Nike has just pulled the wraps off the Nike Apex, its most advanced marathon racing shoe yet, and it is unlike anything the brand has done before. Less than two weeks after the launch of the Nike Alphafly 4, the Apex arrives as a new top tier in Nike's race-day range, with double-stacked Air Zoom units in the forefoot and a zero-drop platform.
We have been waiting to talk about these two shoes for a long time. On our trip to the Boston Marathon earlier this year, we visited Nike World Headquarters near Portland and sat down with Nike's innovation team. Below is everything you need to know about the Apex and Alphafly 4, plus a look at what that visit was like.
Nike Apex and Alphafly 4 at a Glance
- Nike Apex: Nike's new flagship marathon racer, announced 30 September 2026. Four Air Zoom units, ZoomX LT foam, zero-drop 40mm stack. Reported $500 AUD, on sale January 2027.
- Nike Alphafly 4: the updated Alphafly, with lighter ZoomX LT foam and redesigned Air Zoom units. $400 AUD, release 29 October 2026.
- Nike Swooshfly: a new carbon-plated shoe for first-time marathoners, announced alongside the Apex at a reported $220 AUD.
The Nike Apex. Image: Nike
What Is the Nike Apex?
The Nike Apex is Nike's new pinnacle marathon racing shoe, built for runners chasing every possible second. Nike describes it as the first racing shoe to use two double-stacked Air Zoom units, which is the most Air Nike has ever put in the forefoot of a running shoe.
It sits above the Alphafly 4 in Nike's three-shoe race-day system. Nike's own claim is that the Apex delivers up to 40% more energy return than the Alphafly 3 while weighing more than 10% less in a men's size 10. Note that the comparison is against the Alphafly 3, not the Alphafly 4, which Nike says improves on the Alphafly 3 by 10%.
Nike's athletes have already been racing in it. Nike's announcement quotes Jacob Kiplimo saying he relied on Nike prototypes for his half marathon world record in Lisbon and his fastest marathon in London, and Eliud Kipchoge was pictured with the shoe in the launch material. Kipchoge also races the Nike Melbourne Marathon on 11 October, so keep an eye on what's on his feet.
What Are the Nike Apex Specs?
- Cushioning: four Air Zoom units in the forefoot, arranged as two stacked pairs
- Midsole foam: ZoomX LT, a new race foam Nike says is softer, lighter and more energy-returning than ZoomX
- Plate: redesigned inverse-wave carbon fibre Flyplate, with a wider outsole and rocker geometry for stability
- Upper: Flyknit X with a fitted knit collar and no sock liner
- Outsole: GOATEK and Fast Shot rubber
- Stack and drop: 40mm at both heel and forefoot, so zero drop
- Weight: approximately 176g in a men's US 8.5 (reported)
- Price and release: $500 AUD (reported), January 2027
Double stacked Air Units: Nike
What Does Zero Drop Mean in a Racing Shoe?
Drop is the difference in stack height between the heel and the forefoot. Most super shoes, including the Alphafly 4, sit at around 8mm of drop. The Apex is 40mm at both ends, which is the maximum stack World Athletics allows for road shoes, so there is no drop at all.
Nike says this gives a more consistent ride from the first mile to the last. It is an unusual choice for a shoe in this category, and it is one of the main talking points around the launch. How it actually feels over 42.2km is something runners will only know once independent testers get their hands on it, and anyone used to a traditional heel-to-toe drop will likely want to plan a gradual transition.
What Is New in the Nike Alphafly 4?
The Alphafly 4 looks familiar, but Nike says nearly every component has been reworked. The design team spent around three years on it, working with the Nike Sport Research Lab.
- ZoomX LT foam: layered with standard ZoomX above and below the carbon Flyplate. Nike says it is up to 17% lighter than ZoomX with 8% more energy return.
- Redesigned Air Zoom units: softer, lighter and quieter than the Alphafly 3, thanks to a new manufacturing process.
- Wider carbon Flyplate: with a more pronounced rocker.
- New Atomknit upper: zoned midfoot cables for lockdown and open mesh for breathability.
- Overall: Nike claims 10% more energy return and 5% less weight than the Alphafly 3. Reported weight is approximately 188g in a men's US 8.5 and an 8mm drop.
Brigid Kosgei with The Nike Alphafly 4. Image: Nike
Nike Apex vs Alphafly 4: How Do They Compare?
| Nike Apex | Nike Alphafly 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (AUD) | $500 (reported) | $400 |
| Release | January 2027 | Limited - 29 Oct 2026 |
| Air Zoom units | Four (two stacked pairs) | Two (redesigned) |
| Foam | ZoomX LT | ZoomX + ZoomX LT |
| Drop | 0mm (40mm / 40mm) | 8mm |
| Upper | Flyknit X, no sock liner | Atomknit, molded sockliner |
| Weight (men's US 8.5, reported) | ~176g | ~188g |
| Nike's claim vs Alphafly 3 | Up to 40% more energy return, 10%+ lighter | 10% more energy return, 5% lighter |
In short, the Alphafly 4 is the refined evolution of a shoe runners already know. The Apex is a bigger swing, with a different platform and a higher price to match.
Eliud Kipchoge with The Nike Apex in its debut colourway . Image: Nike
How Much Is the Nike Apex and When Can You Buy It?
The Nike Apex is reportedly priced at $500 AUD and goes on sale in January 2027 through Nike and select retailers, with more colourways to follow through the year.
