Kai Hoo-Lochrie
Japan’s Ekiden season is a highly anticipated relay race that Nike Running has been paying attention to for decades. They have studied athletes and their footwear needs and have reimagined some of their marquee running products through the lens of the competition. Under the “Ekiden Pack” banner, Nike has created a collection inspired by Japan’s rich running heritage and culture.
The Ekiden 2024 collection features five silhouettes: the Vaporfly 3, Alphafly 2, Pegasus 40, Zoom Fly 5, and Rival Fly 3. These shoes are designed to be fast and eye-catching, with a bold “Luminous Green/Crimson Tint/Volt/Black” color scheme. The ZoomX-cushioned marathon race shoes stand out with mismatched arrangements, with the left shoe sporting a pinkish makeover and the right shoe featuring a near-fluorescent combination of greens. These colors have become synonymous with speed thanks to Nike’s performance innovations and elite athletes.
The Ekiden collection is part of Nike’s Global Express Lane strategy, which expedites manufacturing processes and incorporates local culture, insights, and trends into the design process. This results in a range of footwear and apparel that speaks to a specific audience while inviting others to engage with compelling stories. The graphics on the shoes and apparel pay homage to the origins of the Ekiden race and the picturesque landscapes of its most famous courses. The word “Ekiden” itself is derived from the combination of “station” and “transmit,” as relay messengers were once used to transport government documents.
The apparel in the Ekiden collection features stripe-detailing inspired by tasuki, a sash used as a substitute for batons in Ekiden races. The entire collection will be released in Japan starting on December 1st, with a global launch on nike.com before the end of 2023.
For more sneaker news, be sure to check out the “Kobe Grinches” set to release in mid-December.
