All Conditions Express, a fully immersive ACG journey All Conditions means All Conditions
ACG, short for All Conditions Gear, is Nike’s outdoor line. Contrary to what one might expect, the brand’s core focus is not so much on gear and materials — which are more a natural outcome — but on its true mantra: All Conditions really means All Conditions. The idea is as simple as it is radical: no matter what’s happening outside, you go out, you train, and you push your physical and mental limits a little further. A message delivered loud and clear at the end of a speech by Scott LeClair, VP/GM di ACG, which preceded the departure of the All Conditions Express — a fully ACG-branded train that left from the Royal Pavilion of Milan’s Central Station, heading to Pian dei Resinelli. Acting as special ticket inspectors at departure were Bebe Vio and Jannik Sinner.
Calling it branded almost feels reductive. Every single detail of the All Conditions Express was designed to reflect ACG’s philosophy, from the carriages down to snowplows and fire extinguishers. A fully immersive experience into the brand’s universe. One carriage, for instance, was set up to showcase the technical features of the new Nike ACG Ultrafly Trail and the Nike ACG “Lava Loft” jacket — the latest ACG innovations dedicated to trail running. Another carriage was entirely devoted to recovery, where we encountered the product developed in collaboration with Hyperice: an evolution of the Normatec Elite, a full-leg compression boot designed to speed up athletes’ recovery, naturally finished in ACG’s signature orange.
A tool that may feel superfluous for those, like us, took on a hike. A trek wrapped in fresh snow fallen overnight, winding through trails offering breathtaking views over Lake Como and dense woodland sections where sunlight suddenly disappears, leaving you fully immersed in nature. Much more beneficial for individuals who opt to tackle the mountains by running, like Cesare Maestri, Italian ACG athlete: “The ACG items that help me the most in my preparation are the shoes,” Cesare tells us. “The brand developed a range of shoes that covers every type of training: long runs, technical sessions, fast workouts, slower efforts. Today I feel confident in every training session and in every race. I no longer question whether I’m wearing the right shoe or not. It’s a mental thing, but it has a direct impact on performance. ACG also works closely with athletes, constantly asking for our feedback. That’s crucial. For example, last year, ahead of the World Championships, they developed prototypes that we ended up wearing in competition.”
“In training, I’ve often found myself dealing with fairly extreme conditions, like cold and rain,” Cesare continues. “Those are the elements I struggle with the most. In training, though, you have more time to manage and adapt compared to a race. When it happens, even if it’s not my favorite situation, I try to adapt and turn it into an advantage. I always think it might come in handy during a race. And extreme conditions aren’t just about rain — they can also mean heat. In that case, training becomes the perfect opportunity to understand how to manage hydration, so that when race day comes, I’m ready.” All Conditions means All Conditions.
