There can solely be one cause for maintaining the identical sole unit for 3 years in a row: gross sales have to be good. Gross sales have to be excellent. The midsole and outsole of the Infinity Run haven’t modified since 2020 when it was first launched and it’s uncommon for Nike to maintain the identical sole unit for 3 years; they often change it after 2 years.
The Infinity Run is a particularly standard shoe the place I dwell. I see extra Infinity Runs today than Pegasus’. It has a smoother trip, and a extra comfy higher and it’s a greater wanting informal shoe than the stalwart Peg.
The Infinity Run is the non secular successor of the Epic React which Nike axed after simply 2 variations and the Infinity Run is now one in all Nike’s premium, max-cushioned trainers. It’s a impartial coach however it’s designed to cater for each impartial and overpronators as a result of its stability options, not like Nike’s different max-cushioned impartial coach, the Invincible Run which is quite a bit much less steady.
I’ve run in all variations of the Infinity Run. I actually loved the trip of the unique Infinity Run however its massive weak spot was its free heel counter which resulted in heel slippage and the issue persevered regardless of how tight I tied the laces. Model 2 was an enormous enchancment as a result of its higher was much more comfy and foot lockdown was glorious, nevertheless, the trip was precisely the identical as the unique model.
After operating in thrilling max-cushioned trainers just like the Invincible Run and the Aurora-BL, the Infinity Run 2 felt actually boring compared. Its trip lacked vitality return and its React midsole felt agency compared to different, new technology midsole foams so I didn’t put numerous mileage on the Infinity Run 2 after the testing interval, aside from informal put on.
The Infinity Run 3 is barely an higher replace however there are some small tweaks beneath the hood which change its trip character. The Infinity Run 3 now weighs 10.2 oz for a males’s US 9 which is 0.3 oz (8.5 g) heavier than the earlier model.
Nike React Infinity Run Flyknit 3 First Impressions
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The primary time I noticed photos of the Infinity Run 3, I believed I used to be a brand new colourway of the Infinity Run 2 as a result of they give the impression of being virtually precisely the identical. I used to be actually stunned that Nike carried the identical midsole over from the earlier 2 variations however I instantly took a liking to the launch colourway which is harking back to watermelon.
After I put the Infinity Run 3 on for the primary time and walked round in it, the arch assist felt very distinguished, identical to within the final 2 variations. I’ve flat toes so I discovered that the distinguished arch sensation took some time to get used to after not having worn the Infinity for some time.
My first run was a straightforward 9 km. The higher felt supremely comfy however I positively seen that it was hotter and fewer breathable than final 12 months’s model. Experience transitions felt very easy due to the single-density midsole and the light rocker which was additionally noticeable.
In the course of the first run, I discovered the trip of the Infinity Run 3 to be barely firmer than the final model. The cushioning felt enough and general, it felt extra environment friendly and never as mushy. The Infinity Run 3 nonetheless felt like a shoe for simple and restoration runs solely.
Nike React Infinity Run Flyknit 3 Sole Unit
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There is just one change to the only real unit of the Infinity Run 3 and it alters the trip barely. The insole of the Infinity Run 2 was glued down however should you lifted it up, you may see that there was one, massive cutout, exposing the React foam. In different phrases, your toes sat on the froth and had direct entry to it.
The insole of the Infinity Run 3 shouldn’t be glued down anymore and when lifted, you may see that there’s a furry, white Strobel lining protecting the midsole, with none cutout in it. This further layer makes the trip barely firmer and fewer squishy so the Infinity Run 3 feels a bit sooner than the Infinity Run 2.
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One other distinction which comes on account of the added strobel lining, is that the forefoot is stiffer and doesn’t flex as simply because the Infinity Run 2. The stiffer forefoot permits the rocker to operate higher, so the Infinity Run 3 feels extra environment friendly throughout transitions.
2 years in the past, again when model 1 of the Infinity Run was launched, its React foam felt squishy and really tender in comparison with different max-cushioned trainers. The Nimbus, Glycerin, 1080 and Triumph have been considerably firmer. Nonetheless, since then, the opposite manufacturers have made vital developments of their midsole foams so the React of the Infinity Run 3 doesn’t really feel particular or distinctive anymore.
It nonetheless has deep, bottomless cushioning which might deal with full marathons with ease however you don’t get a lot vitality return or liveliness throughout toe-offs. It feels “useless” in comparison with the ZoomX in Nike’s Invincible Run 2. The React foam doesn’t compress all that a lot when loaded so the profit is that it doesn’t present numerous creasing and it’s additionally a sturdy foam which doesn’t lose cushioning rapidly.
