Nike Alphafly Next% 2

I tested my running economy in the Nike Alphafly Next% 2 against the OG Nike Alphafly.

Testing Methods

I ran in each shoe as well as my typical control shoe (Asics Hyperspeed) for two reps each at 6:15/mile pace while measuring oxygen consumption and energy expenditure. Check out this link to see what running economy is, how it is measured, and how it impacts performance.

Results

The OG Alphafly 1 still take it for me based on the running economy test data and feel. It was a lower response day for me overall. Looking at the VO2 data, the original Alphas gave me a 2.92% benefit relative to my standard control shoe compared to 2.24% for the Alphafly 2.

When adjusted for my across day compiled comparisons, the Alphafly 2 comes in at around 3.1% compared to the standard Alphafly 1 benefit of 4% (3.1% = 2.24/2.92 * 4)…see previous compiled data post for the methodology on how I make adjustments across days.

Take Home Message

All in all the Nike Alphafly Next% 2 still seems like a great shoe, but from a performance standpoint I’ll still be rocking the original Alphas. The new version is slightly heavier and doesn’t feel quite as bouncy. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if some people who didn’t like the original Alphas get along a little better with v2. The sockliner thing people complained about seems to be fixed a bit and overall the shoe feels a little less wonky. As for me, I’m gonna ‘wonk on’ and buy up all the OG Alphas that go on sale so I can have a lifetime supply.