Products
Tested using Methodology v0.15
Updated Jul 16, 2026 02:23 PM
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Nike.com
Tested using Methodology v0.10
Updated May 20, 2026 03:39 PM
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DicksSportingGoods.com
Weight
200.7 g (7.08 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
6.4 mm
Plate
Carbon Fiber
Weight
160.5 g (5.66 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.8 mm
Plate
Carbon Fiber
Our Verdict
Nike Alphafly 3
Nike Vaporfly 4
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.
Variants
- Alphafly 3 (Black/Olive Aura/Metallic Silver - (Men - US 9))
- Alphafly 3 (Bright Crimson/Lime Blast/Mint Foam/Cave Purple - (Men - US 9))
- Vaporfly 4 (Bright Crimson/Mint Foam/Cave Purple/Lime Blast - (Men - US 9))
- Vaporfly 4 (Bright Crimson/Mint Foam/Cave Purple/Lime Blast - (Women - US 7))
Main Differences for
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Threshold
Half/Full Marathon Racing
8.2
7.4
Forefoot Stack Height
33.4 mm
26.4 mm
Plate
Carbon Fiber
Carbon Fiber
Heel Stack Height
39.8 mm
35.1 mm
Weight
8.1
9.1
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
7.8
5.8
Full Comparison
Design
Weight
8.1
9.1
Right Shoe Weight Photo
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Left Shoe Weight Photo
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Weight
200.7 g (7.08 oz)
160.5 g (5.66 oz)
Stack Heights
Stack Height Photo
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Heel Stack Height
39.8 mm
35.1 mm
Forefoot Stack Height
33.4 mm
26.4 mm
Heel-To-Toe Drop
6.4 mm
8.8 mm
Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.0 mm
6.0 mm
External Shape
3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Outsole Heel Width
91 mm (3.6")
75 mm (3.0")
Outsole Arch Width
68 mm (2.7")
50 mm (2.0")
Outsole Forefoot Width
116 mm (4.6")
108 mm (4.3")
Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio
2.29
2.13
Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio
3.47
3.84
Internal Shape
3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Internal Length
273 mm (10.7")
271 mm (10.7")
Internal Heel Width
59 mm (2.3")
60 mm (2.4")
Internal Forefoot Width
90 mm (3.5")
92 mm (3.6")
Wide Sizing Available
No
No
Forefoot Fit: Width
9.4
8.6
Forefoot Width Photo
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Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation
-0.8 mm (-0.032")
-3.4 mm (-0.134")
Toe TTS Deviation
-2.2 mm (-0.087")
0.8 mm (0.032")
Forefoot Fit: Height
9.7
9.7
Forefoot Height Photo
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Toe TTS Deviation
-0.8 mm (-0.030")
-0.8 mm (-0.032")
Arch Fit: Width
6.2
6.7
Arch Fit Photo
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Arch Width TTS Deviation
-5.6 mm (-0.219")
-5.0 mm (-0.196")
Length Fit
10
7.0
Toe Clearance Photo
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Heel Rocker Geometry
6.6
Heel Rocker Photo
Heel Spring
16 mm (0.6")
Heel Apex Position
15.3%
Heel Rocker Angle
21.3°
Forefoot Rocker Geometry
6.7
Forefoot Rocker Photo
Toe Spring
45 mm (1.8")
Toe Apex Position
66.4%
Forefoot Rocker Angle
26.6°
Foam
Primary Foam Picture
Secondary Foam Picture
Primary Foam Name
ZoomX
Primary Foam Type
PEBA
Secondary Foam Name
N/A
Secondary Foam Type
N/A
Laces
Laces Picture
Lace Type
Sawtooth
Width
6.0 mm (0.2")
Thickness
1.2 mm (0.0")
Stretch
10.5%
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
8.6
Heel Compression Video
Heel Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Energy Return
82.0%
84.4%
Forefoot Compression Energy Return
8.2
8.3
Forefoot Compression Video
Forefoot Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Energy Return
82.2%
82.6%
Heel Cushioning
7.6
6.4
Heel Cushioning Picture
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Heel Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 550N
3.82 J
3.64 J
Energy Absorbed At 1100N
9.18 J
8.00 J
Energy Absorbed At 1900N
14.96 J
12.32 J
Forefoot Cushioning
8.0
6.2
Forefoot Cushioning Picture
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Forefoot Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 800N
4.68 J
4.09 J
Energy Absorbed At 1300N
8.55 J
6.59 J
Energy Absorbed At 2050N
13.10 J
9.46 J
Heel Firmness
7.4
7.3
Heel Firmness
Preview Graph
Heel Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 550N
38.8 N/mm
59.3 N/mm
Firmness At 1100N
52.3 N/mm
167.7 N/mm
Firmness At 1900N
75.9 N/mm
383.4 N/mm
Forefoot Firmness
7.9
9.0
Forefoot Firmness
Preview Graph
Forefoot Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 800N
57.0 N/mm
141.4 N/mm
Firmness At 1300N
73.1 N/mm
293.3 N/mm
Firmness At 2050N
99 N/mm
555.3 N/mm
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
7.8
5.8
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 10km
8.41 J
6.30 J
Energy Absorbed At 20km
8.33 J
6.19 J
Energy Absorbed At 30km
8.27 J
6.11 J
Energy Absorbed At 40km
8.24 J
6.06 J
Rocker Stiffness
7.9
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph
Preview Graph
Force To Flatten The Rocker
117 N
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
8.0
Forefoot Bending Video
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
71.3%
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
9.5
Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture
Forefoot Bending Resistance
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
41.6 N/mm
Forefoot Bending Force
484 N
Heel Compression Depth
6.3
Heel Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Compression At 550N
14.2 mm
Heel Compression At 1100N
21.0 mm
Heel Compression At 1900N
25.0 mm
Forefoot Compression Depth
6.1
Forefoot Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Compression At 800N
14.0 mm
Forefoot Compression At 1300N
17.8 mm
Forefoot Compression At 2050N
20.6 mm
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Nike Alphafly 3
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