The 2023 original Ultrafly carries road-racing DNA to trail: ZoomX foam layered in a fabric-wrapped midsole around a carbon Flyplate, a slick Vaporweave upper, and Vibram Litebase Traction Lug rubber. At 300g with a 38.5/30mm stack it is a fast, sleek, grippy endurance race platform for hard-packed mountain courses.
Skip it — or buy it
Verdict: buySkip it if
You want maximal blunt cushioning for days of slow ultra grinding. ZoomX provides protection, but the Flyplate platform tunes propulsion over plushness.
You run deep unbroken mud surfaces regularly. Vibram Litebase Traction Lugs grip well, but the design favors speed over cleat-level bite.
You want a durable daily trail trainer for non-race weeks. ZoomX race construction and the $250 price tag mark this strictly for endurance race days.
Buy it if
You want road-supercar propulsion translated to endurance trails. Carbon Flyplate layered between ZoomX foam gives efficient propulsion on rolling courses.
You want premium traction technology for wet or technical surfaces. Vibram's lightweight Litebase outsole design plus Traction Lug tech grips decisively.
You want fast transitions on minutes-long climbs and descents. The heel-to-toe rocker underfoot supports smooth transitions with each step.
What the community says
Synthesized from 20 wear-test videos and 215+ Reddit runner logs.
- n=22
Mud-bite ceilingModerate
3.5mm Litebase lugs trade boggy suction grip for aggressive speed on hardpack.
- n=19
300g and $250Moderate
You pay apex road-racer pricing for full trail protection.
