Nike Air Zoom Alphafly Next% 2

8.8
SCORE

Original price Nike £269.95

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Characteristics

  • Gender
    Men Women
  • Weight
    255 gr
  • Drop
    8 mm
  • Cushion
    High
  • Runner weight
    Light Medium
  • Running gait
    Neutral
  • Surface
    Road
  • Use
    Racing
  • Pace
    High
  • Technology
    Carbon plate
  • Foot
    Normal feet
  • Strike
    Forefoot
  • Distance
    Half-marathon Marathon
  • Year
    2021
Lightness
9
Cushioning
10
Flexibility
9
Responsive
10
Stability
8
Grip
8

Photos Nike Air Zoom Alphafly Next% 2

1 / 4

Nike Air Zoom Alphafly Next% 2 is the name chosen by the Oregon-based company to name the second version of its record-breaking shoe. This evolution, which has already been seen on the feet of the great Olympic champion and marathon world record holder Eliud Kipchoge, is presented without major significant changes, maintaining the same structure and technology as its predecessor.

Nike Alphafly Next% 2, Eliud Kipchoge

There is no doubt that it is one of the most sophisticated running shoes on the market and with the greatest effect on the performance of athletes, being a model chosen to break records in all types of distances, but above all, in the marathon, thanks to its design that favors the return of energy in each stride and a more efficient and affordable race.

Nike Air Zoom Alphafly Next% 2, main features

Nike Alphafly Next% 2 2

Nike Running has always been at the forefront in the design of new models, being one of the first brands to include the carbon plate in its Nike Vaporfly shoe, which was used in the Breaking2 experiment to descend for the first time from the 2 hours in the marathon at the Monza circuit (Italy). But the first version of the Nike Alphafly Next% was the one that generated a revolution in the running world, largely because it showed a design and structure never seen before, mainly due to the inclusion of the Air Zoom air chamber in the forefoot area.

Nike Alphafly Next% 2, main characteristics

The Alphafly Next% 2 is at first glance very similar to the previous version, but brings with it certain new features that add value to this shoe. In addition to maintaining the ZoomX structure in the midsole, the American company has been able to further increase the surface area of its foam by incorporating it under the Air Zoom cushioning in the forefoot. This guarantees an added rebound in the great cushioning already available, improving the transition from the heel to the forefoot area and maintaining its essence of lightness and reactivity.

The full carbon fiber plate embedded in its structure is, logically, another of the strong points of this shoe which allows running at fast paces, taking advantage at all times of the energy return and generating a more pronounced impulse in each stride. Just by flipping the shoe and looking at the sole, we can see how a large part of the FlyPlate is exposed.

Nike Alphafly Next% 2, upper

Nike Running continues to bet on the use of the Atomkit material in its upper, which guarantees an anatomical, lightweight and, above all, breathable fit. It also includes the Knit fabric tongue allowing to reduce the pressure generated by the laces. Its design is inspired by the world athletics championships that took place in July 2022 in Eugene (Oregon), with electric and aggressive touches.

The improvement of the sole is another noteworthy aspect, a process that has been carried out after analyzing the data from a hundred runners. The current model includes different traction angles in areas where more grip is required, both on landing and take-off. For added safety, the Alphafly Next% 2 has a slightly wider base in the forefoot and heel area to provide a more stable platform for more confident cornering.

Nike Alphafly Next% 2, outsole

Nike Air Zoom Alphafly Next% 2, a cushioned rocket not suitable for all types of users.

Let's be clear, we have before us a shoe designed to run at high paces, focused on a type of user with a good forefoot running technique looking for a shoe for their most demanding workouts and competitions. However, its great cushioning capacity and comfort make it an ideal model for middle and long distance, since it allows to keep the muscular freshness in the final part of these competitions.

Nike Air Zoom Alphafly Next% 2, heel

Are we looking at the best shoes ever in terms of performance support and muscle recovery? Time will tell, but without a doubt these Nike Air Zoom Alphafly Next% 2 have all the ingredients to enter the top of the best shoes ever seen.

Review of Nike Air Zoom Alphafly Next% 2

25 May 2023

9.2

Nike Alphafly% 2: Unique sensations for flying over asphalt over long distances

There are running shoes that you want to test and certainly this Nike Alphafly Next% 2 is one of them. And not only for the story behind a model that led nothing more and nothing less than Eliud Kipchoge to lower the 2 hours in the marathon distance. We are talking about a fast running shoe that, in addition to a particularly striking aesthetic, provokes unique sensations in the race.

