Nike's latest super shoe the Nike Air Zoom Alphafly Next 2%
Nike's super shoes create a lot of hype. When Eliud Kipchoge crossed the finish line of his 1:59 marathon in Vienna in 2019, the world stared at the monster shoes on his feet.
Air Zoom Alphafly Next% came on sale a few months later. Fast, lightweight, and cushioned, this shoe is one of the most sought-after running shoes in the world.
The Air Zoom Alphafly Next% 2 is the big brother of the Air Zoom Alphafly Next%. I've been digging into the details.
Designed to help you run fast, the Nike Air Zoom Alphafly Next% 2 is a super shoe. You can shop the best Nike running shoes to buy right now if you're looking for a shoe to clock your regular miles in.
Alphafly Next% 2 launches on June 15. The shoe retails for $275/£269.95, the same as the original Alphafly Next%. At launch, the shoe will only be available in 'Prototype' white.
Nike said it features a wear test number on the medial side and highlights the dual Zoom Air Bags. Various colorways will be available in the future.
It's no secret that $275 for a running shoe is a lot, so what's new with this version? Alphafly Next% 2 will probably be just as popular as the Alphafly Next%.
My friend who had the pleasure of testing the shoes before launch confirmed that the wider base makes the 2nd Alphafly feel more stable one of the drawbacks of the original Alphafly was that it felt unstable on wet ground, or around corners.
I can't draw any conclusions until I run in the shoe, but I'm hoping for a much more stable version of the original Alphafly that got me a PR in the half marathon and 10K. I couldn't cope with the original Alphafly as a 3:50 marathoner.
The bounce-back from the pavement felt great during the run, but my calves ached the next day. I felt unstable running around corners in the Alphafly Next% even with the wider forefoot, although how much this matters when you've got a shiny medal and a new PR is up for debate.
For those of us who are not racing across the line in 1:59, I hope to see all of the same energy and excitement with the new version. As soon as I get my hands on a pair, I'll update this page.