Beginning in the early 20th century, Ekiden, a deeply ingrained cultural event in Japan, combines athleticism, endurance, and teamwork in a way that has captivated the nation for decades. To celebrate the January 2025 race, Nike continues supporting Ekiden runners by offering a set of special colorways of footwear designed to meet the demands of long-distance relay races.
The 2025 Nike Ekiden Pack features four distinct road racing shoes: the Alphafly 3, Vaporfly 3, Zoom Fly 6, and Zoom Rival Fly 4. Each shoe is equipped with a flame graphic that pays homage to the iconic Air Streak Spectrum Plus, a model from 2002 that has become a cult classic in the region. This fiery design is a visual callback and a symbol of the “inner fire” that drives athletes through intense training and competition. Japanese kanji characters on each model add a layer of inspiration, encouraging runners to push beyond their limits. The shoes also vary in purpose: the Rival Fly 4 caters to easy training runs, the Zoom Fly 6 for faster paces, and the Vaporfly 3 and Alphafly 3 for high-speed races, allowing athletes to choose a model suited to each phase of their training cycle.
Complementing the footwear, Nike’s 2025 Ekiden Pack includes a Windrunner jacket and long-sleeve T-shirt, both adorned with matching flame graphics. This apparel is designed to keep runners comfortable and foster a sense of unity and pride among Ekiden athletes and fans alike. The collection’s “Let Your Fire Run” campaign features athletes from top Japanese universities, underscoring the dedication and resilience required to excel in Ekiden racing. Through these products, Nike hopes to inspire runners worldwide, inviting them to connect with the spirit of Japan’s Ekiden tradition.
The 2025 Nike Ekiden Pack will release in Japan on November 22, 2024, with a global release following on January 2, 2025, through Nike and select retailers online and in-store. In men’s sizing, the retail prices are $285 for the Alphafly 3, $260 for the Vaporfly 3, $180 for the Zoom Fly 6, and $100 for the Zoom Rival Fly 4. Download the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.
Images via Nike
Nike Zoom Fly 6 Ekiden
Nike Zoom Fly 6 Ekiden
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Nike Air Zoom Alphafly NEXT% 3 Ekiden
Nike Alphafly 3 Ekiden
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Nike ZoomX Vaporfly NEXT% 3 FK Ekiden
Nike Vaporfly 3 Ekiden
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Nike Air Zoom Rival Fly 4 Ekiden
Nike Rival Fly 4 Ekiden
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Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. Concerts, music, trying new restaurants, and catching the latest movies are some of the things I enjoy when not writing for Sole Retriever. Email: nick@soleretriever.com
