It’s great to experience an impression of speed during a race or a workout and for this you are served by extremely lightweight track spikes by renowned shoe companies.
So, whether you’re doing short intervals on the track or racing up on the roads, you’ll need to get Nike Air Zoom Victory and Maxfly spikes that can help you use your full potential.
Both of these models will work for many activities, however, this article compares the Nike Air Zoom Victory and the Maxfly to see the better option for any kind of athlete.
Similarities and Differences between Nike Air Zoom Victory And Maxfly:
| Features | Air Zoom Victory | Air Zoom Maxfly |
|---|---|---|
| Launched in | 2021 | 2021 |
| Stability | Less Stable | Stable |
| Flexibility | Flexible | More Flexible |
| Sizing | 4-15 for men5.5-16.5 for women | 4-15 for men5.5-16.5 for women |
| Weight | 6.2 oz. | 5.7 oz. |
| Cushion | Light cushioning | Air Cushioning |
| Outsole | Herringbone | Rubber Sock weave pattern |
| Insole | Fabric | Fabric |
| Midsole | Zoom X Foam | Zoom Air unit |
| Upper | AtomKnit | Fly weave |
| Retail Price | $180 | $180 |
Nike Air Zoom Victory VS Maxfly: Good, Bad, and the Worst:
Now we will examine the specifics of each shoe style so you can pick the best one for your needs. Let’s move on:
1) Comfort:
Nike’s newest line of Air Zoom radically reinvented the design of running spikes due to their high versatility and packed full of features.
The lightweight, responsive cushioning technology of the Nike Air Zoom Victory and Maxfly is made for optimal support and energy return to ensure a smooth, comfortable ride.
The innovative Nike Air Zoom unit in the heel spike plate of both of these offers a luxurious feel and better stability with every step. It also helps store energy so that your foot can bounce off the ground with minimal contact periods, enabling you to sprint efficiently.
Additionally, its midsole foam and ultra-plush sockliner reduce the impact of your foot strike, thereby minimizing fatigue and discomfort.
However, both of these models provide appropriate comfort but you will discover that, despite the Air Zoom Maxfly’s highly strong plates, the shoes offer a gentle overall feel.
Conversely, the spike plate of Air Zoom Victory is quite aggressive and doesn’t allow for movement, which may sound like a drawback but help you to run with speed for some distance.
So, you should know that Air Zoom Victory isn’t plush in general, but it’s softer than a traditional track spike and did not add unnecessary weight or slow you down.
2) Popularity:
Nike has spent years and millions of dollars developing the midsole technology of Air Zoom Victory and Maxfly to help sprinters go tenths of a second faster, and for this, both of the models got worldwide fame.
However, the results of the 100-meter race at the Tokyo Olympic Games confirmed that the Nike Air Zoom Maxfly is presently the world’s fastest shoe and become more popular.
Also, Elaine Thompson-Herah and Lamont Marcell Jacobs, gold medalist sprinters in the women’s and men’s fields, have been spotted wearing this model during many competitions.
3) Running:
The spikes on the Nike Air Zoom Victory and Maxfly make it possible for runners to dig into the track surface and move forward without losing their balance.
Top View
There is also a Sharkskin segment in the heel area of these shoes that gives the wearer more grip while running speedily.
However, the only exception is their outsole wears out after some time and unfortunately can’t be replaced, thus if the soles got damaged the traction will be diminished if you continue to run in them.
4) Walking:
Nike Air Zoom Victory and Maxfly Shoes are typically designed for specific sports or activities, such as track and field, cross country, and golf, where they provide better performance on surfaces like grass, dirt, and pathway.
So, it is not advised to walk in them on the road because they can make your feet ache or put more stress on the forefoot area while simply walking in them.
5) Flat Feet:
Compared to Air Zoom victory, when you wear the Maxfly, it feels more like running or walking on soft pillows than on a thin, stiff spike plate.
The foam in the shoe absorbs shock well and makes them adaptable for flat-footed people, whereas Air Zoom Victory might feel flatter and narrow across the whole forefoot.
Moreover, the front side of the Maxfly is rounded, so that people with flat feet can easily splay their toes.
6) Design:
The Air Zoom Victory helps you rocket around the track with a two-piece Air unit, bouncy ZoomX foam, and a stiff carbon-fiber plate.
When you put on the shoe, it can be extremely unusual as it’s tippy, and you will feel two distinct bumps under your foot, but as you start running in them, the shoe molds to your feet.
However, an extremely lightweight, and energy-returning foam made from Pebax is incorporated into this model but still, your feet will not feel springy, as you could expect from other Air Zoom Models like Maxfly.
Furthermore, its shock weave generated outsole plate equips six spikes, making for supple transitions and improved grip on the track.
So, if you don’t mind some rigidness and want the versatile spike that works well for mid-distance track races, you can get the Air Zoom Victory.
Conversely, every part of the Maxfly has the most advanced technology Nike has ever made.
The soles of this model have been constructed with the world’s fastest shoe components: a full-length carbon Fibre plate, dual Zoom Air chambers, and seven spikes.
The full-length plate is partially exposed at the forefoot and then disappears under the heel to provide better propulsion.
Moreover, Zoom Air utilized in this model is more responsive for impact protection and is Nike’s lowest-profile Air system which highly resembles the feel of Max Air.
Also, its upper is made with the Flyweave method, which is a digital way to make knitted fabrics more breathable while using as little material as possible to keep the weight down.
All in all, The Maxfly is the best option who want better speed endurance, and grip for the sprint while track race.
What do Customers think?
Runners agreed that the Air Zoom Victory made them feel fast and kept them in place without pinching or feeling too tight. Even though the fit is compact, there is enough room in the heel area for the feet to spread out.
People also said that there is a small amount of cushioning underfoot which provides the best protection and insulation.
However, runners were cautioned that this is a racing spike and is not intended for extended distances, so do not expect much durability.
A complaint raised by a few reviewers is that if the laces aren’t tight around the ankle the heel cup does not provide a snug fit.
It’s important to note that many people were worried about the outsole of these spikes as it is not removable.
Conversely, there are claims that Maxfly feels extremely bouncy and forgiving on the lower legs when rebounding off the ground.
Reporters claim that the combination of rigid spike plates and the one-of-a-kind foam heel creates a high-performance ride that is both comfortable and quick.
Additionally, those who have struggled with shin splints for refining their technique and decreasing their sprinting volume got a lot of benefits from the Nike Air Zoom Maxfly.
However, at the widest part of the forefoot, the Max Fly feels a little bit narrow for some, so players with very wide feet felt pressure when they wear this model.
There are issues with the spike pins getting ruptured of Air Zoom Maxfly, but still, so many of them appreciated how easy it was to file a guarantee claim with Nike so, the spikes deflated wasn’t a deal breaker for them.
Conclusion: What To Choose?
Choosing between the Nike Air Zoom Victory and the Maxfly is a difficult decision as these shoe models excel on the court.
Both of these are reliable track spikes appropriate for various short and mid-level distance racing.
The Nike Air Zoom Victory is the best choice for runners in search of a low-top, grippy shoe with a responsive feel on the ground.
However, those who require more support and stability should go for Air Zoom Maxfly. Also, for athletes who like to bounce with each stride, the Nike Air Zoom Maxfly’s lighter feel easily takes you down the track.
So the choice between the two pairs of shoes can be simplified by considering their key distinctions and the preferences of the wearer.