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- Table of Contents
- Top
- Main Differences
- Design
- Performance
- Comments
Nike Vaporfly 3 vs Nike Vaporfly 4
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Nike Vaporfly 3
Nike Vaporfly 4
Tested using Methodology v0.8
Updated Apr 23, 2025 12:55 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comTested using Methodology v0.8
Updated Apr 24, 2025 06:15 PM
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Amazon.com
Weight188.0 g (6.63 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop8.2 mm
PlateCarbon Fiber
Weight160.5 g (5.66 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop7.1 mm
PlateCarbon Fiber
Variants
- Vaporfly 3 (Black/Black/Oatmeal/Metallic Gold Grain - (Women - US 7))
- Vaporfly 3 (Black/Olive Aura/Metallic Medium Ash - (Men - US 9))
- Vaporfly 3 (Electric Pack - (Women - US 7))
- Vaporfly 3 (Laser Orange/Citron Pulse/Sail/Hyper Violet - (Women - US 7))
- Vaporfly 3 (Mint Foam/Sunset Tint/Barely Volt/Sail - (Women - US 7))
- Vaporfly 3 (Multi-Color/Volt/Hyper Pink/Black - (Men - US 9))
- Vaporfly 3 (Sail/Crimson Tint/Guava Ice/Black - (Men - US 9))
- Vaporfly 3 (Sail/Crimson Tint/Guava Ice/Black - (Women - US 7))
- Vaporfly 3 (Sail/Glacier Blue/Volt - (Men - US 9))
- Vaporfly 3 (Sail/Olive Aura/Volt/Glacier Blue - (Women - US 7))
- Vaporfly 3 (Volt/Scream Green/Barely Volt/Black - (Women - US 7))
- Vaporfly 3 (White/Black/University Red/Habanero Red - (Men - US 9))
- Vaporfly 3 (White/Dk Smoke Grey/Particle Grey - (Women - US 7))
- Vaporfly 3 (White/Sea Coral/Pure Platinum/Topaz Gold - (Women - US 7))
- Vaporfly 3 (White/Vivid Purple/Purple - (Men - US 9))
- Vaporfly 3 (White/Vivid Purple/Purple Agate/Black - (Women - US 7))
- 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 Vaporfly 3
Nike Vaporfly 4
The Nike Vaporfly 4 and the Nike Vaporfly 3 are both elite-level racing shoes, but they deliver noticeably different experiences. The Vaporfly 4 is almost 30 grams lighter, features a softer, more cushioned midsole, and offers a slightly more accommodating fit, making it better suited for longer efforts, particularly the half marathon. In contrast, the Vaporfly 3 delivers a firmer, snappier ride, making it a more aggressive option best suited for shorter distances.
Main Differences forMarathon Racing
Marathon Racing
Threshold
Marathon Racing
8.0
8.3
Weight
8.7
9.4
Full Comparison
Design
Weight
8.7
9.4
Right Shoe Weight Photo
Left Shoe Weight Photo
Weight
188.0 g (6.63 oz)
160.5 g (5.66 oz)
Stack Heights
Stack Height Photo
Heel Stack Height
37.6 mm
35.2 mm
Forefoot Stack Height
29.4 mm
28.1 mm
Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.2 mm
7.1 mm
Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.0 mm
6.0 mm
External Shape
3D Model Full Shoe
Outsole Heel Width
74 mm (2.9")
75 mm (3.0")
Outsole Arch Width
52 mm (2.0")
50 mm (2.0")
Outsole Forefoot Width
107 mm (4.2")
108 mm (4.3")
Internal Shape
3D Model Internal
Internal Length
267 mm (10.5")
271 mm (10.7")
Internal Heel Width
55 mm (2.2")
60 mm (2.4")
Internal Forefoot Width
91 mm (3.6")
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
8.3
8.3
Heel Compression Video
Heel Energy Return
Heel Energy Return
87.7%
87.7%
Forefoot Energy Return
8.2
8.1
Forefoot Compression Video
Forefoot Energy Return
Forefoot Energy Return
86.7%
86.2%
Heel Cushioning
7.7
8.1
Heel Cushioning Picture
Heel Cushioning
Energy Absorbed At 300N
1.32 J
1.31 J
Energy Absorbed At 600N
3.65 J
3.98 J
Energy Absorbed At 900N
6.03 J
6.60 J
Forefoot Cushioning
6.4
7.8
Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Forefoot Cushioning
Energy Absorbed At 300N
0.93 J
1.06 J
Energy Absorbed At 600N
2.54 J
2.97 J
Energy Absorbed At 900N
4.23 J
4.92 J
Heel Firmness
6.7
5.9
Heel Firmness
Average Firmness 0 To 300N
31.9 N/mm
33.5 N/mm
Average Firmness 300 To 600N
57.7 N/mm
50.3 N/mm
Average Firmness 600 To 900N
94.0 N/mm
85.8 N/mm
Forefoot Firmness
9.1
8.4
Forefoot Firmness
Average Firmness 0 To 300N
45.1 N/mm
39.9 N/mm
Average Firmness 300 To 600N
83.6 N/mm
70.4 N/mm
Average Firmness 600 To 900N
132.4 N/mm
115.0 N/mm
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Nike Vaporfly 3
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Comments
Nike Vaporfly 3 vs Nike Vaporfly 4: Main Discussion
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