Presented by
Before all the high-top basketball sneakers and SB Dunks, Nike made its mark in the running shoe category — in fact, the brand was founded on it. Recently, the athletic powerhouse decided to pay homage to its archival heritage with the Nike International Running Pack, using its four flagship running models as vessels. Nodding to a special late-’70s racing shoe, Nike tapped its speedy Alphafly 3 Premium.
Ahead of the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, Nike was readying a special spiked running shoe called the Pre Montreal influenced by runner Steve Prefontaine. Prefontaine was the brand’s first sponsored athlete but tragically died in a car accident before he could compete in the global event. Nike wanted to keep the runner’s spirit alive, and decided to debut the now-iconic Sting, a road-running version of the Pre Montreal that swapped the red and teal colorway, yet still keeping the same overall vibe. The Sting was even more significant because it was the brand’s first-ever suede and nylon racing flat.
Instantly evoking images of the original Sting, the Alphafly 3 Premium in its Starfish/Aloe Verde colorway features a vintage-looking aesthetic with a color-bled faded Swoosh on the side and a discolored sole that gives onlookers the impression that you grabbed these from your dad’s closet. Weighing around 7.7oz per shoe (U.S. men’s size 10), these also happen to be one of the lightest runners Nike’s ever made.
The marathon racer features an all-new Atomknit upper that both supports your foot and gives it plenty of breathability. Underneath, you’re running on a carbon fiber FLYPLATE that’s been widened for extra support. The brand’s ZoomX midsole and outsole have also been connected for the very first time, which provides you with boosted responsiveness and smoother transitions. Likewise, the new outsole rubber has been designed for weight reduction and improved multi-directional traction.
Priced at $305, the Alphafly 3 Premium “Sting” variant is now available from Nike’s website.
