Nike Alphafly

Alphafly

In the mid 2010s, Nike revolutionised distance-running by developing the first so-called ‘super shoe’. Following this, the brand continued to innovate, driving athletic progress with the groundbreaking Alphafly.

The Nike Alphafly made its debut in 2019, at the Ineos 1:59 Challenge in Vienna, where Kenyan runner Eliud Kipchoge attempted to complete a sub-two-hour marathon. In controlled conditions, Kipchoge showcased his outstanding mental fortitude and the power of the Alphafly as he became the first human to achieve the feat.

Made with cutting-edge technologies, the Alphafly represented Nike’s ‘system of speed’, which incorporated a carbon-fibre plate, ZoomX foam and forefoot Zoom Air. Added to the breathable AtomKnit upper, this made the shoe stable, supportive, lightweight and incredibly responsive. Most importantly, it met World Athletics’ footwear regulations and could therefore be used in competitive events.

Runners wearing the Nike Alphafly dominated the marathon scene in the early 2020s, while Kipchoge worked closely with Nike to improve the shoe’s design. In 2022, this resulted in the Nike Alphafly 2 having more ZoomX foam and an increased heel-to-toe drop, thus offering greater stability while also balancing out its cushioning, propulsion and weight.

In the Alphafly 2, Kipchoge set a course record at the Tokyo Marathon and beat his own world record by a full 30 seconds in Berlin. Scientists studied its design, discovering that the shape of Nike’s patented Flyplate worked with the ZoomX foam to generate power, stability and speed while reducing stress on the joints to improve performance.

By 2023, Nike faced greater competition from its competitors. The brand responded with the Nike Alphafly 3, which had a more accessible design and even more ZoomX foam for enhanced comfort alongside responsiveness. It also had a lightweight Fast Shot outsole, while its AtomKnit 3.0 upper offered an outstanding blend of lockdown, breathability and support.

Even before the Alphafly 3 was officially released, Nike’s athletes had made it famous. Kipchoge earned a 5th Berlin Marathon title, while in Chicago, fellow Kenyan and rising star Kelvin Kiptum set a new world record, and Dutch runner Sifan Hassan ran the second-fastest women’s marathon in history.

Following its January 2024 launch, the Alphafly 3 made a big impact at the Paris Olympics as Sifan Hassan went toe-to-toe with women’s marathon world record holder Tigst Assefa in a dramatic contest. Hassan won by just three seconds, setting a new Olympic record and demonstrating that the Nike Alphafly 3 was the shoe to beat.

At this point, athletes from Nike and adidas held an even share of the marathon world records, but that soon changed as Ruth Chepng’etich ran a remarkable Chicago Marathon with the Alphafly 3 on her feet. The Kenyan athlete finished way ahead of her rivals, beating the world record by nearly two minutes to become the first woman to go under 2:11 and 2:10.

The Nike Alphafly is one of the greatest distance running shoes in history. In partnership with elite athletes, it has set multiple world records and won numerous titles. It has also helped countless other runners improve their own personal best times and continues to drive sporting innovation and performance to this day.