NIKE partnered with VIBRAM to include the brand’s technology and sole design in its Ultrafly Trail shoe which offers a carbon flyplate between the shoe’s ZoomX foam and a fabric-wrapped midsole.
The Ultrafly introduces many firsts for Nike Trail. Recognising athletes’ need for exceptional grip and traction on rough terrain, the Nike and Vibram designers joined forces to incorporate their expertise into an all-new and exclusive sole design on the Ultrafly. The outsole debuts Vibram’s Litebase technology with a proprietary lightweight outsole design, Vibram’s traction lug technology and MegaGrip compound.
In 2021, Nike Running footwear designers began working closely with elite Nike Trail athletes to create a pinnacle trail racing shoe, taking learnings from Nike’s world-class road running innovations and tuning them to the unique needs of the trail runner. Nike Trail athlete Tyler Green was the Nike team’s original muse for the innovation.
He logged more than 1,000 miles in the shoes throughout training and raced in three consecutive top-five finishes at the prestigious 100-mile Western States Endurance Run in the shoe. “I’ve put the shoe to the test across rocky terrain, hard climbs, fast descents and tough workouts,” said Green. “It’s exciting to see my perspective and feedback directly inform a product that will help all runners chase their goals on the trails.”
Also for the first time in Nike Trail, the Ultrafly features a carbon Flyplate, positioned between the ZoomX foam and a fabric-wrapped midsole. A Vaporweave upper combined with classic collar construction, counter and fit system ensures lightweight comfort and reliability for miles of racing on the trails.
For more than 80 years, the yellow octagon that symbolises Vibram has been synonymous worldwide with quality, performance, safety and innovation in the footwear industry. With its international headquarters in Albizzate (Varese) Italy, Vibram produces over 40 million soles every year, dedicates over one million kilometres to testing, is present in 120 countries and has manufacturing, research and representation bases in the USA, China, Japan, Brazil and Italy.
“We are thrilled to partner with Nike, a brand that shares our passion for excellence. Together, we are expanding the trail running community by combining Vibram’s highly desired innovations with Nike’s world-class running footwear,” said Fabrizio Gamberini, global chief brand officer and president of Vibram Corp.
Nike has stated it will ‘release in Europe, limited quantities of the Ultrafly Trail shoe beginning July 27 and globally in late January’. The ‘27’ refers to the day this month not the year 2027.
