are more than ten color choices so you can match it with your jeans and tees. The shoe weighs 9 oz.
2. APL TechLoom Phantom
Last update on 2024-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Athletic Propulsion Labs is a new kid on the block when it comes to running shoes. Nonetheless, the new player is making news with incredible technology such as the Launch and Load, which is a high-performance solution incorporated in their shoe models.
The TechLoom also brings out innovations; it uses the Propelium technology on the outsole, as a stark contrast to Nike’s EVA foam. Even though Propelium is just a slightly advanced version of EVA, the feature helps runners beat the track for longer without feeling tired.
Unlike the Flyknit upper on Nike’s Lunarepic low Flyknit 2, TechLoom phantom uses a three-dimensional wire mesh. The latter also features a neoprene tongue that is cut to a cozy fit together with an integrated collar.
3. Reebok Fusion Flexweave Cage
Last update on 2024-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Reebok Fusion Flexweave Cage is another top-rated running shoe. The outsole is distinctive with an open grid pattern, with the Floatride foam peeking out. That is a contrast to the EVA foam outsole of the Nike Lunarepic Low Flyknit 2 and its laser grooves. In the Reebok model, the heel is further stabilized with flat rubber that scoops out to reduce the risk of slipping.
This Reebok model is lightweight and feels considerably bouncy. Unlike the Lunarlon foam cushioning in the Nike model, the Reebok shoe uses Floatride foam. This cushioning is wrapped up in EVA around the midsole but is exposed at the heel and forefront. EVA boosts the support and stability of the shoe such that the foam doesn’t collapse under the pressure of heavy running.
The upper of the shoe features the ultra-knit and Flexweave fabrics, a combination that helps to achieve exceptional breathability. The shoe also uses the high grip on the rubber outsole, a feature that is missing on Nike’s LE2.
Bottom Line
Nike Lunarepic Low Flyknit 2 is a shoe designed for a smooth running experience. If you are trying to beat your body into tip shop shape, you will find that its lightweight nature supports you every step of the way. The deep Lunarlon cushioning improves safety and support, and the one-piece design makes it an effortlessly comfortable fit.
