The Nike Vaporfly 3 brings a fresh update to one of Nike's most iconic running shoes, designed specifically for competitive road racing. The shoe's construction incorporates lightweight cushioning and a full-length carbon fiber plate. It's lighter than its big brother, the Nike Alphafly 3, though it lacks some of the same cushioning. The Vaporfly 3's road-focused design and performance-oriented features make it appealing to runners seeking a snappy companion for race day or intense workout sessions.
Our Verdict
The Nike Vaporfly 3 is impressive for marathon racing, with a very lightweight design, excellent energy return, and a carbon fiber plate. However, what prevents it from being truly exceptional for this distance is its lack of lateral stability and cushioning—both of which become crucial in the later stages of a marathon when form starts to break down.
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Very lightweight.
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Snappy ride.
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Unstable.
The Nike Vaporfly 3 is outstanding for 5K/10K racing, primarily due to its firm forefoot foam, lightweight design, and carbon-fiber plate, which all contribute to a snappy and agile running experience. This combination of features makes the shoe particularly well-suited for shorter, faster races where speed and efficiency are paramount.
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Very lightweight.
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Very firm at the forefoot.
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Snappy ride.
The Nike Vaporfly 3 offers very good energy return, which contributes to a more efficient running stride. This energy return is facilitated by the midsole's ZoomX foam, which absorbs impact and rebounds effectively, allowing runners to maintain their pace over longer distances.
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Snappy ride.
The Nike Vaporfly 3's cushioning is satisfactory, offering decent underfoot protection while keeping weight to a minimum. The heel provides good cushioning, but the forefoot feels less substantial. While this helps shave off some grams, runners seeking a more consistently cushioned feel—especially in the forefoot—may find it lacking, particularly for longer efforts.
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Heel cushioning is good.
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Forefoot lacks protection.
The Nike Vaporfly 3 offers poor lateral stability, largely due to its narrow base and stack height. This can make balance more challenging. With a lightweight design focused on performance, it sacrifices some side-to-side support, which may be a drawback for runners needing extra stability. However, the trade-off might be acceptable for those prioritizing speed over shorter distances.
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Very firm at the forefoot.
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Very narrow base.
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Lockdown suffers due to the non-gusseted tongue.
- 8.0 Marathon Racing
- 8.9 5K/10K Racing
Performance Usages
- 8.2 Energy Return
- 7.1 Cushioning
- 4.9 Lateral Stability
- Updated Apr 02, 2025: Converted to Test Bench 0.8.
- Updated Apr 02, 2025: Review published.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the Nike Vaporfly 3 in men's US size 9, as noted on the label. The color we tested is White/Vivid Purple/Purple Agate/Black. This model is also offered in other colorways, including White/Particle Grey/Metallic Silver/Dark Smoke Grey, Volt/Scream Green/Barely Volt/Black, and Luminous Green/Crimson Tint/Volt/Black. Special editions include an Electric edition and an "Eliud Kipchoge" edition, adding unique style options.
Wide versions aren't available for this model. Most of our review results are valid for all variants. The design section applies only to the exact model we tested, but we expect other size and gender variants to perform similarly.
Compared To Other Running Shoes
The Nike Vaporfly 3 is made to go fast. Whether it's racing or for hard interval sessions on the track, this shoe thrives in all things speed-related. While it can handle longer races, it truly excels in the 5K and 10K, where its lightweight build, stiffness, and aggressive energy return shine. Compared to marathon-focused models like the Nike Alphafly 3, this shoe is less cushioned and less stable, but this is also what makes it one of the best options for shorter events where speed is the priority.
If you need a short-distance super shoe but require extra stability, the Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 is a better choice. If you need a more versatile option to handle a wider variety of workouts, check out the Nike Zoom Fly 6, a carbon-plated super trainer built for both speed sessions and steady mileage. For a reliable daily workhorse, Nike offers several strong options, including the Nike Invincible 3, which provides a highly energetic ride for its category, or the Nike Pegasus 41, a firmer option that offers more stability than the Vaporfly.
For more options, check out our recommendations for the best running shoes.
The Nike Vaporfly 3 and the Nike Alphafly 3 are two premium racing flats, each catering to different types of runners and race distances, and your choice will depend on your priorities. The Vaporfly 3 is lighter, more agile, and provides a firmer ride, making it a strong choice for shorter-distance races up to the half marathon. It also has a lower stack height. However, the Alphafly 3 has somewhat better energy return and lateral stability, making it better suited for marathon racing. It is more cushioned, which can help absorb impact, especially in the later miles of a race. While the Vaporfly 3 is more snappy for shorter distances, the Alphafly 3 is designed to optimize efficiency over 26.2 miles, making it the preferred option for marathon specialists.