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The Infinity Run 3 has a broad rearfoot, a slender waist and a broad forefoot. The slender waist leads to a really distinguished beneath arch sensation, particularly you probably have flat toes. Every time I put the shoe on, I discover the arch sensation instantly however I get used to it after some time. In the event you don’t like a poking arch sensation, the Infinity Run 3 is a shoe you must positively keep away from.
This arch assist makes the Infinity Run 3 really feel like a stability coach, regardless that Nike doesn’t use the phrase “stability” wherever on the product web page of the Infinity Run 3. It feels steady as a result of its extensive base which flares out and its full floor contact outsole. Nike initially marketed the Infinity as an harm prevention shoe nevertheless this declare was by no means confirmed by any unbiased analysis.
A rocker midsole geometry provides the Infinity Run 3 a extra fashionable, dynamic trip as a result of it eases you thru transitions. This turns into extra noticeable if you enhance your velocity and drop your tempo beneath 5.half-hour per kilometre. I discovered the Infinity much more enjoyable to run in than the Pegasus as a result of I may choose up the tempo a lot simpler.
Despite the fact that the Infinity Run 3 doesn’t really feel sluggish, it’s nonetheless constructed for gradual operating and that’s what I used it for. Straightforward runs slower than 5.30 per km are what the Infinity feels most suited to. It’s not a enjoyable shoe to make use of for tempo runs or exercises due to its above 10 oz weight and its thick, heat higher.
Nike makes use of a softer, extra versatile sort of rubber on the Infinity Run 3 than on different workhorse trainers such because the Pegasus and the Construction so grip is significantly better, as is flexibility however this sort of rubber wears down sooner.
I’ve seen put on on my pair on the perimeters of the rearfoot which aren’t coated with rubber however the rubber put on seen up to now on the outer heel shouldn’t be something to fret about. I haven’t had any outsole sturdiness issues with any of my Epic Reacts or Infinity Runs. Even after sporting by way of the outsole rubber, the React foam offers a sturdy, grippy outsole.
Nike React Infinity Run Flyknit 3 Higher Unit
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The Infinity Run 3’s new higher is thicker than final 12 months’s model so breathability shouldn’t be nearly as good. The up to date Flyknit on the Infinity Run 3 now represents an informal, way of life higher like one that you just’d see on an Ultraboost from 4 years in the past.
Some runners had ripped the tongue on their Infinity Run 2 from pulling too onerous on it so the brand new model’s higher treatments this by being stronger and extra sturdy. The tongue continues to be hooked up on either side however it’s too lengthy and it sticks up. I want the shorter, much less conspicuous tongue of the Invincible Run 2.
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The Infinity Run 3 has the same exterior heel clip to the earlier model which stretches across the total rearfoot. It cups your foot and acts as information rails for assist. This heel clip has a wavy design as a substitute of being straight like within the earlier model however it doesn’t make any useful distinction.
The match of the Infinity Run 3 is true to dimension. It has an accommodating midfoot and toe field due to the stretchy knit that conforms to your toes so it’s suited to runners with excessive quantity toes.
The heel pull tab which was current on the final 2 variations has been faraway from model 3 however there’s nonetheless no reflectivity for low mild circumstances.
Nike React Infinity Run Flyknit 3 Conclusion
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The Infinity Run 3 ought to have been an enormous replace with a big trip improve however what we received as a substitute was a really comparable shoe to final 12 months’s model which was additionally similar to the earlier 12 months’s Infinity Run.
After 3 years with the identical sole unit, the Infinity Run is in dire want of a facelift. It wants a greater, extra partaking midsole foam than React and it wants a lighter, extra breathable higher.
I favored the primary 2 variations quite a bit however I like this one fairly a bit much less. Today, max-cushioned trainers are getting lighter, softer and extra dynamic. This shoe will get the job performed however it doesn’t get me excited.
Model 3 of the Infinity Run is heavier and firmer than model 2 so it’s not a greater shoe. It does have an higher with a extra stable construct and it has a stiffer, firmer midsole which permits the rocker to be more practical.
The Infinity Run 3 is a really polished coach with no main weaknesses however it’s missing character. It’s mainly the Infinity Run 2 with a thicker higher and a firmer trip. It doesn’t really feel like a particular shoe with a singular trip.
At $160, the Infinity Run 3 isn’t price its asking worth. The Nimbus 24 is identical worth however it’s a lot softer and far more energetic.
The GlideRide 3 can be a max-cushioned coach with a rocker however its rocker works higher and it additionally has a softer trip than the Infinity Run 3. Each of these trainers are lighter than the Infinity so they’re extra versatile.
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We bought this pair of Nike React Infinity Run Flyknit 3 at Operating Warehouse with our personal cash.