Nike ACG Radical AirFlow NXT ￥22,330
In recent years, the running scene has been evolving beyond the realm of mere competition and sports to become a cultural phenomenon in its own right. With not only global sports manufacturers but also a new generation of running brands on the rise, choosing the right gear has become a real dilemma. In “RUNNING THINGS,” I—Yamamoto—a member of the Fuinam editorial team who has completely immersed myself in running as a cultural phenomenon without giving fashion a second glance—will be introducing gear from brands around the world that have caught my eye, based entirely on my own subjective opinions and biases.
- Photo_Yohei Miyamoto
- Edit_Hiroshi Yamamoto
Do you wear thick-soled shoes? I don’t wear them very often. Well, I do wear thick-soled shoes without carbon plates. They feel great. The ones with carbon plates really shine in competitive races where you’re aiming for a fast time, but I don’t use them much for my everyday jogs. That said, I do think they’re an epoch-making product that has significantly changed the way we run. That’s Nike for you.
Among all the Nike products, the one I’m personally predicting might spark a new style revolution is the “Radical Airflow”—also known as “Amiami”—from the Nike ACG (NIKE ACG) line, which was recently released and sold out immediately on the official website.
It was unveiled about a year ago at the “Western States,” the world’s oldest 100-mile race, held in the United States. Caleb Olson, who had previously been an athlete under the Nike Trail banner, suddenly appeared wearing gear featuring the ACG logo and went on to win the race in spectacular fashion. As soon as the news broke, the Radical Airflow’s unique, convention-defying design caught the attention of gear-obsessed runners.
A year has passed since then. The Radical Airflow has finally been released. What makes this product so amazing? It’s all about controlling airflow.
Focusing on fluid dynamics, air is drawn in and flows directly onto the skin, promoting sweat evaporation… It’s hard to grasp the full extent of its performance just from a written description, but to put it simply, it’s clothing that keeps you cool while you run. While the air-conditioned clothing that’s become popular in recent years “generates coolness through mechanical power,” this is a one-of-a-kind product that achieves cooling through its structure—thanks to its unparalleled breathability.
When you actually slip it on, it’s incredibly cool. You feel the coolness as the airflow touches your skin, and when you start moving, the air accelerates even more, giving you a completely new sensation—as if your body is being enveloped in cool air. It’s no exaggeration to say that this product has the potential to completely revolutionize the concept of layering in outdoor environments.
By the way, although only long-sleeve styles are available at this time, we plan to release sleeveless tops, caps, and hats in the future.
Building on its spectacular achievement of winning the Western States, Nike ACG has made a strong impression with its return to top form on the trails. Through its Radical Airflow technology—which could be called the symbol of this modern era—what kind of future is the brand envisioning for the running and trail running scenes? Let’s keep an eye on its future developments as well.
