The Nike Vaporfly 4 is a lightweight racing shoe designed for runners chasing fast times in distances from the 5K up to the half-marathon. It's one of the lightest super shoes available, delivering a snappy and efficient ride. Its relative lack of cushioning and stability limits its range, though, and it can feel too harsh for the full marathon distance.
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Our Verdict
While not primarily intended as a marathon racing shoe, the Nike Vaporfly 4 still scores pretty well due to its lightweight construction, carbon plate, and great energy return, which 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.
Very lightweight.
PEBA-based foam is very bouncy.
Unstable and a bit harsh for longer distances.
The Nike Vaporfly 4 is very 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.
Very lightweight.
PEBA-based foam is very bouncy.
Rocker doesn't provide much assistance.
The Nike Vaporfly 4 is a passable long run shoe, although it's clearly designed for shorter distances. It's lightweight and very efficient at returning energy, so it won't contribute to fatigue, but the mediocre cushioning makes it feel harsh over long distances.
Lightweight, efficient construction makes you fatigue slower.
Unstable and a bit harsh for longer distances.
The Nike Vaporfly 4 doesn't work well as a daily trainer. It's too unstable and chaotic for relaxed mileage, and the carbon-plated construction could feel too harsh for everyday use.
Carbon plate feels too harsh for everyday use.
Too unstable for easy miles.
Changelog
- Updated Sep 17, 2026: We've converted this review to Test Bench 0.15, which replaces Responsiveness with three specific performance usages: Bounciness, Snappiness, and Roll. To read more about the changes, see the changelog.
- Updated Aug 27, 2026: We've converted this review to Test Bench 0.14, which adds new lace-specific results. We've included a close-up photo of the laces, as well as details including lace type, width, thickness, and stretch. To read more about the changes, see the changelog.
- Updated Aug 26, 2026: We've converted this review to Test Bench 0.13, which identifies the different foams used in the shoe's midsole. We've included a microscopic image of the foam cells to give you an idea of what the microstructure looks like. To read more about the changes, see the changelog.
- Updated Aug 24, 2026: We've converted this review to Test Bench 0.12, which fixes how we measure firmness, a component of the Stability and 5K/10K Racing usages. There may be inconsistencies between the text and the scores for these usages, but the scores should still be considered valid. We've also brought back the Energy Return score and added two new usages: Daily Training and Long Run. To read more about the changes, see the changelog.
- Updated Aug 24, 2026: We've converted this review to Test Bench 0.11, adding two new rocker measurements to the Design section, and three new responsiveness tests to the Performance section. The Energy Return usage score has been replaced with Responsiveness. Check out the details in our changelog.
- Updated Mar 25, 2026: We've converted this review to Test Bench 0.10, adding a new set of fit tests to the Design section and an overall fit performance usage. Check out the details in our changelog.
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Updated Oct 23, 2025:
We updated the review to include text for the Forefoot Long Run Cushioning test, which was recently added to our test bench.
- Updated Oct 23, 2025: We've converted this review to Test Bench 0.9, which adds a Forefoot Long Run Cushioning test to our performance section. Read more in our changelog.
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Updated Oct 01, 2025:
We updated the Pros & Cons, Cushioning, 5K/10K Racing, Heel Cushioning, Forefoot Cushioning, and Heel Firmness boxes to align with the latest test bench, refreshed the Popular Running Shoe Comparisons section, and revised the side-by-side comparisons to keep the review accurate.
- Updated Oct 01, 2025: We've converted this review to Test Bench 0.8.2, which updates our methodology for the impact force range used in our compression tests to improve their accuracy. This also affects all usage and performance usage boxes using those compression tests as score components.
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Updated Sep 03, 2025:
In the Popular Running Shoe Comparisons section, we've added a comparison to the recently reviewed Brooks Hyperion Elite 5.
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Updated Jul 30, 2025:
We revised the phrasing in the Lateral Stability, Cushioning, Marathon Racing, and Forefoot Cushioning boxes and the side-by-side comparison with the Nike Alphafly 3 to better align with the latest test bench scores.
- Updated Jul 30, 2025: We've converted this review to Test Bench 0.8.1, which mainly updates the score components for the Marathon Racing and Lateral Stability usage boxes to improve accuracy.
- Updated Apr 18, 2025: Review published.
- Updated Apr 14, 2025: Early access published.
- Updated Apr 07, 2025: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated Apr 04, 2025: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
We've bought and tested more than 250 running shoes. Every pair purchased with our own money, never supplied or sponsored by brands. Our data-driven tests are designed to go beyond marketing claims, and since every shoe goes through the exact same methodology, you can directly compare results to find the right pair for your needs.
Test Results
Energy Return
The Nike Vaporfly 4 has impressive energy return. If you land on your heel, you'll get an excellent bounce forward onto your toes. The forefoot gives back most of the energy you apply at toe-off, so the shoe feels very efficient at faster paces.
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 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.
