Revision as of 15:20, 2 July 2016

The Nike Zoom Streak LT 3 is a great shoe, providing good cushioning at a low weight. The Streak is billed as a 'racing flat', but I consider it an optimal shoe, providing everything most runners need without the weight penalty of the futile over engineering that traditional running shoes suffer from. I've used the Streak as an everyday trainer for a couple of hundred miles without ever considering the need for more. The Streak is a relatively cheap shoe, with a recommended price of only $80. The third generation is similar to its predecessor, the Nike Zoom Streak LT 2, with virtually the same weight and cushioning was before. The updated shape is a little better, and the upper might be fractionally more comfortable, but the two generations are far more alike than they are different. The Streak not quite as good as my "best of the best" shoes, but I rate it "Highly Recommended". (I use The Science of Running Shoes as the basis of how I test running shoes and what you should look for in a running shoe.)

Nike Zoom Streak LT 3 top	Nike Zoom Streak LT 3 bottom
Nike Zoom Streak LT 3 inside	Nike Zoom Streak LT 3 outside

1 Characteristics

• Cushioning . The Zoom Streak has a small Zoom Air unit in the heel, along with a single foam density over the full shoe. This combination is makes a well cushioned shoe, with quick bounce back. It could be my imagination, but I feel like I can detect a certain unevenness in the cushioning from the Air packs. It's not intrusive enough to cause me any problems, or even really to be a distraction, but I think I prefer the cushioning of a foam-based midsole.
• Drop. The 4mm drop is a tad higher than I'd like, but isn't an issue.
• Structure. There is no noticeable "arch support" that can weaken your arch or cause plantar fascia issues.
• Flexibility. The latest version of the Streak is not quite as flexible as its predecessor. It's far from being stiff, and there is a certain degree of springiness at toe off, so some may prefer this new incarnation.
• Outsole. The outsole covers all the contact patches and provides good grip. The forefoot has slightly raised lugs in the Nike waffle pattern.
• Shape. One intriguing change with the latest iteration of the Streak is that it's shaped a little more like a human foot. It's not like an Altra shoe, where the designers have obviously seen a human foot for themselves, and taken the bold step of designing a shoe appropriately. It's more like the Nike designers overheard someone in a bar discussing what a human foot looked like and had a stab at creating a better shoe. Overall, this is a big step forward, though there is some way to go. I was able to run in the Streak without cutting open the toe box open, something that is quite unusual.
• Upper. The upper is thin and highly breathable, with no padding except around the ankle opening. There is a slightly softer lining around the midfoot where the laces attach, which is intended to hold the midfoot better, but didn't seem to make any difference.
• Tongue. The tongue is thin and unpadded, but comfortable.
• Lacing. Traditional flat laces that stay tied.
• Heel Counter. There is a small, almost unnoticeable heel counter that is less than an inch wide at the back, and comes up about 3/4ths the height of the shoe. I have had no problems with this and I'd describe it as "utterly useless, but quite harmless."

2 200 Mile Update

The Streak has rapidly become my "go to" shoe for traveling. It's a nice, light shoe, and the lack of heel counter allows it to fold flat in my luggage. I'll normally wear my Hoka Tor Ultra boot and put the Streak in my backpack. The shape has allowed me to run in the Streak without cutting the toe box open, so I can use it as a casual shoe as well without looking quite as weird. Being thin, it also makes a great shoe for driving, an important factor when I'm traveling. I ran 250 miles in the Streak before I reassigned the MilestonePod, and I estimate I've put another 50-80 miles on them after that. So this update is a bit more than a 200 mile interval, but I'll try to be more prompt in future reviews. There is a little bit of compression in the forefoot foam, about 3 mm, but only the very slightest of where signs in the outsole. The exposed midsole foam under the arch has gone a little wrinkly, but nothing more, and the upper is in perfect condition. The more I wear the Streak the more it impresses me, especially given the use and abuse it's undergone.

This is a heavily enhanced image to bring out some of the details. You can see some slight where in the outsole at the heel, but almost none in the forefoot.

3 How Far Can I Run in the Streak?

Different runners want different levels of cushioning, so this shoe may not suit everyone. Some runners want a Minimax shoe when they run a 5K, while others will run a 100 mile race barefoot. Most people find that as the distance increases, they want a little more cushioning to protect their feet from the pounding and to offset a little of the fatigue that sets in over time. You can see from the charts below how the cushioning compares with other shoes I've tested for some comparisons. Remember that a thicker, firmer shoe would have the same cushioning rating as a thinner, softer shoe, but would feel rather different. Personally, I'm happy running in the Streak for the marathon distance, and I'd use it in a road 50 mile race without hesitation. For longer distances I'd probably use the Hoka Clifton, either for the entire race or for the last portion.

