The Nike Vaporfly 4 is a lightweight racing shoe designed for runners chasing fast times across shorter races from the 5K up to the half-marathon. It features Nike's PEBA-based ZoomX foam paired with a full-length carbon plate, delivering a snappy and efficient ride. Compared to the Nike Vaporfly 3, it has a lower stack height and drop, making it feel closer to the ground and further stand out from its long-distance cousin, the Nike Alphafly 3. Its redesigned mesh upper also helps shave off additional weight, making it one of the lightest super shoes currently available.
Our Verdict
While not primarily intended as a marathon racing shoe, the Nike Vaporfly 4 still scores well due to its lightweight construction, carbon plate, and great energy return that helps maintain speed through longer efforts. However, the reduced stack height and poor stability make it less forgiving than more cushioned options, especially for heel strikers or runners whose form fades late in races. It's a viable option for strong, efficient runners, but most will be better served by more marathon-focused models.
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Very lightweight.
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ZoomX midsole is well-cushioned.
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PEBA-based foam is very bouncy.
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Unstable and a bit harsh for longer distances.
The Nike Vaporfly 4 is well-suited for short-distance road racing. Its low weight and firm forefoot contribute to a fast, responsive feel that makes it easy to pick up the pace. The carbon plate adds a snappy toe-off, and the ZoomX foam delivers great energy return. Compared to more cushioned super shoes, it offers a more connected ride that favors speed over long-distance comfort. This makes it a great option for runners focused on 5K up to the half-marathon.
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Very lightweight.
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PEBA-based foam is very bouncy.
The Nike Vaporfly 4 delivers great energy return thanks to its dual ZoomX layers made of PEBA. The midsole is slightly more muted than the bounciest super shoes, but it's still very dynamic, especially at faster paces. The midsole offers a reliable snap without feeling overly springy, helping runners stay efficient.
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PEBA-based foam is very bouncy.
Cushioning in the Nike Vaporfly 4 offers solid protection without feeling bulky. The heel midsole offers slightly more cushioning than the forefoot, but both zones are balanced well for a lightweight racer. Most runners will find the cushioning sufficient for anything up to a half marathon, though some may want more underfoot for longer distances.
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ZoomX midsole is well-cushioned.
Lateral stability is a clear compromise in the Nike Vaporfly 4's design. The very narrow platform and soft heel foam contribute to a tippy ride, especially when fatigue sets in. It's manageable for midfoot strikers who stay centered over their stride, but heel strikers or runners prone to instability may find it too wobbly for longer efforts. The stiff carbon plate and lower stack height help, but this remains a shoe best suited to stable, efficient runners.
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Lower stack height.
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Very narrow footprint.
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Heel is on the soft side.
- 8.3 Marathon Racing
- 8.9 5K/10K Racing
Performance Usages
- 8.2 Energy Return
- 8.0 Cushioning
- 4.6 Lateral Stability
Changelog
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the Nike Vaporfly 4 in men's US size 9, as indicated on the label of our unit. The colorway shown here is Sail/Total Orange/White/Black, first released under the "Proto" label, though it's identical to general release versions aside from color. Additional colorways include Glacier Blue/Blue Tint/Amethyst Tint/Gridiron and Bright Crimson/Mint Foam/Cave Purple/Lime Blast. Wide versions are not currently available for this model. Most of our review results are valid for all variants, but the design section applies only to the model we tested. We expect other size and gender variants to perform similarly.
Compared To Other Running Shoes
The Nike Vaporfly 4 is one of the lightest super shoes on the market—lighter than nearly all its competitors except the adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1. This low weight plays a key role in helping runners stay efficient through race efforts. It's also less stable than alternative super shoes such as the Saucony Endorphin Pro 4. With this latest iteration, the Vaporfly further solidifies its position as a middle-ground option in Nike's racing lineup: not as high-stacked and marathon-focused as the Nike Alphafly 3, and not as stripped-down and short-distance-oriented as the Nike Streakfly 2. Instead, it hits a sweet spot that makes it especially well-suited for half-marathon runners who want a great balance of responsiveness and cushioning without added bulk.
However, this positioning also makes the Vaporfly 4 a bit less distinct within Nike's own super shoe lineup—it overlaps somewhat with both the Alphafly and the Streakfly, without being the obvious top pick for either end of the distance spectrum. For those looking for a training-friendly alternative, the Nike Zoom Fly 6 fills the super trainer role, drawing design cues from the Vaporfly while being more suitable for daily speedwork use.
For more options, check out our recommendations for the best running shoes.
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.
The Nike Vaporfly 4 and the Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 are both carbon-plated super shoes built for race day, but they offer different strengths. The Vaporfly 4 is significantly lighter and geared toward runners prioritizing absolute performance and efficiency, especially over half-marathon distances. The Endorphin Pro 4, while heavier, provides more stability, and it has a firmer forefoot that delivers a snappier toe-off.
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.
The Nike Vaporfly 4 and the PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 3 are both super shoes optimized for events like the half marathon, offering lightweight builds and responsive rides. The Nike is significantly lighter, which can translate to better running economy and overall efficiency on race day. Meanwhile, the Puma features a roomier toebox, making it more accommodating and more comfortable for longer distances, like the full marathon. Both shoes have limited stability, but the PUMA is slightly better in that aspect.
Test Results
The Nike Vaporfly 4 is one of the lightest super shoes. It's also nearly 30 grams lighter than the Nike Vaporfly 3, offering a more nimble and efficient experience. This weight reduction enhances turnover and makes it easier to maintain high speeds.
Like most super shoes, this model maintains a narrow performance-oriented fit. However, there's slightly more room in the toe box and a bit more length compared to the Nike Vaporfly 3. That said, it's still a snug-fitting shoe, so runners with wider feet or those tackling longer distances should keep that in mind when choosing a size.
This shoe introduces a redesigned carbon plate with a steeper angle that sits closer to the rear of the shoe, which feels more aggressive compared to the Nike Vaporfly 3.
The heel offers strong rebound, with the ZoomX foam compressing and decompressing efficiently to provide a lively, dynamic feel. While the shoe's geometry means it's best suited for midfoot and forefoot strikers, the rearfoot pop can still help heel strikers transition smoothly through their stride.
Forefoot energy return is great overall. The forefoot foam decompresses dynamically for a smooth, propulsive toe-off. Runners who strike further forward will appreciate the responsiveness, though it's not quite as bouncy as some of the most spring-loaded models on the market, like the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4.
The heel cushioning is solid, with enough impact protection, while keeping weight low. It absorbs force consistently across load levels. The foam compresses well but doesn't feel mushy either, making it comfortable for landing while maintaining a quick transition. Some super shoes, like the Saucony Endorphin Elite 2, offer more cushioning in the heel.
The forefoot offers good protection for a racing shoe, but it's slightly less cushioned than the heel. This contributes to a snappy toe-off, while still absorbing impact effectively. While not as soft or plush as super shoes optimized for longer distances like the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4, the cushioning here strikes a balance that offers good comfort on moderate-length efforts.
The heel foam is quite soft, particularly at higher forces, such as when picking up the pace. This can compromise stability, especially for heavier runners or heel strikers. It's softer than the Nike Vaporfly 3 in this area.
The forefoot is notably firmer than the heel. This helps with quick transitions and ensures the plate engages effectively during toe-off. It gives the shoe a precise, race-ready feel that's particularly appreciated for shorter events up to the half-marathon. Go beyond that, and unless you run like an elite marathoner with perfect form, it will be quite harsh, and your feet might start filing complaints.