Nike Alphafly 3 vs ASICS METASPEED SKY PARIS

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

Nike Alphafly 3
ASICS METASPEED SKY PARIS

Tested using Methodology v0.9

Updated Nov 03, 2025 05:03 PM

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Nike.com

Tested using Methodology v0.8.2

Updated Oct 24, 2025 01:47 PM

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Asics.com
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Our Verdict

Nike Alphafly 3

ASICS METASPEED SKY PARIS

The Nike Alphafly 3 and the ASICS METASPEED SKY PARIS are both top-tier super shoes, but they deliver very different sensations underfoot. The Alphafly 3 is heavier, but it offers a bit more overall cushioning, making it a better option for runners who value long-distance protection and impact absorption. That said, it still features some firmness in the forefoot, thanks to its distinctive Air Pods. In contrast, the ASICS is lighter, with a more direct and snappy ride that favors runners who prefer ground contact and sharp transitions, making it more specialized for shorter races.

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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))
  • METASPEED SKY PARIS (Illuminate Mint/Black - (Men - US 9))
  • METASPEED SKY PARIS (Illuminate Mint/Black - (Women - US 7))
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Main Differences for
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 
 

8.5
8.5

Weight  

8.1
8.8

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

8.1
8.8

Right Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Nike Alphafly 3 Right Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS METASPEED SKY PARIS Right Shoe Weight Photo

Left Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Nike Alphafly 3 Left Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS METASPEED SKY PARIS Left Shoe Weight Photo

Weight 
 

200.7 g (7.08 oz)
176.6 g (6.23 oz)
Show Text 

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Nike Alphafly 3 Stack Height Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS METASPEED SKY PARIS Stack Height Photo

Heel Stack Height 
 

39.8 mm
39.2 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

33.4 mm
34.4 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

6.4 mm
4.8 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

8.0 mm
5.0 mm

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

Preview 3D
Nike Alphafly 3 3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
ASICS METASPEED SKY PARIS 3D Model Full Shoe

Outsole Heel Width 
 

91 mm (3.6")
74 mm (2.9")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

68 mm (2.7")
56 mm (2.2")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

116 mm (4.6")
101 mm (4.0")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

2.29
1.89

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

3.47
2.94

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Preview 3D
Nike Alphafly 3 3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
ASICS METASPEED SKY PARIS 3D Model Internal

Internal Length 
 

273 mm (10.7")
260 mm (10.2")

Internal Heel Width 
 

59 mm (2.3")
49 mm (1.9")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

90 mm (3.5")
83 mm (3.3")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Other Features  

Other Features Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Nike Alphafly 3 Other Features Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS METASPEED SKY PARIS Other Features Photo

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Non-gusseted
Non-gusseted

Plate 
 

Carbon Fiber
Carbon Fiber
Show Text 
Performance

Heel Energy Return 
 

8.2
7.8

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
Nike Alphafly 3 Heel Energy Return
 Preview Graph
ASICS METASPEED SKY PARIS Heel Energy Return

Heel Energy Return 
 

82.0%
79.7%
Show Text 

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

8.2
8.5

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
Nike Alphafly 3 Forefoot Energy Return
 Preview Graph
ASICS METASPEED SKY PARIS Forefoot Energy Return

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

82.2%
84.0%
Show Text 

Heel Cushioning 
 

7.6
7.5

Heel Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Nike Alphafly 3 Heel Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
ASICS METASPEED SKY PARIS Heel Cushioning Picture

Heel Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
Nike Alphafly 3 Heel Cushioning
 Preview Graph
ASICS METASPEED SKY PARIS Heel Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

3.82 J
3.30 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

9.18 J
9.30 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

14.96 J
15.81 J
Show Text 

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

8.0
8.0

Forefoot Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Nike Alphafly 3 Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
ASICS METASPEED SKY PARIS Forefoot Cushioning Picture

Forefoot Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
Nike Alphafly 3 Forefoot Cushioning
 Preview Graph
ASICS METASPEED SKY PARIS Forefoot Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

4.68 J
4.69 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

8.55 J
8.45 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

13.10 J
13.22 J
Show Text 

Heel Firmness 
 

5.9
5.6

Heel Firmness  

 Preview Graph
Nike Alphafly 3 Heel Firmness
 Preview Graph
ASICS METASPEED SKY PARIS Heel Firmness

Firmness At 550N 
 

49.4 N/mm
51.2 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

129.6 N/mm
112.8 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

277.3 N/mm
247.5 N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Firmness 
 

7.4
7.3

Forefoot Firmness  

 Preview Graph
Nike Alphafly 3 Forefoot Firmness
 Preview Graph
ASICS METASPEED SKY PARIS Forefoot Firmness

Firmness At 800N 
 

103.1 N/mm
101.4 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

170.1 N/mm
179.9 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

370.8 N/mm
332.0 N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

7.8

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
Nike Alphafly 3 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

8.41 J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

8.33 J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

8.27 J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

8.24 J
Show Text 

Nike Alphafly 3

ASICS METASPEED SKY PARIS

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