What is it?
The Nike Alphafly 4 is the lightest and most responsive Alphafly yet. It has been completely redesigned to allow more runners to reach marathon speed.
Who is it for?
The Alphafly 4 is designed for marathoners, whether they are elite athletes chasing a podium or amateur runners looking to break their personal record.
What's new?
Nike has refined every major component of the Alphafly to offer a smoother and more efficient marathon experience. The result: a shoe that delivers 10% greater energy return than its predecessor, is 5% lighter in a men’s size 8.5, and features a new Atomknit upper, ZoomX LT foam, improved Air Zoom units, a carbon fiber Flyplate, and a Fast Shot outsole.
When will it be available?
The Alphafly 4 will be available at Boutique Endurance starting October 29, 2026. Go to the product page and click on ''Notify me when back in stock'' to receive an alert when it launches.
More runners. More speed. More possibilities.
Nike introduces the Alphafly 4, a completely redesigned marathon shoe to help more runners maintain their speed over the distance. It delivers 10% greater energy return than its predecessor, is 5% lighter in a men’s size 8.5, and incorporates a new Atomknit upper, ZoomX LT foam, improved Air Zoom units, a carbon fiber Flyplate, and a Fast Shot outsole.
The challenge wasn't to make a fast shoe even faster. It was about helping more runners maintain their speed and efficiency as fatigue changes the way they run.
Building on a legacy that helped redefine the marathon, the Alphafly 4 combines propulsion, cushioning, comfort, and stability to help runners stay in sync with their pace, form, and goals, from the first mile to the final sprint.
“A marathon is a dynamic event. With the Alphafly 4, we spent years listening to athletes, studying the impact of fatigue on performance and running mechanics, and refining every element of the system to help runners maintain their efficiency when it matters most,” explains Emily Farina, Senior Director of Running Footwear at the Nike Sport Research Lab. “Our goal was simple: to create a shoe that helps athletes feel more confident and perform better until the end of the race. That’s what the Alphafly 4 was built for.”
The Alphafly 4 pushes the boundaries of speed
In every marathon, there comes a moment when maintaining your speed becomes harder than finding it. The Alphafly 4 was redesigned for that exact moment.
- A new Atomknit upper offers a more precise and less distracting fit, helping runners feel comfortable, secure, and focused on the distance. A soft, breathable, and completely seamless construction incorporates zoned cables in the midfoot, an integrated heel, and a molded sockliner for added support with every stride.
- The new ZoomX LT foam is up to 17% lighter than standard ZoomX foam; it offers 8% more energy return and provides a plusher feel, exceptional cushioning, and increased bounce. This new foam is paired with ZoomX technology and is layered above and below the Flyplate to create a complete cushioning system specially designed to meet the demands of long-distance racing.
- A carbon fiber Flyplate combines stability and propulsion while retaining the signature propulsive rocker of the Alphafly; it works in concert with the surrounding cushioning to create a smooth, rolling sensation that promotes forward momentum and a steady cadence.
- The two Air Zoom units in the forefoot are tuned to work in perfect harmony with the foam and the Flyplate, providing responsive propulsion on race day.
- A lightweight Fast Shot outsole ensures optimal traction and grip, helping runners stay connected to the road with every stride.
Ultimately, the Alphafly 4 is designed for distance running and chasing personal records, helping runners stay focused on their race until the final moments of the marathon.
“The Nike Alphafly 4 gave me confidence from the starting line to the finish,” says Nike athlete Addisu Gobena, regarding his recent marathon win in Sydney. “When the race got tough, I trusted the work I had put in and the shoe I was wearing. As athletes, we are always looking to go further, and I think the Alphafly 4 shows just how many possibilities there are to advance marathon performance.”
Designed for marathon speed
Athlete feedback collected over several generations of the Alphafly guided the development of this shoe. Lessons learned from Nike’s Dreamweaver project, extensive trials conducted with women, and feedback from long-distance runners of all levels and intensities helped improve stability, smoothness, comfort, and confidence over the distance.
This process reflects a system that connects athlete feedback, Nike Sport Research Lab testing, and product innovation. Athletes help identify problems worth solving. Scientific research helps uncover new opportunities. Designers and engineers pull these insights together to create innovations based on how runners actually move and perform.
The results speak for themselves:
- Eliud Kipchoge’s sub-2-hour marathon
- The late Kelvin Kiptum’s marathon world record
- Sifan Hassan’s gold medal in the Paris women’s marathon
- Conner Mantz’s American marathon record
- Jacob Kiplimo’s half-marathon world record
- Gobena’s Sydney Marathon course record
- Records prove what is possible. Confidence is what runners take with them to the starting line.
The Alphafly 4 is designed to help runners stay stronger for a little longer, hang in the race a little longer, and discover what they are capable of over 26.2 miles.
“I’ve run in pretty much every racing shoe out there, and the Alphafly 4 is my #1 choice,” says Meaghan Murray, a member of the Alphafly 4 prototype testing group. “It offers the most propulsive ride, while still being comfortable and well-cushioned, that I’ve ever experienced in a racing shoe. It’s softer and springier than before, and the upper is comfortable and fits the foot perfectly.”
The Nike racing footwear lineup
The Alphafly 4 is part of the Nike racing footwear lineup, an innovative collection designed to meet the needs of different runners, distances, and goals, whether it’s starting your first race, running a 10K faster, beating your marathon personal best, or shaving a second off a historic record.
Every shoe has a specific purpose and each is designed as a complete system: Air technology to return energy, foam to manage cushioning and weight, a plate to optimize transition, and an upper to secure the foot.
Nike designed every model to address the needs of a specific runner, distance, and goal. Stay tuned to discover more Nike Racing footwear built for any ambition on race day, which will soon be stepping onto podiums around the world.
The Alphafly 4 will be available at Boutique Endurance starting October 29, 2026. Go to the product page and click on ''Notify me when back in stock'' to receive an alert when it launches.
