Streakfly 2

Yes, for most runners it fits true to size, so order your usual Nike racing size. The fit is snug and race-focused through the midfoot and heel, with a moderate rather than roomy toe box. If you have wider feet or want a little extra room up front, consider going up a half size, but most runners will be happy with their normal size. It is not a shoe you need to size up just for longer runs.

Not really. The Streakfly 2 is built for 5K and 10K, where its light weight and firm, reactive ride shine. It deliberately runs lower and firmer than a marathon super-shoe, so over 26.2 miles the lack of stack and plush cushioning will catch up with your legs. For the half and full marathon we would pick the more cushioned Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 or a taller carbon racer instead, and save the Streakfly for short, sharp efforts.

It can be, with caveats. New runners who want a fast, fun shoe for parkrun or short races will enjoy how light and lively it feels. But it is a firm, neutral racer with little cushioning, so it is not the shoe for easy mileage, recovery runs or building base fitness. If you are just starting out and want one versatile shoe, a cushioned daily trainer makes more sense, and you can add the Streakfly later as a dedicated race-day option.

They are built for different jobs. The Vaporfly is Nike's marathon and half-marathon racer, with a taller stack and softer, long-haul cushioning. The Streakfly 2 is lighter, lower and firmer, tuned for 5K and 10K where agility and quick turnover matter more than mile-after-mile plushness. If most of your racing is short and fast, the Streakfly is the sharper tool. If you race longer, the Vaporfly will treat your legs better.

For a race shoe it holds up reasonably, but like all lightweight carbon racers it is not built for heavy daily mileage. The thin upper and race-focused outsole are optimised for speed and low weight, not longevity. Treat it as a dedicated racing and fast-session shoe rather than an everyday trainer and the outsole will last you plenty of parkruns and 10Ks. Rotating it with a cushioned daily trainer is the best way to make it last.

At 170 pounds RRP it is a focused, single-purpose shoe, so the value depends on how much you race short. If you regularly run 5Ks, 10Ks and parkruns and want a featherweight carbon racer that feels genuinely fast, it earns its place. If you want one shoe to do everything from easy miles to the marathon, your money is better spent elsewhere. Watch for a discount, as plated racers often drop below RRP once newer models land.