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Traditionally the RTTF group has been a fan of the Vaporfly. The truth is, it’s develop into Coach Amanda’s go to 10K race day shoe…although we’ve additionally had some points with sturdiness. Time to learn the way the Nike Vaporfly 4 festivals in our testing.
The Nike Vaporfly 4 shocked me. I don’t at all times put on Nike footwear, however the Vaporfly felt unbelievable proper out of the field—like they had been made for my ft. They match like a glove, felt tremendous mild, and delivered immediate responsiveness with each step. After my first interval exercise, it felt too good to be true. I wanted a couple of good exercise for this shoe to really win me over.
Positive sufficient! After a 14-mile exercise, the Nike Vaporfly 4 is the type of shoe that makes you need to race the second you lace it up. It’s lighter than ever (extra particulars on that to come back). The match is dialed in, the trip feels easy and energetic, and so they actually simply made me need to run quick.
- Vast Toes: It has a slim profile, so it is probably not very best for runners with huge ft.
- Heavier Runners: The narrower match underfoot doesn’t present plenty of stability
- Lengthy Runs: Constructed for velocity, not plushness—greatest for lengthy runs at race tempo or tempo effort, quite than simple mileage.
- Entrance of the Pack: Completely. This shoe was made for aggressive runners trying to shave seconds (or minutes) off their time.
This shoe is nice for runners chasing PRs, those that are searching for an additional pop on race day, and anybody who cherished the Vaporfly 3 however wished one thing even lighter and extra aggressive.
In our opinion, it’s best for the half-marathon distance and beneath. Nevertheless, you might get away with carrying it for the marathon.
Nike Vaporfly 4 Overview
After I opened the field, my actual phrases had been “OH BABY!”… The flashy Nike Vaporfly 4 is designed to do one factor actually, very well: allow you to run quick!
I examined this shoe throughout a wide range of interval exercises and it delivered a punchy pop that made me need to hold pushing.
In the event you’ve worn the Vaporfly 3, you’ll discover some variations right here. The midsole has been slimmed down barely, and the stack top has been decreased, making it the lightest model but.
They saved the ZoomX foam you realize and love. The Flyplate has been improved and has a extra aggressive curve, which is designed to maximise leverage out of your foot and ankle, aka extra pop!
All this makes this shoe excellent for something from the mile to the half marathon.
Coach Amanda: The Vaporfly has been attention-grabbing through the years as a result of it’s common for one individual to like a mannequin an another person to like the earlier mannequin. In testing the three, I used to be annoyed with the outsole and it seems like that hasn’t had a lot of an replace right here. So sturdiness remains to be a priority.
That being mentioned the 4 is quick and light-weight and one other iteration of velocity. It’s at all times had the sensation of operating on rails and being slim, that continues right here and is perhaps even a smidge extra noticeable.
Nike Vaporfly 4 Specs
- Weight: 6.7 oz Males’s, 5.3 oz Ladies’s (Unisex sizing)
- Stack Top: 35 mm
- Heel Drop: 6 mm
- Accessible in 3 colours
- Not obtainable in huge
- Accessible on Nike.com $260
Fashion-wise, the Vaporfly 4 has a modern, aerodynamic look that screams “race day.”
The mesh higher feels barely there, and the smaller heel and tongue hold the silhouette clear and low-profile. I examined the Vivid Crimson/Mint Foam/Cave Purple/Lime Blast colorway, which is flashy, daring & loud. It’s not a shoe I’d put on casually (it’s means too performance-focused), however it positively earns some type factors on the run.
Vaporfly 4 Match
The toebox on the Vaporfly 4 is on the cosy aspect, in keeping with previous variations. It’s constructed for race-day precision, so it’s not particularly wide-foot pleasant. Runners with slim to straightforward ft ought to really feel at house, however for those who’ve wanted wider matches in different manufacturers, you would possibly discover it tight upfront.
Stick together with your common Vaporfly dimension—it’s true to dimension for many. I might nearly go half a dimension up.
The up to date mesh higher now not options offset lacing and permits a safer lockdown without having to overtighten. There’s no noticeable strain on the arch (which is what I don’t love in regards to the Alphaflys), and the brand new Flyplate design offers a secure platform underfoot, particularly by way of toe-off.
