Nike Vaporfly 3 Review

The upper Nike Vaporfly 3 is totally different, and it's a big improvement. Like many, in the past, I had problems with the shoe rubbing against my Achilles, but not anymore. The material of the shoe varies in different areas. It's thicker around the edges of the toe box and more open and airy at the toes. This allows your feet to stay cool, or the shoe to breathe well on a rainy day. The tongue features a mix of materials. The Vaporfly 3 fits the best of any Nike Vaporfly (or even Alphafly).

The best running shoes feel like they're not even there, and that's how the Nike Vaporfly 3 feels. It doesn't rub or bother you.

I've found this to be true for this shoe, unlike other Vaporfly models. I usually wear a men's size 8.5 or women's 10, and that size worked well for the Vaporfly 3. The shoe fits as expected, but remember, most racing shoes are narrower and fit tighter. If you're not sure, go half a size up, especially if you have wider feet. It definitely runs wider than any of the other Nike racing shoes. Hoorah!

Right when you put on the Nike Vaporfly 3, you can tell it's more stable and a bit wider in the middle. The shoe feels close to the ground, even though it looks like it's not. In previous versions of the Vaporfly, you almost feel like you are tipping forward, and this really isn't the case in the Vaporfly 3. It feels (and honestly looks) like you are wearing a regular daily trainer. Nike says they made the foam feel firmer this time.

There's also a bit more cushioning in the Vaporfly 3, which helps save energy. The slightly firmer foam makes the shoe more stable. It's still not the most stable shoe, but it's better than older models. If you're looking for a really stable shoe, maybe check out the new Hoka Rocket X 2 with a wider base.

You can tell and feel the shoe's shape has changed, with more upright and square walls on the sides. This change makes the shoe feel flatter and return energy quicker.

Nike says the carbon plate in this version is the same as before, but it sits lower in the shoe, which adds to the stability. The Vaporfly 3 is also lighter because Nike removed extra foam that wasn't needed. For me, the biggest difference is how flat you feel in the shoe.

Where does the Nike Vaporfly 3 fit in my running rotation? The Vaporfly 3 is made for running fast. It's not great for slow runs, so save it for when you are doing workouts or races. I've used it for some faster and longer runs, and it's been great the whole time. It's light and bounces well. I will admit that I just don't feel as fast as previous versions of the Vaporfly, and it honestly feels like a daily trainer to me.

The original Vaporfly wasn't great for traction and durability, but they've added more rubber to improve this. Just remember, these shoes (or any carbon plated) aren't meant for running more than 100 miles. After that, you won't get the same benefits of the carbon plate. It might "look fine," but you aren't getting that 4% back.

The shoe holds up well, and I haven't had problems with slipping in bad weather. The new pattern on the bottom of the shoe gives better grip, especially when running downhill. The bottom is thinner, so it won't last more than 100 miles, but hey, at least you aren't sliding around on a wet course.

The jury is still out for me on what I think about the Nike Vaporfly 3. On one hand, I like that it's flatter with more traction. On the other hand, I don't feel like I feel "as fast." It really does feel like you are running in a daily trainer. I can see I'm not alone, as some pros are still opting to use the Vaporfly 2. Some are using the 3, and some are using the Alphafly, but sponsored pros who have access to using any Nike shoe they choose are still running in the previous versions, I think that says something.

Who should buy the Nike Vaporfly 3? If you want a shoe for race days or fast workouts, it's a great choice.

Who shouldn't buy the Nike Vaporfly 3? If you need a shoe for daily training, slow runs, or something really durable, this isn't the best choice. It's also not great if you need a very stable shoe.