While running shoes have been part of Nike’s lineup since the very beginning (the brand was born from a passion for the sport), trail runners didn’t pop up until the ’80s, with the Mark Parker-designed Escape silhouette. However, for the decades that followed, Nike didn’t seem to dedicate a whole lot of energy into building its trail runner portfolio. That all changed in 2014, when the brand debuted the Wildhorse and Kiger series, bringing advanced cushioning, durable outsoles, and all-around newer tech to the outdoors.
2022 saw the release of the Zegama — the first trail running model to feature the cutting-edge ZoomX midsole foam already placed in elite road racing shoes like the Alphafly and Vaporfly. Today, the Zegama is getting revived in the brand’s outdoor-focused ACG lineup, and Nike claims it’s their toughest yet.
ACG’s Trail Renaissance
If you’ve been paying attention, Nike’s ACG division has been undergoing a serious shift. What began in 1989 (technically 1981 if you count the Nike Hiking range) as the brand’s answer to outdoor adventuring has recently pivoted back toward actual performance. The ACG Zegama arrives hot on the heels of the ACG Ultrafly, and together they signal something we haven’t really seen from Nike in a while: a legitimate commitment to competing in the ultramarathon space where brands like Hoka and Salomon have long dominated.
The ACG Zegama builds on the Zegama 2 with some notable refinements. Most importantly, Nike exposed the ZoomX foam to sit directly underfoot, which should translate to better energy return (85% according to the brand). To balance things out and keep you stable on uneven ground, they’ve added Cushlon 3.0 foam underneath. It’s a dual-density setup that addresses one of trail running’s eternal challenges of balancing responsiveness with stability.
Built for the Long Haul
The outsole gets a Vibram Megagrip treatment with an improved lug pattern designed for both wet and dry conditions. There’s also a forefoot rock plate and a tweaked heel bump to help with foot placement on technical terrain. These aren’t groundbreaking features on their own, but the combination suggests Nike took feedback seriously from their All Conditions Racing Department — a crew of 22 elite trail athletes who logged upward of 400 miles testing these shoes.
Where the ACG Zegama really differentiates itself from its predecessors is in the fit. Nike developed a new trail-specific last that adds more room in the forefoot and toe box, addressing a common complaint about trail shoes that get too snug during longer treks when your feet inevitably swell. The gaiter is stretchier and more adaptive, there’s extra padding in the tongue and heel, and a fit band provides midfoot support.
Spec Sheet
Model Name: Nike ACG Zegama
Midsole: ZoomX foam with Cushlon 3.0
Outsole: Vibram Megagrip with improved lug pattern
Upper: Trail-specific last with wider toe box, adaptive gaiter
Additional Features: Forefoot rock plate, modified heel bump, padded tongue and heel, midfoot fit band
Release Date: Summer 2026
Pricing & Availability
The Nike ACG Zegama drops in summer 2026, though Nike hasn’t confirmed pricing yet. Based on the Zegama 2’s $190 price point, expect something in that ballpark.
Recap
Nike ACG Zegama
Nike’s bringing the Zegama trail runner into its ACG lineup with some meaningful upgrades — exposed ZoomX foam for better energy return, a roomier fit that accounts for foot swelling on long runs, and improved Vibram traction. It’s part of the brand’s bigger push to actually compete in the ultramarathon space where they’ve been pretty quiet for years.
