Air Zoom Maxfly 2
Carbon FlyPlate sprint spike with dual Air Zoom. World-record stage
Today's tracked prices
- 01SportsShoesLIVE£119.99£175.00−31%
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Price history
Our verdict
The Nike Air Zoom Maxfly 2 is a pure sprint spike, built for one job: getting you down the track as fast as your legs allow. This is not a distance racer or a road shoe you loosen up in. It is a rigid, aggressive carbon racing spike aimed at 60m through 400m, the kind of tool you see under athletes on the world-record stage. The stiff FlyPlate and forefoot Zoom Air pods work together to fire you off your toes, and the whole shoe wants you up on the front of your foot and driving. In our view it is one of the most complete sprint spikes on the market, but it demands a lot in return. You need real forefoot strength, clean sprint mechanics and a track to use it on. Get all three and it is exceptional. If you are a distance runner, the Nike Air Zoom Victory 2 is the stablemate you actually want.
Key features
- Carbon FlyPlateStiffens the whole shoe and snaps you off your toes, turning every hard drive into forward speed
- Dual forefoot Zoom AirAdds a rare hint of pop and shock return under the ball of your foot, so back-to-back sprints feel less brutal
- Aggressive forefoot geometryKeeps you up on your toes and driving, which is exactly where a sprinter wants to be
- Locked-down race fitHolds your foot tight to the plate so no energy leaks out when you push hard
- Track spike plateBites into the surface for full grip and traction through the whole sprint
Who it suits
Who should buy it
- Sprinters racing 60m to 400m who want maximum return off the toes
- Strong, well-conditioned athletes with clean forefoot sprint mechanics
- Competitive track runners chasing a personal best on the boards or outdoors
- Runners who already train in spikes and know the fit they want
Who should not buy it
- You are a distance or road runner who needs cushioning and versatility
- You have a wide forefoot that a narrow spike will pinch
- You are new to spikes or still building foot and ankle strength
- You want one shoe to cover training and racing rather than a specialist tool
Best uses
Extra information
Fit & sizing
The Maxfly 2 fits like a race-day sprint spike should: snug, locked and close to the foot. Most runners will find it true to size in length, but the fit is on the narrow side and deliberately so, because any slack costs you energy and control when you are driving hard off the plate. The upper wraps tight across the midfoot and the heel holds firmly, so your foot stays planted on the FlyPlate through the whole stride. There is minimal toe box room, which is normal for a spike but worth knowing if you have a wide forefoot. We would suggest trying your usual UK size first and only sizing up if you are between sizes or have a genuinely broad foot. Do not size up for comfort. A sloppy spike is a slow spike, and this one rewards a tight, secure fit far more than a roomy one. Wear thin racing socks and expect a performance fit, not an easy one.
Performance breakdown
Ride & feel
On the track the Maxfly 2 feels fast, firm and urgent. The carbon FlyPlate is stiff and unforgiving, which is exactly what you want at full sprint: it stores energy as you load the forefoot and snaps it back as you drive off your toes. The dual Zoom Air units under the forefoot add a hint of pop and a little cushioning that most sprint spikes simply do not have, so repeated efforts feel slightly less brutal on the legs. Hold your form and stay tall on the front of your foot and the shoe comes alive. Let your heel drop or lose your sprint posture and it fights you, because there is nothing soft here to bail you out. This is a spike built for controlled, powerful sprinting, not for jogging around between reps. It is single-minded, and that focus is its whole appeal.
Cushioning
Cushioning is not the point of a sprint spike, but the Maxfly 2 offers more than most thanks to its forefoot Zoom Air. Those pods give you a small amount of shock return under the ball of the foot, which takes a fraction of the sting out of repeated hard sprints and start after start in a session. That said, keep your expectations honest. This is a firm, close-to-the-track ride designed for speed and ground feel, not comfort. You sit low and you feel the surface. The protection is there to help you back up efforts and races on the same day, not to pamper your legs. If you want anything resembling soft, you are looking at the wrong category of shoe entirely.
Stability
Sprint spikes are not built for stability in the way a daily trainer is, and the Maxfly 2 is no exception. The low, firm platform keeps you close to the track for control at speed, but the stiff plate and forefoot-biased geometry demand that you bring your own stability through strong feet, ankles and sprint mechanics. There is no medial post, no soft guidance, nothing to catch you if your form breaks down. That is by design. On the track, driven by a well-conditioned sprinter, it feels planted and precise. For a runner who is still building strength or has weak ankles, it can feel unforgiving and aggressive. Treat it as a specialist race tool and make sure your body is ready for it.
Upper & comfort
The upper is thin, light and stripped back, which is exactly what a sprint spike upper should be. There is very little padding, because every gram and every millimetre of slack is the enemy at full speed. Instead you get a close, secure wrap that holds your foot tight to the plate and moves with you as you drive. It is not a plush, cushiony experience and it is not meant to be. Straight out of the box the fit is race ready, with no real break-in needed. Just be aware that with such a minimal upper, thin socks and a proper snug fit matter, because there is nothing here to disguise a poor lockdown.
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FAQ
Specifications
| Category | Race |
| Surface | Track |
| Drop | -2mm |
| Heel Stack | 15mm |
| Forefoot Stack | 17mm |
| Weight | 181g |
| Carbon Plated | Yes |
| Stability | No |