Nike Streak XC 2

Just got my pair 3 days ago. Put 41 miles on them so far. Bought them looking for an everyday training flat. I have ran in the Brooks Mach 11, Brooks T6, and Asics Piranha. Here are the main points.

1. Lighter than all. The reason i was drawn to these was the fact they had a rubber bottoms but they still were light weight. Alot of light flats just use foam on the bottom of the shoe which wears very quickly and does not grip well in rain.

2. Flexible. These shoes are more flexible then the T6 and Mach 11, probably close or more flexible then the prianahas.

3. Grip. Great grip, nuff said.

4. If used for an everyday trainer i like the fact that i workout and easy run in them. can race CC in them, and they still make a good road racing flat.

Can't compare these to the other shoes mentioned because I've only trained in Nike racing flats for the past few years, but I'll throw in my two cents about their general performance.

I like them much better than the original Streak XCs. They retain the characteristic soft midsole and ultra light weight. In my opinion there is no better shoe for running on concrete. They are minimalist enough to keep you on your toes but provide sufficient cushioning to make the miles fly by. They are far superior to the Luna Racers, which feel like energy-sapping mush.

The upper is basically see through mesh in places, which provides some ventilation benefits as well. The midsole provides similar cushioning but is thinner due to utilizing Zoom Air, thus providing a lower and more stable ride. One problem with the original XCs is they had poor cornering performance; you'd feel like you were auditioning for Tokyo Drift through turns. Due to the general malleability of the new XCs, this issue is not eliminated, but it seems mitigated somewhat by the new heel arrangement. The outsole is also improved. The toe grip provides better traction and the shank is stiffened.

I also run in the Zoom Katana Rac3rs. I feel these are better for the Streaks during trail runs, mostly due to the stiffer footplate/outsole and reduced heel drop. The extensive plastic arch in the Katanas also provides rigidity but its diamond gaps have the unfortunate affinity for pea-sized pebbles.

One of my favorite shoes that had features of both of the aforementioned flats were the Streak Ekidens, but alas they were discontinued.

Thanks. What's the midsole height like compared to the T6? I have those and like them, but like you note, the outsoles are wearing a little quickly.

smd wrote:

Thanks. What's the midsole height like compared to the T6? I have those and like them, but like you note, the outsoles are wearing a little quickly.

i can go thru a pair of t6's in 3 weeks if I run alot of pavement. Its a shame to becuase i love the shoe.

I'm looking at the t6 next to the streak. seems like the midsole height in the forefoot is lower on the nikes, but they are both so low that it realy is splitting hairs. Heel height is higher on the t6 as well.

Another quick point, i talked to the designer of the t6 and he said that one thing they did for the masses on the t6 was fill the medial area of the shoe more. If you look at the bottom of the t6 you will see a red area that says brooks, this is what he is talking about. Most racing flats have a very narrow medial area, where the t6, even though doesn't have a medial post like the st3s, still has some support there. The Nikes are not as narrow as the piranhas, but definatly have less support in this area than the t6s.

im about to go on another easy run with my streaks, that will put me at 51, and i have no weird issues so far, shoe wise or pain wise (sometimes switching shoes throws everything off, but so far the transition from the t6 to the streaks has been smoothed)

timmins wrote:

4. If used for an everyday trainer i like the fact that i workout and easy run in them. can race CC in them, and they still make a good road racing flat.

if you use them for an every day trainer, you'll be lucky if they last 2 months, just so you know

the upper will be torn/destroyed, but the rest of the shoe will be fine

the sole on the Nike Streak XC 2 is narrow along the first metatarsal and after two months of running in them i developed peroneal tendonitis. I am 6'2 and about 155 plus my feet are not wide

I'm returning this thread from the dead for a couple of reasons. First, does anyone have the heel to toe drop for the Streak 2? Does anyone have the heel to toe drop for the Streak 3? Also, is the Streak 3 a little wider in the midfoot than the Streak 2? Actually, anything anyone can say about the Streak 3 compared to the Streak 2 would be helpful.

