It looks space-age, but we believe the Nike ACG Radical AirFlow NXT hype

What You Need To Know

TAYLOR: When ACG hard re-launched in 2025, it was all for the sake of recapturing a fun outdoor vibe and creating breakthroughs in the space. As part of that, ACG also reclaimed coverage of trail running under its umbrella.

Some of the earliest trail running technology came directly from ACG in the late 80s/early 90s with that same stoke we’re experiencing today. Yes, the sub-brand ebbed and flowed over the last few decades, but it also allowed for some purification for the new era.

Since innovation has always been part of Nike’s story, that’s where ACG wanted to start. Creative Director Aaron Belchere explained that ACG’s first true contribution to this sport was the Radical AirFlow technology. And they take the idea of “radical” seriously. This piece of gear has gone through cycles upon cycles of research and testing to prove, not just perceive, performance enhancement.

The Real Test

TAYLOR: With goals surrounding the most extreme scenarios, ACG athletes put this newfound tech to real trail scenarios. The biggest success to date was from ACG athlete Caleb Olson, who came within two minutes of the Western States course record on a remarkably warm race day in 2025.

So, how does it work? It has to be more than just a wearable basketball net. Many perforated tops promote breathability. We truly love the Rabbit EZ Tee Perf and Satisfy’s Space-O tops, but they are comfortable and let air through to the body. Simple as that.

Laser-etched holes can work to an extent, but that doesn’t pass for innovation anymore. The major difference between them and the Radical Airflow top is that the broader holes are fashioned with a particular recycled fabric in a precise tiered shape that actually pulls air through to the body during movement. Think of each hole as a mini fan or air duct.

Have you ever stood at the mouth of a cave? Many have a wider entry point and a smaller exit somewhere down the line. There’s, typically, a noticeable pull of air into the cavernous space. As it gets deeper and more moist, the air cools considerably.

So, the airflow is one major component. Adding moisture is the other component that provides the body with coolness.

In a very basic sense, this is how the Nike ACG Radical AirFlow NXT shirt is designed to work. Again, this is truly a radical idea, and we are really good at putting ideas to the test. Here’s what we found.

What we like about the Nike ACG Radical AirFlow NXT

TAYLOR: It was the dead of winter in the Rockies when I received the top. I know the only true testing could come in the heat, but I couldn’t wait to put it on.

Awkwardly, I draped the holey garment over my torso to complement my buffalo plaid pajama pants. My aesthetic was closer to cousin Eddie than it was to Kipchoge, but that didn’t stop me from noticing something unique right away.

I wasn’t expecting to feel anything when stationary. I just wanted to see how it fit. To my surprise, a cooling sensation came over my forearms. Truthfully, I didn’t feel it anywhere else on my torso, but this subtle yet unmistakable sensation clued me in quickly that this wasn’t a gimmick.

Test runs confirmed the feeling. The tiny holes were more than just a million punctures in the top to let air through. They are tiered and designed to maximize airflow to the body. My chest, elbows, and back felt noticeably different while wearing the shirt than with a standard technical running shirt.

This had obvious benefits during warm runs. As advanced a garment as the Nike ACG Radical AirFlow NXT is, the results are simple. A cooler body equates to more consistent/higher performance.

In a test run I documented, I wore a standard shirt for the first portion. Then, I threw on the ACG Radical AirFlow NXT top. There was an immediate difference when the top was dry.

Halfway through the run, I dunked the shirt in water. The perceived difference more than doubled when the garment was wet. Yes, any wet shirt would have provided initial relief; however, it was the conical holes that allowed airflow while soaked, and that was the money maker. That’s where I could immediately understand how and why ACG athletes had breakthrough performances despite the heat.

In the front-range Colorado conditions, my shirt stayed noticeably wet for 20 or so minutes and damp for another 10-15 minutes. The whole time was bliss! Even on a notably hot section of the run, where the heat radiated off the ground, my upper body was cool as a cucumber in a mini fridge.

What we don’t like about the Nike ACG Radical AirFlow NXT

TAYLOR: Most of my energy was on fit and performance while testing the Nike ACG Radical Airflow NXT. It wasn’t until some hikers drew longer stares than usual that I was brought back to the reality that sporting an oversized basketball net is aesthetically awkward in public. I’m not sure if wearing this or Satisfy Moth Tech would draw more attention these days. Let’s just say the hat and sleeveless versions of the Nike ACG Radical AirFlow garments are much less eyeball-grabbing.

Other than that, my main critiques came with the fit. I’m sure there are reasons this garment is on the baggier side, but I noticed it throughout my runs. The forearms and lower torso had a bounce to them that was more distracting than anything. Even though I appreciated that the ACG Radical AirFlow NXT top did not cling to my body when wet (like a standard shirt does), the garment’s bounce was certainly made worse by the weight of water-soaked fibers.

Because some of the hottest areas (armpits and elbows) are completely exposed, I didn’t give chafing much thought. Typically, I will lube up for runs over two hours. I wish I did for my longest test run in this top. My nipples are still chastising me for my oversight. If I had run any longer, my white ACG Radical Airflow top would have had crimson red accents. Woof.

Even though the arm length is specifically designed for watch access, I had some issues when the garment was wet. I wear a Coros Apex 4 watch with a touchscreen. My wet shirt would constantly change the screen and cause my watch to buzz as the sleeve touched my wrist. I eventually had to just hike up the sleeve until it was dry to avoid contact with my watch.

Final thoughts on the Nike ACG Radical AirFlow NXT

TAYLOR: For someone who has never handled heat well, this type of garment could absolutely be a game changer. Heck, it could be a game-changer for anyone with goals in hot conditions.

If we think of shoes as the original tech that boosted performance by percentages, the Nike ACG Radical Airflow NXT garments can also be part of that same conversation.

While I had a few fit issues, there’s no doubt that the force is strong with the Nike ACG Radical AirFlow NXT top. I was noticeably cooler just by wearing the garment, and it doubled down when I added water.

My body stayed cooler than conditions typically allowed because it maximized airflow better than any other garment on the market.

You can pick up the Nike ACG Radical AirFlow NXT for $150 on June 4, 2026, from Nike by using the buttons below.