The upper of this colorway comes with a unique design that really stands out, but it also looks very dense and lacking ventilation holes, probably to help keep dust from entering the shoe. We were definitely eager to test breathability.
Indeed, we found a 2/5 score that confirmed our initial thoughts. Not much air moves between the inside and outside of the shoe, so sock selection can be crucial here.
Using a light source, we found that the dense mesh blocked most of it. That also makes one thing clear: ventilation was never a priority in this design.
Under the microscope, the engineered mesh used by Nike clearly shows a tightly packed material made from synthetic yarns. It may not look especially comfortable in the toebox, but there is a catch.
The upper uses two layers, with the inner one feeling much more pleasant to the touch. That also reduces airflow, but some runners may prefer the added comfort during long hours in the mountains.
