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Tested using Methodology v0.16
Updated Sep 23, 2026 01:40 PM
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DicksSportingGoods.com
Tested using Methodology v0.16
Updated Oct 16, 2026 06:00 PM
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Nike.com
Heel Stack Height
35.1 mm
Weight
160.5 g (5.66 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.8 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 Vaporfly 4
Nike Alphafly 4
The Nike Alphafly 4 is a better choice for longer races than the Nike Vaporfly 4, which is better suited to shorter distances. The Alphafly offers substantially more protection and a softer, deeper bounce, helping keep your feet comfortable late in a marathon. The trade-off is extra weight and a less immediate response when you push off. The Vaporfly feels lighter, firmer, and quicker underfoot, making it the stronger option for fast 5K and 10K races.
Variants
- 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))
- 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
7.2
8.4
Forefoot Stack Height
26.4 mm
32.4 mm
Heel Stack Height
35.1 mm
39.8 mm
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
5.8
8.8
Weight
9.1
8.5
Outsole Arch Width
50 mm (2.0")
71 mm (2.8")
Full Comparison
Design
Weight
9.1
8.5
Right Shoe Weight Photo
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Left Shoe Weight Photo
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Weight
160.5 g (5.66 oz)
187.1 g (6.60 oz)
Stack Heights
Stack Height Photo
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Heel Stack Height
35.1 mm
39.8 mm
Forefoot Stack Height
26.4 mm
32.4 mm
Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.8 mm
7.4 mm
Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop
6.0 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
50 mm (2.0")
71 mm (2.8")
Outsole Forefoot Width
108 mm (4.3")
118 mm (4.6")
Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio
2.13
2.20
Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio
3.84
3.38
Internal Shape
3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Internal Length
271 mm (10.7")
276 mm (10.9")
Internal Heel Width
60 mm (2.4")
60 mm (2.4")
Internal Forefoot Width
92 mm (3.6")
93 mm (3.7")
Wide Sizing Available
No
No
Forefoot Fit: Width
8.6
8.7
Forefoot Width Photo
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Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation
-3.4 mm (-0.134")
-1.6 mm (-0.064")
Toe TTS Deviation
0.8 mm (0.032")
-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 (-0.032")
-4.0 mm (-0.157")
Arch Fit: Width
6.7
6.6
Arch Fit Photo
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Arch Width TTS Deviation
-5.0 mm (-0.196")
-5.2 mm (-0.203")
Length Fit
7.0
7.0
Toe Clearance Photo
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Heel Rocker Geometry
7.5
5.9
Heel Rocker Photo
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Heel Spring
20 mm (0.8")
14 mm (0.6")
Heel Apex Position
18.1%
18.5%
Heel Rocker Angle
21.8°
15.6°
Forefoot Rocker Geometry
6.8
7.2
Forefoot Rocker Photo
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Toe Spring
46 mm (1.8")
48 mm (1.9")
Toe Apex Position
60.1%
63.1%
Forefoot Rocker Angle
22.7°
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
Flat
Sawtooth
Width
4.0 mm (0.2")
5.0 mm (0.2")
Thickness
1.6 mm (0.1")
1.3 mm (0.1")
Stretch
20.0%
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
9.7
9.4
Time-To-Dry Timelapse
Time-To-Dry Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Time To 30% Dry
2.7 hrs
3.3 hrs
Time To 70% Dry
6.7 hrs
8.6 hrs
Time To Dry
11.8 hrs
14.0 hrs
Water Absorption
9.6
9.4
Dry Weight Photo
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Wet Weight Photo
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Water Absorbed
23.3%
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
8.6
8.5
Heel Compression Video
Heel Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Energy Return
84.4%
83.9%
Forefoot Compression Energy Return
8.3
8.6
Forefoot Compression Video
Forefoot Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Energy Return
82.6%
84.9%
Heel Cushioning
6.4
8.4
Heel Cushioning Picture
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Heel Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 550N
3.64 J
4.38 J
Energy Absorbed At 1100N
8.00 J
10.18 J
Energy Absorbed At 1900N
12.32 J
16.38 J
Forefoot Cushioning
6.2
9.0
Forefoot Cushioning Picture
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Forefoot Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 800N
4.09 J
5.68 J
Energy Absorbed At 1300N
6.59 J
10.11 J
Energy Absorbed At 2050N
9.46 J
15.29 J
Heel Firmness
7.8
5.5
Heel Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 550N
38.4 N/mm
32.1 N/mm
Firmness At 1100N
55.3 N/mm
44.8 N/mm
Firmness At 1900N
82.9 N/mm
65.8 N/mm
Forefoot Firmness
8.8
5.0
Forefoot Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 800N
60.8 N/mm
46.3 N/mm
Firmness At 1300N
83.3 N/mm
60.1 N/mm
Firmness At 2050N
118 N/mm
83 N/mm
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
5.8
8.8
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 10km
6.30 J
9.87 J
Energy Absorbed At 20km
6.19 J
9.75 J
Energy Absorbed At 30km
6.11 J
9.68 J
Energy Absorbed At 40km
6.06 J
9.62 J
Rocker Stiffness
6.9
6.7
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Force To Flatten The Rocker
83 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
78.1%
72.3%
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
8.5
8.4
Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture
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Forefoot Bending Resistance
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
28.0 N/mm
29.1 N/mm
Forefoot Bending Force
325 N
292 N
Heel Compression Depth
6.0
7.5
Heel Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Compression At 550N
14.3 mm
17.2 mm
Heel Compression At 1100N
19.9 mm
24.6 mm
Heel Compression At 1900N
22.9 mm
28.9 mm
Forefoot Compression Depth
5.4
7.3
Forefoot Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Compression At 800N
13.2 mm
17.3 mm
Forefoot Compression At 1300N
15.6 mm
21.6 mm
Forefoot Compression At 2050N
17.4 mm
24.8 mm
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Nike Vaporfly 4
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Comments
Nike Vaporfly 4 vs Nike Alphafly 4: Main Discussion
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