Sep 18: Nike has introduced Alphafly 4, a marathon racing shoe rebuilt as a complete system to help runners maintain speed and efficiency over distance. Designed for marathoners ranging from elite athletes to everyday runners pursuing personal bests, Alphafly 4 combines propulsion, cushioning, comfort and stability for the demands of long-distance racing.
The new Alphafly 4 delivers 10 percent more energy return than its predecessor and is 5 percent lighter in a men's size 8.5. The shoe features a new Atomknit upper, ZoomX LT foam, updated Air Zoom units, a carbon-fiber Flyplate and Fast Shot outsole.
“ A marathon is dynamic. With Alphafly 4, we spent years listening to athletes, studying how fatigue impacts performance and running mechanics, refining every element of the system to help runners maintain efficiency when it matters most,” said Emily Farina, Senior Principal, Running Footwear, Nike Sport Research Lab. “Our goal was simple: create a shoe that helps athletes feel more confident and capable deep into the race. That’s what Alphafly 4 was built to do.”
Designed to Carry Speed Further
Alphafly 4 has been refined across its major components to create a smoother and more efficient marathon experience.
The new Atomknit upper provides a precise fit with a soft, breathable and seamless construction. It features zoned midfoot cables, an integrated heel unit and a molded sock liner for added security.
New ZoomX LT foam is up to 17 percent lighter than standard ZoomX foam, offers 8 percent more energy return and delivers a softer sensation, cushioning and bounce. Combined with ZoomX and layered above and below the Flyplate, it forms a cushioning system designed for long-distance racing.
The carbon-fiber Flyplate combines stability and propulsion while retaining Alphafly’s signature propulsive scoop. Dual forefoot Air Zoom units work with the foam and Flyplate to provide responsive race-day propulsion, while the lightweight Fast Shot outsole delivers traction and grip.
Built Around Athlete Insights
Athlete feedback collected across multiple generations of Alphafly helped guide the development of the new shoe. Learnings from Nike’s Project Dreamweaver, extensive women’s trials and insights from distance runners of different abilities and intensities informed improvements in stability, smoothness, comfort and confidence over distance.
The development process brought together athlete insight, Nike Sport Research Lab testing, scientific research and product innovation to address the demands of how runners move and perform.
Alphafly’s racing legacy includes Eliud Kipchoge’s sub-2-hour marathon, Kelvin Kiptum’s marathon world record, Sifan Hassan’s women’s marathon gold in Paris, Conner Mantz’s American marathon record, Jacob Kiplimo’s half-marathon world record and Addisu Gobena’s marathon course record in Sydney.
“Nike Alphafly 4 gave me confidence from the start line to the finish,” said Nike athlete Addisu Gobena. “When the race became difficult, I trusted the work I had done and trusted the shoe beneath me.”
Part of Nike’s Racing Footwear Lineup
Alphafly 4 is part of Nike’s Racing footwear lineup, a collection designed around different runners, distances and goals. Each shoe is tuned as a system, combining Air, foam, a plate and an upper to support specific race-day requirements.
The Nike Alphafly 4 will be available for an early, limited release on September 17 at nike.com, followed by broader availability on October 29 at nike.com and select retail locations.