The Alphafly 4 launches in limited quantities on 29 October at $400 AUD. The new Swooshfly, aimed at first-time marathoners, is reportedly priced at $220 AUD.
What Are Runners Saying About the Nike Apex and Alphafly 4?
The Apex was only announced overnight, so independent reviews are still to come and nobody outside Nike's athlete group has put serious miles into it yet. Early reaction so far has centred on a few themes:
- The arms race: the launch is widely being framed as Nike's answer to Adidas, arriving days after Adidas swept the men's and women's podiums at the 2026 Berlin Marathon.
- Zero drop: this is the feature most coverage calls out as the surprise, and the one runners are most curious to test.
- The price: at a reported $500 AUD, the Apex is $100 above the Alphafly 4.
- The leak: drawings from a double-stacked airbag patent filed in November 2025 surfaced on Instagram with the Apex name attached well before Nike announced anything.
Reaction to the Alphafly 4 has been more mixed. Some runners on the LetsRun forum felt the update was a modest step over the Alphafly 3 given how competitive the category has become, while others pointed to the lighter foam, quieter Air Zoom units and slightly lower price as a positive. As always with super shoes, the real verdict will come from race results and long-term testing.
What Was It Like Visiting Nike HQ Before the Apex and Alphafly 4 Launched?
On our trip to the Boston Marathon, we also made the trip to Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, just outside Portland. While we were there, we sat down with Nike's innovation team and got an insight into both the Alphafly 4 and the Apex.
A lot of what we heard that day was highly confidential, so we signed NDAs and can't share the details. Everything you've read in this article comes from Nike's public announcement. What we can say is that it was a privilege to get that close to the people behind these shoes, and it made watching the launch even more exciting for us.
Nike HQ is like nothing else. Turning onto One Bowerman Drive, I felt butterflies in my stomach. I've grown up watching and playing in Nike footwear across multiple sporting disciplines, and to me the brand has always been the pinnacle.
At Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon.
Who Are the Nike Apex and Alphafly 4 For?
Nike has positioned its race shoes as a three-shoe system, each with a different job:
- Apex: marathon runners chasing every possible second and willing to invest in the top of the range.
- Alphafly 4: runners racing the half marathon and marathon who want a responsive, comfortable and stable super shoe.
- Swooshfly: runners lining up for a first race or chasing a new goal, with an accessible introduction to carbon-plated racing.
If you're unsure which suits you, the best approach is to try them. Come into our Wollongong store and our team will help you work out the right race shoe for your goals.
Where Can I Buy Race Shoes in Wollongong?
Run Havoc is privileged to be one of the run specialty stores in Australia to have access to both the Alphafly 4 and Apex. Keep up to date on socials and emails to be the first to gain access.
Run Havoc on Crown Street, Wollongong stocks leading race shoes from top brands. Browse our Men's race shoes and Women's race shoes online, or come in and we'll put you on the treadmill to find the right fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Nike Apex release date?
The Nike Apex was announced on 30 September 2026 and goes on sale in January 2027 through Nike and select retailers.
How much does the Nike Apex cost?
The Nike Apex is reportedly priced at $500 AUD, which is $100 more than the Alphafly 4.
What is the difference between the Nike Apex and Alphafly 4?
The Apex has four Air Zoom units in the forefoot to the Alphafly 4's two, uses ZoomX LT foam throughout, has a zero-drop 40mm stack and a Flyknit X upper with no sock liner. The Alphafly 4 has an 8mm drop, a mix of ZoomX and ZoomX LT, and an Atomknit upper. The Apex is reportedly $500 AUD and the Alphafly 4 is $400 AUD.
What does zero drop mean in a running shoe?
Zero drop means the heel and forefoot sit at the same stack height. The Nike Apex measures 40mm at both the heel and forefoot, while most racing shoes have around 8mm of drop.
Is the Nike Apex legal for racing?
Nike says the Apex was designed within today's racing rules. Its 40mm stack height sits at the maximum World Athletics allows for road shoes.
When does the Nike Alphafly 4 come out and how much is it?
The Alphafly 4 launches in Australia in limited quantities on 29 October 2026 at $400 AUD.
What is the Nike Swooshfly?
The Swooshfly is a carbon-plated racing shoe designed for first-time marathoners, reportedly priced at $220 AUD. It was announced alongside the Apex as part of Nike's new race-day system.
Which Nike race shoe should I choose?
The Apex is built for marathoners chasing every second, the Alphafly 4 suits runners racing the half marathon and marathon who want responsiveness and comfort, and the Swooshfly is aimed at first-time racers. Come into Run Havoc in Wollongong and we'll help you choose.
From Our Side
Getting a behind-the-scenes look at where these shoes come from made the announcement feel personal for us. The Apex is a genuinely bold move from Nike, and with the Alphafly 4 already out, it is an exciting time to be a runner.
We are excited to see how our customers react to a shoe like the Apex. Being such an innovative and unique shoe, we believe people will absolutely love it.
As always, the shoe is only part of the equation. Train well, race smart, and choose the pair that works for you.
Ready to Chase Your Own Race Day PB?
If the Apex and Alphafly 4 have you thinking about your next race, we've got you covered. Shop our full range of Men's race shoes and Women's race shoes at Run Havoc, or come into our Wollongong store and our team will help you find the right shoe for your next start line.
Josh Cullen
Josh is the Director at Run Havoc and founder of the R.HAVOC performance apparel brand. Josh has been running and racing on and off for the past few years, but now turning up the notch with his training after completing both Boston and Sydney marathons this year.
