I was excited to try the Nike Alphafly 3. Why? I don’t know, it’s not like I have felt super fast in any of the previous versions. I want them to work for me, but they usually just feel super clunky. Each year I’m like maybe this will be the magical year. Right off the bat, the Alphafly looks loud and fast. Say what you want, but Nike is a genius with marketing and makes their shoes stand out.
The original Nike Alphafly launched with considerable fanfare, thanks in part to its association with the Sub2 marathon project and Eliud Kipchoge’s historic performance. It quickly became “the best” in marathon racing shoes. The second version missed its mark and many people hated it. It just didn’t feel fast (that’s how I feel about the Vaporfly 3. It just feels like a regular trainer to me). Before trying the Nike Alphafly 3 I had a couple of questions:
Is the Nike Alphafly 3 fast? Yes, it’s definitely as fast as the first version.
What has been updated in the Nike Alphafly 3? It’s lighter, more aggressive, and optimized for high-speed performance.
Nike Alphafly 3 Quick Facts
Price: $284.95
Weight: 7.0 oz men’s, 6.1 oz women’s
Drop: 8mm
Nike Alphafly 3 Fit:
The Nike Alphafly 3 features a low-volume, lightweight upper designed to offer a snug fit, especially around the midfoot and heel, while providing a little more room in the forefoot. Nike has been known to run narrow, but the Nike Alphafly 3 is only somewhat narrow in the midfoot. The forefoot has plenty of room to splay your toes.
The engineered mesh is breathable and adapts well to foot shape. The best running shoe uppers disappear off your feet and I found the Nike Alphafly 3 to mostly do that. I did find the upper a bit annoying at first, but after a couple of runs it felt fine.
As far as fit, I typically wear between a women’s size 10-11 wide and found the Nike Alphafly 3 to fit mostly true to size. I think for some it may fit a bit short depending on the shape of your forefoot. I do recommend going up a half size and I found women’s size 11 to fit the best. I’ve seen almost everyone struggle with putting the shoe on, but once you get your foot in, it fits pretty true to size.
Nike Alphafly 3 Ride:
The midsole of the Nike Alphafly 3 is where the magic happens. It combines Nike’s responsive ZoomX foam with two large forefoot Air Zoom units. This design creates a firm, bouncy ride that propels runners forward efficiently, or at least it is supposed to. The updated midsole design and lighter weight enhance the shoe’s performance for both racing and fast training. I was happy to hear it was lighter because the Nike Alphafly 3 has always felt a bit clunky to me. This is the first year it hasn’t felt like a brick on my foot. One reason I haven’t loved running in previous versions of the Alphafly is just how bulky it feels. I don’t feel like I’m going to run fast (similar to the Vaporfly 3 that feels like a regular trainer to me). So I was super curious to see if the Nike Alphafly feels faster.
Where does the Nike Alphafly 3 fit in my rotation? It’s a fast run shoe, of course. Made for workouts and races. Due to the price, I don’t even use it for workouts a ton but more just races. It still feels a bit clunky to me for 5-10ks but I can see it feeling good for marathons. I’m one of the few people that isn’t magically impressed by this shoe. I’ve felt faster in other shoes. This is the fastest I’ve ever felt in any version of the Alphafly but I don’t think they are the perfect fit for me. Do I think a shoe review of what I think is going to change your mind to buy the Alphafly? No. But I do think it’s important to learn that not every shoe (even the Alphafly) works for every person.
Outsole
The outsole of the Alphafly 3 uses high-traction rubber that provides reliable grip on road surfaces. While it’s built to last, the durability might vary based on running style and surface. The shoe’s design is optimized for road racing and is not suitable for trails or highly uneven surfaces. I’ve used it in inclement weather with no major issues of sliding around (I think it’s better in the rain than the Vaporfly). If you run on sandy trails (or any trails), it’s going to wear even faster and you aren’t going to get the “magic” of the Alphafly. Sharp corners are still incredibly challenging in the Alphafly.
As far as durability, the Nike Alphafly 3 is going to last about 50-100 miles of racing. While you may be able to run further in it, it’s not going to give you the magic of a new pair. That’s on par with other carbon-plated footwear, the Nike Alphafly 3 is just one of the most expensive shoes.
Nike Alphafly 3 Conclusion:
I’m actually excited with the Nike Alphafly 3 updates. It’s definitely been my personal favorite version and it fits a lot more runners. I hope in the future, Nike continues to make it less clunky and lighter.
Who should purchase the Nike Alphafly 3?
The Alphafly 3 may not be suitable for runners who need a shoe that accommodates wider feet or those looking for a more versatile daily trainer. It’s not made for training or recovery runs, it will just feel clunky. Plus, who wants to waste precious mileage on easy runs? The Alphafly 3 only lasts so long.
Who should not purchase the Nike Alphafly 3?
Runners seeking a high-performance racing shoe for distances from the half marathon to the marathon will find the Alphafly 3 a great option. It’s definitely a lot less clunky than previous versions.
My Current Shoe Rotation:
Easy/Daily Runs: Topo Magnifly 5, Antepes Muscle Runners, Tracksmith Eliot Runner, New Balance 1080v12 , Newton Gravity 12, , ASICS Superblast
Speed Work: 361 Degrees Furious Future, Nike Tempo Next%, Reebok Float Ride Run fast Pro, Nike ZoomX Streakfly
Long Runs: ASICS Superblast
Trail Running/Hiking: 361 Futura, Hoka Tecton X2 Shoe Review Speedland SL: PDX,
Races: 361 Degrees Furious Future, Hoka Cielo X1, New Balance Fuelcell 5280, Reebok Run fast Pro , Nike Vaporfly 3 , ASICS Metaspeed Edge Paris
You Can See All Current Shoe Reviews Here.
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Questions for you:
What is your current favorite running shoe?
What is your race day shoe?
I’ve spent my running life trying to find a Nike shoe that I liked….and never have…Pegasus lasted the longest, but nah….and the more I learn about Nike the company, the less interested I am….and I get what you say about price, after watching Boston I want the On Cloud Boom that Hellen O won in, I’m a huge fan of the brand, but, do I need at $300 shoe?
I think next you need to just drop everything and buy a fully blown Corvette ZR-1, very functional daily actually, drives amazing in the pouring rain, very stable over 100 mph for those short jaunts to LA. Yes, sarcasm abounds, much love from McGuire AFB.