Nike has launched the Alphafly 4, the latest version of its flagship marathon racer, with a limited release on 17 September and a broader rollout beginning on 29 October. The shoe is priced at $280, which is $25 less than the current retail price of the Alphafly 3, a rare example of a super shoe arriving cheaper than the model it replaces.
The headline change is a new foam. ZoomX LT is a lighter, PEBA-based compound that Nike says is 17 per cent lighter than the foam used previously while returning 8 per cent more energy. The midsole is now a dual-foam construction, with ZoomX LT placed above and below the plate and standard ZoomX filling the remainder of the stack.
The plate has been redesigned too. The Flyplate is wider and carries a more aggressive rocker, which Nike says improves stability and transitions. The exposed Air Zoom units are now bonded to the midsole by heat rather than glue, a change the brand claims makes the shoe lighter, softer and quieter, while a retooled Atomknit upper completes the update.
The shoe made its official competitive debut at the Copenhagen Half Marathon, and its timing is deliberate. With the autumn marathon season in full swing, including Chicago on 11 October and Frankfurt on 25 October, the Alphafly 4 will be tested on elite and age-group feet alike over the coming weeks.
The competition is stiff. Adidas, Brooks, New Balance, On and Asics have all refreshed their racing models this year, and the lower price point gives Nike a talking point in a category where $250 to $300 has become the norm. Whether the combination of lighter foam, a wider plate and a cut in price is enough to reclaim ground will become clearer once independent testers and race results begin to accumulate.