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Tested using Methodology v0.16
Updated Sep 29, 2026 08:22 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
39.5 mm
Weight
157.3 g (5.55 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
4.7 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
ASICS METASPEED SKY TOKYO
Nike Alphafly 4
The ASICS METASPEED SKY TOKYO is the better overall racing shoe than the Nike Alphafly 4. It's noticeably lighter, returns more energy, and feels quicker when you push off, making it a strong choice across shorter and longer races. The Nike has a softer feel and more protection under the forefoot, particularly late in a marathon. At similar prices, choose the ASICS if you prioritize low weight and a quicker response; choose the Nike only if you prefer extra protection over long distances.
Variants
- METASPEED SKY TOKYO (Flash Red/Black - (Men - US 9))
- METASPEED SKY TOKYO (Flash Red/Black - (Women - US 7))
- 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
8.5
8.4
Weight
9.2
8.5
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
7.6
8.8
Full Comparison
Design
Weight
9.2
8.5
Right Shoe Weight Photo
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Left Shoe Weight Photo
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Weight
157.3 g (5.55 oz)
187.1 g (6.60 oz)
Stack Heights
Stack Height Photo
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Heel Stack Height
39.5 mm
39.8 mm
Forefoot Stack Height
34.8 mm
32.4 mm
Heel-To-Toe Drop
4.7 mm
7.4 mm
Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop
5.0 mm
8.0 mm
External Shape
3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Outsole Heel Width
75 mm (3.0")
89 mm (3.5")
Outsole Arch Width
72 mm (2.8")
71 mm (2.8")
Outsole Forefoot Width
106 mm (4.2")
118 mm (4.6")
Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio
1.90
2.20
Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio
3.05
3.38
Internal Shape
3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Internal Length
266 mm (10.5")
276 mm (10.9")
Internal Heel Width
56 mm (2.2")
60 mm (2.4")
Internal Forefoot Width
90 mm (3.5")
93 mm (3.7")
Wide Sizing Available
No
No
Forefoot Fit: Width
7.4
8.7
Forefoot Width Photo
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Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation
-3.2 mm (-0.126")
-1.6 mm (-0.064")
Toe TTS Deviation
-5.2 mm (-0.204")
-3.5 mm (-0.137")
Forefoot Fit: Height
10
6.7
Forefoot Height Photo
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Toe TTS Deviation
3.4 mm (0.135")
-4.0 mm (-0.157")
Arch Fit: Width
7.2
6.6
Arch Fit Photo
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Arch Width TTS Deviation
-4.4 mm (-0.171")
-5.2 mm (-0.203")
Length Fit
7.0
7.0
Toe Clearance Photo
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Heel Rocker Geometry
3.9
5.9
Heel Rocker Photo
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Heel Spring
10 mm (0.4")
14 mm (0.6")
Heel Apex Position
11.4%
18.5%
Heel Rocker Angle
17.9°
15.6°
Forefoot Rocker Geometry
7.5
7.2
Forefoot Rocker Photo
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Toe Spring
52 mm (2.0")
48 mm (1.9")
Toe Apex Position
69.4%
63.1%
Forefoot Rocker Angle
32.1°
25.6°
Foam
Primary Foam Picture
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Secondary Foam Picture
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Primary Foam Name
FF LEAP
ZoomX LT
Primary Foam Type
A-TPU
PEBA
Secondary Foam Name
FF TURBO PLUS
ZoomX
Secondary Foam Type
PEBA
PEBA
Laces
Laces Picture
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Lace Type
Sawtooth
Sawtooth
Width
4.0 mm (0.2")
5.0 mm (0.2")
Thickness
1.1 mm (0.0")
1.3 mm (0.1")
Stretch
5.0%
8.5%
Breathability
9.0
7.5
Breathability Video
Upper Breathability
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Upper Microscope Photo
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Time-To-Dry
9.1
9.4
Time-To-Dry Timelapse
Time-To-Dry Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Time To 30% Dry
3.3 hrs
3.3 hrs
Time To 70% Dry
11.0 hrs
8.6 hrs
Time To Dry
17.0 hrs
14.0 hrs
Water Absorption
9.3
9.4
Dry Weight Photo
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Wet Weight Photo
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Water Absorbed
28.3%
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
8.9
8.5
Heel Compression Video
Heel Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Energy Return
86.7%
83.9%
Forefoot Compression Energy Return
9.0
8.6
Forefoot Compression Video
Forefoot Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Energy Return
87.9%
84.9%
Heel Cushioning
8.3
8.4
Heel Cushioning Picture
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Heel Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 550N
4.19 J
4.38 J
Energy Absorbed At 1100N
10.06 J
10.18 J
Energy Absorbed At 1900N
16.15 J
16.38 J
Forefoot Cushioning
8.4
9.0
Forefoot Cushioning Picture
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Forefoot Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 800N
5.26 J
5.68 J
Energy Absorbed At 1300N
9.05 J
10.11 J
Energy Absorbed At 2050N
13.77 J
15.29 J
Heel Firmness
6.0
5.5
Heel Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 550N
34.3 N/mm
32.1 N/mm
Firmness At 1100N
46.7 N/mm
44.8 N/mm
Firmness At 1900N
68.4 N/mm
65.8 N/mm
Forefoot Firmness
6.1
5.0
Forefoot Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 800N
49.5 N/mm
46.3 N/mm
Firmness At 1300N
65.4 N/mm
60.1 N/mm
Firmness At 2050N
90 N/mm
83 N/mm
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
7.6
8.8
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 10km
8.28 J
9.87 J
Energy Absorbed At 20km
8.10 J
9.75 J
Energy Absorbed At 30km
7.99 J
9.68 J
Energy Absorbed At 40km
7.93 J
9.62 J
Rocker Stiffness
7.5
6.7
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Force To Flatten The Rocker
99 N
77 N
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
8.7
8.1
Forefoot Bending Video
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
77.7%
72.3%
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
8.4
8.4
Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture
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Forefoot Bending Resistance
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
25.7 N/mm
29.1 N/mm
Forefoot Bending Force
317 N
292 N
Heel Compression Depth
7.1
7.5
Heel Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Compression At 550N
16.1 mm
17.2 mm
Heel Compression At 1100N
23.6 mm
24.6 mm
Heel Compression At 1900N
27.8 mm
28.9 mm
Forefoot Compression Depth
6.8
7.3
Forefoot Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Compression At 800N
16.2 mm
17.3 mm
Forefoot Compression At 1300N
19.9 mm
21.6 mm
Forefoot Compression At 2050N
22.8 mm
24.8 mm
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ASICS METASPEED SKY TOKYO
Nike Alphafly 4
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ASICS METASPEED SKY TOKYO vs Nike Alphafly 4: Main Discussion
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