Girls’s Nike Zegama 2 Evaluation

Bottom Line

The Nike Zegama 2 is the ideal shoe for trail runners looking for a cushy ride on a variety of trails. Designed with comfort in mind, the Zegama 2 is surprisingly responsive despite the maximum cushioning, albeit a tad on the heavy side. Unlike a lot of max cushioned trail running shoes, these offer a minimal 4 mm drop and prominent midfoot support.

During our runs on the sandy trails of central Michigan, we noted that the Zegama 2s provided an impressive amount of flotation. The built-in ankle gaiter worked wonders for keeping debris at bay, even the sand. 

The wider toe box and snug midfoot make the Zegama 2 a comfortable choice for all-day runs; however, they did feel a bit clunky on more technical trails in the Pacific Northwest. Additionally, we were a bit frustrated with the lace length feeling a tad short. See more in our guide to the best trail running shoes for women.

Traction

The Zegama 2 provides a solid grip across various surfaces, making them an ideal choice for a wide range of trails. We tested them on an array of trails, from dry, sandy tracks and dirt roads in central Michigan to crushed gravel bike paths and muddy singletrack in the Pacific Northwest. Throughout the course of testing we found them to grip dry dirt and harder surfaces better than others_, with some diminished performance in wet and/or muddy conditions.

While the upgraded outsole does help with traction, we found ourselves slipping and sliding more than we were comfortable with in muddy and wet conditions. These shoes will be best suited to dry conditions and less technical terrain. However, runners who tackle a wide variety of trails may find these to be a good value as an all-around trail shoe.

comfort

Maximum cushion underfoot and a built-in ankle gaiter make the Zegama 2 a very comfortable trail shoe. Our testers didn’t feel the roots and rocks underfoot on Galbraith Mountain in Washington state. We also didn’t find a lot of trail debris inside our shoes after long runs on sandy trails in the Midwest, which greatly improved our overall comfort. 

Nike has designed this shoe with a wider toe box to accommodate foot swell during activity, providing a more comfortable experience with no pressure points.

We also appreciated the snugness of the midfoot, although, after long runs, it felt a bit restrictive. The ZoomX midsole is on the firmer side, but not uncomfortably so. Our only real complaint was that the laces were on the shorter side, making it difficult to double knot or use lace lock techniques to really dial in the fit.

Weight

The Zegama 2 is fairly lightweight considering the amount of cushion. However, it is a bit on the heavier side of the shoes we tested. This left us feeling a little clunky and lifting our feet less at the end of long runs.

Durability

The robust single layer mesh uppers of the Zegma 2 feature strategic reinforced toe skins to add protection and increase durability. We were impressed by their snag and abrasion resistance on roots and rocks throughout our testing in the Chuckanut Mountains of Bellingham, Washington. 

Overall, the construction of the uppers and thoughtful overlay placement indicate that these shoes will likely hold up for a long time, although we would like slightly more reinforcement along the sides.

We were also pleased with the resiliency of the foam, even after some rocky runs. It is worth noting that we did notice some punctures in the exposed foam portion of the sole, which may lead to a shorter overall lifespan.

Breathability

The engineered mesh upper has carefully positioned perforations that provide optimized breathability. These perforations kept our feet cool and dry during runs of all speeds and durations. On warmer runs, we found that the Zegama 2 dispersed heat and moisture well, avoiding issues with chafing or blisters.

This well thought-out design is complemented by a vamp liner which promotes effective shoe drainage. Despite splashing through the puddles during testing during the Pacific Northwest’s rainy season, our feet never felt soggy. Our only quibble is that the interior dried more slowly than we would have hoped, due in part to the reduced surface area from the ankle gaiter.

Responsiveness

The redesigned Zegama 2 offers a new, full-length ZoomX midsole foam crafted to optimize energy recovery and enhance responsiveness while on the run. We found it to provide decent bounce but missed the ground feel that comparable options on the market provide. 

When taking on more technical trails, especially root-laden paths in Washington state, we found them to feel less agile than we would have liked, which may be a deal-breaker for some runners. However, the high cushion makes for an ultra responsive ride on more even surfaces such as smooth, well-maintained trails or gravel paths like the ones we ran in the Midwest. 

With fatigue reducing midsoles, these would make a great trail racer on smooth or mixed courses as well as a daily trainer. Although we found it to be less responsive when compared to the Nike Pegasus 5 we still think these hold their own on a wide variety of trails and will work for many types of runners.

Should You Buy the Nike Women’s Zegama 2?

For runners searching for a shoe that offers maximum cushion paired with a minimal-drop design, the Zegama 2 is a good option. This shoe provides decent versatility, excelling on smoother and less technical terrain. Its plush cushion offers comfort whether you’re training or racing.

While versatile in that regard, it struggles in more demanding conditions. Those who spend most of their time on obstacle laden, technical trails or in sloppy conditions may not find the Zegama 2 to be the best value. If you’re looking for a versatile shoe to do a little bit of everything, this may work for you. 

If you’re looking for a comfortable trail running shoe to wear on a buttery smooth singletrack or through moderately mixed terrain, these are a great option.

What Other Women’s Trail Runners Should You Consider?

If the Nike Zegama 2 isn’t for you, check out these trail runners that combine maximum cushion with responsiveness.

Hoka Speedgoat 6 Review: If you’re looking for an even wider toe box and more traction, check out this former Editor’s Pick. These shoes are at home on rugged trails and have the most room in the footbox of all the shoes we tested. Choose from two widths.

Brooks Catamount 4 Review: If you’re looking for an even faster, lighter shoe, slip into a pair of these. Equally at home on trail and hardpack, these trail runners are designed to go fast.

New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro x 8 Review: Looking for a sticky Vibram grip? These shoes will take you from dry trails to wet pavement with ease.