Written by
Baptiste Doisneau
Behind the scenes of Nike ACG, where science meets the trail
For three days, Nike opened the doors of its Beaverton, Oregon campus to a handful of international media outlets for a full immersion into the heart of the ACG department, between state-of-the-art research labs, meetings with its athletes, and field outings in Oregon's wild landscapes.
This first day began at dawn, with an immediate plunge into effort during a running session along the icy banks of the river. This muscle wake-up in the company of the team from Jolie Foulée was only a prelude to discovering Nike's vast campus, a true city within a city where nearly eight thousand employees are at work. After a formal welcome marking the launch of this ACG adventure, the morning continued with a fascinating deep dive into the heart of the Nike Sports Research Lab. This sanctuary of performance is impressive in its sheer scale, housing both a sensor-packed mini football stadium, a basketball court, and an indoor track. What stands out here is the almost doctoral approach to sport, with climate chambers capable of simulating the most extreme conditions, from torrential rain to the driest drought, in order to test athletes and equipment.
Lunch gave way to a series of more intimate exchanges at the LeBron James Center, beginning with a fireside conversation with trail runner Caleb Olson and new athlete Yao Miao. This moment helped lift the veil on the philosophy behind the All Conditions Gear line and on the importance of feedback from top-level athletes in the creative process. The one-on-one interview sessions that followed revealed the passion of Margaret Mussman for textile design and Nike's determination to constantly push the limits of innovation. Between the rows of prototypes and the walls adorned with the signatures of sports legends, you can feel that every seam and every material is the result of an obsessive quest to meet the needs of the most demanding athletes.
The afternoon was marked by an exclusive incursion into an exhibition space presenting pieces still under embargo, offering a privileged preview of future collections. After a stop at the Nike Company Store, the day continued with an immersion in the woods, where shared stories around a campfire helped connect the technical and technological aspects seen in the lab with the raw reality of the field. This overall experience perfectly illustrates the bridge that Nike ACG is trying to build between cutting-edge science and human adventure, reminding us that behind every innovation lies прежде anything the desire to explore the outdoors without compromise.
Interview with Margaret Mussman:
BD: To begin, could you introduce yourself in a few words and tell us about your career at Nike?
Margaret Mussman: My name is Margaret Mossman and I have been working at Nike for three and a half years. I joined the ACG team to revitalize this project by bringing an outside perspective. Before that, I had an earlier career in snowboarding, where I competed a lot in the United States and in California.
BD: Speaking of ACG, what are the key innovations in textile design for this new era of the brand, and how do you differentiate yourselves from previous collections?
Margaret Mussman: Our big breakthrough is investing in a complete layering system, from the base layer all the way to the protective shell jacket. The goal is to offer a solution suited to all conditions, whether hiking, mountaineering, or trail running. For the base layer, we developed technical undergarments like the Wild Sea Base Layer, a blend of merino wool and innovative fibers. For the mid layer, we use Polartec Alpha Direct, an ultra-breathable fleece, as well as our own technology, the Wolf Grid, a deconstructed knit for optimal insulation. And for the outer layer, three-layer Gore-Tex jackets and our own Dry-Fit ADV membranes, designed to push the limits of waterproofing.
BD: And how do you manage to be both high-performing and aesthetic? That's a difficult balance to find, isn't it?
Margaret Mussman: Absolutely, and that's what makes our work exciting. We organize expeditions every six months with our teams and athletes to test our products in real conditions. And then there is this unique closeness with trail runners and mountaineers who live near our campus in Portland. We can contact them directly, almost like friends. That's ACG's strength, a direct relationship with those who really use our products. And the aesthetic side is just as important: a garment must make you want to wear it, whether you're an experienced runner or simply inspired by outdoor style.
BD: What concrete commitments has ACG made to reduce its environmental impact without compromising performance?
Margaret Mussman: It's an absolute priority for us. More than 99% of our ACG products are made from recycled nylon or polyester. When that's not possible, as with wool or cotton, we source from responsible suppliers. We have also banned lightweight Gore-Tex laminates, which are too polluting, and our Radical Air Shirt is made from 100% post-consumer recycled materials, making it one of the most sustainable products in our range.
