Running history meets contemporary performance in the new Nike International Running Pack, which merges the brand’s storied running legacy with modern innovation to serve today’s athletes, who take inspiration from the past to shape the future of the sport.
Rooted in archival heritage, the collection reimagines Nike’s running history, taking visual cues from Department of Nike Archives artifacts. From the bold speed of the Vaporfly 4 and Alphafly 3 to the everyday edge of the Pegasus 41 and Vomero 18, each shoe channels the rebellious spirit of the fast and defiant.
The collection debuts ahead of the track and field championships in Tokyo, furthering Nike’s decades-long connection with Japan and its running community with designs inspired by local run crews and their affinity for vintage running footwear. In that spirit, each of the collection’s four Nike Running silhouettes take cues from original colorways of classic Nike footwear, harking back to the brand’s early performance-running models.
“Our goal in designing the Nike International Running Pack was to represent the deep relationship between Nike and Japan, dating back to our first years as a brand,” says Katsunobu Asayama, lead designer of the footwear collection. “We wanted to meet Japanese runners’ appreciation for vintage styles by looking into our archive and applying some of our classic designs to modern Nike Running silhouettes — bringing that vintage look the community loves to our latest footwear innovations.”
The collection’s Vaporfly 4, the latest evolution of Nike’s original super shoe, embodies the spirit of the iconic Pre Montreal racing spike, whose innovative design was influenced by the legendary runner Steve Prefontaine ahead of the 1976 Olympics in Montreal.
The Alphafly 3, whose first-generation predecessor incorporated learnings from the original Vaporfly, takes after the Sting, which was released two years after the Pre Montreal and is remembered as Nike’s original suede and nylon racing flat.
The Pegasus 41 reflects the design of Nike’s famous Waffle Racer, whose profile became the standard for many Nike racing shoes, and the Vomero 18 is built in the likeness of Nike’s original long-distance trainer, the LD-1000.
Each contemporary style pays homage to its 1970s-era inspiration by incorporating modern interpretations of the original designs. The Swoosh and other design details are also applied directly to the upper of the Vaporfly, Alphafly and Pegasus using an innovative printing process.
Each of the four silhouettes pair seamlessly with a complementary collection of Nike International Running Pack apparel, which reimagines staple Nike Running pieces to reflect modern Japanese style and Nike’s longstanding connection with the local running community.
Nike International Running Pack footwear and apparel will first become available at the UNION RUNNING DEPT. BY NIKE in Tokyo on August 30. The collection will then launch throughout Japan on September 5 before becoming available globally at nike.com and select retail partners starting September 10.