Nike Finally Drops Its Most Exciting Innovation in Years. It’s Not a Shoe

The brand’s highly anticipated long-sleeved running top finally makes it way to everyday runners.

White mesh top with large holes and black text reading "ALL CONDITIONS Racing Dept." on the back, worn by a person.

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By Jack Seemer

Published May 21, 2026

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Updated May 21, 2026

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“Shirt.” “Crop top.” “Trail sweater.”

Nike’s most intriguing innovation some time has been called many things since its debut on the back of Caleb Olson at Western States.

But one thing it isn’t is a shoe.

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

According to Nike, the official name is Radical Airflow and runners from LA to Chamonix have eagerly anticipated its arrival for the better part of a year.

Fortunately, it looks like that wait is coming to an end.

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. — Last year, Caleb Olson debuted Radical Airflow at Western States, a race he won.

Air it out

At the most basic level, the long-sleeve top exaggerates the effect of traditional mesh.

Hundreds of oversized holes across the arms and torso, which Nike calls “ducts,” not only direct air onto the skin but speed it up.

White mesh sleeveless top with black text "ALL CONDITIONS RACING DEPT." on the back, worn by a person. — To date, only athletes in Nike’s All Conditions Racing Department have had access to Radical Airflow.

“We found that a funnel-shaped construction of larger to smaller gradient holes, uniformly placed, would best ‘funnel’ and accelerate air to the skin,” says Jahan Behbahany, a senior director in Nike’s apparel innovation department.

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 large holes that direct and accelerate the flow of air onto the wearer’s skin.

This is why, counter to conventional logic, the garment carries long sleeves to cover as much of the runner as possible.

That said, the cropped hem, oversized fit and large cutouts under each arm keep mobility high.

The garment comes with large cutouts in the arms.

Nike

Close-up of a white mesh running vest with two soft water bottles in front pockets and orange zipper pulls. — An oversized fit keeps mobility up.

As for the material itself, Nike calls it a brand-new engineered knit constructed from recycled yarns.

The brand also claims that Radical Airflow carries a “hydrophilic chemistry” that’s activated by water, which only enhances its cooling properties.

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. — According to Nike, Radical Airflow was designed with hydrophilic properties that enhance the cooling properties when wet.

Availability and pricing

Radical Airflow is already part of Nike’s official race-day outfit for the professional athletes that make up the brand’s All Conditions Racing Department. Eliud Kipchoge also wore it at the New York City Marathon last Novemeber.

Runner in white perforated long-sleeve shirt and orange shorts crossing a finish line with orange ribbons. — Eliud Kipchoge wore Radical Airflow at the New York City Marathon in 2025.

Now everyday runners will have a chance to try it for themselves. Radical Airflow is popping on Nike’s official websites overseas, with a US launch expected in the coming days and weeks. It costs $150.

Nike

Nike ACG Radical AirFlow Nxt

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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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