I can find info on the Asics flats much more easily than the Nikes. The Nikes typically cost less and tempt me, but I'm going to have to go with the Asics if I don't know what I'm buying.

Michael Scott wrote:

I'm returning this thread from the dead for a couple of reasons. First, does anyone have the heel to toe drop for the Streak 2? Does anyone have the heel to toe drop for the Streak 3? Also, is the Streak 3 a little wider in the midfoot than the Streak 2? Actually, anything anyone can say about the Streak 3 compared to the Streak 2 would be helpful.

I can find info on the Asics flats much more easily than the Nikes. The Nikes typically cost less and tempt me, but I'm going to have to go with the Asics if I don't know what I'm buying.

I'll assume you're talking about the Streak XC 2 (the Streak 2 is a different shoe). They're totally unrelated. The Streak XC 2 is much thinner, much lower to the ground, more flexible, minimal cushion, etc. The Streak 3 is a marathon-oriented flat. Heavier, a little bit stiffer, much more substantial midsole, more durable outsole.

I tried the Streak XC 2 and found the opposite of you...the T6 seemed much more flexible. The Streak may be flexible through the toes, but hte plastic piece under the arch makes it incredibly stiff.

Just adding that the Streak XC 2 fits more generously than the original Streak XC. I've had 5 pairs of the first XC and used it for daily training and marathons. A size 10 was comfortably snug. The XC 2 seems almost too big in a size 10.

I do concur that the outsole seems better and the heel:forefoot ratio is very good.

I just hate guessing. By the description, that would make me think maybe the XC 2 is like a Piranha at something like 14/10 and a Streak 3 is something like a Tarther at 19/10.

My LRS had the XC 2, so I was able to try that on, but they didn't stock the Streak 3, Tarther, Hyperspeed, or Piranha. That's a few too many shoes to order and mail back online.

Somebody should make a list of the heel-to-toe drop on all shoes. Rather, companies should actually publish their lists. Maybe I should start making a list...

Funny you mention this. I just started a list and found this page looking for the heel drop on the streak XC 2.

So far I have Piranha 14/10, Mizuno Wave Universe 15/6, Saucony Grid A3 20/8.

I run 40-50 miles per week in the Piranha. If someone else thought to do this in the same 24 hours as me, there has to be a list out there already. If you find it, please post it here or email me at

andrew.sarah@gmail.com

I'm looking for a shoe that I can do my easy miles in that will last longer than the piranha. I have no trouble doing 15 mile runs in a piranha but I'm going through a pair every 3-4 months. I'm only willing to sacrifice a little bit on the weight and the heel rise. The Streak XC 2 looks like it might be a reasonable compromise.

Is there anyone else out there that runs in Piranhas and Streak XC2? How is the fit? Size 10 in the Piranha fits me perfectly.

I have 2 pair of Nike Streak XC 2 in size US 10.5 that I don't need. Condition is new and unused.

Let me know if you need them. 50 bucks a pair including shipping.

Email address is on my site:

www.666energy.com

Running warehouse does list the heel to toe info on a lot of shoes. Whether they measure themselves or just take the manufacturers word or not, I don't know.

I've asked to try the XC2 the last two times I've been in a roadrunner store but they haven't had it in my size. I'm running in the Adidas Adizero Adios which is listed at 22/11 but doesn't feel that bad but looking forward to trying the Adidas Adizero Rocket next which is listed at 16/10.

How would you go about measuring the midsole heights of the shoes? Wouldn't that mean you are going to cut a pair in half and break out the ruler? The only other way would be to rely on the info provided by the company.

I'm sure there are many ways we can come up with. How about this: Put two stacks of books on a table and put a ruler or other straight edge across from one stack to the other. Measure the distance vertically from the table top to the straight edge. Then place the shoe on the table between the stacks. Measure from the heel (inside the shoe) to the straight edge and then subtract that from the table to straight edge measurement. Repeat for the toe area of the shoe.

I ran a fartlek in these last week. I could feel the cold air on my feet because of the see-through upper material. I would recommend not running with these on cold, blustery days!

Anyway - it felt very natural. I liked it. When I switched from these shoes to my regular trainers for cool down I could feel the heel raise.