The Vaporfly 4, now in its 4th iteration, has the perfect combination of propulsion and cushioning which is why it’s one the most popular and successful marathon racing shoes. It has a full length carbon plate and a full length ZoomX midsole. It costs $260.
The Alphafly 3 also has a full length carbon plate and a full length ZoomX midsole but it also has two large Zoom Air pods in the forefoot for extra responsiveness. It’s Nike’s premium racing shoe and one of the most expensive shoes on the market. It costs $285.
Which of these two racers is the shoe for you?
The midsole of the Vaporfly is made of ZoomX foam which is super light and super bouncy. It allows the Vaporfly to be one of the lightest racing shoes on the market with enough cushioning for a full marathon.
The midsole of the Alphafly is also made of ZoomX foam but it also has the two Zoom Air pods in the forefoot which add extra cushioning and extra spring to each toe off. The Alphafly also has enough cushioning for a full marathon but the extra air pods make it weigh more than the Vaporfly.
The stiff carbon plate of the Vaporfly is angled upwards in the forefoot but it isn’t rounded so it doesn’t function as a rocker: it gives you a forward-tipping sensation with each toe-off which is unique to the Vaporfly.
The Alphafly also has a stiff carbon plate in its midsole but the front of it is rounded so it acts as a rocker during transitions.
The Vaporfly is better suited to shorter races because it is lighter and doesn’t have as much cushioning as the Alphafly. The Alphafly is better suited to longer races like the marathon and ultramarathons because of how much extra cushioning and bounce it provides.
Stability is better in the Alphafly because it has a wider forefoot which flares out at the base. You don’t have to slow down as much when turning tight corners in the Alphafly.
The outsole of the Vaporfly uses thick, hard-wearing rubber on its forefoot which has great durability and doesn’t feel slippery on wet surfaces.
The outsole of the Alphafly also uses thick rubber on its forefoot but it’s softer and more flexible so it has better traction on wet surfaces but it has lower durability than the Vaporfly.
The upper of the Vaporfly is made of very porous mesh which is extremely breathable. It doesn’t absorb much water and it conforms to your foot well. The tongue of the Vaporfly is lightly padded and not gusseted so it slides downwards during runs. Foot lockdown in the Vaporfly is very good: there is no heel slippage. It fits true to size and is only available in one width.
The upper of the Alphafly is made of Atomknit 3.0 which is even more porous and more breathable than the Vaporfly. It’s a bootie construction so the tongue is built into the upper and not separate. Foot lockdown is superb. It fits a half size small and is only available in one width.
If you’re a runner looking for a cheaper racer for shorter distances like a half marathon or shorter, the Vaporfly is the better option for you. It has smoother ride transitions, a more durable outsole and gives you a forward tipping sensation during every toe-off.
If you’re a runner looking for a more cushioned racer for longer distances like a marathon or ultramarathon, the Alphafly is your shoe. It has more responsiveness because of the Zoom Air pods and it has more cushioning. It is also more stable which helps you maintain good form during the later stages of races.
