Editor’s note: We spoke with Patrick Ritchie and Natalie Kile, NIKE track and field line managers. In this clip, we discuss the NIKE Dragonfly 2 Elite, used by athletes such as the one and only Cooper Lutkenhaus.
NIKE Dragonfly 2 Elite Distance Spike
Key Specifications
Weight: ~4.8 oz (136 g) (Men’s Size 9)
Stack Height: 19.8 mm (heel) / 15.7 mm (forefoot)
Heel-to-Toe Drop: 4.1 mm
Spike Configuration: 4 permanent steel 1/4. inch (6 mm), forefoot spikes
Ideal Distances: 1,500m to 10,000m track events
Technical Features
Midsole & Cushioning: Full-length ZoomX foam—Nike’s lightest, most resilient superfoam—providing high energy return across distance races.
Plating: Integrated full-length curved Flyplate (carbon-fiber) engineered for snappy responsiveness and forward propulsion.
Upper & Fit: Constructed with engineered mesh yarns for maximum breathability and a conforming fit. Features a reinforced heel with a “Matumbo hole” cutout to shave weight while keeping the heel locked in.
Outsole & Stability: Updated with a slightly wider midfoot and forefoot platform compared to earlier models to increase stability through turns and on the straights. Utilizes a sharkskin heel pattern for added grip.
In their interview segment on #ForShoeGeeksOnly: Learning About the NIKE Dragonfly Elite, Nike Product Line Managers (PLMs) Patrick Ritchie (Track & Field) and Natalie Kile (Track & Field and Road Racing) shared key insights into Nike’s specialty racing line:
Product Purpose & Lineup Role: They explained where the Dragonfly Elite fits within Nike’s track & field lineup, detailing how it was developed specifically for elite track athletes seeking peak distance performance.
Specialty Updates: They discussed fine-tuned technical updates to Nike’s distance spikes, highlighting design tweaks and materials built for high-level track competition.
Broader Line Coverage: Throughout the discussion, they covered Nike’s track and field offerings, cross-country spike options, and performance updates across their specialty distance footwear.
Learn more about NIKE running products and track & field specialty shoes at www.nikerunning.com.