When Caleb Olson crossed the finish line at Western States with the second-fastest time in course history, runners weren’t just talking about his blistering pace — they were fixated on his shirt. The perforated long-sleeve looked like it had been attacked by an industrial hole punch, but there was serious science behind those funnel-shaped apertures.
Nike’s finally pulled back the curtain on the Radical AirFlow top. It’s the latest evolution of ACG’s “all conditions” philosophy, one that traces back to the brand’s outdoor renaissance in the late ’80s. While ACG has weathered identity crises over the decades, oscillating between technical performance and lifestyle appeal, this feels like a return to the sub-label’s roots: gear built for extremes.
Engineering Wind Tunnels Into Fabric
The Radical AirFlow isn’t your standard mesh top with better marketing. Nike’s innovation team spent two years applying fluid dynamics principles — specifically the Venturi Effect — to apparel design. Each hole functions as a miniature wind tunnel, accelerating airflow from larger openings on the exterior to smaller ones against the skin. The result is that air speeds up as it passes through, creating enhanced evaporative cooling where you need it most.
The engineered knit construction uses recycled yarns with hydrophilic chemistry that activates when wet, amplifying the cooling effect. Nike also added strategic “dimples” on the interior surface to extend air circulation time at skin level.
Built for Brutal Conditions
Trail running provides the ultimate stress test for cooling technology. Here in southern California, temps regularly get above 100°F regardless of the higher elevation. As such, Nike’s All Conditions Racing Department athletes have been field-testing prototypes in these punishing environments, logging feedback that shaped the final design.
The top features large cutouts under the arms and at the elbows for mobility, plus a cropped hem that reduces weight and allows access to waist belts. Nike claims it absorbs 50% less sweat than comparable garments while maintaining durability through extended use.
Since its 1989 launch, ACG has served as a testing ground for innovations that eventually filter into broader Nike products. The Radical AirFlow follows this tradition, with the brand hinting at its application in other categories as well.
Spec Sheet
Model: Nike ACG Radical AirFlow Long-Sleeve Top
Material: Engineered knit with hydrophilic chemistry (recycled yarns)
Technology: Venturi Effect airducts with interior dimpling
Design: Cropped hem, large underarm cutouts, strategic perforation
Construction: Funnel-shaped gradient holes, uniform placement
Pricing & Availability
Seeing that this was a soft launch, Radical AirFlow won’t be available to purchase until spring 2026. Pricing also hasn’t been disclosed.
Recap
Nike Radical AirFlow
Nike debuts its Radical AirFlow tech, a hole-covered long-sleeve trail running top that uses fluid dynamics to accelerate airflow through funnel-shaped vents, helping elite athletes stay cool during extreme endurance races.
