Jakob Ingebrigtsen doesn’t talk much. At least not in interviews, and not about anything that sounds like hype. He’s the kind of athlete who seems allergic to fluff—someone who’d rather show you a gold medal than tell you how hard he worked for it.
That same attitude is now stitched into his first official Nike collaboration: the “Jakob Essentials” collection, which dropped yesterday, May 15.
At first glance, the line looks simple—blacks, whites, greys, and some metallic gold. No big slogans. No wild graphics. But look closer, and you’ll see this isn’t just minimalist performance gear.
It’s a quiet reflection of the athlete behind it: obsessive, meticulous, and a little solitary.
Nike has done a lot of athlete collections.
Some are more aesthetic than athletic—great for lifestyle photos, not so much for splits and spikes. The Jakob Essentials collection, though, feels different. It’s deeply rooted in Ingebrigtsen’s identity—not just his career highlights but his personal quirks.
The shoes, including an updated Pegasus 41, Zoom Fly 6, and Vaporfly Next% 4, come in subdued tones with just a hint of shimmer, nodding to his Olympic golds without shouting about it.
The Shoes: What’s in the Collection, and Who’s It For?
This isn’t a lifestyle drop disguised as performance gear. Every shoe in the Jakob Essentials lineup has a specific purpose in the training cycle, and the details reflect that.
Nike Vaporfly Next% 4 ($270)
This is the crown jewel of the collection—and not by accident. Ingebrigtsen has worn iterations of the Vaporfly in major road races, and the updated Next% 4 continues the trend of marginal gains through elite design. It’s built around a full-length carbon plate and ZoomX foam, which makes it feel spring-loaded on race day.
What separates this version from standard releases is the refined upper—a mix of matte and gloss textures with gold-tinted detailing that manages to look fast without screaming about it. It’s the shoe for PR attempts, tune-up 10Ks, or any day when pace matters more than comfort.
- Key specs:
- ZoomX midsole with carbon plate
- Refined breathable upper with stripped-back overlays
- Matte-gold detailing unique to the Jakob drop
- Insole features: 5 Nordic stars + “Only for me” text
Nike Zoom Fly 6 ($180)
If the Vaporfly is race day, the Zoom Fly 6 is the perfect bridge between effort and economy—ideal for tempo runs or long intervals when you still want the sensation of speed but without burning out your best gear.
It features a similar silhouette to the Vaporfly, but with ReactX foam instead of ZoomX, which adds durability and stability. Think of it as the workhorse for threshold sessions or long steady-state runs.
- Key specs:
- Full-length carbon plate for propulsion
- ReactX foam for a slightly firmer, more stable ride
- Ideal for training days that mimic race pace
- Clean black/gold colorway with understated Jakob branding
Nike Pegasus 41 ($150)
The most accessible and versatile shoe in the collection. If you’re someone who logs big mileage across a variety of paces, the Pegasus 41 is probably already in your rotation. This updated version keeps the familiar DNA—cushioned and durable enough for daily runs—but gets a small performance upgrade through a lighter ReactX midsole and improved fit through the engineered mesh upper.
In this collection, the Pegasus serves as the all-rounder: for easy days, doubles, or just getting out the door.
- Key specs:
- ReactX foam for a softer yet more responsive ride
- New engineered mesh for breathability
- More stable heel fit than the Peg 40
- Priced to be your daily go-to
Nike ZoomX Dragonfly 2 & Air Zoom Victory 2 (Spikes)
Rounding out the pack are two elite-level spikes, the ones Ingebrigtsen actually races in. The ZoomX Dragonfly 2 is built for 1500m through 10K distances and features ZoomX foam paired with a Pebax plate. It’s light, aggressive, and unforgiving in the best way. The Victory 2 is even more specialized—tailored for the mile and 800m crowd with a stiffer plate and a more locked-in fit.
Tucked inside the insoles of each shoe are five small Nordic stars (a tribute to his family) and the phrase “Only for me,” which might be the most Jakob thing imaginable.
According to Sneaker News, even his signature titanium gold jewelry influenced some of the design details.
But this isn’t some glossy tribute to greatness.
If anything, it’s built for runners who care more about negative splits than splashy branding. That same idea carries over to the apparel—clean lines, performance fabrics, no-nonsense cuts. The collection mirrors Jakob’s approach to training: eliminate distractions and focus on what matters.
