Nike Epic React Flyknit is so popular recently. We have seen many super stars wearing it. It seems that NIKE will give up other technologies, but using React technology. So what is React?
As we know, the cushion system of most of the running shoes are made of foam, which is made of different types of polymerides. For example, Lunarlon has several types, depending on the products’ positioning, Lunarepic is suitable for marathon and Lunartempo is suitable for daily training. In the beining, NIKE want to upgrade Lunarlon, but the designer Ernest Kim of Epic React Flynit want to bring better products to runners. So he require NIKE material team to offer light, soft, elastic and durable material. After testing more than 400 times, React material is produced.
The vamp of Epic React Flynit uses upgraded Flyknit. The whole vamp is one piece. The shoe tongue is not separated. In my memory, I can only remember Vaporfly Elite use this kind of design. But React is also different with it. The appearance looks more classic. The shoe tongue also uses the newest knitting technology. It has great elasticity.
The shoe head has big mesh holes, the air permeability is good. But it will be cold in Winter. It’s more suitable for Summer and Spring.
As the side of vamp don’t have Flywire. I’m worried about the stability in the beginning. But after wearing, I feel relieved. As the Flyknit is upgraded, the vamp can fit the foot very well and it won’t press the instep.
There is no additional joints or stylolite on the inner sleeve. There is only one stylolite on the shoe heel. And there is pull-tab which can hidden this stylolite. The inner side of shoe heel uses hot laminating technology to assure the comfort level of shoe heel. And the shoe collar hasn’t filled with foam like traditional running shoes, but using a elastic knitting technology to assure the comfortable level and to be convenient for putting one and taking off.
We can see that there is a U shape design in the rear insole. It’s bigger than shoe heel about 0.5cm. As if it wants to bring better cushion performance and elastic feedback to runners, it needs to offer more React material. The React insole is really thick. It’s a little thicker than UltraBoost insole.
We can feel the elastic feedback from the insole obviously.
The grain of outsole looks complicated. It’s called as Computational design. It makes the different depth geometrical morphology by using complex mathematics. By the different depth of grooves, it can offer different cushion or supporting effect on different area. For example, it increases the cushion performance of the part of shoe heel, and it improves the supporting performance on the arch part.
Overall, I like the React insole technology. It’s very suitable for running. It’s light and has great cushion, supporting performance and resilience. Moreover, it’s very comfortable.
There are 6 releasing colorways at present.
Although the resilience of the shoe collar is good, but it’s a little small, so it needs to loosen the shoelaces to put it on. If your instep is high, I suggest you to buy half size bigger.