Nike AlphaFly Next%

The Nike AlphaFly Next%, a revolutionary running shoe, will hit the market on February 29, 2020. These shoes, which sparked much debate, were worn by the legendary Eliud Kipchoge when he became the first athlete to complete a marathon in under 2 hours. On October 12, 2019, Kipchoge finished the race in Vienna's Prater Park with an extraordinary time of 1:59:40, adding a significant chapter to the history of athletics. This achievement not only marked a milestone but also established Kipchoge as a source of inspiration for surpassing limits and setting new records.

The much-discussed Nike AlphaFly Next% are now available for purchase.

Since the debut of the Nike AlphaFly Next% prototype during the INEOS 1:59 Challenge, there has been much speculation and debate about the footwear used by Eliud Kipchoge. Accusations of technological doping and unfair advantages led to discussions about their legality in official competitions. Regardless, these shoes are now accessible to the public, albeit with a price tag exceeding £250.

Nike AlphaFly Next%, the running shoes shoes that made history

On May 6, 2017, Eliud Kipchoge attempted to break the two-hour marathon barrier in the Breaking 2 challenge, wearing Nike Zoom Vaporfly Elite. Falling short by just 25 seconds, Nike Running was motivated to enhance their technology, leading to the development of the Nike AlphaFly Next%.

Following the success of Nike's Vaporfly series, the AlphaFly Next% represents the fourth generation, designed to improve speed, efficiency, and performance with every stride.

And we finally know all the details of Eliud Kipchoge 's running shoes.

To start, a host of technological advancements have emerged. Many of these advancements were originally developed for the Nike Vaporfly Next%, a model that played a role in remarkable sporting achievements, such as Brigid Kosgei setting a new women's marathon world record in Chicago (2:14:04), shattering Paula Radcliffe's previous record. However, the AlphaFly not only inherits features from its predecessor but also introduces significant innovations to enhance responsiveness, efficiency, and to reduce muscle fatigue in runners.

Nike AlphaFly vs Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next%.

To fully grasp this new venture by Nike Running into creating a new era of running shoes, comparing the similarities and differences with the renowned Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% is essential. And indeed, there are notable comparisons to be made.

The Nike Air Zoom Alphafly NEXT% represents a significant evolution from the already historic Vaporfly. This time, Nike's engineering and design teams have added Zoom Air Pods in the forefoot, increased the amount of ZoomX Foam in the heel, and introduced a lighter upper material called Atomknit.

For Nike, the introduction of a carbon plate marked a major innovation, but the company didn't stop there. Striving for further advancement, it combined the carbon plate with its ZoomX foam and introduced Nike Air, aiming to enhance energy return and cushioning with each step.

The 3 key features of the NikeZoomX Alphafly Next %.

• Full-length carbon fibre plate

Provides stability, reactivity and a fluid foot strike transition; Also generates a tension at toe-off in the forefoot for a more propulsive feel

• Nike ZoomX Cushioning

Nike's lightest foam. Soft feel for quick recovery and energy return.

• Nike Zoom Air Pods

Nike's new invention brings extra cushioning and increased energy return, providing a feeling of momentum in each stride.

And in the heel, we find Nike React Foam, an even softer foam for a more comfortable landing.

Breakdown: Nike Alphafly Next%

These technological advancements and materials contribute to the Nike Alphafly being larger, thicker, and heavier than the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next%. The AlphaFly features a 9mm drop, slightly more than the 8mm drop of the Vaporfly Next%, leading to increased heights of 39mm in the heel and 35mm in the forefoot, compared to the Vaporfly Next%'s 40mm heel and 32mm forefoot.

The innovative technical specifications of the Nike AlphaFly are highlighted by its construction, which consists of an 8-layer structure as opposed to the 4 layers of its predecessor. This design aims to offer a maximalist approach to the shoe's cushioning capacity and responsiveness. The structure includes:

A double layer of carbon sandwiched between ZoomX pressurized foam units, followed by the first air chamber, a second layer of carbon to accommodate the second visible air chamber, and a third layer of carbon, concluding with the sole.

This intricate technological framework is complemented by segmented sections in the forefoot and heel, bridged by a double layer of cushioning pads. This design aids in facilitating more responsive and flexible transitions, evenly distributing impact forces for a smoother and more stable stride.

To round off the midsole and outsole assembly of the Nike AlphaFly, Kipchoge's super shoe also features an upgraded upper. The design team at Nike opted to revolutionise the running market further by introducing a new Flyknit material for the upper: Atomknit. This flexible, stretchable fabric is designed to adapt to the foot's natural movements with minimal water absorption and enhanced breathability, which helps to offset the shoe's weight.

Photo credit: Nike and INEOS 1:59 Challenge.