Tuesday, June 21, 2022

Nike Air Zoom Alphafly Next % 2 Initial Review & Details: Big, Friendly, Fast. The Sub 2 shoe now for more of us!

Video by Sam Winebaum

Nike Air Zoom Alphafly Next % 2 ($275)


In the video belowI take the Alphafly 2 out for great firsts runs.  

The Alphafly 2 sees:

  • a wider more stable platform. I measure 5mm wider at the widest points at the heel and forefoot with also raised sidewalls to stabilize the foot
  • 8mm drop vs 4mm drop for v1 in combination with the wider more stable heel allows a more rolling stride with a less low feeling unstable heel and a new final toe off drop in after the air pod.
  • a ride closer to a combination of the roll of the Vaporfly Next % 2 and Alphafly 1's air pod front landing focused rebound.
  • a new outsole which is thinner with traction lugs and beveled edges to protect the foam at the edges.
  • AtomFit 2.0 upper which without overlays is more structured and also yet more open and has a higher more secure heel counter with more padding. 
The approximately 40mm heel / 32-33 mm forefoot Alphafly 2 does gain 14 grams in my US 8.5 samples over v1 but still checks in at a very reasonable 7.76 oz / 221g in my size.

Comparisons in the video include, in detail Alphafly 1 with impressions from an A/B run Alphafly 1 on one foot with Alphafly 2 on the other, as well short comparisons to other super marathon shoes such as Vaporfly Next% 2, adios Pro 2, RC Elite 2, Puma FAST-R.

Pros and Cons from our upcoming full multi tester written review coming soon

Pros:

Smooth, stable, friendly ride: Jacob/Sam

Changes from the first version lead to a more well-rounded shoe that should work for a range of runner forms, paces, and preferences: Jacob/Sam

More/very stable, 5mm more base width front to back, foot sits deeper in midsole  Sam/Jacob

Industry-leading effortlessly fast, propulsive ride: Jacob/Sam

Remarkably lightweight for the cushion, protection, and rebound: Jacob/Sam

Versatile. Can easily be used as a trainer for longer faster runs Sam/Jacob

Less low feeling heel, easier forward roll to toe off Sam

Spacious toebox with locked-in midfoot and heel: Jacob/Sam

Improved more gripping outsole Sam/Jacob


Cons:

Less aggressive feel than predecessor may be a downside for some runners: Jacob

0.5 oz / 14g  weight gain due to wider base, not much, but there  Sam

A bit mechanical in feel given the giant stack and broad platform  Sam

Very difficult to put on but once on total security. Tongue has very little stretch Sam


Now available at our partners below.

Watch the Alphafly 2 Initial Video Review, with Shoe Details and Comparisons (18:18)

Tested samples were provided at no charge for review purposes. RoadTrail Run has affiliate partnerships and may earn commission on products purchased through affiliate links in this article. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content. The opinions herein are entirely the authors'

Comments and Questions Welcome Below!
Please let us know mileage, paces, race distances, and currently preferred shoes

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