This second edition arrives without major changes at the aesthetic level, although there are small variations in terms of geometry and new materials that do not change one iota the objective for which they have been designed: to beat your personal best in middle and long distance events such as the marathon.

Nike Alphafly Next% 2

And before we go on to talk about the type of runner they are aimed at, an answer to a frequently asked question. The main difference between the Nike Vaporfly 2 and the Nike Alphafly 2 is that the latter are certainly more stable, more secure in running, especially if you are going to run for a longer time with them, for example for a marathon. The Vaporfly is a livelier, more agile model with which you can get more performance in events such as a 10k or a half marathon. But this is just the theory... Let's see what happens when we go running with them.

What kind of runners are the Nike Alphafly% 2 suitable for?

The answer to this question is simple in this case. It's a fast, flying shoe for running a marathon at your personal best. For runners who can run under 3 hours, or for those who want to look for unique running sensations and run in 3 hours, 3 hours 15 minutes.

Can you use them to run a marathon in 4 hours? Of course, but you're not going to get the most out of them and you're going to spend more than 250€ on them. But if you can afford it and you feel like trying something different, the sensation of running with them will be totally different from anything you have ever tried.

Nike Alphafly Next% 2

As for the type of runner, besides being fast, it is essential to be under 80 kg and with good running technique. Its drop is 8 mm but it encourages you to land mid-foot and then take advantage of the inertia caused by the carbon plate. This plate called Flyplate is integrated between its ZoomX foam (the most reactive foam of the brand) and the great innovation of the American company under the metatarsals, the 2 Air Pods units that will help you in the momentum and takeoff of the stride, making it a little easier every step you take.

In short, these running shoes are aimed at runners with good running technique, who run fast and are used to running with different sensations, albeit landing on the midfoot.

What we liked the most

Nike makes it very easy for us on this occasion. A very striking aesthetic, very racing with an arrow-shaped heel and a wider last both in the heel and in the forefoot area. Therefore it is now a more stable and comfortable shoe compared to the first edition.

Nike Alphafly Next% 2

It incorporates some padded areas, especially in the heel area to offer some support and comfort in a delicate area for all runners.

The new one-piece upper with the tongue attached to the upper itself and as a fact to take into account it is difficult to put on the shoe due to the little space available to insert the foot. The material with which this upper is made is semi-transparent so you can see your foot inside the shoe perfectly. Nike calls it Atomkit.

Nike Alphafly Next% 2 2

The 2 Air Pods continue to offer unique running sensations. Nothing you've ever tried is going to feel like running in this Nike 2 (unless you've tried the first version).

The profile of the shoe is still very high, around the legal limit of 40 mm and its drop is 8 mm. Lots of cushioning and softness in running with a weight around 255 grams in a size 9.5 USA (43 European).

Now the outsole has better grip. We found a new design of the structure that protects the Air Pods capsules that provide better grip in a fundamental area for the proper functioning of Nike's air chambers.

Nike Alphafly Next% 2

Possible points of improvement for the Nike Alphafly% 3

Mainly the points of improvement are two. On the one hand, its durability. It is a shoe that we recommend you only use for competition. Its ZoomX foam is spectacular but it degrades easily.

The efficiency of the Air Pods capsules in our case, in the previous model worked perfectly up to 400km approximately. It is a shoe for special occasions, and its starting pvp is 300 (but you know that before buying you should compare price in RUNNEA). So they are almost a luxury item on your feet to use only those days marked on the calendar in red.

Nike Alphafly Next% 2

Secondly, it is a complicated shoe to put on. As its upper is made in one piece, it is difficult to insert the foot into the model. On the other hand, when you get it, you will have an excellent fit, since its laces, with a curly texture, do not come loose and wrap the foot perfectly.

The rivals of the Nike Alphafly% 2

The first rival of the 2 we have discussed in this review, and it is at home, it is another Nike, the Vaporfly% 2 But there is life beyond the Sword brand. Let's meet their main rivals.

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8.8
SCORE

Nike Air Zoom Alphafly Next% 2 shoe is ranked 78 in the ranking of the best rated running shoes.

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