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REVIEW: Nike Tempo NEXT%

The Nike Tempo NEXT% is the exciting new shoe that's ideal for road training

The Nike Alphafly has become one of the most iconic and controversial shoes in distance running. The shoe has taken off with runners using it to run everything from personal bests on virtual courses to world records. However, the shoe is expensive and delicate (only designed to be worn on race day), making it out of reach for some runners. Enter Nike’s newest shoe: the Air Zoom Tempo Next%, aka the people’s Alphafly. I’ve worn this shoe for several weeks, and it’s quickly claimed a spot in my rotation. Here’s what you can expect from this new shoe. 

Weight: 277 g for men’s size 10 (9.8 oz) 
Drop: 10 mm
MSRP: $260 CAD
Available: October
Men’s stack height: 40 mm

RELATED: Nike releases Pegasus 37 with React foam

The upper

The upper is made of seamless Atomknit, which is tighter around the midfoot and a little more malleable where runners lace up. I found the upper to be quite comfortable. It kept my foot in the shoe while maintaining its breathability. The traditional lacing system was also a plus, as I’m someone with a narrow foot who tended to slip in shoes like the laceless Nike React, for example. The upper is both light and comfortable, while serving its purpose of keeping your foot stable. 

The midsole

The outsole is a combination of two foams, one plate and two air bags. This five-part symphony of cushioning makes for an incredibly smooth and fun ride. The ZoomX foam (which is the same as what’s in the Alphafly) keeps the shoe light, the React foam at the heel lends durability (up to 500K of use), the plastic plate (not carbon) provides rigidity and the air bags help propel you forward. Altogether, these make for a fast ride and leave your legs feeling great the next day. That’s the biggest draw to the shoe for me – it’s not necessarily about the speed, it’s about how recovered I feel the next morning. 

The outsole

The outsole is much more substantial than that of the Alphafly or NEXT%. It’s got more high-abrasion rubber at the heel and traction where runners need it most, toward the front. This shoe grips the road much better than its racing companions – once again, a welcome improvement. 

Final thoughts

This shoe is ideal for a hard workout on the road. It grips well, it’s comfortable, it helps you feel fast during the run and more recovered after. However, while this shoe gets a glowing review on the roads, it’s not as good on the track or loose gravel. Due to the stack height (42 mm at the women’s heel) it’s tall and a little wobbly around corners.

One more note on the stack height, while the men’s shoe comes in at 40 mm, the women’s sits at 42 mm, making it illegal for road competition. If you’re looking to race in this shoe, be sure you’re wearing the men’s version. But if you’re looking for a shoe to help you hammer some hard road workouts or even just get a sidewalk recovery jog done, this is a great option. 

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