Nike has released its official 2025 Chicago Marathon Collection, unveiling a mix of performance gear and lifestyle pieces just two weeks before one of the world’s most anticipated fall marathons.
The line arrives with a new color palette built around the iconic Chicago blue, paired with brighter accents and subtle references to the city’s skyline and transit system. The design theme feels distinctly local, reflecting Chicago’s identity as both a running hub and a city known for unpredictable October weather.
At the center of the release is Nike’s AeroSwift range, a staple among the brand’s elite racing gear.
The AeroSwift Dri-FIT ADV Singlet and Tank feature lightweight, body-mapped construction meant to reduce chafing and improve ventilation during long runs. The same sweat-wicking Dri-FIT ADV fabric appears across the Swift Dri-FIT Short-Sleeve Top, which comes in both men’s and women’s fits.
Outer layers like the Swift UV Repel Jacket and the Impossibly Light Hooded Jacket add a practical layer of protection for race day, with water-repellent fabric and UV-blocking material. Both designs include subtle prints inspired by Chicago’s “L” train network, a small visual link between the city’s infrastructure and its marathon course.
With temperatures in early October often ranging from summer warmth to cold rain, the layering options offer flexibility for whatever weather hits on race morning.
For footwear, Nike is highlighting the Vomero 18, a new iteration of its high-cushion trainer. The shoe debuts with a thicker midsole, now 46 millimeters in the heel and 36 in the forefoot, along with a revised foam blend that Nike says is 18% softer than last year’s Vomero 17.
Rather than chasing speed, the updated Vomero prioritizes protection and smooth transitions, a choice that mirrors the trend toward maximal cushioning across most major brands.
The full collection is available online and will also be sold at Nike’s booth during the Bank of America Chicago Marathon Expo. In past years, popular sizes of AeroSwift apparel have sold out before race weekend, so runners hoping to buy on-site may want to plan early.
Nike will also host a shakeout run on Saturday, October 11, from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Heartbreak Hill Running Company (2148 N Halsted St). The event is open to all runners and will wrap up with coffee and bagels. It’s one of several community gatherings planned across the city in the lead-up to race day.
The Chicago Marathon has long been one of Nike’s signature events, and this year’s collection continues that tradition by combining function and storytelling with a distinctly local flavor. For runners, the appeal is less about hype and more about gear designed for the conditions and culture of a city that lives and breathes its marathon.
