Matt Varga Collaborations on performance wear are arguably as in vogue as they’ve ever been, highlighted by the latest Action Bronson New Balance capsule. However, Nike has had a penchant for bringing high-heat energy to their running vertical for years via the “Ekiden” series, honoring a Japanese relay race tradition with uniting colorways across their current foremost “super shoes.”
Unsurprisingly, this year’s notch in that history frontlines the Nike AlphaFly 3, already sporting a winning DNA with the help of Sifan Hassan and the late Kelvin Keptum. In the wake of Nike’s infamous Volt push and subsequent eye-catching adornments, the high-vis nature of this colorway shouldn’t be a surprise, but seeing the Y2K design language on this fully modern composition is certainly noteworthy.
While the 2018 collab with Supreme has often been brought up in conversation around this pack, they share an inspiration rather than one directly influencing the other. Namely, 2002’s Zoom Streak Spectrum is the jumping off point, lending identical flame graphics here utilized on each shoe in the 2024 “Ekiden” pack. Those illustrations jump from the toe to the insoles in the finer details, further imbuing a fiery atmosphere with a scorching gradient across the midsole.
The Nike AlphaFly 3 “Ekiden” will release on November 22nd in Japan, before making its way stateside on December 4th. MSRP is set at $285 for that launch. Catch images ahead and keep our Sneaker Release Dates page nearby for updates on which stockists will be dropping this pair.
For another high-profile launch out of Beaverton, check out our full explainer of the Air Jordan 3 “Black Cement.”
WHERE TO BUY
Mens Nike ZoomX AlphaFly 3 "Ekiden"
US 01/01/2025 Wednesday
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| Retailer | Release type | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Nikestore US | Standard | Check Site |
| DICK'S | Standard | Check Site |
