An On-Trail Experience in Karuizawa! The Latest Products From the Revamped Nike ACG

Nike ACG (All Conditions Gear)—the outdoor performance brand for every athlete seeking challenge, adventure, and connection—got a major refresh this spring. With a renewed focus on three core activities—trail running, hiking, and exploration—the brand is set to drive performance innovation for outdoor athletes through its products. (This strategic shift also means that Nike Trail has now been integrated into ACG.)

To dive deep into the new ACG, Nike hosted a special media event: the "ACG ADVENTURE."

Held in the scenic town of Karuizawa in Nagano Prefecture, the "ACG ADVENTURE" featured three athletes from the All Conditions Racing Department: Daiki "Crazy Kallo" Kai, Koken Ogasawara, and Takako Takamura. We got to gear up in the latest products and hit the trails alongside these athletes, experiencing the new tech firsthand. Here’s a look at what went down.

Innovative Breathable Apparel: The Nike ACG Radical Airflow

The "ACG ADVENTURE" kicked off with a presentation by product specialists from Nike headquarters.

"Our team travels with athletes twice a year to some of the most extreme environments on Earth to test new products and solutions and gain a deeper understanding of the conditions. For instance, we'll go to Costa Rica during the rainy season or Iceland in the winter, seeking solutions to the problems athletes face in various environments.

And so, ACG supports trail runners, hikers, and everyday explorers. Our policy is to help trail runners run faster, support hikers to stay comfortable in diverse conditions, and to champion the outdoor culture and lifestyle.

ACG involves many scientists and researchers, who create numerous innovations alongside athletes. Innovation is ACG's secret sauce and its superpower," said Mike Middlestetter, Senior Director of ACG Apparel & Accessories.

The first product introduced was the "Nike ACG Radical Airflow." This piece of apparel was developed to help trail runners power through ultra-endurance races in hot and humid conditions. As its name suggests, it leverages the air surrounding the runner's body to control rising body temperature.

"The 'Nike ACG Radical Airflow' has air vents placed all over the garment. It was developed with inspiration from Bernoulli's principle in fluid dynamics, with the vents designed to create a Venturi effect—the principle where a fluid (gas or liquid) accelerates and its pressure drops as it passes through a narrow channel."

From the choice of materials to the knit's very structure, every element was meticulously reviewed and repeatedly tested to speed up airflow to the skin. The team experimented with all sorts of shapes, sizes, and placements for the air vents, ultimately discovering that evenly spaced, funnel-shaped holes were the most effective at gathering and accelerating air toward the body.

The Nike ACG Radical Airflow is crafted from an engineered knit with a hydrophilic (water-attracting) chemical structure. This not only helps manage humidity but also boasts an enhanced cooling effect when wet. And here’s a surprising twist: the long-sleeve version actually offers better cooling performance than the short-sleeve.

"The Nike ACG Radical Airflow is a tool for athletes. Think of a Swiss Army knife—it has a knife, scissors, and a bottle opener, making it an incredibly useful tool for camping. In the same way, the Nike ACG Radical Airflow is a groundbreaking tool for running comfortably in scorching hot conditions."

Let’s hear what athletes have to say about the Nike ACG Radical Airflow.

"The first time I put it on, it was a strange sensation unlike anything I'd ever felt. I was honestly shocked, thinking, 'What is this?' It's truly incredible that it feels cooler than being shirtless, and another huge plus is that it doesn't cling to your skin when it gets wet." (Athlete Crazy Kallo)

"I feel the coolness most intensely on downhills or in sections where I can really pick up speed. But the most amazing part is when you wet it—it gets incredibly cold. Japanese summers in July and August are brutally hot, but dousing this with water cools you down significantly. I highly recommend it." (Athlete Koken Ogasawara)

"The fact that the long-sleeve version is cooler feels so scientific; I'm just blown away by the level of technology." (Athlete Takako Takamura)

The Nike ACG Zegama: Conquer Tough Terrain in Comfort

Unveiled this past January, the Nike ACG Zegama was developed with a focus on cushioning and comfort to tackle grueling trail adventures.

"ACG footwear is built around two concepts: Rapid and Rugged. The Rapid line is all about Responsive Cushioning, creating a family of shoes that lets you flow effortlessly over the trail. The Rugged concept, on the other hand, is about Maximum Cushioning. It shields runners from sharp objects and impact, allowing them to keep running comfortably on the trail," explains Andrew Bambalou, ACG Footwear Expert Product Line Manager.

The pinnacle of the Rapid line is the Nike ACG Ultrafly Trail, equipped with a carbon fiber plate and an incredibly responsive ZoomX foam midsole. The Nike ACG Zegama, meanwhile, stands as a flagship model for the Rugged line.

"The Nike ACG Zegama features ZoomX foam in the upper layer of the midsole, close to the foot, with Cushlon 3.0 foam in the lower layer. It delivers outstanding cushioning while also being highly stable, letting you run comfortably on the trails. It has a 4mm offset (the height difference between the heel and forefoot), and the outsole features Vibram MEGAGRIP."

Here’s what the athletes had to say about the Nike ACG Zegama.

"The Nike ACG Zegama has amazing grip and excellent stability, so I think it's a shoe that even people new to trail running can wear with confidence. I ran the Ueda SkyRace in May wearing the Zegama and really felt its superior stability, especially on the descents." (Athlete Takako Takamura)

"It offers great stability and grip. I feel like I can navigate smoothly even through rocky sections and on narrow trails." (Athlete Koken Ogasawara)

"The Nike ACG Zegama lets you run confidently even on technical terrain. It has great cushioning, so I think it's particularly well-suited for longer races. It feels similar to a road shoe, which makes it easy to recommend to runners who are used to running on pavement." (Athlete Crazy Kallo)

I had the chance to run the trails in Karuizawa wearing both the Nike ACG Radical Airflow and the Nike ACG Zegama, and the Radical Airflow, in particular, blew me away. It was noticeably cooler and far more comfortable than typical running apparel with sweat-wicking, quick-dry technology. Its unique style, a perfect example of functional beauty, was also striking—a product that truly embodies the spirit of ACG.

As for the Nike ACG Zegama, it strikes an excellent balance between cushioning and stability, with superior grip. It’s a shoe that’s sure to suit a wide range of runners.