Nike Dragonfly XC 2: Built a for Championship Season

ON THE RUN

Quinn: Although it's early spring, lacing up these spikes on the freshly mowed meadows of Kensington Metropark left my chest beating with the buzzing energy of a mid-autumn cross country race. Striding through the grass, gravel, and dirt at speeds ranging from 5K race pace to an all out sprint, these spikes responded to my intention at every step and even pushed me to go faster.

THE FIT 

Quinn: The engineered mesh upper fits true to size with a reptilian-like second skin feel. The outer side of the upper should be trusted to last a season stomping through mud, puddles, and root-ridden trails, while the inside of the spike is comfortable enough that socks can reasonably be viewed as optional on race day. While the tongue on the previous model of this spike had a tendency to create cutting and blistering around the ankle, the new tongue is a much more comfortable and breathable cloth material that should mitigate those problems. The security and structure of this spike leave your feet nowhere to go but forward, fast. Like a wearable drag strip.

THE FEEL

Quinn: No matter how you're feeling on race day, the ZoomX midsole combined with the Pebax plate will make the decision for you: you're going fast today. The stiffness and spring created an honestly hard to stop cyclical momentum in my legs throughout the run, which I built confidence in with every stride. This spike isn't just coming along for the ride, it's creating it.

THE NITTY GRITTY

Quinn: I'd keep these spikes tucked away in a secret, undisclosed location, only to be brought out when the stakes are high and the lights are brightest. They'll do exactly what they were designed to do, which is help any runner who wears them reach a new PR on race day. However, the inherent aggressiveness in every part of the geometry of this spike will not mesh well with everyday casual use, especially for any runner who needs extra stability or tends to be injury prone.

THE RUNDOWN

Quinn: On every easy mileage run I have in the near future, I'll have the feeling of how fast I felt in these spikes in the back of my mind. The upgrades in overall fit and comfort from the last model were executed tastefully in this version without compromising the integrity of what fans of the original Dragonfly XC learned to love. Anyone who used to wear the Nike Victory XC 5s will find a familiar yet supercharged feeling in the Dragonfly XC 2s, and you can expect to see them at the front of any cross country race you attend or participate in.