ACG Holiday 2026 brings recycled-gold down and a GORE-TEX shell for deep winter

When the leaves fall, the rain settles in, snow covers the trails and the thermometer drops, some athletes take it as a sign to head indoors. For everyone else, it's the start of the good season. That's who ACG (All Conditions Gear), Nike's specialist outdoor line, is targeting. With its Holiday 2026 collection, the brand is introducing a deep-winter system designed to keep outdoor athletes warm, shield them from the toughest conditions and preserve freedom of movement.

ACG is highlighting two new pieces: the Lava Flow Ultralight down jacket and the Misery Ridge GORE-TEX waterproof jacket-and-trouser set. Two complementary layers, one for warmth and the other for protection.

© ACG

© ACG

Yunnan, the inspiration

The collection was born in Yunnan, China, a mountainous region where weather conditions can change within minutes. The ACG team spent time in high-altitude environments shaped by rain, snow and ice. The experience confirmed one of the brand's core beliefs: in the mountains, clothing needs to adapt as quickly as the weather.

In Yubeng, a mountain village tucked away in Yunnan, the designers say they discovered another way of approaching the outdoors, rooted in being fully present, adapting to the environment and respecting it. That philosophy runs through the collection, right down to its palette, inspired by mineral landscapes and alpine skies, from granite to limestone, accented with ACG's signature safety orange and a flash of vivid purple.

© ACG

© ACG

© ACG

ACG Lava Flow Ultralight: warmth by the gram

This is the collection's centrepiece. ACG describes it as the best warmth-to-weight down jacket it has ever made. The numbers tell the story:

It's a micro-channel puffer, with narrow baffles. The jacket combines 1,000-fill-power ExpeDRY Gold goose down, Therma-FIT ADV technology and water-repellent materials. It packs into its own pocket, taking up less space than a 950 ml (32 oz) water bottle. That makes it an easy addition to a pack, whether as an emergency layer or an extra layer for changing conditions.

Recycled gold to keep the down performing

This is the jacket's most unusual feature. ExpeDRY Gold down is treated with 100% recycled gold sourced from electronic waste. According to ACG, the gold bonds permanently to the down through its molecular weight, preventing it from clumping when exposed to sweat, moisture or other sources of water. The down also comes from supply chains described as responsible.

Clumping is the classic weakness of down jackets, because it compromises their insulating power. ACG claims lasting performance here, with no loss of water resistance after 100 washes. That's a bold promise, and one that real-world testing will have to verify over time.

Availability and price : Launching October 1 at $400 in the United States.

ACG Misery Ridge GORE-TEX: the complete shell system

For protection from the elements, ACG has updated its Misery Ridge jacket and added a new pair of trousers this season, creating a head-to-toe system. The fabric is three-layer GORE-TEX combined with Nike Storm-FIT ADV technology. It's waterproof, windproof and breathable, while allowing unrestricted movement on the move.

© ACG

© ACG

ACG promises an "unmatched" waterproof hiking experience. That's the sales pitch, and it will need to stand up to real-world use.

Availability and price: Launching December 1 in men's and women's versions at $450 for the jacket and $400 for the trousers, or $850 for the set.

Our take

The concept is sound: an ultra-packable insulated layer underneath and a waterproof, breathable shell on top, with both pieces designed to work together. The Lava Flow Ultralight prioritizes low weight and compressibility, while the Misery Ridge is built for days when the weather turns feral. The question is how the gold treatment will hold up over time. Its durability will be the real test.