Nike announced the Apex, a new elite marathon racing shoe launching January 7, 2027. Professional runners are already competing in the shoe, and both the third-place men's and third-place women's finishers at the Chicago Marathon wore Apexes.
The Apex features four Zoom Air units stacked in two sets in the forefoot, compared to two units in the Alphafly 4. Nike revised the carbon fiber plate design to guide the foot forward onto the Zoom Air units for maximum responsiveness. The shoe uses ZoomX LT foam, a PEBA-based material also in the Alphafly 4.
The Apex weighs 5.9 ounces in men's size 10. It measures 40mm at both the heel and forefoot, making it a zero-drop shoe. Nike states this flat footbed provides a more balanced ride and allows the brand to pack more cushioning without exceeding World Athletics' 40mm stack height limit. No other super shoe on the market has a zero-drop platform.
Nike reports the Apex generates up to 40% more energy return than the Alphafly 3 and weighs 10% less in men's size 10. The shoe is designed to serve runners for at least 100 kilometers, or about 62 miles, before wearing out. The retail price is $360 per pair.
The Alphafly 4, Nike's second-tier racing model, goes on sale October 29.