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- Table of Contents
- Top
- Main Differences
- Design
- Performance
- Comments
Nike Alphafly 3 vs Nike Vaporfly 4
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Nike Alphafly 3
Nike Vaporfly 4
Tested using Methodology v0.8
Updated Apr 24, 2025 05:38 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v0.8
Updated Apr 24, 2025 06:15 PM
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Amazon.com
Weight200.7 g (7.08 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop6.4 mm
PlateCarbon Fiber
Weight160.5 g (5.66 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop7.1 mm
PlateCarbon Fiber
Variants
- Alphafly 3 (Black/Olive Aura/Metallic Silver - (Men - US 9))
- Alphafly 3 (Bright Crimson/Lime Blast/Mint Foam/Cave Purple - (Men - US 9))
- Alphafly 3 (Bright Crimson/Lime Blast/Mint Foam/Cave Purple - (Women - US 7))
- Alphafly 3 (Electric Pack/Olympic Safari - (Women - US 7))
- Alphafly 3 (Football Grey/Ghost/Persian Violet/Blue Void - (Men - US 9))
- Alphafly 3 (Football Grey/Ghost/Persian Violet/Blue Void - (Women - US 7))
- Alphafly 3 (Light Army/Ironstone/Light Khaki/Desert Moss - (Men - US 9))
- Alphafly 3 (Sail/Crimson Tint/Guava Ice/Black - (Women - US 7))
- Alphafly 3 (Vapor Green/Dragon Red/Stadium Green/Black - (Men - US 9))
- Alphafly 3 (Volt/Dusty Cactus/Total - (Men - US 9))
- Alphafly 3 (White/Black/University Red/Habanero Red - (Men - US 9))
- Alphafly 3 (White/Pure Platinum/Obsidian Mist/Gridiron - (Men - US 9))
- Alphafly 3 (White/Purple Agate/Vivid Grape/Black - (Men - US 9))
- Vaporfly 4 (Bright Crimson/Mint Foam/Cave Purple/Lime Blast - (Men - US 9))
- Vaporfly 4 (Bright Crimson/Mint Foam/Cave Purple/Lime Blast - (Women - US 7))
- Vaporfly 4 (Ghost/Persian Violet/Football Grey/Blue Void - (Men - US 9))
- Vaporfly 4 (Ghost/Persian Violet/Football Grey/Blue Void - (Women - US 7))
- Vaporfly 4 (Sail/Total Orange/White/Black - (Men - US 9))
- Vaporfly 4 (Sail/Total Orange/White/Black - (Women - US 7))
- Vaporfly 4 (White/Obsidian Mist/Pure Platinum/Gridiron - (Men - US 9))
Our Verdict
Nike Alphafly 3
Nike Vaporfly 4
The Nike Vaporfly 4 and the Nike Alphafly 3 are both top-tier racing shoes, but they serve slightly different purposes within Nike's lineup. The Alphafly 3, with its higher stack height and broader platform, is more stable and better suited for the marathon, offering added protection and stability over long distances. The Vaporfly 4, on the other hand, is significantly lighter and features a softer, lower-profile design that makes it ideal for the half marathon and below.
Main Differences forMarathon Racing
Marathon Racing
Threshold
Marathon Racing
8.3
8.3
Weight
8.2
9.4
Forefoot Energy Return
8.5
8.1
Full Comparison
Design
Weight
8.2
9.4
Right Shoe Weight Photo
Left Shoe Weight Photo
Weight
200.7 g (7.08 oz)
160.5 g (5.66 oz)
Stack Heights
Stack Height Photo
Heel Stack Height
39.8 mm
35.2 mm
Forefoot Stack Height
33.4 mm
28.1 mm
Heel-To-Toe Drop
6.4 mm
7.1 mm
Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.0 mm
6.0 mm
External Shape
3D Model Full Shoe
Outsole Heel Width
91 mm (3.6")
75 mm (3.0")
Outsole Arch Width
68 mm (2.7")
50 mm (2.0")
Outsole Forefoot Width
116 mm (4.6")
108 mm (4.3")
Internal Shape
3D Model Internal
Internal Length
273 mm (10.7")
271 mm (10.7")
Internal Heel Width
59 mm (2.3")
60 mm (2.4")
Internal Forefoot Width
90 mm (3.5")
92 mm (3.6")
Other Features
Other Features Photo
Tongue Gusset Type
Non-gusseted
Non-gusseted
Plate
Carbon Fiber
Carbon Fiber
Performance
Heel Energy Return
8.1
8.3
Heel Compression Video
Heel Energy Return
Heel Energy Return
86.0%
87.7%
Forefoot Energy Return
8.5
8.1
Forefoot Compression Video
Forefoot Energy Return
Forefoot Energy Return
88.4%
86.2%
Heel Cushioning
8.2
8.1
Heel Cushioning Picture
Heel Cushioning
Energy Absorbed At 300N
1.33 J
1.31 J
Energy Absorbed At 600N
4.06 J
3.98 J
Energy Absorbed At 900N
6.75 J
6.60 J
Forefoot Cushioning
7.5
7.8
Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Forefoot Cushioning
Energy Absorbed At 300N
0.87 J
1.06 J
Energy Absorbed At 600N
2.93 J
2.97 J
Energy Absorbed At 900N
5.27 J
4.92 J
Heel Firmness
5.6
5.9
Heel Firmness
Average Firmness 0 To 300N
32.4 N/mm
33.5 N/mm
Average Firmness 300 To 600N
49.2 N/mm
50.3 N/mm
Average Firmness 600 To 900N
83.1 N/mm
85.8 N/mm
Forefoot Firmness
8.1
8.4
Forefoot Firmness
Average Firmness 0 To 300N
49.0 N/mm
39.9 N/mm
Average Firmness 300 To 600N
65.0 N/mm
70.4 N/mm
Average Firmness 600 To 900N
95.7 N/mm
115.0 N/mm
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Nike Alphafly 3
Nike Vaporfly 4
Comments
Nike Alphafly 3 vs Nike Vaporfly 4: Main Discussion
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