Nike Apex

Nike's Fastest Shoe Starts at the Forefoot

Nike Apex is the most aggressive model in the brand's new road-racing lineup. Four Air Zoom units sit at the forefoot in two stacked pairs, creating a visibly different platform built for elite marathon speed rather than everyday versatility.

Forty Millimeters With Zero Drop

The shoe uses a 40mm stack with no heel-to-toe drop, placing the runner on a level but very tall base. ZoomX LT foam surrounds a wider, redesigned carbon Flyplate, while the geometry concentrates the system's rebound and stiffness beneath a Flyknit X upper.

Big Claims, Less Weight

Nike says a men's size 10 returns up to 40 percent more energy than the Alphafly 3 while weighing more than 10 percent less. Those figures make clear that Apex is not simply the next Alphafly; it is a separate attempt to raise the ceiling for runners who can take advantage of an extreme setup.

The Sharp End of the System

Apex sits above Alphafly 4 in Nike's System of Speed and will cost $350 when it arrives in January 2027. Its four-pod arrangement, zero-drop stance, and high price all point to a specialist tool for race day, not a supershoe meant to suit everyone.