Article by Joost de Raeymaeker, Jacob Brady and Sam Winebaum
Nike Air Zoom Alphafly Next % 2 ($275)
Introduction
Sam: The Alphafly Next % 2, Nike’s pinnacle marathon and long racer gets significant updates “focused on refining the construction of the shoe to take all runners through the marathon distance with improved stability and transition.”
Specifically we see:
it moves to a 8mm drop from 4mm becoming a 40mm heel, 32mm forefoot stack shoe allowing a more rolling motion with slightly lower profile and pressure Air Zoom pods with Zoom X cushion below.
5mm wider on the ground at the heel and forefoot
a higher more structured heel counter, foot sitting more deeply in foam sidewalls, more contoured sockliner and especially more platform width and drop make the rear and midfoot more stable and help the foot more easily transition forward, even from a heel landing.
a new thinner outsole with mini lugs and changes to the forefoot and rear cavities
a new Atomknit 2 upper that is more open and at the same time more structured/stiffer as it literally stands up on its own with a slightly thicker less stretchy knit tongue
0.5 oz / 14g weight gain due to wider base to come in at about 8 oz / 227g US9.
Our three testers Joost a 2:26 marathoner, Jacob 2:49, and Sam about 3:40 on a good day, all with experience in original Alphafly and most all the other super marathon shoes. put the latest Alphafly to the test!
Pros:
Smooth, stable, friendly ride: Jacob/Sam/Joost
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/Joost
Remarkably lightweight for the cushion, protection, and rebound: Jacob/Sam/Joost
Versatile. Can easily be used as a trainer for longer faster (and even not so fast) runs Sam/Jacob/Joost
Very stable, 5mm more base width front to back, foot sits deeper in midsole Sam/Jacob/Joost
Spacious toebox with locked-in midfoot and heel: Jacob/Sam/Joost
Industry-leading effortlessly fast, propulsive ride: Jacob
Less low feeling heel, easier pretty much any pace forward roll to toe off Sam
Improved more gripping outsole Sam/Jacob/Joost
“Slower” marathoners should not be afraid of picking this shoe Sam
Cons:
A bit mechanical in feel given the giant stack and broad platform Sam/Joost
0.5 oz / 14g weight gain to 8 oz / 227g is not much, but there. Sam
Wish base width increase was reduced somewhat to reduce weight and increase agility Sam
Change from pure all out racer to a more balanced all around focused platform may not please all. Sam
Not quite as leg-saving as some other supershoes Joost
No sustainable or eco-conscious design choices evident or called out: Jacob/Sam
