Nike is venturing into the growing outdoor recreational activities market by introducing a new tennis shoe for racing on tracks, starting on Monday (25). This move will determine the company’s ability to transform a lesser-known subbrand into a key driver of growth.
Nike intends to introduce a new model of its Ultrafly running shoe, under its ACG outdoor subbrand, at the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc ultramarathon in France next week, according to Nike spokesperson Jay Paavonpera.
Nike participating in the race
Nike is taking steps to make ACG a more competitive brand in high-performance track racing, in line with President Elliott Hill’s strategy to focus on key sports like racing amidst increasing competition.
Nike is aiming to make up for lost time in outdoor activities and the Chinese market, which have seen growth recently. Analysts suggest that the company’s struggles in these areas have contributed to its declining presence in the global sportswear market.
Nike-sponsored athletes like Anthony Costales will be running in a new tennis shoe called ACG Ultrafly, set to be released in the spring of 2026, according to Nike.
A revamped edition of Zegama track running shoes under the ACG label is set to launch towards the end of 2025.
Clothing sales for outdoor activities in China nearly doubled from 2019 to 2025, while footwear sales for outdoor activities rose by 65% during the same time frame, as per data from Euromonitor International.
Nike experienced a decline in sales of more than 10% in China during the past three quarters.
