Kelvin Kiptum gave a new meaning to the term “super shoe” on October 8, 2023, as he shattered the men’s marathon world record in Chicago with a time of 2 hours 35 seconds.
The super shoe in question? Nike’s Alphafly 3, the latest high-performance sneaker to birth out of the label’s ever-growing carbon-plated conveyor belt.
While specific of about the Alphafly 3 remain virtually non-existent, what we do know is that the speedy silhouette has taken a step away from the make up of its predecessors.
Though its upper is still be crafted from Nike’s AtomKnit fabric, the midsole looks to have been given a tasty makeover. The ZoomX foam has adopted a much chunkier form, while the sneaker’s overall shape is much more streamlined than before.
While this is all well and good to know, the only thing anyone’s asking now is: when will Nike’s Alphafly 3 actually release?
Initial rumors were that the Nike Alphafly 3 was set to land in August. However, following no such drop and a slew of internet gossip it appears as if we’ll have to wait a little longer for Nike’s latest super shoe with some reports suggesting “early 2024.”
Truth is, Kiptum breaking the world record while wearing the Alphafly 3 couldn’t have come at a more convenient time for Nike following the recent release adidas’ $500 Pro Evo 1 and its subsequent women’s marathon record.
Kiptum, though — who surpassed Eliud Kipchoge’s previous record time by more than 30 seconds — didn’t only set a new world record and, in turn, crank up the hype around the Alphafly 3, he also single-handedly reignited the hope that one day the two-hour barrier will be broken in a real race situation.
Question is: which shoes will they be wearing?