Nike Air Zoom Alphafly NEXT% Running Shoes

Strength. Energy. Effort. Inspired by one of Japan's biggest races of the year, the Nike Air Zoom Alphafly NEXT% Flyknit is ready to help you gear up for your next personal best. Look closely, the Swoosh logo features a topographic map that nods to the race's hilly course around Mt. Fuji. Responsive foam and 2 Zoom Air units combine to push your running game forward for your next marathon or road race.

AtomKnit Upper

Atomknit uppers encase the foot in lightweight comfort. The comfortable updated version of flyknit is steamed and stretched to deliver a lightweight and contoured fit. The fabrication wraps the foot in lightweight support to ensure a comfortable and secure fit from the moment you put them on till the moment you take them off. The minimalist fabric sits close to the foot to ensure a dynamic, lightweight fit that's ideal for racing whilst perforations within the fabric increase airflow, creating a better, healthier environment for your feet to thrive in. The breathable upper allows cool air to flow into the construction whilst, at the same time allowing hot, humid air to escape so you can remain cool, dry and comfortable at all times. With added water reduction the Alphaweave upper keeps your feet protected during light rain. A one-piece construction seamlessly integrates these areas of high breathability with stretch and support where you need it the most, adapting to the changing shape of your foot as it moves through the gait cycle and reducing slippage so that you can enjoy smooth, distraction-free speed. It swathes your foot in lightweight support and a seamless, sock-like fit - shrinking the risk of rubbing and blisters because we know how those can ruin your day. Completing the upper is a lacing system which locks down the midfoot so you can enjoy distraction-free strides.

ZoomX Midsole

Nike ZoomX foam delivers Nike Running's greatest energy return yet, and Next% adds more ZoomX for responsive comfort on race day. Ultra-light and super-responsive, the midsole material delivers Nike's greatest energy return yet; it absorbs impact and then expels it back out for a bounce-like effect. This energy-return technology reduces the use of superfluous muscle power, diminishing fatigue and enhancing performance, keeping you going for longer. The revolutionary ZoomX foam is manufactured from Pebax, a product conventionally used in plastic bridges and other moulded parts, and yields cushioning that is not only lightweight but soft AND springy. Until now, these three characteristics (collectively) have proven nearly impossible to achieve. Pebax has a lower density than some thermoplastic alternatives and this makes it lighter, flexible and more impact-resistant, whilst giving it a higher capacity for energy-return. When blown into a foam these properties remain, gifting you with a lively underfoot feeling that encourages you to run fast. Signalling the incredible resilience of ZoomX, the tiny creases that occur on every midsole do not have an impact on the foam's performance; these beauty marks are a result of the autoclave process which places the foam under extreme heat and pressure. The ZoomX sheets are then compressed in a Phylon preform which shapes the midsole parts. Because the special foam is so lightweight (one third the weight of Cushlon), Nike are able to use more of it to separate your foot from the road; this means you get a thick and supportive midsole that will spare your joints as you strike down onto hard, unforgiving concrete. Embedded within the generous ZoomX platform, and complimenting its responsive nature, is a full-length carbon fibre plate. Intended to minimise energy loss during toe bend without increasing demand on the calf, it springs up under your heel as you stride forward, yielding the snappy, propulsive sensation that converts into extra-energised strides. The plate is curved at the front, helping give the runner back some of the energy they put in at toe-off. Air zoom unit have also been used within the midsole of the Alphafly Next% to deliver the most energy return of all Nike racing shoes. The units have been used within the forefoot to cushion the footstrike to offer you the best possible protection and comfort when running. Ensuring lightweight, durable and versatile cushioning, the units feature pressurised air inside that compresses and recovers as you run through the gait cycle. The unit compresses to reduce the force of impact and then recovery allows the air unit to return to its original shape and volume to ensure a soft and responsive base for you to push off from. Every time you land, the powerful Air Zoom cushions absorb your energy and shoot it right back-springing you into your next move.

Durable Rubber Outsole

A lightweight, but durable, outsole completes the shoe. Its traction pattern is informed by an algorithm to identify lug shapes and sizes that optimise propulsion. The design places optimal rubber on the road for efficiency and traction; high-abrasion rubber adorns the rearfoot to increase durability, resisting the traumas of heel-strike to supply you with a reliable and long-lasting running buddy. Lightweight foam rubber covers the forefoot to provide grip and durability whilst enhancing energy-return. Lengthwise flex grooves have been used on the rubber outsole to enhance multi-surface traction ensuring confident footing wherever you next race takes you. The durable rubber provides a strong grip and works to protect itself from damage, and protect users from losing control and slipping. It's all for the athletes who crave a shoe that's hard to run slow in, a shoe that allows you to maintain any given pace. Let it be love at first run, choose the Alphafly Next%.