Nike launches most sustainable performance shoe yet

On Monday, Nike launched the Air Zoom Alphafly Next% Nature, which will provide runners with the same benefits as the original Alphafly, but it is more sustainable. The Next% Nature is a part of Nike’s Move to Zero promise, which is the brands’ journey toward zero-carbon manufacturing.

Manufactured materials make up about 70 per cent of Nike’s total carbon footprint, and right now they are innovating and scaling to lower their use of carbon material. Nike plans on taking a circular approach to achieve its goal, by focusing on eliminating waste and creating products that are better for our planet and athletes.

The midsole of Next% Nature is constructed of 70 per cent of recycled foam, and the propulsive, stiff Flyplate is made of 50 per cent recycled carbon fibre. The upper is made of Flyknit, which features at least 45 per cent recycled polyester (through a process that reduces waste by 60 per cent compared to a traditional upper).

Nike athletes logged 600 kilometres of product testing simply to examine every aspect of this shoe and found that it will continue to make a big impact on their performance, while significantly reducing runners’ impact on the environment.

Each of the adjustments they made during the production of the Air Zoom Alphafly Next Nature move Nike closer to its goal of diverting 100 per cent of the waste it sends from landfills back into our extended supply chain, with at least 80 per cent recycled back into Nike products by 2025. 

The Alphafly Next% Nature will be released with Nike’s full running line on Sept. 13.