Nike LunarGlide 5: Fitness Review

For most of us, running isn’t easy.  It is hard work that challenges our body and our minds. It requires us to push ourselves to levels that are not easy…but they are fun. We get up early before work, not because we HAVE to but because we WANT to.  The road provides us comfort and release from our normal lives.  Now, Nike has rolled out the updated LunarGlide 5 to give our feet the comfort and release they need from their regular runs.  To put it simply, the Nike LunarGlide 5 is about comfort and fit.  Built with the latest Flywire technology from the developers at Nike, the LunarGlide 5 is designed to give you maximum feel and support for those tough, hard runs.

The first thing we realized with the LunarGlide 5 is how the inside of the shoe seemed perfectly designed for our feet.  The heel locked into nicely and the first steps felt like walking on clouds.  While that is nice to feel, the real test is how would the hold up through rigorous workouts and tough terrain? Well, here’s what we found out!

For Nike, packing tech, comfort and style into their running shoes is a given, but this time around they’ve taken it one step further. Just take a look at this laundry list of tech and specs and you’ll quickly understand what we’re getting at…

Technology / Specs:

• Mesh inner sleeve wraps the foot for a comfortable fit
• Sockliner molds to the shape of your foot for a custom fit and improved underfoot support
• Plush foam in the collar for enhanced heel lockdown
• Deep flex grooves for increased flexibility and a smooth, efficient stride
• Reflective elements for enhanced visibility in low light
• Nike+ ready
• Weight: 9.9 ounces (men’s size 10
• Arch type: Neutral, low arch
• Upper: Synthetic leather, TPU, engineered mesh, Flywire cord based midfoot support
• Midsole: Injection molded EVA variant (Nike Lunarlon), with dual density units interlocked together.
• Outsole: Carbon rubber/midsole foam

DESIGN: 

For those of you that loved the LunarGlide 4 you’ll surely love the LunarGlide 5 as they did not do a massive overhaul, because frankly it was not needed.  The LunarGlide 4 was a great running shoe and the LunarGlide 5  continues with that tradition but with subtle updates.  For those of you new to the LunarGlide shoes, the first thing you will notice is the Flywire technology.  The Flywire system is a network of multiple filaments that function like cables on a suspension bridge and can adjust to offer support where it is needed.  The cables are attached to the base of the shoe and extend to the eyelets.  Once the laces pass through the eyelets and are pulled tight, the cables  elastic resistance applies pressure around the foot to prove that nice, secure fit.  Also, the LunarGuide 5 was built with Lunarlon cushioning that features what Nike calls a soft yet resilient foam core encased within a supportive foam carrier for lightweight, ultra-plush cushioning and springy response.  Given all the comfort and support, some runners will notice a decrease in responsiveness with the shoe, which comes as a small sacrifice with the added comfort.  Minimalist runners will find the LunarGlide’s higher profile and cushioning deprives them of underfoot road responsiveness.

COMFORT: 

The main hallmark of the LunarGlide 5 is the superior fit and feel of the Flywire.  The Flywire wraps around the middle of the foot and just underneath the arch and combines with the lace loops, so when you pull the laces tight, the whole shoe wraps tight around your foot.  This tightness makes your feet feel secure and supported.  The single-layer mesh upper with the Flywire technology offers an amazing combination of fit and feel, which provides ventilation and support where your foot needs it. The feel and fit is very  adaptive to any foot and gives it glove-like fit. The Flywire wraps the mid-foot and arch and integrates with the lace loops, tightening for a closer fit and reduced pressure on the top of the foot.  The LunarGlide features excellent padding for superior comfort.  With the extra cushion on the heal that provides a decent spring when running, this shoe is well built for long distances.  We found our feet to feel great after those long runs.  Nike states that Dynamic Support feature provides just the stability you need without the added weight or stiffness of a traditional medial post. A floating heel clip moves with the foot to add another level of support, moderating excessive rearfoot pronation.

TRACTION: 

Being a shoe that we would classify as  very neutral that can really take on the miles, it is built with a pretty much even feel.  The sole is broad and seemingly flat which helps with the stability of the foot as we previously have mentioned.  The stabilizing cuff that is molded into the upper makes for no heel slippage which will make every runner happy.  We found the LunarGlide 5 to withstand all the elements of rain, trails, and road.  We found the best performance to be on the road where the cushioning and comfort really maximized the traction features.

DURABILITY: 

The concern we had with the LunarGlide 5 was the durability of the Flywire technology.  The best feature of the shoe is the comfort and fit that you get for your feet.  The concern was that over time the Flywire cable system would start to loosen up and the feel would be sacrificed.  We had testers log at least 75 miles  on these shoes and reports came back with no concerns over the Flywire system. The feel and fit was holding nicely and the treads were only showing small signs of wear and tear. Given the comfort and support of the shoe, these are holding up nicely.  The tread is built with strong rubber and thankfully the comfort is still holding as well.  These shoes are designed for people who really want to get the most out of their running shoes.  Whether you are a distance runner or someone in the market for a pair of walking shoes these are worth looking into as they last long and your feet will appreciate the comfort.

VALUE: 

Top of the line running shoes are built to last about 350-400 miles and we have no doubts that the LunarGlide 5’s are up to the test and possibly more.  Priced in the middle of the running shoe market there is definite value with the LunarGlide 5.  With the impressive comfort and glove like fit of the Flywire technology and built to withstand a beating these are a worthy investment.

Buy Now: $90