ACG Zegama Review

NIKE ACG ZEGAMA

Are you tired of trail shoes with the cushion of a prison mattress?
 
Traction that doesn't really grip? Feeling like your foot is in a medieval torture device? Say no more - the new Nike ACG Zegama is here, bursting through the saloon doors to elevate your trail running experience and set the bar even higher.

If the Mogollon Monster wore trail shoes, he’d wear the Zegama. The upper is lightweight and accommodating; the midsole is soft and forgiving yet protective and poppy; and the grip mimics a mountain goat scaling alpine cliffs. I have long been a fan of the Zegama and have worn every version. This is one of the few shoes where every new iteration truly gets better with each evolution (think Charmander to Charizard) 
 
Admittedly, I am pretty high on this shoe, so let’s dive into what I love about the new Zegama and why it might be for you.

When I first got my hands on the new Zegama, I was excited to see what it felt like, because it looks pretty snazzy. My first impression when I slipped them on was positive. The step-in feel is great. It is soft, the upper fits well over my foot in all the right places, and delivers a smooth ride.
 
Let’s start with the upper: it is on the lighter side, keeps the gaiter to ensure no debris enters the shoe, and has opened up the toe box to give more room for toe splay, leading to a locked-in yet accommodating fit. Some may find the toe box to be almost too wide, but for me and my funky feet, it feels perfect. In fact, that was my only real gripe with previous versions of this shoe: I just wanted a little more room in the toe box, and the ACG Zegama provides just that. 

Next, I want to talk about the midsole. The ride feels soft, protective, and stable; the ZoomX foam really stands out in this version. Sometimes soft shoes can be scary on trails, especially for those of us with a history of ankle rolls, but the geometry of the shoe allows for it to be smooth while cradling your foot to keep it stable during the run. It also feels very protective of the foot; stepping over rocks and roots doesn't cause any discomfort or unsteadiness, which I can appreciate as my clumsy self. It almost runs like a road shoe, just with some trail grit and style.

Next, let's talk about traction. The new Vibram Megagrip outsole pattern changes the game for this shoe. The lugs are deep and sticky, and provide optimal grip while you’re on technical terrain or headed downhill. Another small gripe I had with previous versions, especially version one, was that it felt like the grip could have been better on the technical bits and sharp turns. That is no longer an issue, and it makes me feel confident that each step lands exactly where I want it.

Now, there is one caveat to this shoe: it's a little on the chunky side. However, that’s really not the worst thing in the world. This isn’t going to be your sub-ultra speed demon, but rather your long days, max comfort for each mile from start to finish. I liken this shoe to my chunky cat, Jelly Bean. It's a little big, but it can bounce around the trails at high speed, and it definitely has an edge to it. 

Overall, the ACG team did a great job taking an already solid shoe and improving on it. This is truly a trail beast that not only looks cool, but performs day in and day out.
 
If you have liked previous versions of this shoe or other options like the Hoka Speedgoat, Saucony Xodus Ultra, or New Balance Hierro, this is one that you’ve got to check out next time you’re at Run Flagstaff.
 
As I try to crawl back into some sort of resemblance to trail running shape this spring and summer, I imagine I will be grabbing the Zegama pretty frequently. If you see me out there huffing and puffing in my Zegamas, stop and say hey, I’d probably welcome the short break.

Until next week. Run Wilde. Run Flagstaff.