The Nike Apex running shoe isn’t available to purchase yet, but it already has a New York City Marathon victory. On November 1, 2026, Sweden’s Andreas Almgren won the NYC Marathon in 2:06:01 while wearing the unreleased Nike Apex. It was also his marathon debut. Imagine showing up to one of the hardest major marathons in the world, winning your first attempt, and giving Nike some free advertising in the process.
Nike announced the Apex in September 2026, with a release planned for January 2027. It’s the company’s newest carbon-plated marathon racing shoe, featuring four Air Zoom units, ZoomX LT foam, and a zero-drop platform. Reports have the shoe between $350-$360. Either way, we’ve reached another level of expensive running shoes. This might be outrageous and $250 used to be too, but it will likely become the average of carbon plated shoes in a few years.
Andreas Almgren Wins the 2026 NYC Marathon in the Nike Apex
Almgren was already an accomplished distance runner before arriving in New York. He won the 2026 World Half Marathon Championships and the European 10,000-meter title, but he had never raced a marathon. He stayed with the leaders through much of the race before making his move in Central Park. Almgren finished 13 seconds ahead of Italy’s Yeman Crippa, with Kamohelo Mofolo of Lesotho finishing third in 2:06:26. His 2:06:01 was the third-fastest winning time in NYC Marathon history. You can read the official NYC Marathon race report for the complete results.
I’ve always found it funny how much attention goes toward the shoes when an elite runner wins a marathon. Almgren is a world champion who had already run 58:06 for the half marathon. He was going to be competitive regardless of which carbon-plated shoe he chose. Winning New York before the Nike Apex is even released is excellent marketing. How many runners are already considering buying a pair based on Sunday’s results? Remember when the Nike 4% was sold out everywhere and it was next to impossible to get a pair? That will likely be the case with the Apex.
Nike Apex Running Shoe Specs: What’s New?
According to Nike’s official Apex announcement, the specifications include:
- Midsole: ZoomX LT foam
- Plate: Redesigned carbon-fiber Flyplate
- Air units: Four Air Zoom units arranged in two stacked pairs
- Stack height: 40 mm in the heel and forefoot
- Heel-to-toe drop: 0 mm
- Upper: Flyknit X
- Release date: January 2027
- Reported price: $350–$360
One of the biggest differences between the Nike Apex and Alphafly 4 is the number of Air Zoom units. The Apex has four in the forefoot, twice as many as the Alphafly 4. Nike also claims the Apex provides up to 40% more energy return than the Alphafly 3 in a men’s size 10. I already imagine that statistic getting repeated everywhere without anyone explaining what it means.
A 40% increase in measured energy return doesn’t mean runners get 40% faster, and Nike hasn’t provided evidence that the same improvement applies to every runner. I’d like to see independent testing, especially at paces outside professional marathon racing.
Nike Apex vs. Nike Alphafly 4: Which Is Better?
I recently wrote about the Nike Alphafly 4, which already retails for $280. In recent races, pro have chosen the Apex over the Alphafly…but what will recreational runners choose? The Apex has 40 mm of cushioning beneath both the heel and forefoot, compared with the 8 mm drop of the Alphafly 4. A zero-drop shoe can change how much work the calves and Achilles tendons do. I predict they’ll be a lot of injuries due to that change.
How Much Will the Nike Apex Cost?
The Nike Apex is expected to retail for approximately $350 to $360 when it launches in January 2027. Nike’s September announcement confirmed the release month but didn’t specify a price, and published reports currently differ. For comparison, many carbon plated shoes are holding around $250. The Saucony Endorphin Pro 5 retails for $240. The Altra Vanish Carbon 3 is also $240.
At the higher reported price, you’re paying another $120 compared with either shoe.
And what about durability? It’s a carbon plated shoe, so it’s likely not going to last more than 2ish marathons. While sure, you could run in the shoe after that but you aren’t getting the same benefit as a brand new pair.
I would absolutely try the Nike Apex. I’m curious how the extra Air Zoom units affect the ride and whether the zero-drop construction changes how the shoe performs later in a marathon. I’m less excited about spending upwards of $350 without knowing whether I actually prefer it to shoes already sitting in my closet. I’ve never been a huge Alphafly fan and I’ve found the shoe to be bulky, so I’m wondering if I’ll feel the same way about the Apex.
The Nike Apex is scheduled to launch in January 2027 through Nike and select retailers. Almgren has already shown what one of the world’s best runners can do in it. I’m curious what the experience will be like for everyone running considerably slower than 2:06.
Curious about how I do gear reviews? You can read about that here. Love running? You can subscribe to my weekly newsletter or read more about running shoes in my ebook.
Would you spend $350 or more on the Nike Apex running shoes?
Do you think carbon-plated running shoes have become too expensive?