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Nike Vaporfly 3 vs Vaporfly 4

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

    Top
    Main Differences
    Design
      WeightStack HeightsExternal ShapeInternal ShapeOther Features
    Performance
      Heel Energy ReturnForefoot Energy ReturnHeel CushioningForefoot CushioningHeel FirmnessForefoot FirmnessForefoot Long Run Cushioning
    Comments

Products

Nike Vaporfly 3
Nike Vaporfly 4

Tested using Methodology v0.8.2

Updated Oct 21, 2025 07:59 PM

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Tested using Methodology v0.9

Updated Jan 21, 2026 05:29 PM

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Nike Vaporfly 3 Picture
Nike Vaporfly 4 Picture
Weight
188.0 g (6.63 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.2 mm
Plate
Carbon Fiber
Weight
160.5 g (5.66 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.8 mm
Plate
Carbon Fiber
  1. Recommended in 2 articles:
  2. For Women
  3. Nike

Our Verdict

Nike Vaporfly 3

Nike Vaporfly 4

The Nike Vaporfly 4 and the Nike Vaporfly 3 are both elite-level racing shoes, but they deliver noticeably different experiences. The Vaporfly 4 is almost 30 grams lighter, features a somewhat softer, more cushioned midsole, and offers a slightly more accommodating fit, making it better suited for longer efforts, particularly the half marathon. In contrast, the Vaporfly 3 delivers a snappier ride, making it a more aggressive option best suited for shorter distances.

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Variants

  • Vaporfly 3 (Black/Black/Oatmeal/Metallic Gold Grain - (Women - US 7))
  • Vaporfly 3 (Black/Olive Aura/Metallic Medium Ash - (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))

Review

See Nike Vaporfly 3 Review
See Nike Vaporfly 4 Review
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Main Differences for
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 
 

8.2
7.4

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

29.4 mm
26.4 mm

Heel Stack Height 
 

37.6 mm
35.1 mm

Weight  

8.5
9.1

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

8.5
9.1

Right Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Nike Vaporfly 3 Right Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
Nike Vaporfly 4 Right Shoe Weight Photo

Left Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Nike Vaporfly 3 Left Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
Nike Vaporfly 4 Left Shoe Weight Photo

Weight 
 

188.0 g (6.63 oz)
160.5 g (5.66 oz)
Show Text 

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Nike Vaporfly 3 Stack Height Photo
Compare High-Res
Nike Vaporfly 4 Stack Height Photo

Heel Stack Height 
 

37.6 mm
35.1 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

29.4 mm
26.4 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

8.2 mm
8.8 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

8.0 mm
6.0 mm
Show Text 

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

Preview 3D
Nike Vaporfly 3 3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
Nike Vaporfly 4 3D Model Full Shoe

Outsole Heel Width 
 

74 mm (2.9")
75 mm (3.0")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

52 mm (2.0")
50 mm (2.0")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

107 mm (4.2")
108 mm (4.3")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

1.97
2.13

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

3.64
3.84

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Preview 3D
Nike Vaporfly 3 3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
Nike Vaporfly 4 3D Model Internal

Internal Length 
 

267 mm (10.5")
271 mm (10.7")

Internal Heel Width 
 

55 mm (2.2")
60 mm (2.4")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

91 mm (3.6")
92 mm (3.6")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Other Features  

Other Features Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Nike Vaporfly 3 Other Features Photo
Compare High-Res
Nike Vaporfly 4 Other Features Photo

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Non-gusseted
Non-gusseted

Plate 
 

Carbon Fiber
Carbon Fiber
Show Text 
Performance

Heel Energy Return 
 

8.5
8.6

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
Nike Vaporfly 3 Heel Energy Return
 Preview Graph
Nike Vaporfly 4 Heel Energy Return
 Compare in Graph Tool

Heel Energy Return 
 

84.0%
84.4%
Show Text 

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

8.4
8.3

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
Nike Vaporfly 3 Forefoot Energy Return
 Preview Graph
Nike Vaporfly 4 Forefoot Energy Return
 Compare in Graph Tool

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

83.1%
82.6%
Show Text 

Heel Cushioning 
 

6.2
6.4

Heel Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Nike Vaporfly 3 Heel Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
Nike Vaporfly 4 Heel Cushioning Picture

Heel Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
Nike Vaporfly 3 Heel Cushioning
 Preview Graph
Nike Vaporfly 4 Heel Cushioning
 Compare in Graph Tool

Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

3.26 J
3.64 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

7.72 J
8.00 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

12.53 J
12.32 J
Show Text 

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

6.0
6.2

Forefoot Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Nike Vaporfly 3 Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
Nike Vaporfly 4 Forefoot Cushioning Picture

Forefoot Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
Nike Vaporfly 3 Forefoot Cushioning
 Preview Graph
Nike Vaporfly 4 Forefoot Cushioning
 Compare in Graph Tool

Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

3.82 J
4.09 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

6.44 J
6.59 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

9.39 J
9.46 J
Show Text 

Heel Firmness 
 

7.3
7.3

Heel Firmness  

 Preview Graph
Nike Vaporfly 3 Heel Firmness
 Preview Graph
Nike Vaporfly 4 Heel Firmness
 Compare in Graph Tool

Firmness At 550N 
 

66.4 N/mm
59.3 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

152.2 N/mm
167.7 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

348.2 N/mm
383.4 N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Firmness 
 

8.9
9.0

Forefoot Firmness  

 Preview Graph
Nike Vaporfly 3 Forefoot Firmness
 Preview Graph
Nike Vaporfly 4 Forefoot Firmness
 Compare in Graph Tool

Firmness At 800N 
 

136.9 N/mm
141.4 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

280.4 N/mm
293.3 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

556.8 N/mm
555.3 N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

5.8

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
Nike Vaporfly 4 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

6.30 J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

6.19 J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

6.11 J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

6.06 J
Show Text 

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Nike Vaporfly 3

Nike Vaporfly 4

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 9 months ago

Nike Vaporfly 3 vs Nike Vaporfly 4: Main Discussion

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