Nike’s latest Alphafly running shoe is every marathon runner’s dream

Nike has announced its Air Zoom Alphafly Next%, the second iteration of the Air Zoom Alphafly Next% running shoe. 

For those not in the know, the original shoe helped legendary long-distance runner Eulid Kipchoge run a marathon under two hours, breaking a world record. It’s certainly one of the best road running shoes ever made, said to improve running economy by around 4%, and the new iteration looks set to be even faster. 

The Nike Air Zoom Alphafly Next% 2, like its predecessor (opens in new tab), has a midsole of ZoomX foam, a single curved carbon fiber plate and two Zoom Air pods, small hollows of air designed to reduce the weight of the shoe while maintaining the optimal shape for improved running economy.  It’s said to offer runners a ‘propulsive, lightweight and supportive ride’, but there have been a few changes since the last go-round. 

The upper of the Next% 2 features a revised version of the original’s Atomknit, dubbed Atomknit 2.0. This new upper is said to be engineered for breathability in the toes, closer containment in the forefoot, and padding under the shoe’s tongue.