Nike ACG Ultrafly 2: The Trail Beast I Can’t Wait to Get My Feet Into

You know that feeling when you see a brand new pair of kicks and your heart does a little dance? That’s exactly what happened when I caught a glimpse of the upcoming Nike ACG Ultrafly 2. As someone who’s worn through more trail shoes than I care to admit (or that my wallet wants to remember), I’m ridiculously excited about this release.

Last weekend, I was scrolling through my feeds at my favorite coffee shop, sipping an overpriced latte that had gone cold because I’d forgotten about it (typical me), when images of the Ultrafly 2 popped up. I nearly spilled what remained of my drink all over my laptop. These aren’t just new shoes; they’re like little spacecraft for your feet.

What’s New With The Ultrafly 2?

The first thing you’ll notice is that massive Swoosh logo. And when I say massive, I mean MASSIVE. It’s not content just sitting on the side of the shoe—it practically cascades down into the midsole like it’s trying to become one with the entire design. It’s bold, it’s in-your-face, and honestly, I’m here for it.

Remember those topographic maps from school? The ones with all those squiggly lines showing mountains and valleys? The outer shell of the Ultrafly 2 has these awesome ridges that remind me of those maps. It’s like Nike is saying, “These shoes belong on trails, mountains, and wild places.” And they’re not wrong.

I took my original Ultraflys on a muddy trail run in Oregon last fall. It had rained for three days straight, and everything was a slippery mess. But those shoes gripped the terrain like they were determined not to let me fall on my butt (which happens more often than I’d like to admit). I’m betting the new ones, with their Vibram-branded outsole, will be even better.

The Tech Stuff (Without Boring You)

While Nike hasn’t shared all the details yet, it looks like they’re sticking with what worked in the first version. That likely means a carbon Flyplate (basically a super springy layer) on top of that cloud-like ZoomX foam. In normal human speak? These shoes will probably feel like they’re giving you a little boost with each step, which is awesome when you’re trudging up a steep trail.

The addition of ACG branding on the tongue is pretty significant too. ACG stands for “All Conditions Gear,” which is Nike’s line of outdoor stuff made for rough weather and tough adventures. This suggests the Ultrafly 2 isn’t just for casual trail jogs—it’s built for the serious stuff.

I still remember getting caught in a surprise thunderstorm during a hike last summer. My feet were the only dry part of me thanks to my trusty ACG boots. If they bring that same weather-ready attitude to the Ultrafly 2, we’re in for a treat.

Why I’m Excited (Beyond Just Looking Cool)

Let’s be real—these shoes look pretty sweet. But that’s not why I’m counting down the days until release. It’s because good trail shoes can be the difference between an amazing outdoor experience and a miserable one.

Two years ago, I made the mistake of wearing regular running shoes on a rocky trail in Arizona. My feet were screaming by mile two, and I had bruises on my soles for a week. Proper trail shoes with good traction and support aren’t just nice to have—they’re essential if you want to actually enjoy nature instead of wincing with every step.

The Ultrafly 2 looks like it’s built for serious business on unpredictable terrain. And as someone who has taken a few embarrassing tumbles on slippery paths (there was an incident involving mud, a steep downhill, and me sliding into a creek that my friends STILL talk about), good traction is something I deeply appreciate.

When Can We Get Them?

Here’s the frustrating bit—we don’t know exactly when they’ll hit stores. Nike’s being all mysterious about it. But several early models have been spotted “in the wild,” which usually means a release isn’t too far off.

I’ve already warned my partner that when these drop, I’m going to mysteriously need to “run an errand” that will somehow result in new shoes appearing in our closet. It’s a tale as old as time in our household.

Until then, I’ll be wearing out my current trail runners and dreaming of those topographic ridges and giant swooshes. If you see someone on the trails this spring in shiny new Ultrafly 2s with a ridiculous grin on their face, wave hello—it might just be me, living my best trail life.

Anyone else counting down to this release, or am I the only shoe geek around here? Drop a comment below!