Nike Alphafly 3 vs adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

Nike Alphafly 3
adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4

Tested using Methodology v0.9

Updated Oct 17, 2025 07:42 PM

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Nike.com

Tested using Methodology v0.9

Updated Nov 24, 2025 06:08 PM

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Adidas.com
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  2. Nike
  1. Recommended in 4 articles:
  2. Running Shoes
  3. For Men
  4. For Women
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Our Verdict

Nike Alphafly 3

adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4

The adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 and Nike Alphafly 3 are both elite-level racing shoes built for long-distance performance, but they deliver distinctly different experiences. The adidas shoe offers slightly better energy return and more cushioning, making it especially well-suited for marathon racing. The Nike shoe, while also a strong long-distance option, has a firmer forefoot, thanks to its Zoom Air pods, which give it the edge for shorter events like 5Ks or 10Ks. It's also more stable laterally, offering a bit more confidence.

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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))
  • Adizero Adios Pro 4 (Cloud White/Core Black/Silver Mettalic - (Women - US 7))
  • Adizero Adios Pro 4 (Grey Two/Lucid Red/Grey - (Women - US 7))
  • Adizero Adios Pro 4 (Silver Metallic/Lucid Red/Grey - (Men - US 9))

Main Differences for
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 

8.5
8.7

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

8.2
8.9

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

8.1
8.2

Right Shoe Weight Photo  

Left Shoe Weight Photo  

Weight 
 

200.7 g (7.08 oz)
197.5 g (6.97 oz)
Show Text 

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo  

Heel Stack Height 
 

39.8 mm
39.5 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

33.4 mm
32.5 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

6.4 mm
7.0 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")
82 mm (3.2")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

68 mm (2.7")
54 mm (2.1")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

116 mm (4.6")
118 mm (4.7")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

2.29
2.08

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

3.47
3.63

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Internal Length 
 

273 mm (10.7")
275 mm (10.8")

Internal Heel Width 
 

59 mm (2.3")
60 mm (2.4")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

90 mm (3.5")
93 mm (3.7")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Other Features  

Other Features Photo  

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Non-gusseted
Semi-gusseted

Plate 
 

Carbon Fiber
Carbon Fiber Rods
Show Text 
Performance

Heel Energy Return 
 

8.2
8.7

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

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See details

Heel Energy Return 
 

82.0%
85.6%
Show Text 

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

8.2
8.9

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

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See details

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

82.2%
87.0%
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Heel Cushioning 
 

7.6
8.1

Heel Cushioning Picture  

Heel Cushioning  

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See details

Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

3.82 J
4.43 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

9.18 J
9.88 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

14.96 J
14.98 J
Show Text 

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

8.0
7.8

Forefoot Cushioning Picture  

Forefoot Cushioning  

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See details

Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

4.68 J
5.22 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

8.55 J
8.47 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

13.10 J
11.63 J
Show Text 

Heel Firmness 
 

5.9
6.1

Heel Firmness  

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See details

Firmness At 550N 
 

49.4 N/mm
46.7 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

129.6 N/mm
135.2 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

277.3 N/mm
344.3 N/mm
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Forefoot Firmness 
 

7.4
8.4

Forefoot Firmness  

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See details

Firmness At 800N 
 

103.1 N/mm
105.5 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

170.1 N/mm
239.4 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

370.8 N/mm
560.0 N/mm
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Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

7.8
7.0

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

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See details

Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

8.41 J
7.59 J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

8.33 J
7.44 J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

8.27 J
7.34 J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

8.24 J
7.28 J
Show Text 

Nike Alphafly 3

adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4

Comments

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