Nike's biggest shoe innovations last year was built from their Fly Knit Racer and Roshe Run creations. The Fly Knit technology was internationally known in the summer Olympics and the Roshes was their unpredictable sleeper among the sneaker culture. As 2013 is starting to move by, we are seeing Nike pushing both of these models with multiple of releases thus far. Having the opportunity to buy both shoes, I started to formulate my likes and dislikes between the new shoes that I would like to share with you guys. I'm not the biggest sneaker fiend, so excuse my usage of terminology.
Fit:
After wearing my Roshes, the Fly Knit does have an abnormal fit to them. They are definitely not meant for the so called ordinary foot shape. It has a more narrow mold to them as my fit tend to cramp on the side, but sizing up a half a size might have helped a little bit. The Roshes, however, are the complete opposite. It's quite simple, fit true to size, just the way a shoe should be.
Comfort:
Both shoes have been described as "walking on clouds," but I would say the Roshe wins the comfort battle between the two. Although the super light weight Fly Knit technology is less than twice the weight of the Roshe, the difference is it not that noticeable when on feet. The Roshe provides a lunarlon type insole for a extra comfortability to the shoe. I put the Roshe insole in the Fly Knits and the cushion is still favorable towards the Roshes due to the thick rubber soles.
Design/Conclusion:
The Fly Knit Racers are definitely more unique and innovative compared to the Roshes, Time magazine didn't name the shoe as one of the best inventions of 2012. The Racers are more of head-turners and if you're a design enthusiasts, it's cool to have revolutionary products. On the other hand, the original Roshes have a nice, clean simplistic look to them, which is always timeless. Nike is starting to milk the model this year with tons of new colorways as well. They are even combining the two with a future release of their Fly Wire technology on the Roshes mid panels. Between the two, the Roshes are a better shoe and way cheaper (you can 2 Roshes for the price of 1 Fly Knit)! The Racers seem to be a prototype and still needs improvement (maybe the lunar knits are a different story though). But performance wise, you can't go wrong with either shoe.
Both shoes have been described as "walking on clouds," but I would say the Roshe wins the comfort battle between the two. Although the super light weight Fly Knit technology is less than twice the weight of the Roshe, the difference is it not that noticeable when on feet. The Roshe provides a lunarlon type insole for a extra comfortability to the shoe. I put the Roshe insole in the Fly Knits and the cushion is still favorable towards the Roshes due to the thick rubber soles.
Design/Conclusion:
The Fly Knit Racers are definitely more unique and innovative compared to the Roshes, Time magazine didn't name the shoe as one of the best inventions of 2012. The Racers are more of head-turners and if you're a design enthusiasts, it's cool to have revolutionary products. On the other hand, the original Roshes have a nice, clean simplistic look to them, which is always timeless. Nike is starting to milk the model this year with tons of new colorways as well. They are even combining the two with a future release of their Fly Wire technology on the Roshes mid panels. Between the two, the Roshes are a better shoe and way cheaper (you can 2 Roshes for the price of 1 Fly Knit)! The Racers seem to be a prototype and still needs improvement (maybe the lunar knits are a different story though). But performance wise, you can't go wrong with either shoe.