The Nike ACG Zegama Trail Is Finally Worthy Of Its Name

Introduction to the Nike ACG Zegama Trail

TAYLOR: My microscope is always most ready for the biggest claims. I have a “You say it, we’ll test it” attitude when it comes to reviewing.

Nike is notorious for those very same big claims. Whether they flip or flop is another story; however, the Zegama series has notoriously lacked luster… at least by its own claims. Their name choice has left me wondering if they even know Zegama?

Do you know about Zegama? I’ll keep it brief. It’s a small Spanish village that hosts one of the most heralded trail races in the world. It’s known for unexpected conditions, technical terrain, and breakneck racing.

If anyone were to attempt the historic Zegama race in one of the first two versions of the Nike Zegama, they would need to kiss their sweet ankle joints goodbye. Virtually nothing about the shoe would set a runner up for success in this race.

That doesn’t mean the shoes were duds, though. The OG Zegama was the first Nike trail offering to boast ZoomX foam. It was also one of Nike’s early adopters of Vibram. If you kept either version on the exact opposite terrain of its namesake, it was actually an enjoyable experience!

Our main struggle was that the upper could not keep pace with what was underfoot. The lack of security was downright scary at times, but that’s exactly where much of the attention was put this time around.

The third rendition of the Zegama claims performance on “rugged” terrain, long-distance comfort, and excellent traction for any terrain. You better believe we were all over that. Turns out the ACG treatment brought new horizons for the Zegama series.

What we like about the Nike ACG Zegama Trail

TAYLOR: If the only alteration to the Zegama was fit, I think most folks would be completely satisfied. That was the one aspect that needed to change to make a stellar true trail shoe. Well, even though I had some initial scares, it turns out that the ACG Zegama Trail quickly leaped into the “great” classification.

It all started with a new last. The shoe is noticeably roomier than past versions. It’s most noticeable in the forefoot and midfoot, while the width felt quite similar to that of the previous models. At any rate, foot comfort improved as a result.

Nike also improved overall comfort by refreshing the upper materials. This is where ACG would take a moment to pitch “right weight” vs. “lightweight,” and I 100% agree. It’s a conversation that many trail shoes, especially those with higher stack and/or more complicated underfoot experiences, need to wrestle with. Balance between the two is paramount for confident movement on the trail, and the first two versions were prime examples of what not to do.

Where’s the weight coming from? Well, there are a couple of layers and more cushion in the upper. A lighter breathable mesh is the outermost layer, while a softer sock liner and gusset occupy the inner. Bulges of cushion around the heel counter and a wide, comfort-oriented tongue go a long way. More add-ons, like a well-executed semi-booty and a couple of midfoot support wings, are sandwiched in between the upper’s layers.

While yes, the ACG Zegama Trail gained a little weight, it really did make it a much more functional and comfortable option all the way around. So much so that the weight really isn’t noticeable unless you throw it on the scale.

And, when things like a solid lockdown finally grace the Zegama, I really couldn’t care less about weight. This was a massive improvement in the ACG Zegama Trail. All of the aforementioned materials worked seamlessly together to achieve a comfortable fit that could go the distance and allowed for so much fun on pretty much any terrain I took this shoe.

I can’t give all the credit to the upper thought. Some adjustments underfoot are equally important. For starters, the bathtub construction allowed my foot to sit “into” the midsole slightly for fit and foot control purposes.

Then the dual-layered midsole really took over. The top layer is a luscious slab of ZoomX. It’s soft, bouncy, and all we want underfoot, honestly. When Nike skimped out on the ZoomX in the Zegama 2, it was noticeable. We want more! We got more!

On its own, ZoomX would have a rough time on the trails. Even in the Nike ACG Ultrafly, it needed to be wrapped and stabilized with a plate. Here, in the Nike ACG Zegama, it is kept in check with a layer of Cushlon 3.0. It’s the softest Cushlon I’ve experienced yet, and it has the density to stabilize the ZoomX. A much wider platform also comes into play to enhance stability.

With a slight rocker, the ACG Zegama felt sensational on terrain ranging from hard-packed single track to moderately technical trails. While my past experiences made me hesitant to let loose, it was the foot security and the well-balanced yet fun nature of the midsole that brought a carefree bounding on the trails.

Before I get to the outsole, it’s worth noting that there’s probably only two-thirds coverage. While I do agree that a shoe meant for rugged terrain should typically have more rubber, it really worked out in this case. I appreciated the flexibility that the lack of rubber gave to this package. I felt that the flexibility and slight ground feel are supporting cast members that will be unsung heroes for many runners. I felt that I, as the runner, was still in control rather than the ACG Zegama controlling me.

Now, the Vibram Megagrip. As always, it was fantastic across terrain and conditions. The Microtraction nubs on the sides of the multi-shaped lugs really matter in the iffier stuff. I had zero slippage even though I was a little suspicious of the larger exposed foam areas in the midfoot.

As far as durability goes, the Nike ACG Zegama has held up really well and retained a lot of its fun-factor throughout my testing period.

What we don’t like about the Nike ACG Zegama Trail

TAYLOR: Let’s get a tad contradictory, woo!

Listen, nobody likes to see a heavier shoe in an update. Can we all agree on that? However, it was at the expense of making things right up top. So, if that was necessary, so be it. I’m more than okay with that in this case.

At the same time, this weight gain is the only thing that made me second-guess the S-tier designation for design.

My US M10.5 came in at 11.9 oz (337g). That’s decently hefty for even a max-stacked shoe. Check out these other similar stacked/higher stacked shoes in the same category: Salomon S/Lab Ultra Glide 2 at 11.3oz (320g), The North Face Vectiv Enduris 4 at 10.9 oz (310g), Kiprun Kipsummit Max at 10.5 oz (298g), Hoka Mafate 5 at 11.7 oz (332g), and the Scott Kinabalu Ultra at 10.1 oz (286g). These are all shoes with a similar underfoot sensation and technical prowess, but come in quite a bit lighter.

Even though the fit was massively improved, I had a little scare when I first put on the shoe. I used the Nike ACG Zegama for a hike and didn’t pay much attention to how I laced it up. On the uphill, there was alarming heel slippage. Part of that was my careless lacing, and the other part was a softer sock choice that slid along with the softer sock liner.

On my first true run, I immediately threw the laces through the upper eyelets, cinched up the midfoot, and all was settled. Phew. If you’re trying this shoe out, just do all the lockdown measures right away.

Final thoughts on the Nike ACG Zegama Trail

TAYLOR: I knew it after my first run. The Nike ACG Zegama Trail is the best Zegama yet… like, by lightyears. An improved fit made the biggest difference, even if that meant some added weight.

All other materials in the shoe were fairly reminiscent of the previous model, yet they were also incrementally improved. Now, the ACG Zegama has a functional fit and a uniquely versatile ride that make going the distance not only possible, but probable, thanks to the comfort, confidence, and pure fun this package provides.

While the ACG Ultrafly recipe tasted a little off to me, the ACG Zegama Trail recipe is the exact Kool-Aid I was hoping to drink. It’s refreshing to say the least.

You can pick up the Nike ACG Zegama Trail for $180 on April 30 from Nike by using the buttons below.