Nike is introducing Alphafly 4, a marathon racing shoe rebuilt as a complete system to help more runners carry speed over distance. The shoe delivers 10 percent more energy return than its predecessor; is 5 percent lighter in a men's size 8.5; and features a new Atomknit upper, ZoomX LT foam, updated Air Zoom units, a carbon-fiber Flyplate and Fast Shot outsole.

The challenge was not making a fast shoe faster. The challenge was helping more runners hold onto speed and efficiency as fatigue changes the race.

Built on a legacy that helped redefine marathon racing, Alphafly 4 balances propulsion, cushioning, comfort and stability to help runners stay connected to their pace, form and goals from the first mile through the final push.

"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," says 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."

Alphafly 4 Carries Speed Further

There comes a point in every marathon when maintaining speed becomes harder than finding it. Alphafly 4 was rebuilt for that moment.

• A new Atomknit upper offers a more precise fit with less distraction, helping runners feel comfortable, secure and focused over distance. A soft, breathable and fully seamless construction features zoned midfoot cables, an integrated heel unit and a molded sock liner for added security in every stride.
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• 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, supreme cushioning and added bounce. The new foam combines with ZoomX and is layered above and below the Flyplate to create a complete cushioning system designed specifically for the demands of long-distance racing.
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• A carbon-fiber Flyplate brings together stability and propulsion while retaining Alphafly’s signature propulsive scoop, working with the surrounding cushioning to create a smooth rolling sensation that supports forward momentum and a consistent cadence.
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• Dual forefoot Air Zoom units are tuned to quietly work together with the foam and Flyplate to deliver responsive race-day propulsion.
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• A lightweight Fast Shot outsole ensures optimal traction and grip, helping runners stay connected to the road with every stride.

In all, Alphafly 4 is built for long-distance racing and personal-best pursuits, helping runners stay connected to their race deeper into the marathon.

"Nike Alphafly 4 gave me confidence from the start line to the finish," says Nike athlete Addisu Gobena of his recent winning marathon in Sydney. "When the race became difficult, I trusted the work I had done and trusted the shoe beneath me. As athletes, we are always chasing what comes next, and I believe Alphafly 4 shows how much opportunity exists to push marathon performance forward."

Built for Marathon Speed

Athlete feedback collected across multiple generations of Alphafly helped guide the shoe’s development. Learnings from Nike’s Project Dreamweaver, extensive women’s trials, and insights from distance runners of all abilities and intensities informed improvements to stability, smoothness, comfort and confidence over distance.

That process reflects a system that connects athlete insight, Nike Sport Research Lab testing and product innovation. Athletes help identify the problems worth solving. Scientific research helps uncover new opportunities. Designers and engineers bring those learnings together in innovations built around how runners actually move and perform.

The results speak for themselves:

• Eliud Kipchoge’s sub-2-hour marathon
• The late Kelvin Kiptum’s marathon world record
• Sifan Hassan claiming gold in the women’s marathon in Paris
• Conner Mantz's American marathon record
• Jacob Kiplimo’s half-marathon world record
• Gobena’s marathon course record in Sydney
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Records prove what is possible. Confidence is what runners take with them to the start line.

Alphafly 4 is built to help runners stay stronger a little longer, hold on a little deeper into the race, and discover what’s possible over 26.2 miles.

"I've run in just about every race day shoe out there, and Alphafly 4 is my No. 1 pick," says Meaghan Murray, a member of the Alphafly 4 prototype testing cohort. "It has the most propulsive yet comfortable and cushioned ride I've experienced in a race shoe. It is softer and bouncier than before, and the upper is comfortable and accommodating."

Nike Racing Footwear Lineup

Alphafly 4 is part of Nike’s Racing footwear lineup, an innovative collection built around different runners, distances and goals –– whether they’re toeing their first starting line, seeking a faster 10K, chasing a personal best in the marathon, or looking to shave a second off a historic benchmark.

Each shoe has a job, and each one is tuned as a system: Air to return energy, foam to manage cushioning and weight, a plate to shape the transition, and an upper to contain the foot.

Nike built each silhouette to serve a specific runner, distance and goal. Stay tuned for more Nike Racing footwear designed for every race-day pursuit — coming to podiums around the world.