Nike Vaporfly 4 vs Mizuno Hyperwarp Pure

The Nike Vaporfly 4 is the torchbearer for the oldest super shoe lineage, while the Mizuno Hyperwarp Pure is a relative newcomer to the game. The Vaporfly 4 feels about as old-school as a modern super shoe can, with a steeper heel-to-toe drop and a ZoomX midsole that stands out for its firmness in this era of superfoams. That rigidity, plus the full-length carbon plate, does give the Vaporfly a lot of snap, although that can start to feel more like bite over long distances. The Hyperwarp Pure, despite being lower stacked, has better cushioning throughout, and its carbon plate ends just before the toes, leaving a noticeably soft spot in the midsole. Both shoes feel optimised for distances from 5K to 10K, but could go up to a half-marathon. The Vaporfly 4 has a much narrower platform, so runners who are concerned about lateral stability would feel more sure-footed in the Hyperwarp Pure.