Nike Train Prime Iron Dual Fusion

While the initial visual appearance of these training shoes closely resembles a casual running shoe, the underfoot layout of the Nike Train Prime Iron Dual Fusion clearly defines itself from traditional running shoe outsole designs. Rather than incorporate a tread pattern that emphasizes one direction of movement, this training shoe uses a pattern that stresses omnidirectional traction. Additionally, this shoe’s outsole has significant flex grooves placed horizontally along the forefoot, providing a greater degree of flexibility without sacrificing stability. The signature Nike swoosh logo adorns the center of its underfoot, providing an interesting combination of fashion and functionality that this manufacturer is best known for.

Perhaps in an attempt to make up for any loss of stability caused by the addition of significant flex grooves along its outsole, the Nike Train Prime Iron Dual Fusion uses exceptionally sturdy Phylon material for its midsole. This material is commonly found in traditional running shoes and its inclusion in this form of athletic footwear can only be differentiated due to its decreased level of elevation from the heel to the forefoot. Thanks to a flatter heel drop, this highly dense material is able to provide support and responsiveness for the entirety of the wearer’s underfoot. This isn’t as effective at providing these features for running due to its generalized style, but it does allow for greater versatility in exercises: an important thing for training shoes to accommodate.

The most obvious similarities between these training shoes and the scores of running shoes that have been designed and sold by this manufacturer for the past five years can be seen on its upper. The Nike Train Prime Iron Dual Fusion closely resembles Nike running shoe products like their Air Max and Air Zoom lines through its use of their trademark breathable synthetic mesh fabric in the upper. This serves much the same purpose for this training shoe as it does for a running shoe, so it makes sense that this would be the case. This upper design provides a lightweight and breathable housing for the wearer’s foot that also manages to be comfortable and provide a modicum of stability for the wearer.

Weighing in at around 10 ounces, the Nike Train Prime Iron Dual Fusion is similar in weight to most other entry-level Nike footwear products, including the vast majority of their running shoes. The exception to this is their Flyknit line of products which achieve the different task of providing the most lightweight and responsive running experience without any concern for foot protection or durability. No, these training shoes were clearly designed with resilience and wearer protection in mind, as well as stability and general comfort. The fact that these shoes are able to provide all of these important design elements without adding too much weight to the final product shows how Nike’s experience in designing other forms of footwear can cross over into the world of training shoes.

Due to the design of the Nike Train Prime Iron Dual Fusion’s upper being remarkably similar to that of several other Nike products, customers who are familiar with those offerings from this manufacturer shouldn’t be surprised to find that these shoes offer a similar level of breathability. However, there are some differences under the hood that aren’t immediately noticeable because of superficial appearances. For example, the synthetic mesh used for its construction is a bit thinner than the ordinary Nike running shoe mesh, being much closer in thickness to Flyknit than Flymesh. However, the addition of some stability cages offsets any increase in ventilation that would occur as a result of this.

Comfort for the sake of comfort wasn’t prioritized in the design of the Nike Train Prime Iron Dual Fusion. Instead, any comfort-related design features were secondary benefits of elements intended for providing one of this shoe’s primary focuses, such as stability and responsiveness. Still, these training shoes manage to feel comfortable enough for the vast majority of wearers thanks to its soft mesh upper and supportive midsole. However, individuals who are used to Nike’s running shoes and expect these trainers to provide similar heel cushion or ankle padding will be disappointed and likely experience some initial discomfort.

Nike is one of the most popular brands of athletic apparel on the planet, and they achieved this impressive status by consistently designing wave after wave of visually appealing products. This is the single most prominent aspect of their entire brand and is the reason why a significant portion of their customer base will consistently pay for their newest products, even if their prices have been grossly inflated through resellers. The Nike Train Prime Iron Dual Fusion isn’t one of their models that attracts that level of devotion but it does feature design elements that will appeal to fashion-oriented cross trainers. While these shoes initially came in a wide variety of colorways, scarcity over time has resulted in most of these palettes becoming very difficult to find.

An ordinary pair of Nike running shoes will usually last anywhere from 250 to 300 miles before needing to be replaced, with a longer lifespan only being possible through regular cleaning and maintenance. For the most part, these Nike training shoes will offer a similar lifespan. However, a couple things must be kept in mind for potential customers interested in the Train Prime Iron Dual Fusion. First, their durability is only guaranteed when used in the appropriate environments, such as a gym or running track. Attempting to use these shoes in different environments will negatively affect their longevity. Second, a few customers have stated that the lace loops near the bottom of the shoe’s lacing system can snap after only a few trips to the gym, so extra care should be taken when tightening the wearer’s fit.

