Back in August, Nike announced that it was taking a second crack at the Ultrafly trail runner, putting it in its outdoor-focused ACG lineup and vastly improving its carbon fiber FlyPlate design. Now, we finally get to see the debut colorway, in Hyper Crimson orange, that will be debuting alongside Nike’s Team USA collection for the Winter Olympics.
Carbon Plate, Perfected
The original Ultrafly from 2023 was Nike’s first attempt at translating road super shoe tech to the trail — and while ambitious, it had some growing pains. The full-length carbon plate was too rigid for technical terrain. This ACG version solves that by softening the plate and maintaining its full-length design that when you need it to without sacrificing propulsion. After 30,000 miles of testing across 13 prototypes, Nike dialed in a balance that works for runners of varying weights and strike patterns, which the original struggled with as well.
The real story here is how Nike’s applying lessons from its road racing dominance to an entirely different environment. Where the Vaporfly and Alphafly revolutionized marathons, the ACG Ultrafly aims to do the same for ultra-distance trail racing, a category that’s exploded in popularity but hasn’t seen the same level of innovation from major brands.
ZoomX Goes Feral
Nike’s keeping the core cushioning system from the original but exposing more of the ZoomX foam, particularly in the heel, so it can deform naturally with terrain. There’s also a ZoomX sockliner added to the package, which reduces the overall weight and stays bouncy and responsive. The dual-density configuration suggests a firmer carrier foam sits below the plate with softer ZoomX directly underfoot, though Nike’s keeping the exact setup under wraps.
The upper ditches the ripstop material from the 2023 model in favor of a breathable mesh that prioritizes drainage for wetter environments. The fit has been completely retooled with a wider last throughout, especially in the toe box, addressing one of the biggest complaints about the original, which didn’t accommodate swelling after longer runs.
Internal features include a gusseted tongue and fit band to keep debris and water at bay. At 10.1oz for a men’s size 10, the shoe drops half an ounce from its predecessor. The Litebase outsole carries over from the original with Vibram’s lightest rubber compound and 3mm lugs. The strategic lug placement specifically targets uphill and downhill traction.
The Broader Range
Along with the Ultrafly Trail, the Team USA Collection also includes the Therma-FIT Air Milano Jacket, an inflatable puffer jacket that you can pump up or deflate in seconds to regulate warmth without changing layers. Many of the pieces are now available on Nike’s website.
Spec Sheet
Model: Nike ACG Ultrafly Trail
Price: $260
Weight: 10.1oz (men’s 10)
Stack Height: 37mm heel, 28.5mm forefoot
Drop: 8.5mm
Midsole: Dual-density ZoomX with ZoomX sockliner
Plate: Full-length carbon fiber FlyPlate (reduced stiffness)
Outsole: Vibram Litebase with Megagrip
Lug Height: 3mm
Upper: Breathable mesh
Pricing & Availability
The Nike ACG Ultrafly Trail releases this week for $260 at Nike and select running retailers. The debut colorway is Hyper Crimson with Total Orange, Vivid Purple, and White accents.
Recap
Nike ACG Ultrafly Trail Debut
Nike’s ACG Ultrafly Trail is finally hitting shelves in a bold Hyper Crimson colorway, fixing everything that was off about the 2023 original — softer carbon plate, better drainage, and a wider fit that won’t crush your feet after 50 miles. At $260, it’s Nike’s most refined trail super shoe yet, backed by 30,000 miles of testing and a Western States win.