BD: To conclude, do you have a message to share about ACG's future?
Margaret Mussman: ACG has three pillars: being the best, being different, and being versatile. We want to continue to innovate, to surprise, and to make the outdoors accessible to everyone. Trail running, hiking, mountaineering, these are sports that stay with you for life. You try them once and you can never do without them again. Our mission is to nurture that passion and build a global community of adventurers who respect and protect the natural spaces they move through.
Interview with Caleb Olson:
BD: Hello Caleb, could you introduce yourself in a few words before we begin?
Caleb Olson: My name is Caleb Olson, I am a professional trail runner in the Nike ACG All Conditions Racing department. I have been running since 2018 and I love being outdoors, pushing myself, and giving my best.
BD: How did you get into running?
Caleb Olson: I started in high school with cross-country, and at the same time I got into mountaineering. Trail running is ultimately the perfect combination of the two.
BD: How has this collaboration with ACG influenced your preparation for races like UTMB or other major events?
Caleb Olson: Since I have a race that really excites me, there is always close collaboration with ACG product teams and the Nike Sports Research Lab. They support me with programming and coaching for my preparation. Together we design clothing and shoes specifically made to perform in the races I target. It is a long-term effort, sometimes years of preparation for what I will wear on race day.
BD: Can you talk about your career and the key moments that have marked you?
Caleb Olson: In 2023, I earned my first golden ticket for Western States. In 2024, I ran Western States for the first time and finished fifth with the fastest rookie time at the time. Then in 2025, I went back and won with the second-fastest time ever recorded on the course; that is probably my best result so far.
BD: Regarding UTMB, what are your goals for this edition and how does ACG support you in this project?
Caleb Olson: I am really excited for UTMB this year. I have never done the full loop; I have run the CCC three times, but the grand tour is on another level. My first goal is to finish it as fast as possible. It is the most mountainous race I will ever have done, so I do not really know what to expect. But Western States proved to me that I could compete with the best, and I would like to find that level again in Chamonix, with the ambition to win. ACG supports me by working with me on a shoe specially designed for UTMB, more technical than the one I wore at Western States, better suited to mountainous terrain and extreme elevation gain.
BD: Among all the ACG gear you use, which product has had the biggest impact on your performance?
Caleb Olson: I would say it is probably the Ultrafly 2. I followed the entire evolution of this model from its beginnings to its final version, and I think it played a major role in my ability to stay comfortable and maintain a fast cadence throughout Western States. If I had to name just one, it would be the ACG Ultrafly.
BD: Speaking of races, what is your biggest dream? Beyond UTMB, are there other goals close to your heart?
Caleb Olson: I love traveling and discovering the world. My dream is to be able to keep exploring incredible places while running and to have the longest career possible. In that context, I would like to make my mark on each of the major world races. At the top of the list are UTMB, Western States, Hard Rock, and the Diagonale des Fous. These are the monuments of trail running. I think about them often, and maybe one day it will happen.
BD: Do you have a message for all the trail runners reading us, based on your experience with ACG?
Caleb Olson: What I would like to say is that when you fully commit to something, you can go very far. Whether in training or in life in general, total commitment makes the difference. And finding partners who share that same passion is essential. That is why ACG is such a strong partnership for me. They are fully invested in trail running right now; they are doing everything they can to give us the best possible tools so we can perform at the highest level. When there is that alignment, you can go very far in what you are passionate about.
Interview with Yao Miao:
BD: Hello Yao, could you introduce yourself in a few words before we begin?
Yao Miao: My name is Yao Miao, I come from China, and I am a Nike ACG athlete.
BD: As a female ACG athlete, how do you perceive the evolution of women’s role in running?
Yao Miao: I mainly focus on trail running; it’s the world I know best. What I observe is that more and more women are taking up running. If we compare today’s numbers with those from 2016 or 2017, the growth is really significant. And what also strikes me is that people increasingly feel comfortable running in nature rather than on a track or in the city.
