Products
Tested using Methodology v0.16
Updated Sep 23, 2026 02:08 PM
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Amazon
Tested using Methodology v0.16
Updated Oct 16, 2026 06:00 PM
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Nike.com
Heel Stack Height
39.8 mm
Weight
200.7 g (7.08 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
6.4 mm
Plate
Carbon Fiber
Heel Stack Height
39.8 mm
Weight
187.1 g (6.60 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
7.4 mm
Plate
Carbon Fiber
Our Verdict
Nike Alphafly 3
Nike Alphafly 4
The Nike Alphafly 4 is the better choice for marathon racing than the Nike Alphafly 3. It's lighter, softer, and more protective, with stronger energy return to help you maintain your pace as the race goes on. However, the Alphafly 3 is firmer, more stable, and feels more immediate when you push off, making it a better fit for shorter races or runners who dislike a soft ride. For those reasons, a discounted Alphafly 3 remains a good buy.
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 4 (Sea Glass/Laser Crimson/Phantom/Burgundy Ash - (Men - US 9))
- Alphafly 4 (Sea Glass/Laser Crimson/Phantom/Burgundy Ash - (Women - US 7))
Main Differences for
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Threshold
Half/Full Marathon Racing
8.2
8.4
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
7.8
8.8
Weight
8.1
8.5
Full Comparison
Design
Weight
8.1
8.5
Right Shoe Weight Photo
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Left Shoe Weight Photo
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Weight
200.7 g (7.08 oz)
187.1 g (6.60 oz)
Stack Heights
Stack Height Photo
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Heel Stack Height
39.8 mm
39.8 mm
Forefoot Stack Height
33.4 mm
32.4 mm
Heel-To-Toe Drop
6.4 mm
7.4 mm
Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.0 mm
8.0 mm
External Shape
3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Outsole Heel Width
91 mm (3.6")
89 mm (3.5")
Outsole Arch Width
68 mm (2.7")
71 mm (2.8")
Outsole Forefoot Width
116 mm (4.6")
118 mm (4.6")
Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio
2.29
2.20
Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio
3.47
3.38
Internal Shape
3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Internal Length
273 mm (10.7")
276 mm (10.9")
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
Forefoot Fit: Width
9.4
8.7
Forefoot Width Photo
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Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation
-0.8 mm (-0.032")
-1.6 mm (-0.064")
Toe TTS Deviation
-2.2 mm (-0.087")
-3.5 mm (-0.137")
Forefoot Fit: Height
9.7
6.7
Forefoot Height Photo
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Toe TTS Deviation
-0.8 mm (-0.030")
-4.0 mm (-0.157")
Arch Fit: Width
6.2
6.6
Arch Fit Photo
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Arch Width TTS Deviation
-5.6 mm (-0.219")
-5.2 mm (-0.203")
Length Fit
10
7.0
Toe Clearance Photo
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Heel Rocker Geometry
6.6
5.9
Heel Rocker Photo
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Heel Spring
16 mm (0.6")
14 mm (0.6")
Heel Apex Position
15.3%
18.5%
Heel Rocker Angle
21.3°
15.6°
Forefoot Rocker Geometry
6.7
7.2
Forefoot Rocker Photo
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Toe Spring
45 mm (1.8")
48 mm (1.9")
Toe Apex Position
66.4%
63.1%
Forefoot Rocker Angle
26.6°
25.6°
Foam
Primary Foam Picture
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Secondary Foam Picture
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Primary Foam Name
ZoomX
ZoomX LT
Primary Foam Type
PEBA
PEBA
Secondary Foam Name
No Secondary Foam
ZoomX
Secondary Foam Type
No Secondary Foam
PEBA
Laces
Laces Picture
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Lace Type
Sawtooth
Sawtooth
Width
6.0 mm (0.2")
5.0 mm (0.2")
Thickness
1.2 mm (0.0")
1.3 mm (0.1")
Stretch
10.5%
8.5%
Breathability
7.5
7.5
Breathability Video
Upper Breathability
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Upper Microscope Photo
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Time-To-Dry
8.1
9.4
Time-To-Dry Timelapse
Time-To-Dry Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Time To 30% Dry
5.1 hrs
3.3 hrs
Time To 70% Dry
14.9 hrs
8.6 hrs
Time To Dry
24.3 hrs
14.0 hrs
Water Absorption
8.4
9.4
Dry Weight Photo
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Wet Weight Photo
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Water Absorbed
35.6%
26.2%
Other Features
Other Features Photo
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Tongue Gusset Type
Non-gusseted
Non-gusseted
Plate
Carbon Fiber
Carbon Fiber
Performance
Heel Compression Energy Return
8.2
8.5
Heel Compression Video
Heel Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Energy Return
82.0%
83.9%
Forefoot Compression Energy Return
8.2
8.6
Forefoot Compression Video
Forefoot Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Energy Return
82.2%
84.9%
Heel Cushioning
7.6
8.4
Heel Cushioning Picture
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Heel Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 550N
3.82 J
4.38 J
Energy Absorbed At 1100N
9.18 J
10.18 J
Energy Absorbed At 1900N
14.96 J
16.38 J
Forefoot Cushioning
8.0
9.0
Forefoot Cushioning Picture
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Forefoot Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 800N
4.68 J
5.68 J
Energy Absorbed At 1300N
8.55 J
10.11 J
Energy Absorbed At 2050N
13.10 J
15.29 J
Heel Firmness
7.4
5.5
Heel Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 550N
38.8 N/mm
32.1 N/mm
Firmness At 1100N
52.3 N/mm
44.8 N/mm
Firmness At 1900N
75.9 N/mm
65.8 N/mm
Forefoot Firmness
7.9
5.0
Forefoot Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 800N
57.0 N/mm
46.3 N/mm
Firmness At 1300N
73.1 N/mm
60.1 N/mm
Firmness At 2050N
99 N/mm
83 N/mm
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
7.8
8.8
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 10km
8.41 J
9.87 J
Energy Absorbed At 20km
8.33 J
9.75 J
Energy Absorbed At 30km
8.27 J
9.68 J
Energy Absorbed At 40km
8.24 J
9.62 J
Rocker Stiffness
7.9
6.7
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Force To Flatten The Rocker
117 N
77 N
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
8.0
8.1
Forefoot Bending Video
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
71.3%
72.3%
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
9.5
8.4
Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture
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Forefoot Bending Resistance
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
41.6 N/mm
29.1 N/mm
Forefoot Bending Force
484 N
292 N
Heel Compression Depth
6.3
7.5
Heel Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Compression At 550N
14.2 mm
17.2 mm
Heel Compression At 1100N
21.0 mm
24.6 mm
Heel Compression At 1900N
25.0 mm
28.9 mm
Forefoot Compression Depth
6.1
7.3
Forefoot Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Compression At 800N
14.0 mm
17.3 mm
Forefoot Compression At 1300N
17.8 mm
21.6 mm
Forefoot Compression At 2050N
20.6 mm
24.8 mm
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Nike Alphafly 3
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Nike Alphafly 3 vs Nike Alphafly 4: Main Discussion
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