Nike Air Zoom Alphafly Next 3% Obsidian Mist

Obsidian Mist pairs a deep navy upper with a pale, hazy midsole, which is an easier combination to wear than most race shoes manage. It is dark enough for an early start and distinct enough to pick out in a finish-line photograph. Nike keeps the overlays thin, so almost all the weight sits in the sole rather than the upper.

The platform is the familiar one: ZoomX foam, two Air Zoom pods under the ball of the foot, and a full-length carbon plate tying them together. It suits runners who land forward and want help holding pace in the back half of a marathon. Slower, heel-first running does not unlock very much of it, so keep the easy days for a conventional trainer.

Good to know

• Fits true to size; the heel counter is slim, so lace through the final eyelet for a locked-in hold.
• Brand new, shipped in its original box.
• Questions before you order? We reply within 24 hours.