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Traditionally the RTTF staff has been a fan of the Vaporfly. In actual fact, 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 stunned me. I don’t all the time 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 prompt 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 actually win me over.
Certain sufficient! After a 14-mile exercise, the Nike Vaporfly 4 is the form of shoe that makes you wish 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 experience feels clean and energetic, they usually truthfully simply made me wish to run quick.
- Broad Ft: It has a slim profile, so it might not be excellent for runners with extensive ft.
- Heavier Runners: The narrower match underfoot doesn’t present a whole lot of stability
- Lengthy Runs: Constructed for velocity, not plushness—finest for lengthy runs at race tempo or tempo effort, moderately 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 on the lookout 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 under. Nevertheless, you might get away with sporting it for the marathon.
Nike Vaporfly 4 Overview
After I opened the field, my precise phrases had been “OH BABY!”… The flashy Nike Vaporfly 4 is designed to do one factor actually, rather well: make it easier to run quick!
I examined this shoe throughout a wide range of interval exercises and it delivered a punchy pop that made me wish to preserve pushing.
When you’ve worn the Vaporfly 3, you’ll discover some variations right here. The midsole has been slimmed down barely, and the stack peak has been decreased, making it the lightest model but.
They stored the ZoomX foam you recognize 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 good for something from the mile to the half marathon.
Coach Amanda: The Vaporfly has been fascinating through the years as a result of it’s common for one particular person 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 to be like that hasn’t had a lot of an replace right here. So sturdiness continues to be a priority.
That being mentioned the 4 is quick and lightweight and one other iteration of velocity. It’s all the time had the sensation of operating on rails and being slim, that continues right here and is possibly even a smidge extra noticeable.
Nike Vaporfly 4 Specs
- Weight: 6.7 oz Males’s, 5.3 oz Ladies’s (Unisex sizing)
- Stack Peak: 35 mm
- Heel Drop: 6 mm
- Accessible in 3 colours
- Not obtainable in extensive
- 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 preserve the silhouette clear and low-profile. I examined the Shiny 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), nevertheless it undoubtedly earns some type factors on the run.
Vaporfly 4 Match
The toebox on the Vaporfly 4 is on the comfortable 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 plain ft ought to really feel at house, however for those who’ve wanted wider suits in different manufacturers, you would possibly discover it tight upfront.
Stick along with your typical Vaporfly measurement—it’s true to measurement for many. I might nearly go half a measurement up.
The up to date mesh higher not options offset lacing and permits a safer lockdown without having to overtighten. There’s no noticeable stress on the arch (which is what I don’t love in regards to the Alphaflys), and the brand new Flyplate design supplies a secure platform underfoot, particularly by means of toe-off.
The tongue is skinny and shorter than earlier than, precisely what you’d anticipate from a race-day shoe. It’s hooked up contained in the higher, which helps preserve it in place and reduces motion throughout quick efforts.
The heel is evenly 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 could really feel much less forgiving on simple days or slower jogs.
Nike Vaporfly 4 Really feel
This shoe looks 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 tender that you just lose any sense of floor contact.
It delivers that basic “pop” you anticipate 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 believe that for many people a drop down from 40mm to 36mm within the heel is definitely an important factor. You’re nonetheless getting that bounce and cushion, however the flip over feels faster and fewer more likely 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 simple, and the lockdown over the midfoot is stable—no slipping or sliding.
The heel cup has been trimmed down in comparison with the Vaporfly 3, and whereas it doesn’t provide a ton of construction, I nonetheless felt safe. That mentioned, stability isn’t this shoe’s sturdy go well with.
The experience is clean and quick, however for those who are likely to overpronate or need extra assist on longer efforts, your ankles may need to work somewhat tougher to maintain every little thing lined up. For that reason you might desire 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 Sneakers to the Vaporfly 4
I’ve examined a number of that really feel related, however totally different based mostly on the model match:
- Saucony Endorphin Professional 4 – This shoe additionally includes a carbon plate and light-weight, responsive foam, nevertheless 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 gives a clean, quick experience with a quick toe-off, excellent for impartial runners who don’t want a whole lot of additional assist. The match feels a bit extra structured by means of the midfoot, nevertheless it nonetheless has that snappy really feel that helps you preserve a fast, clean turnover.
- Adidas Adizero Adios Professional 4 – This shoe delivers a propulsive, quick experience with EnergyRods as an alternative 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 a whole lot 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 comfortable, race-day match will love the Vaporfly 4. It’s excellent for chasing down PRs from the 5K to the half-marathon (presumably the marathon)!
All proper, that’s our Nike Vaporfly 4 overview.
88%
On a two 12 months rotation of updates, they didn’t pull any punches and got here out with some vital updates. We like the load 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 gas proper and prepare 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 children!) ever since. As a navy partner, I’ve lived and run everywhere in the world and am at present 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 little thing in between.
Comply with alongside for extra operating, fueling, and training recommendations on Instagram: @eatwell.runbetter
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