# Nike Alphafly 4 and Race-Day System launch > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/nike-alphafly-4-product-launch > Updated: 2026-10-14T17:13:13.000Z. Sources: 16. Developments: 5. Nike has announced the release of the Alphafly 4, the fourth generation of its premier marathon racing shoe. The new model is designed to improve efficiency, reportedly being 5 per cent lighter than its predecessor while offering a 10 per cent increase in energy return. Technical specifications include the introduction of ZoomX LT foam, a new seamless Atomknit upper, revised Air Zoom units, and a carbon-fiber Flyplate. The redesign aims to maintain performance during the late stages of long-distance races when fatigue sets in. On 29 September 2026, Nike introduced a broader footwear strategy titled the ‘Race-Day System of Speed’. This ecosystem moves away from a traditional product hierarchy to offer three distinct models: the Apex, the Alphafly 4, and the Swooshfly. The Swooshfly is aimed at runners seeking an accessible introduction to carbon-plated footwear. The Nike Apex serves as the flagship model for maximum performance. It features a double-stacked Air Zoom unit configuration under the forefoot, a redesigned Flyplate, and ZoomX LT foam. Nike claims the Apex provides up to 40% more energy return than the previous Alphafly 3 model while being 10% lighter. The shoe utilizes a 40-millimeter stack height at both the heel and forefoot to create a zero-drop geometry, alongside Goatek and Fast Shot rubber technologies and a lightweight Flyknit X upper. The Apex is scheduled for release on 7 January 2027, with a retail price of $350. The Alphafly 4 is scheduled for general release on 29 October 2026, at a retail price of AUD$400. ## Claims - Crusoe announced the initial close of a $3.9 billion Series F funding round. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The funding round established a post-money valuation of approximately $30.9 billion. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Atreides Management, Mubadala Capital, and Valor Equity Partners co-led the financing round. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Nvidia participated as an investor in the funding round. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The company has more than 6 GW of gross contracted capacity across its data center and cloud businesses. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Approximately 1 GW of the company's capacity is currently operational. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The Nike Apex offers up to 40 percent more energy return than the Alphafly 3 in a men’s size 10. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The Apex is more than 10 percent lighter than the Alphafly 3. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Crusoe is transitioning toward modular Spark units to support AI inference workloads. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The company reports more than $140 billion in total contracted value. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The Apex features a 40-millimeter stack height at both the heel and forefoot, resulting in zero-drop geometry. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The Apex features double-stacked Air Zoom units under the forefoot. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-14: Nike to launch Apex performance running shoe in 2027 Nike will release the Nike Apex running shoe on January 7, 2027, for $350, featuring the premium ZoomX LT midsole foam technology. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nike-to-launch-apex-performance-running-shoe-in-2027 ### 2026-09-30: Nike unveils Apex marathon racing shoe with double-stacked Air Zoom units Nike has unveiled the Apex, a high-performance marathon racing shoe featuring double-stacked Air Zoom units and zero-drop geometry, set for release in January 2027. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nike-unveils-apex-marathon-racing-shoe-with-double-stacked-air-zoom-units ### 2026-09-29: Nike launches new Race-Day System of Speed footwear Nike has launched its ‘Race-Day System of Speed’, a new ecosystem of three running shoe models—Apex, Alphafly 4, and Swooshfly—tailored to different competitive needs and performance levels. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nike-launches-new-race-day-system-of-speed-footwear ### 2026-09-21: Nike unveils Alphafly 4 marathon racing shoe Nike has launched the Alphafly 4 marathon shoe, featuring a 5% weight reduction, 10% more energy return, and new ZoomX LT foam technology to improve efficiency during long-distance racing. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nike-unveils-alphafly-4-marathon-racing-shoe-1 ### 2026-09-17: Nike unveils Alphafly 4 marathon racing shoe Nike has launched the Alphafly 4 marathon racing shoe, featuring 10% more energy return and a 5% weight reduction through new ZoomX LT foam and Atomknit technology. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nike-unveils-alphafly-4-marathon-racing-shoe --- Cite as: Nike Alphafly 4 and Race-Day System launch. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/nike-alphafly-4-product-launch