Last November, Nike unveiled its Alphafly 3 sneakers as the latest in the footwear brand’s lineup of lightweight marathon running shoes. Billed as the “fastest shoes in the world,” they proved their mettle on the feet of one Kelvin Kiptum during his record-breaking performance at last year’s Chicago Marathon (the Alphafly 2s also have record-breaking clout on the feet of Eliud Kipchopge back in 2022). Already, we’ve seen the bright yellow “Volt” colorway and now, fans are awaiting the upcoming “Blueprint” variant just in time for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

A Brief Nike Running History

Despite crossing over into many realms, and becoming legends in basketball, golf, and lifestyle circles, Nike’s roots can be traced back to the world of running. Legend has it that Nike co-founder Bill Bowerman made his first-ever pair of shoes for Otis Davis, a track athlete that he coached back in the ‘60s. Upon launching in 1964, Nike (then Blue Ribbon Sports) debuted with a pair of runners.

The brand really began experimenting in the ‘70s, right as the running boom was happening worldwide, with Bowerman experimenting with waffle soles, providing lightweightness and traction without the need for spikes. This led to the “Moon Shoe” in 1972 and the iconic “Waffle Trainer” two years later, the latter of which would change the company’s trajectory forever.

Combining the waffle sole with the cushioning found in the running-turned-lifestyle Cortez models, Nike came up with the iconic Pegasus — now in its 41st generation — in 1983, aiming to be the everyman’s running shoe following a period when running shoes had become more specialized.

Fast-forward to 2016 and Nike proves that it still hasn’t stopped innovating and pushing the envelope further. That year, it debuts its game-changing Alphafly, tailor-made for marathon runners.

Nike Alphafly 3 “Blueprint” Basics

In anticipation of the upcoming Paris Olympics, commencing in July, Nike has introduced a larger collection featuring the white, blue, and orange colorway of the “Blueprint” variant of the Alphafly 3. To enhance the theming, the silhouette has some “blueprint”-style design cues such as the pseudo-hand-written markings on the midsole, tongue, plate, and uppers. It looks like these were inked by a ballpoint pen. The insole features the “Prototype” text, along with the late Bowerman’s signature.

Aside from the attractive aesthetic, the shoes are the same as previous editions, retaining the breathable Atomknit uppers, a pair of Air Zoom units for responsiveness, the firm yet soft ZoomX foam midsole, and a full-length carbon fiber plate that helps with stability without adding extra weight.

Heel-to-toe transitions have been designed and tested at Nike’s Sport Research Lab to improve speed and weight. These are a whopping 15% lighter than the previous model at just 7.69oz. For minimizing lace pressure, the Alphafly 3s are also outfitted with a padded knit tongue. The laces themselves are notched for easier adjustments and to keep them out of the way.

Spec Sheet

Pricing & Availability

Expected to drop July 3, the Alphafly 3 “Blueprint” edition will be priced at $285. Stay tuned on Nike’s website and social media accounts.

Nike Alphafly 3 “Blueprint”

Nike’s flagship marathon runners, the Alphafly 3s, get a new “Blueprint” color variant in anticipation of the 2024 Paris Olympics.