The tongue is skinny and shorter than earlier than, precisely what you’d count on from a race-day shoe. It’s connected contained in the higher, which helps hold it in place and reduces motion throughout quick efforts.
The heel is calmly padded and streamlined—simply sufficient to lock within the foot with out extra bulk. I discovered it safe with out heel slippage, although the minimal padding might really feel much less forgiving on simple days or slower jogs.
Nike Vaporfly 4 Really feel
This shoe appears like a race-day rocket the second you begin transferring. The total-length Nike ZoomX foam is on the firmer aspect of squishy—it’s light-weight and tremendous bouncy, however not so comfortable that you simply lose any sense of floor contact.
It delivers that basic “pop” you count on from a carbon-plated racer, and you may actually really feel the plate working with the froth to push you ahead with each stride.
Coach Amanda: I feel that for many people a drop down from 40mm to 36mm within the heel is definitely a fantastic factor. You’re nonetheless getting that bounce and cushion, however the flip over feels faster and fewer prone to hit the heel too early.
The engineered mesh higher is mild and breathable, with a barely-there really feel that hugs the foot with out being constricting. The lacing system is easy, and the lockdown over the midfoot is strong—no slipping or sliding.
The heel cup has been trimmed down in comparison with the Vaporfly 3, and whereas it doesn’t supply a ton of construction, I nonetheless felt safe. That mentioned, stability isn’t this shoe’s sturdy go well with.
The trip is easy and quick, however for those who are likely to overpronate or need extra help on longer efforts, your ankles might need to work a little bit tougher to maintain every thing lined up. For that reason you might want the Alphafly within the marathon distance.
Checkout our breakdown of the Vaporfly vs Alphafly >>
A glance again at evaluating the Vaporfly 2, 3 to the Alphaflys.
Comparable Footwear to the Vaporfly 4
I’ve examined a number of that really feel comparable, however totally different based mostly on the model match:
- Saucony Endorphin Professional 4 – This shoe additionally encompasses a carbon plate and light-weight, responsive foam, however it has a barely softer really feel all through with an 8 mm heel drop. The ladies’s model is 6.5 oz (1.2 oz heavier than the Vaporfly 4), The higher is a bit roomier and extra forgiving, making it a extra comfy choice for longer efforts or runners preferring a much less aggressive match.
- ASICS Metaspeed Sky+ – Just like the Vaporfly 4, the Sky+ is completely constructed for velocity. It affords a easy, quick trip with a handy guide a rough toe-off, very best for impartial runners who don’t want plenty of additional help. The match feels a bit extra structured by way of the midfoot, however it nonetheless has that snappy really feel that helps you preserve a fast, easy turnover.
- Adidas Adizero Adios Professional 4 – This shoe delivers a propulsive, quick trip with EnergyRods as a substitute of a full carbon plate. It feels a bit firmer and extra structured than the Vaporfly 4, and is the toe field is considerably roomier. I’ve run plenty of lengthy runs within the Adios Professional 4 and felt like I might put on these footwear all day.
Runners who like a brilliant light-weight, responsive really feel and don’t thoughts a extra cosy, race-day match will love the Vaporfly 4. It’s very best for chasing down PRs from the 5K to the half-marathon (probably the marathon)!
All proper, that’s our Nike Vaporfly 4 overview.
88%
On a two yr rotation of updates, they didn’t pull any punches and got here out with some important updates. We like the burden and discover it stays a quick shoe for shorter distances, however would possibly really feel extra unstable and nonetheless lacks sturdiness.
Who Tried It?
I’m Cortney, a Sports activities Efficiency Dietitian and operating coach. My ardour helps runners gasoline proper and practice sustainably. I ran cross nation and monitor on the College of Cincinnati, the place I met my husband, and I’ve been chasing miles (and three youngsters!) ever since. As a army partner, I’ve lived and run everywhere in the world and am presently based mostly in Portland, OR. I usually run 40–50 miles per week and love testing new footwear for lengthy runs, interval exercises, and every thing in between.
Observe alongside for extra operating, fueling, and training recommendations on Instagram: @eatwell.runbetter
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