Since training shoes like the Nike Train Prime Iron Dual Fusion are primarily meant to be used in a gym or other high controlled environment, the need for them to provide the wearer with foot protection is somewhat diminished. However, there are still some protective aspects that are required by this form of athletic footwear, such as protection from repetitive stress injuries. These training shoes manage to accomplish this feat primarily through the use of its dual-density midsole, but the supportive elements baked into the upper are similarly beneficial.

Due to the mostly flat elevation for this shoe’s midsole, wearers of the Nike Train Prime Iron Dual Fusion shouldn’t expect to feel the same degree of responsiveness as they would in a pair of Nike running shoes. However, this isn’t to say that these shoes aren’t as responsive as casual runners, just that they are responsive in a different way. In order to accommodate a wider range of motion associated with different training exercises, these trainers were designed to be responsive to multiple angles of movement. The same design principle can be observed on the underfoot, with an outsole that inhibits some of the forward-facing traction for the sake of increasing the wearer’s grip in multiple directions.

Aside from this shoe’s dual-density midsole, which provides a long-lasting supportive underfoot for the wearer, most of the support found in the Nike Train Prime Iron Dual Fusion is located on its upper. Bits of the stabilizing frame that comprises the skeleton of this shoe’s upper half can be seen through the synthetic mesh, providing tangible benefits to runners who struggle with pronation discrepancies. Additionally, Flywire technology was added to the forefoot of the shoe for additional toe support, although this feature comes with the side effect of decreased comfort due to a tighter fit.

As a consequence of its lighter weight, thinner midsole, and less grippy outsole, the Nike Train Prime Iron Dual Fusion is limited in terms of suitable terrain. As a pair of training shoes, these are best suited for use in common training environments such as a gym. To accommodate these environments, the design of these trainers accentuates higher performance, comfort, and support on man-made surfaces that are hard and flat. While some running on sidewalks and tracks can also be managed, these running surfaces can lead to increased degradation and should only be used sparingly.

Training shoes will often be sold at a higher price than ordinary running shoes due to the fact that they offer a highly specialized suite of features. This was the case for the Nike Train Prime Iron Dual Fusion during its launch, where it was a bit higher than the cost of Nike’s regular running shoes but still significantly cheaper than a pair of entry-level trail running shoes. After a few years on the market, this price has lowered to its current stabilized cost: roughly the same as the price for a newer pair of entry-level running shoes.

As previously mentioned, these training shoes offer a different approach to traction than traditional running footwear. While the latter attempts to design their outsole tread patterns to emphasize forward movement exclusively, shoes like the Nike Train Prime Iron Dual Fusion embody a design philosophy that stresses equal traction in all directions. This comes with the consequence of diminished forward traction and running drive, but the tradeoff is higher compatibility with different plyometric and gymnastic exercises.

These training shoes weren’t designed or built with the intention of providing high flexibility. However, the nature of its design limitations results in a greater degree of pliable movement that can be more comfortable for individuals who are already used to casual Nike running shoes. The thinner midsole, despite being made up of two layers of variable density EVA foam, is a major catalyst for this characteristic of the Nike Train Prime Iron Dual Fusion.

As previously mentioned, the Nike Train Prime Iron Dual Fusion was designed with the motivation to stress stability over flexibility. However, the added stability features present in their upper, midsoles, and outsoles still leave a substantial feeling of flexibility due to the weight and size limitations imposed on them during the design process. While this may seem like a negative, the result of this phenomenon is a near-perfect balance of the two polar opposites. It’s rare to see any kind of footwear strike the kind of balance between rigidity and comfortable pliability that this shoe does, and it provides one of the most significant benefits of these trainers.

More in line with trail running shoes than casual runners, the Nike Train Prime Iron Dual Fusion has a heel drop of 4 millimeters. This means that there is a small difference in elevation between the forefoot and the heel of each shoe, with additional material being concentrated around the rearfoot portion of its midsole. The purpose of this small design feature is greater comfort and support for individuals who strike the ground with their heels, which is why it is often amplified in the design of standard running shoes. However, these training shoes are intended for use in a much wider variety of exercises, so it makes sense that they wouldn’t place as much emphasis on this design aspect.

Although these shoes make for an excellent companion when exercising in the gym, they won’t perform as well on the track or treadmill when compared to Nike’s many different running shoe lines. Still, these are fashionable and functional training shoes well worth the price of admission.