The NikeLab Mayfly Lite Sees the Cult Classic Runner Get Some Lifestyle Treatment

The NIKELAB MAYFLY LITE sees the return of a ripstop nylon upper to Nike’s lightweight runner.

The Mayfly was created in 2003 and was designed purely as a race day shoe, with the aim of lasting runners for 100km of intense pavement pounding before its life would end. As any student of the natural world will know, the mayfly has a day-long lifespan, and that served as Nike’s inspiration – providing runners with a light, affordable and disposable shoe that could be worn for a road race and discarded after. If that sounds wasteful, worry not: Nike encouraged runners to send their used shoes back to the brand to be recycled via the ‘Grind’ program, an initiative created to recycle shoes for outdoor basketball court surfaces and running tracks.

History lesson over. What about this new drop? The latest iteration brings back the silhouette’s old ripstop nylon upper – in Camper Green and Black – while lacing loops have been added in place of the usual eyelets, and additional padding can be found around the heel and collar area. Other features include a suede heel panel, bonded Swoosh overlay and a lightweight sole unit. While the original rendition is a favourite among aficionados of Nike’s more obscure output – as well as serious runners, of course – alternative versions like this NikeLab effort have made Mayfly a hit with the lifestyle crowd.

The NIKELAB MAYFLY LITE is AVAILABLE NOW at stockists including OVERKILL: click the banner below to get your pairs.