Stability
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 adequate 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 quite a bit, but this shoe remains best suited to stable, efficient runners.
Lower stack height reduces wobbles.
Very narrow platform.
Heel is on the soft side, which can make heel landings unstable.
The heel foam is quite firm, particularly at higher forces, such as when picking up the pace. This can help with stability, especially for heavier runners or heel strikers. It's firmer 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.
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.
Cushioning
The Nike Vaporfly 4 offers mediocre protection underfoot. The heel midsole offers slightly more cushioning than the forefoot, but both zones aren't the most protective, especially for a super shoe. This shoe clearly prioritizes saving weight over extra plushness. Still, most runners will find the cushioning good enough for anything up to a half-marathon, though some may want more underfoot for longer distances.
The heel cushioning isn't bad. It offers enough impact protection for shorter races while keeping the weight low. The foam compresses well at lower impacts and feels compliant during easy running. Under higher forces, though, it offers less protection and can bottom out, so powerful runners may notice a harsher ride. Some super shoes, like the Saucony Endorphin Elite 2, offer more cushioning in the heel.
The forefoot offers acceptable cushioning for a short-distance racing shoe, but it's slightly less cushioned than the heel. This contributes to a snappy toe-off while still absorbing some of the impact effectively. While not as 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 Nike Vaporfly 4 performs as expected for a lightweight, short-to-mid-distance racing shoe, offering limited cushioning over the course of a long run. There's no abrupt loss in protection, but overall energy absorption is quite low and decreases throughout, meaning it feels less forgiving compared to high-stack marathon racers like the Nike Alphafly 3. The foam itself is high-quality, yet the lower stack design naturally limits how much impact it can absorb, making this shoe better suited for faster efforts than extended long runs.
Bounciness
The Nike Vaporfly is reasonably bouncy but doesn't feel as springy as its high energy return score might suggest. This is because the midsole resists compression, so your foot doesn't sink into the foam before rebounding.
PEBA-based foam is very bouncy.
Snappiness
The Nike Vaporfly 4 is impressively snappy. The forefoot springs back forcefully as it unbends, resulting in a springy toe-off. The platform stays firm when you apply force, allowing you to apply a lot of force and get good leverage as you push off.
Roll
The Nike Vaporfly 4 has a decent rolling sensation, although the rocker is not its primary means of propulsion. The forefoot rocker starts very early and isn't particularly steep, so you won't necessarily feel it pushing you forward onto your toes, but it still helps maintain quick turnover.
True To Size
The Nike Vaporfly 4 is close to true to size, but if you're normally between two sizes, we recommend going with the larger size, as this model runs a bit short. It's a racing shoe, so the fit is quite snug all around.
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.
The ZoomX foam in this iteration of the shoe is full PEBA and gives the shoe its energetic character.
Although the laces have some texture, they're not quite as grippy as the sawtooth laces on the Nike Alphafly 3. Still, we found them grippy enough to keep a secure lockdown during testing.
Popular Running Shoe Comparisons
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 or Brooks Hyperion Elite 5. 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 protection 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 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 Zoom Fly 6 and Nike Vaporfly 4 may share some DNA, but they're best suited to different running. The Vaporfly 4 is a lighter, more nimble super shoe and, with its PEBA-based Zoom X foam and carbon plate, thrives on race day, making it great for runners hunting PRs over distances from 5K to the half-marathon. The Zoom Fly 6, on the other hand, is the more versatile, training-oriented option. Think of it as a more approachable alternative to a race-day super shoe: it still has a carbon plate, but it's sandwiched between a layer of PEBA-based Zoom X foam on top, and an EVA-based foam beneath, offering more support but less pop than the Vaporfly 4 over short distances. That said, it's still plenty efficient and excels at tempo runs and intervals, and can even hold its own in half- to full-marathon racing. If the Vaporfly is the dedicated, short-distance, speed-focused super shoe, then the Zoom Fly 6 is the more versatile super trainer.
The Nike Streakfly 2 and the Nike Vaporfly 4 are both lightweight racing shoes from the Oregon-based brand, but they're tuned for very different purposes. The Streakfly 2 is lighter and lower to the ground, designed for all-out efforts over shorter distances, such as the 5K or 10K. It delivers a firmer, more direct feel underfoot, with a sharp forefoot rocker that rewards fast turnover but offers limited protection for longer efforts. The Vaporfly 4, by contrast, is more versatile and better suited to mid-distance racing from 10K up to the half-marathon. It carries more stack height, providing greater cushioning and protection while still maintaining a snappy, efficient ride, with a carbon plate that's stiffer than the Streakfly's thin, flexible plate.
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 somewhat 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 snappier ride, making it a more aggressive option best suited for shorter distances.
The adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 and Nike Vaporfly 4 are both elite super shoes, but they feel optimized for different races. The adidas leans more toward long-distance racing, pairing a highly bouncy, plush midsole with carbon rods to keep the ride cushioned and efficient as fatigue builds over longer efforts. The Nike shoe shifts the focus toward shorter, faster racing, feeling lighter and lower to the ground, with a snappier, more responsive sensation that suits 5K and 10K racing particularly well. It can still work up to the half-marathon if you're efficient and don't rely on extra cushioning.
The PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4 and Nike Vaporfly 4 are two very light super shoes, but they feel optimized for different racing needs. The Nike is lower-stacked and lighter, with a firmer forefoot that creates a more classic, snappy racing feel and better ground connection, making it better suited to shorter, faster efforts than long-distance protection. The PUMA is still very light, but its foam feels more forgiving and protective, giving it a more comfortable ride across a wider range of race distances.
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 Nike is significantly lighter and geared toward runners prioritizing absolute performance and efficiency, especially over half-marathon distances. The Saucony, while heavier, provides more stability, and it has a firmer forefoot that delivers a snappier toe-off.
The Nike Vaporfly 4 and Brooks Hyperion Elite 5 almost feel like long-lost cousins that might share a common ancestor in the early Vaporflys. In some ways, the Brooks feels closer to those early Vaporflys, with its snug, sock-like fit, while the Nike shoe's upper has undergone a significant makeover since the Nike Vaporfly 3. The more streamlined design and significantly lower weight also make this shoe seem like the more highly evolved super shoe. In its quest for greater efficiency, the Nike shoe has arguably become more specialized, but less versatile. It's a standout choice for shorter races, but it's less optimal for marathons. The Brooks might be a step behind the Nike in a 10k to half-marathon, but thanks to better stability and cushioning, the Brooks shoe could overtake the Nike one in the marathon.
The Nike Vaporfly 4 and the PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 3 are both super shoes optimized for events like a half-marathon, offering lightweight builds and responsive rides. The Nike shoe is significantly lighter, which can translate to better running economy and overall efficiency on race day. Meanwhile, the Puma features a roomier toe box, making it more accommodating and more comfortable for longer distances, like the full marathon. Both shoes have limited stability, but the Nike is slightly better in that aspect.
The ASICS METASPEED SKY PARIS and the Nike Vaporfly 4 are both elite-level racing shoes built for efficiency and speed, but they deliver their performance in slightly different ways. The Nike shoe is lighter, which can offer an edge in running economy. Both shoes have a snug, race-ready fit, but the Nike has a more standard length, whereas the ASICS runs a bit short. Underfoot, the Nike uses a sharply angled carbon plate embedded deep within the ZoomX foam for a bouncy, rolling transition. In contrast, the ASICS shoe positions its plate closer to the foot and more parallel through the midsole, resulting in a snappy toe-off.
The Nike Vaporfly 4 is the torchbearer for the oldest super shoe lineage, while the Mizuno Hyperwarp Pure is a relative newcomer to the game. The Nike feels about as old-school as a modern super shoe can, with a steeper heel-to-toe drop and a ZoomX midsole that stands out for its firmness in this era of superfoams. That rigidity, plus the full-length carbon plate, does give the Nike shoe a lot of snap, although that can start to feel more like bite over long distances. The Mizuno, despite being lower stacked, has better cushioning throughout, and its carbon plate ends just before the toes, leaving a noticeably soft spot in the midsole. Both shoes feel optimized for distances from 5K to 10K, but could go up to a half-marathon. The Nike shoe has a much narrower platform, so runners who are concerned about lateral stability would feel more sure-footed in the Mizuno.
The adidas Adizero Takumi Sen 11 and Nike Vaporfly 4 are both snappy racers built for shorter-distance speed, but they deliver that speed with a different feel underfoot. The Nike comes in lighter while still keeping a moderate stack, giving it a very quick, responsive sensation that works especially well for 5K and 10K efforts when you want a fast turnover without feeling overly tall. The adidas sits even closer to the ground and uses rods instead of a plate. Both feel very snappy, but the adidas tends to feel more stable and slightly more energetic in how it returns effort.
The Nike Vaporfly 4 and the ASICS METASPEED EDGE PARIS are both lightweight carbon-plated racers built for performance, but they deliver different sensations underfoot. The Nike is noticeably lighter, giving it an edge in terms of efficiency at race pace. The Nike shoe has a lower stack height, so it feels closer to the ground. Also, the Nike model's forefoot is firmer, providing a crisp, direct toe-off that some runners find more responsive. The ASICS, by contrast, offers a slightly softer and more balanced feel overall, with a smoother rocker and a more stable platform.
The Nike Vaporfly 4 and Brooks Hyperion Elite 6 are two super shoes that have different optimal distances for racing. The Vaporfly, with its ultra-lightweight build and lower stack height, is best suited to racing distances from the 5K up to the half-marathon; beyond that, the exceptionally firm forefoot starts to feel harsh and the cushioning inadequate. The Hyperion Elite 6 is a better choice for longer distances, up to the marathon, thanks to a taller stack of softer, bouncier foam.
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. There's also a Light Trails colorway, inspired by streaks of moving lights, that glows in the dark. 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.
