Air Zoom Victory 2
Carbon Flyplate middle-distance spike with forefoot Air Zoom unit
Today's tracked prices
- 01SportsShoes15d ago£99.99£200.00−50%
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Price history
Our verdict
The Nike Air Zoom Victory 2 is a middle-distance track spike built for one job: turning a fast 800m to 5000m into a faster one. This is Nike's plated distance racer, and it sits at the sharp end of the market at £200. A full-length carbon Flyplate runs under a forefoot Air Zoom unit, so instead of the dead, bare feel of an old-school spike you get a real pop off the plate and a hint of bounce as you load the front of the foot. At 135g it is featherlight, and the 19.9mm heel and 19.3mm forefoot stack keep you low and connected to the track. In our view this is a racing tool, not a session shoe. If you run anything from the 1500m to the 5000m and want the most return per stride at the line, the Victory 2 belongs on your shortlist. For pure distance reps the lighter, plate-free Nike Dragonfly 2 is the calmer option.
Key features
- Carbon FlyplateSnaps you through toe-off and turns an aggressive forefoot stride into real forward drive at the line
- Forefoot Air Zoom unitAdds a hint of bounce and takes the sting out of hard forefoot landings so the ride never feels dead
- 135g race weightSits featherlight on the foot so nothing slows your leg turnover over the final laps
- Low 19.9mm/19.3mm stackKeeps you close to the track for a fast, stable turnover through bends and finishes
- Pin-based spike plateBites into the track for confident grip and clean push-off every stride
- Snug racing upperLocks your foot flat over the plate so none of your effort leaks into internal slide
Who it suits
Who should buy it
- Middle-distance track racers who want maximum return per stride from 1500m to 5000m
- Efficient forefoot strikers chasing a PB on the track
- Runners who already own a distance spike and want a plated racing option
- Club and competitive athletes racing on the track this season
Who should not buy it
- You have a wide foot and cannot try the snug forefoot first
- You want one spike for cushioned training reps as well as racing
- You are new to spikes and still landing heavily on your heel
- You mainly race longer track distances and want a softer, lighter distance spike
Best uses
Extra information
Fit & sizing
The Victory 2 fits true to size for most runners, but like most Nike spikes it runs snug and low-volume, the way a racing spike should. The forefoot is on the narrow side and wraps close over the toes, so wide-footed runners may feel the pinch and should try before buying. Midfoot lockdown is excellent once the laces are set, holding your foot flat over the plate with no internal slide. The heel is minimal, as you would expect from a spike, and relies on a snug fit rather than padding to keep you planted. Most runners will take their normal Nike size or the same UK size as their road racer. If you are between sizes, or want a fraction more toe room for longer 5000m efforts, size up a half. Race spikes are meant to feel tight, but you should never feel the plate biting into the arch, so if it does, go up.
Performance breakdown
Ride & feel
On the track the Victory 2 feels quick, direct and eager. There is very little between your foot and the surface, which is the point, but the carbon Flyplate and forefoot Air Zoom unit stop it feeling harsh the way a traditional spike can. Load the forefoot at pace and you get a genuine snap through toe-off, a small kick that rewards an aggressive, on-the-toes stride. It is at its best when you are already moving fast. Hold race pace and it comes alive. Jog around in it and the magic is missing, because the plate wants speed to flex. Over a hard 5000m it stays lively without punishing your legs, though the low stack means you feel every lap in your calves by the finish.
Cushioning
Cushioning is deliberately minimal, as it should be on a middle-distance spike. The 19.9mm heel and 19.3mm forefoot stack keep you low to the track for a fast, stable turnover rather than a soft landing. What softness there is comes from the forefoot Air Zoom unit, which takes the sting out of hard forefoot strikes and adds a touch of return without lifting you up off the surface. This is not a shoe that protects your legs over distance, and it is not trying to. Expect a firm, connected ride that keeps you honest at pace and lets your calves and Achilles do the work. If you want cushioning for reps, train in something else and save these for the race.
Stability
This is a neutral racing spike, so there is no stability structure and none is wanted here. Stability instead comes from how low and how firm the platform is: with only around 19mm under the foot you sit close to the track, which keeps you balanced through fast bends and hard forefoot landings. The narrow, snug fit and strong midfoot lockdown do the rest, holding your foot flat over the carbon plate so nothing rolls or slides mid-stride. Pin-based grip anchors you into the surface for confident push-off. As with any spike, the trade-off is that all this only works with a reasonably efficient forefoot stride, so newer runners still landing heavily on the heel will not get the same locked-in feel.
Upper & comfort
The upper is a thin, lightweight racing build with minimal padding, cut to save weight rather than pamper your foot. It wraps close and breathable over the top of the foot, and there is just enough structure through the midfoot to keep the lockdown sharp without adding bulk. Do not expect plush: the tongue is thin, the heel collar is barely there, and you feel the road of the track through the material. That is normal for a spike at this level and most runners race in these sockless or with the thinnest of socks. Comfort is fine for the length of a race, but this is not an upper built for lingering, and the close forefoot means anyone with a wider foot should check the fit first.
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FAQ
Specifications
| Category | Race |
| Surface | Track |
| Drop | 0.6mm |
| Heel Stack | 19.9mm |
| Forefoot Stack | 19.3mm |
| Weight | 135g |
| Carbon Plated | Yes |
| Stability | No |