Please support this site This review was made possible by readers like you buying products via my links. I buy all the products I review through normal retail channels, which allows me to create unbiased reviews free from the influence of reciprocity, or the need to keep vendors happy. It also ensures I don't get "reviewer specials" that are better than the retail versions. Buy Nike Zoom Streak LT at Zappos Buy Nike Zoom Streak LT at Road Runner Sports Buy Nike Zoom Streak LT at Kelly's Running Warehouse Buy Nike Zoom Streak LT at Charlotte Ultra Running Company

4 Cushioning and Shoes

It's intuitively obvious that the cushioning in a shoe will reduce the impact on your body when running. However, The Science of Running Shoes indicates that the reality is rather more complex. While slight cushioning may reduce the effort needed to run by improving your Running Economy, most scientific research indicates that more cushioning does further improve Running Economy. In addition, cushioning does not generally reduce impact and may actually increase it. This is counterintuitive, but is likely to be due to the way a runners mind and body adapts to softer cushioning. Unfortunately, the scientific evidence is far from complete and it's hard to give clear recommendations. I believe that some runners will prefer more cushioning, while others prefer less, and typically those running further have a fondness for greater cushioning. I also believe that a shoe should be as light as possible, and a shoe should justify its weight with the cushioning it provides. My advice is to decide what level of cushioning you're looking for, and then find the lightest shoes that also fit well and are comfortable.

5 Visualizing the Attributes of the Nike Zoom Streak LT

How Nike Zoom Streak LT compares showing rearfoot cushioning against the performance penalty of its weight. Upper right is better.	How Nike Zoom Streak LT compares showing forefoot cushioning against the performance penalty of its weight. Upper right is better.
How Nike Zoom Streak LT compares showing the price against the benefit (cushioning/performance penalty). Upper left is better.	How Nike Zoom Streak LT compares showing the loaded drop against the benefit (cushioning/performance penalty). Upper left is better.

6 A Comparison with other Recommended Shoes

If you're looking for "the best of the best" running shoe, here are my top picks. Of course, the answer will depend a little on what you're looking for, so I have recommendations for various categories. Best All Round Shoe. The Altra Escalante is my current all-round favorite. It has plenty of cushioning for its weight, it has a very springy midsole, it lasts well, and it has a shape that's closer to the shape of a human foot than most shoes. It's a great shoe for any runner, including those Starting to run. It's also a fairly easy shoe to find due to its popularity. Best Maximalist Shoe: If you want something massively cushioned, then I'd recommend the Saucony Kinvara 8. It's remarkably light and remarkably cushioned, beating Hoka at their own game. Best Optimal Shoe: For those looking to trade cushioning for speed, the Nike Zoom Streak LT 3 was my top pick, but the latest version (LT 4) falls short of it's predecessor. There are lots of great optimal running shoes, which provide just enough cushioning with light weight and minimal frills, but all have their weak spots. Probably the best option at the moment is the Altra Vanish-R, which offers great cushioning for just over 5oz/150g. Fastest Shoe: If you really want speed, then check out the Nike Vaporfly 4%. It's light, massively cushioned, and has a carbon fiber plate. Nothing comes close, not even the now defunct New Balance RC5000‏‎ or New Balance RC5000v2‏‎. There are a number of caveats; it's really expensive, it's really hard to find, and there's a significant injury risk. Best Minimalist Shoe: Merrell Trail Glove. I recommend the trail glove for road running in spite of the 'trail' moniker. It's not a fast shoe by any means, but it's comfortable and will last well. All Terrain Shoe. For trail running, I've become a fan of Altra, and I think their best shoe is the the Altra Timp, though the Altra Lone Peak is really close. Honorable Mention: It's not really a running shoe, but the Vivobarefoot Ra is comfortable, minimalist and can more or less pass as a dress shoe. I've worn mine to weddings with a suit and they've not looked out of place. You can run in the Ra, but the leather means it doesn't breathe well.

For a more detailed on running shoes see the Recommendations for Best Running Shoes. This table lists the key attributes of What to Look for in Running Shoes. For more detailed information, on the shoes see detailed shoe comparison.

It's not a running shoe, but I love the Hoka Tor Ultra hiking boot and I've tested the Altra Lone Peak Boot, the Hoka Tor Speed 2, and the Inov-8 Roclite 325 hiking boots
Older shoe reviews: Saucony Hattori Review, Mizuno Cursoris Review, Skechers GO Bionic 2 Review, Hoka Clifton Review, Saucony Virrata 2 Review, Brooks PureCadence 3 Review, Brooks PureConnect 3 Review, Brooks PureFlow 3 Review, Skechers GO Bionic 2 Review, New Balance 980 Review, Brooks Transcend 2 Review, Hoka Huaka Review, Patagonia EVERlong Review, Asics 33-DFA Review, Hoka Conquest Review, Saucony Cortana Review, Puma Faas 100 R Review, Saucony Fastwitch Review, Nike Free Review, Asics Gel Lyte 33 Review, Skechers GOmeb Speed Review, Skechers GOrun Ultra Road Review, Nike LunaRacer Review, Altra Paradigm Review.