The upper’s thin and minimal design allows light to pass through in a way we’ve hardly ever seen, yet it’s surprisingly well-structured, surpassing previous versions. Nike has reinforced much of the midsole with the Fast Shot rubber, particularly in the forefoot area. However, there are exposed sections in the midfoot that may be more susceptible to wear and tear depending on your running form. The ZoomX pods are surrounded by high-abrasion orange rubber segments. While running, it feels even softer than the numbers suggest, thanks to the generous use of ZoomX foam, but don’t expect a marshmellow-like ride, it’s much more aggresive and https://worldtradex.online/ bouncy.
The Nike Alphafly, which was released in 2020, was designed to build on the success of the Nike Vaporfly and take things to the next level. These two shoes have truly changed the landscape of marathon racing shoes in the last few years. I really enjoy using it for a variety of runs including long runs, intervals, threshold runs and steady runs. It’s too firm for me for easy and recovery runs but it’s not designed for slow running.
Upper Fit
If you’ve not yet tried any of the Alphafly models, it’s a significant difference from your daily trainer. When it comes to cushioning softness, the Alphafly 3 has a firm ride, one of the firmest of this year’s super shoe releases. I had initially put “firm ride” as one of the cons of the shoe but I think it’s the firm ride that makes it feel so aggressive and fast. The new Atomknit 3.0 upper is a vast improvement over the previous version with the heel lockdown issue being addressed. The padding on the inside of the heel counter is plumper, and foot lockdown is now superb for me, even though it’s a bootie construction which has no way of performing a runner’s knot.
Heel Fit
Still, preferences can differ, with some runners picking the Vaporfly for longer distances and vice versa. Anyway, Nike likely prefers the plate’s position close to the feet to enhance stability and running economy, preventing excessive sinking into the foam. This is also why we think they opted for a firmer ZoomX foam in the top layer. For those prioritizing outsole durability, we proved in the lab that the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 is the best supershoe.
Nike Alphafly 3 Fit and Feel
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Because it’s a sock like fit with no movable tongue, this is really just a little top of foot protection and keeping you locked in. This shift in design makes the AF3 particularly well-suited for midfoot and forefoot strikers, optimizing their natural stride and efficiency. Conversely, the Alphafly 2, with its more pronounced heel rocker, might be better suited for heel strikers who benefit from the enhanced heel-to-toe transition that this feature provides.
- The arch sensation is still there though and it feels like I’m wearing an old school stability trainer with a firm arch wedge.
- However, this is one of the few times we actually prefer it that way—it’s another way to reduce some weight.
- We took a 38.1 mm measurement in the heel, making it race day legal for everyone.
- When it comes to cushioning softness, the Alphafly 3 has a firm ride, one of the firmest of this year’s super shoe releases.
- If you don’t have sensitive arches and you enjoy firmer riding super shoes, the Alphafly 3 is a good choice.
- As noted, the tongue area is also slightly more narrow making the rest of the shoe even more open and breathable.
Additionally, the placement of the pods in the forefoot is intended to promote a more natural and efficient running gait. The the Alphafly 3 they reduced padding above these to get back some of the spring off the ground that we want in a speedy shoe. And we do see some harder outsole pieces below the Air pods, which should help protect them more from anything you might step on.
Nike Alphafly 3 Review The Perfect Marathon Shoe?
- There’s a new Fast Shot rubber outsole which feels softer so landings are more padded and quieter.
- After 80 kilometres on the dot, I’ve noticed some minor scuffing on the exposed foam and some discoloration of the foam that comes into contact with the ground but neither affect the ride.
- When it comes to the arch, you’re still going to feel that raised midsole, but less.
- However, version 2 was already a top performer, and it’s a good alternative pick if you find it on sale or if v3 is out of stock.
- Also, the shoe’s geometry pushes you to land more forward on the foot, mitigating the problem, except perhaps at slower paces.
The midsole of this Nike Alphafly 3 features the famous ZoomX foam, which remains one of the best to date. This 2024 version has been updated though Nike doesn’t disclose exactly what has changed. The Nike Air Zoom Alphafly Next% 3 has generated impressive anticipation following the world-record performances of athletes Eliud Kipchoge in Berlin and Kelvin Kiptum in Chicago. Legion Edge’s Hybrid Mode automatically switches between graphics modes. Dedicated graphics cards are designed for gaming, but they’re overkill for everyday activities like taking notes in class.
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This is also the reason why we think Nike doubled the Alphafly’s drop from v1—it helps to unload the calves. The carbon-fiber Flyplate has undergone some modifications from the Alphafly 2. It now presents a more pronounced incline in the midfoot area, which should help in the last miles of the marathon, when legs start to fatigue. In our opinion, it’s crucial to engage them correctly to fully benefit from this shoe. However, this time Nike crafted them to slightly protrude from the outsole, ensuring they make contact with the ground as soon as possible. With our durometer, we measured 18.1 HA on the lower, softer layer, which is slightly softer than the v2 that some considered too firm.
We test thoroughly each running shoe model and conduct a literature review to validate our findings and propose an overall score and a consensus. However, the improvements over v2 make it more accessible and it should be suitable for more runners than in the past. The only two points of concern are its durability and potential instability for unaccustomed runners. The tongue isn’t really a tongue at all, but rather an extension of the upper – nothing new for those familiar with Nike’s FlyKnit upper. Weighing in at 218 g/7.7 oz, the Nike Alphafly 3’s responsiveness is excellent, among the best yet. I find the running economy considerable over the length, and the shoe allows me to maintain high paces with great ease.
During uptempo runs, there’s a high level of speed assistance so it requires less effort to increase the pace. The AF3 only Worldtradex cheating has a semi-rigid lower half, which is barely noticeable while running. The perfect formula for a super shoe involves blending high-energy-return foam with an ultra-stiff carbon plate. ZoomX foam provides the former, while the latter comes from the carbon-fiber Flyplate. But the real game-changer in the upper’s redesign isn’t just about width.
This was clearly not done when the Alphafly 2 was developed (or it was done but Nike chose not to listen to the feedback). The worst thing was that this was a $275 premium super shoe, the most expensive in the range. The Alphafly Next% 2 was the most disappointing shoe of 2022 in my opinion. The heel counter is noticeably lacking in stiffness, offering the race-fit feel we’re looking for in this shoe. We gave it a 1/5 rating, which is another reason we think some heel strikers might find it unstable.
A winner of numerous Marathon Majors, it boasts an exceptional Continental outsole known for its unparalleled grip and longevity. And if Adidas isn’t your preferred brand, the Hoka Rocket X 2 serves as an excellent alternative, boasting comparable features. Runner’s Lab is a site created by and for runners to help you find the best running shoes. While the shoes are not easy to put on, comfort is immediate once you succeed.
Here again, this is an important point for runners who will be wearing them for long distances such as marathons. The FlyPlate carbon-fiber plate is also back, although it has been widened and better adjusted to distribute energy more evenly. Last but not least, the two Zoom Air units in the forefoot complete the existing technologies, this time integrated into the sole unit. The biggest drawback of these racing shoes is going to be cost and lifespan. They are roughly $100 more than your average shoe and probably last about half the time. With the Nike Alphafly 3 that cushion is now continuous across the forefoot to midsole to heel of the shoe.