BD: And what is the biggest difference for you between trail running and road running? What do you like more about trail running?
Yao Miao: I much prefer trail running. What I love is that feeling of total freedom and the connection with nature. On the road, you are in a controlled environment, whereas on the trails, you are alive in a different way.
BD: What challenges have you faced in your career, and how has ACG helped you overcome them?
Yao Miao: One point I emphasize a lot is female parity in sport. I have had discussions with intermediaries and designers, and what I hope for is more and more innovations designed specifically for women’s bodies. We talk about body shape, but also about topics like the menstrual cycle, which is still far too little considered in the design of sports equipment. It is a real issue for female athletes.
BD: Can you give me a concrete example of where ACG has contributed, whether through products, events, or campaigns?
Yao Miao: There are two things I want to mention. The first is that I truly believe ACG can encourage women to explore their own potential, especially through training programs or initiatives tailored for them. In that spirit, I will soon launch in China, in partnership with ACG, an initiative called Boundless Girl. The goal is to give access to sport to young girls growing up in rural areas, often far from these opportunities. The second thing is that I hope ACG will continue developing innovations designed for women. Women and men do not approach shoe choice in the same way, and their bodies are fundamentally different. ACG has the ability to go even further in this direction.
BD: What legacy do you hope to leave in the running world, and how can your journey and your collaboration with ACG inspire a new generation of female athletes?
Yao Miao: I grew up in a rural area, in difficult conditions. What I want to do is help children who live in those same conditions, in underprivileged regions, use sport as a lever to change their lives. That is the legacy I want to build.
Thursday marked a turning point in this expedition, definitively taking us away from the urban setting and into Oregon's raw beauty. After one last quick breakfast at the Woodlark Hotel, departure for The Gorge marked the beginning of a more rugged immersion. The morning leg took us to Cascade Locks for an approach walk of about two kilometers. It was not a test of strength, but rather a contemplative pause to admire a spectacular waterfall, a reminder that the ACG experience is also about the simple appreciation of landscapes. This gentle warm-up perfectly launched the rest of the day, framing the effort as one of discovery rather than pure performance.
The community dinner then gave way to a memorable night under the stars. Beyond the Star Party planned on the program. Falling asleep in the tents after such a day, one realizes that the equipment tested in the lab truly comes into its own here, in the simplicity of a campfire and the coolness of the nights of the American West.
The last day of this immersion in Oregon began in an end-of-camp atmosphere, where physical fatigue was starting to blend with a kind of melancholic satisfaction. The goal of this final morning was clear: to get closer to the very essence of the discipline by reaching the finish line of the Gorge Waterfalls. It was while walking to the site, wearing the Zegama Trail tested in real conditions, that we truly understand the work carried out upstream in the Portland laboratories. Crossing the Bridge of the Gods, this mythical bridge linking Oregon to the state of Washington, provided an almost cinematic backdrop to the end of the adventure, reminding us that every trail covered here tells a story of pushing beyond one’s limits.
The experience was not limited to simple observation, since we took part in a community run, a raw moment of sharing along the Columbia River where performance gives way to the simple pleasure of being outdoors. Watching the runners from the hundred-kilometer races arrive, their faces marked by effort but lit up by achievement, gives a very different perspective on the gear we wear. We are no longer talking about recycled nylon or technical membranes, but about protection and survival in an environment that spares nothing. Between two aid stations and a few words of encouragement to the participants in the thirty-kilometer race, time flew until the fateful moment of packing up our bags. We leave this wild setting with the vivid memory of the smell of fresh nettle infusions and the warmth of the sauna that followed our morning outings.
As I head back to the airport, I realize that this ACG expedition was not just a simple product presentation, but a true field validation test. The conversations with Caleb, Yao, and Margaret take on their full meaning when you yourself have experienced the grip of a sole on wet rock or the breathability of a technical layer during an ascent under uncertain skies.
This stay ends as it began, with a deep connection to the elements and a community of enthusiasts who, despite language barriers, now share the same vision of trail running.