The Nike Invincible 3 and the Nike Vaporfly 3 serve very different purposes, with the Vaporfly 3 being a carbon-plated super shoe built for racing, while the Invincible 3 is a versatile daily trainer. As expected, the Vaporfly 3 delivers higher energy return, but the gap isn't as big as one might think, highlighting the impressive bounce of the Invincible 3 within its category. However, the Vaporfly 3 is nearly 100 grams lighter, making it far more agile and efficient, a day-and-night difference in terms of speed. Despite this, the Vaporfly 3 is also more cushioned, while the Invincible 3 provides better stability thanks to its wider base.
The Nike Vaporfly 3 and the Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 are both popular super shoes with the same overall level of cushioning, but their ride characteristics differ. The Endorphin Pro 4 offers more balanced cushioning throughout, while the Vaporfly 3 has better heel cushioning but lacks forefoot protection. The Vaporfly 3 also provides a bit more energy return, contributing to its propulsive feel, but the Endorphin Pro 4 is significantly more stable, thanks to its wider outsole. Additionally, the Vaporfly 3 is lighter, giving it a more effortless, race-day-ready feel, while the firmer forefoot foam adds to its snappy toe-off compared to the smoother, more controlled ride of the Endorphin Pro 4.
The adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 and the Nike Vaporfly 3 are both elite-level racing shoes, but they take different approaches to performance. The Adios Pro 3 offers slightly more energy return, a higher stack height, and more overall cushioning, creating a plush and dynamic ride. However, these factors also contribute to its heavier weight, whereas the Vaporfly 3 is much lighter, keeping things nimble and efficient. Both shoes lean toward the unstable side, but the Vaporfly 3 still has the edge for stability, making it a slightly safer choice for runners who struggle with lateral support at high speeds.
The Nike Vaporfly 3 and New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 are both super shoes but cater to different priorities. The Nike is notably lighter, offering superior energy return and a more aggressive feel underfoot, making it a better choice for runners aiming for maximum efficiency for shorter races. On the other hand, the New Balance provides a more cushioned experience and enhanced stability. While the Nike excels in pure speed, the New Balance's versatility makes it a comfortable, reliable option suitable for a wider range of runners and racing scenarios.
Test Results
Amazingly lightweight, this shoe keeps things minimal, shedding unnecessary bulk to optimize performance. Its featherlight build enhances efficiency, making every stride feel effortless. Compared to other super shoes, the adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1 is the outlier, being significantly lighter. However, the Nike still stands out as one of the lightest and most efficient racers available.
During testing, we noticed a discrepancy between the advertised and measured heel stack height. While the shoe was expected to have a 40 mm stack, our measurements consistently showed a slightly lower 37.2 mm. Even after stabilizing the shoe to eliminate variability, repeated tests yielded a maximum of 37.6 mm, confirming a 2-3 mm difference from the stated specifications.
During testing, we noticed that the insole length was shorter than expected. Based on industry standards, a size 9 performance shoe typically has an insole length of around 270 mm. However, repeated measurements confirmed that this model runs shorter than average and is quite narrow. On foot, the fit feels noticeably tighter than other shoes in the same size, which isn't surprising since super shoes are typically designed with a snugger fit compared to daily trainers.
The Nike Vaporfly 3 delivers impressive heel energy return, ranking on par with the best super shoes on the market. The ZoomX foam efficiently returns a lot of energy from each foot strike, providing a smooth and responsive ride.
The forefoot energy return is great, offering a springy and responsive toe-off. The combination of ZoomX foam and lightweight build creates a dynamic ride, making it easier to maintain speed. While it performs very well, it doesn't quite match the Nike Alphafly 3's explosive forefoot energy return.
The Nike Vaporfly 3 provides good heel cushioning, though some other super shoes, like the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4, offer a softer, more cushioned feel in this area. While it absorbs impact well under light and high forces, it compresses less under medium forces, resulting in a bit less protection, particularly for midfoot strikers.
The forefoot cushioning is passable, with decent absorption under lighter forces, but it becomes progressively less cushioned as impact increases. Since the shoe is designed for speed, higher forces at faster paces reveal its limitations in forefoot protection. Runners will feel closer to and less protected from the ground. That said, this is a common trade-off to achieve such a lightweight build.
This shoe's heel is quite firm, providing a stable platform for runners who land in this area. It also ensures a snappy transition for those who engage the heel slightly before rolling forward into their stride. However, it still offers a good balance between firmness and cushioning.
The forefoot is incredibly firm, which is crucial in shorter-distance racing. This allows for a rapid and aggressive toe-off, making it ideal for events like the 5K and 10K, where maintaining speed and turnover is key. However, this firmness may feel harsh over longer distances when protection and softness become more important.
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