Nike Alphafly 3 vs Nike Zoom Fly 6

The Nike Zoom Fly 6 and the Nike Alphafly 3 share visual similarities and core components, but they serve very different purposes. The Alphafly 3 is Nike's flagship marathon racer, built for maximum efficiency and propulsion with Zoom Air pods, a full ZoomX midsole, and a lighter overall weight. It’s designed to feel explosive and energetic at race pace, offering a uniquely spring-loaded forefoot that shines in long-distance racing. In contrast, the Zoom Fly 6 is a more accessible, training-focused take on that formula, featuring only a thin top layer of ZoomX over a firmer SR-02 carrier foam, resulting in a more muted and less responsive ride. It's also noticeably heavier and better suited for steady long runs or marathon-pace workouts. While the Alphafly 3 feels refined and race-ready, the Zoom Fly 6 is more durable and a safer introduction to plated shoes, especially for runners not yet ready to jump into a super shoe racer. That said, the gap in performance is significant—if you're chasing personal bests on race day, the Alphafly 3 is in a different class altogether.