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Nike’s Coolest Running Innovation in Years Is a Lot Bigger Than the Brand Initially Let On

Originally devised for long-distance racing, Radical Airflow finds its stride in casual clothing anyone can wear.

Close-up of a person's neck and upper back wearing a white perforated Nike shirt with a small black swoosh logo on the collar.Nike
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By Jack Seemer

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Earth isn’t getting any cooler. But you can’t say the same for Nike.

After a mysterious reveal on the back of American runner Caleb Olson at last year’s Western States, a race he won in nearly record time, Radical Airflow finally hits store shelves ahead of summer.

A male runner wearing a white mesh long-sleeve shirt, a white hydration vest with two water bottles, dark green shorts, and gray running shoes is running on a snowy and rocky trail at dusk. He has a white cap with sunglasses on top and a beard. In the background, a person with long hair, a white cap, and sunglasses is sitting on the snow, holding a camera or phone. The scene includes mountains and a sunset sky.
Caleb Olson (pictured) won Western States in 2025 wearing a long-sleeve running top now called Radical Airflow.
Nike

Nike originally pitched the innovation to buyers and investors in the form of a long-sleeve running top.

People standing waist-deep in a river, holding a long pole together. They are wearing hats and light, mesh-like shirts, with some wearing orange or red waders. The background shows rocky riverbanks and trees.
Nike debuted Radical Airflow in the form of a long-sleeve top for maximum coverage of the torso and arms.
Nike
Close-up of a textured, white mesh fabric with a pattern of evenly spaced oval holes, showing the detailed fibers and soft, slightly fuzzy surface.
The garment features hundreds of large holes shaped in such a way to accelerate airflow on the skin.
Nike

That may sound counterintuitive for a garment expressly designed for staying cool, but it maximizes the chief technology: hundreds of funnel-shaped “ducts” that allegedly increase the velocity of air onto the skin, arms and all.

Turns out, that was just the start.

Welcome to Moonshots: A series exploring the big ideas that could reshape the future of products. Discover more here.

Up in the air

Nike is cooking up an entire collection around Radical Airflow, as confirmed by recently surfaced product pages on one of the brand’s overseas websites.

Woman wearing a white perforated mesh T-shirt with a black triangular logo and a black cap.
Radical Airflow now comes in different styles, including this short-sleeve top.
Nike
White mesh cap with large ventilation holes worn on a person's head, showing side profile.
There’s also a running cap.
Nike

At launch, it looks like the new collection includes a hat, singlet and short-sleeve shirt, as well as the original running top.

Though the additions may lack the coverage of the garment worn by Olson to win Western States, they do provide an on-ramp for runners.

Person wearing white perforated mesh shirt with black triangular logo and white sports sunglasses with brown lenses.
Casual runners may be more willing to adopt the technology if it looks like traditional attire.
Nike
Side view of a person wearing a black cap, white mesh sleeveless top with a green logo, and brown fitted shorts with a small logo.
A singlet helps round out the collection.
Nike

Buyers interested in trying Radical Airflow but skeptical about the original form factor may be tempted by garments that more closely resemble traditional clothing.

The original top features large cutouts in the elbows and armpits to support mobility during all-day efforts.

White long-sleeve mesh shirt with ACG logo and elbow cutouts worn with brown shorts and black cap.
The original top featured large cutouts for mobility.
Nike
Woman wearing a white perforated long-sleeve top with a black Nike swoosh on the sleeve and olive shorts.
The original long-sleeve top is also part of the expanded collection.
Nike

While these openings help maximize ventilation and freedom of movement, many social media users have been quick to call out the most obvious risk beyond awkward glances from passersby: gnarly tan lines.

Availability and pricing

The complete Radical Airflow collection is available now in China, with a US rollout expected in the coming weeks.

The original top costs $150, with prices expected to drop for the the other pieces. Browse the full collection below.

White mesh long-sleeve crop top with black triangle logo and cutouts on elbows.Nike

Nike ACG Radical AirFlow NXT Long-Sleeve Trail Running Top

White perforated short-sleeve shirt with black triangular logo on chest worn by a person.Nike

Nike ACG Radical Airflow NXT Short-Sleeve Shirt

About the Author:

Jack Seemer is the executive editor at Gear Patrol, with over a decade of experience in product journalism. He currently reports on a wide range of topics, including footwear, watches, EDC, cookware and more.

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