Nike ACG Readies Amphibious Air Zoom AO Hiker (UPDATE)

UPDATE (June 26, 2020): After debuting its ACG Air Zoom AO yesterday, Nike has revealed three more colorways of the durable, versatile hiking silhouette: a sporty black and blue with red and yellow detailing, an understated grey with pops of yellow-gold and a hybrid makeup that melds a navy blue upper with volt green Swooshes and a clay brown midsole. All retain the same one-piece upper, mesh/synthetic build, Zoom Air cushioning and durable boot-inspired outsole as their previously revealed predecessor. Look for a release on July 9, and see the original piece below for full tech specs and a breakdown of the design inspiration.

ORIGINAL STORY (June 25, 2020): Nike ACG has debuted its new Air Zoom AO, a hybrid silhouette designed to tackle the divergent elements hikers encounter during summertime excursions. With an amphibious build and a shape that takes design cues from other Nike products divergent as football boots and the classic Kukini, the AO is a versatile choice for braving the trail — or the stream — during the warm months.

One-piece uppers present a throat with concealed laces that’s inspired by the Nike Phantom VNM football boot. On the pitch this is used for a clean ball strike, but on the trail it ensures the wearer’s laces won’t snag. Taped seams reduce the risk of irritation, while quick-pull lacing and heel tabs aid with easy entry and removal. The build is mostly made of black meshes and synthetics, with flair added by purple trim around the collar and midfoot Swoosh, purple bungee laces, a large tonal ACG motif that runs down the throat, a red heel clip and an orange spellout on the cored-out tongue.

Toe bumpers and midsoles alike are dressed entirely in a military-style tan. This sole unit draws from both the aforementioned Kukini and Nike’s SFB boots, both of which were known for water-draining, stay-dry grip. Zoom Air is loaded in the heel for comfort, while outsoles and toe bumpers alike are rife with embossed text that nod to the AO’s go-anywhere nature. Even the name is indicative of versatility: it’s inspired by the Japanese word for blue and green, and represents the shoe’s mixture of land and water.

The Nike ACG Air Zoom AO will release via the Nike webstore come July 9. The MSRP has yet to be announced.

Moving from Nike ACG to Nike Sportswear, check out the new Air Zoom Division — a shoe that blends a ’90s racing flat inspired upper with modern Zoom Air technology.