In the world of Noirfonce, where the cold concrete of the city meets the jagged edges of the wild, gear isn't just about protection; it’s about performance without compromise. Following our journey on the ACG Express, we’re diving deep into the technical crown jewel of the season: the Nike ACG Ultrafly.
This isn't just another trail shoe. It’s a "super shoe" built for the dirt, forged through 30,000 miles of testing and designed for those who choose to run when others choose to ride.
The Ultrafly represents a shift. Nike has taken the elite energy of its road-racing champions -the Vaporfly and Alphafly- and encased it in an armored, trail-ready shell. The aesthetic is pure ACG: bold, functional, and unapologetically technical.
Technical Breakdown:
- ZoomX Midsole: For the first time, Nike’s most responsive foam is "unwrapped." By removing the textile wrap found on previous versions, the foam is free to compress and expand, offering 85% energy return while adapting to every root and rock.
- 7/8 Split Carbon Flyplate: Unlike the rigid plates of road shoes, this plate is split down the spine. This allows for independent suspension—if your heel hits an uneven stone, the plate flexes to maintain stability rather than bucking your ankle.
- Vibram® Megagrip with Litebase: You don’t compromise on grip. The outsole uses the gold-standard Megagrip compound but in a Litebase construction, reducing weight by 30% without losing a millimeter of traction on wet, technical descents.
- VaporMesh Upper: A high-tenacity, breathable mesh designed to drain water instantly. Whether you’re crossing a stream in the Alps or caught in a Milanese downpour, the weight stays low.
During the ACG Express event, we saw the Ultrafly in its natural habitat. While the "Rest and Recovery" car offered a moment of peace, the Field Equipment car was where the Ultrafly stole the show. Experts detailed how the shoe was tuned over 13 rounds of testing across seven countries to ensure it could handle a 1700m vertical climb just as easily as a flat forest sprint.
For the Noirfonce community, the Ultrafly bridges the gap. It carries the heritage of 80s ACG DNA in its bold color hits, but performs with the cutting-edge precision of a modern racing weapon.
"This shoe isn't just inspired by the terrain; it's engineered to redefine how fast you can move with it." — Brenden McAleese, Director of ACG Footwear.
The Nike ACG Ultrafly is for the indomitable. It’s for the 15KM mountain runs with Mental Athletic and the long-haul explorations where the map goes blank. It’s lighter, faster, and more stable than anything that has come before it.
Find your ACG Ultrafly here.
