Nike Lunar 1 Flyknit Women’s Running Shoe Review

The Good

I first saw the Nike Lunar 1 Flyknit in a running store on a weekend trip to Philadelphia. It was hard not to immediately purchase such a beautiful shoe, but I’ve made that mistake before.  I decided to do a little research before I made the purchase… I was easily convinced (despite the hefty price tag) when I read they were named “Editor’s Choice” by Runner’s World and ordered them online a couple days later.

The look of this shoe caught my eye, but the unique design and fit really won me over. This shoe is form-fitting throughout; from the heel to the forefoot. It seems to mold itself around your foot creating a snug, but comfortable fit. The most impressive aspect of the shoe (and the reason it fits so well) is the one piece upper made entirely of polyester yarn. Since the shoes are designed from one piece of fabric there’s no stitching or extra material to cause irritation. I was worried the snug fit would lessen the breathability, but that wasn’t the case. The knitting is tighter in areas of support and more open in the midfoot and areas that require ventilation. The shoes are also designed with ample support and cushioning. The foam padding is light, yet supportive, and encourages a springy step. The Lunarlon cushioning (invented by Nike) is much lighter than traditional Phylon so the shoes are still extremely light (women’s size 7 weighs 5.7 oz). The added rubber lugs along the heel and forefoot offer additional support and protection, so they’re great for long runs.

The Bad

I was in disbelief that there could be anything wrong with such a pretty shoe; however, I had a couple issues with them.  I made the mistake of wearing thin, short socks on my first couple of runs which left me with blisters on the back of my heels. (Simply wearing socks with a lip will prevent this). They also require a little break-in. Right out of the box, the shoes are very snug, particularly in the forefoot. But each run stretches the Flyknit upper, freeing up some room and molding to the shape of your foot. Lastly, the thinly padded tongue slipped around after a few miles; but aside from being annoying, it really wasn’t an issue.

The Conclusion

The Nike Lunar 1 Flyknit are my favorite shoes right now. I’ve put over 80 miles on them and they only get better with each run. Not only are the Nike Lunar 1 pretty to look at, they’re a great, well-made running shoe. They offer a smooth, cushioned ride, a nearly perfect fit, and are extremely light and breathable. With a price tag of $160, these shoes aren’t for everyone, but if they fit the budget, go get yourself a pair!

What Nike says