Nike Dragonfly

Dragonfly

In the mid-2010s, Nike began developing a new kind of middle-distance racing shoe. Harnessing groundbreaking running technologies, the brand innovated over a four-year period that culminated in the ultra-fast Nike Dragonfly.

Released in 2020, the original Dragonfly features a breathable Flymesh upper with minimal structuring alongside slim collar padding and a roomy forefoot for lightweight comfort. The flexible heel counter incorporates a large hole that combines with the notched laces and central tongue loop to provide excellent lockdown while reducing heel pressure and weight. In the sole, ZoomX foam accompanies a rigid yet flexible Pebax plate for comfort, support and incredible responsiveness. The plate doubles up as the forefoot of the outsole, its six removable spikes and rippling tread lines delivering outstanding grip. The base narrows through the midfoot towards a small traction pad at the heel, making the shoe ideal for forefoot strikers.

Throughout 2020 and 2021, the Nike Dragonfly proved its speed as Ugandan runner Joshua Cheptegei wore it to break the 5,000m and 10,000m world records, and Ethiopian athlete Letesenbet Gidey the women’s 5,000m world record. At the Tokyo Olympics, athletes performed well in the Dragonfly across everything from the 1500m to the 10,000m, with Norwegian Jakob Ingebrigtsen notably setting a new Olympic record in the 1500m.

In 2023, Nike released a cross-country version called the Nike Dragonfly XC. Its breathable upper is reinforced with durable overlays, while the heel has a cross-shaped panel to keep debris out. The ZoomX cushioning and plate are tuned for rough tracks and muddy paths, and it comes with two types of spike: a 9mm track-style one made for hard, dry surfaces, and a 13mm pyramid-shaped ‘Nike Claw’ designed to grip soft, muddy ground without getting stuck.

One year later, the Nike Dragonfly 2 came out, its lightweight engineered mesh upper incorporating upgraded yarns that improve comfort and breathability alongside an adjusted heel design for even better lockdown. A new manufacturing process makes the ZoomX midsole lighter, as well as more resilient and energy returning. Meanwhile, the reshaped Pebax plate is more stable and propulsive, with a new material composition which reduces weight while increasing durability and springiness. Lastly, its lighter, wider four-spike outsole offers better stability, especially when cornering.

In addition to the core model, Nike launched the Dragonfly 2 Elite. It has a highly responsive carbon-fibre plate designed for top-tier racing, durable spikes which are permanently attached using a special material that improves traction, and a reduced number of mini lugs to keep weight to an absolute minimum.

The Dragonfly 2 dominated at the Paris Olympics. Lacing up a standout orange colourway, Cheptegei defended his 10,000m title, while in the 3,000m steeplechase, Soufiane El Bakkali and Winfred Yavi each won gold in their respective races.

Optimised to support serious distance runners competing at the top level, the Nike Dragonfly is a high-performance racing shoe that has changed athletics with its finely tuned combination of cutting-edge technologies.