Did Nike Replace the Vaporfly? What the New Nike Apex Means for Nike Racing Shoes
For nearly a decade, the Nike Vaporfly has been one of the biggest names most associated with carbon-plated racing shoes. Although to be fair, in the last few years, there have been several huge comopetitiors like the Puma Fast-R Elite 3. The Vaporfly helped kick off the modern supershoe era, appeared on starting lines everywhere from local 5Ks to major marathons, and forced nearly every running brand to rethink its racing lineup. Do you remember when the Nike Vaporfly was consistently sold out everywhere?
Now Nike has announced a completely redesigned race-day collection, and the Vaporfly isn’t part of it.
Nike’s new Race-Day System of Speed includes three shoes: the Nike Apex, Nike Alphafly 4, and Nike Swooshfly. The Vaporfly 4 is missing.
That doesn’t mean the Vaporfly has been discontinued. Nike is currently selling the Nike Vaporfly 4 for $270 and describes it as an all-around racing shoe for the 10K through marathon. Still, leaving one of the most recognizable racing shoes ever made out of Nike’s newly announced race-day collection is hard to ignore and point blank…WEIRD!
What is the Nike Apex Running Shoe?
The Nike Apex is Nike’s newest marathon racing shoe and advanced running shoe. Nike says it was created for marathoners chasing every possible second and calls it its most advanced racing system yet. As they always say, “the construction is unlike anything Nike currently sells”.
The Apex has four Air Zoom units arranged as two stacked pairs beneath the forefoot, new ZoomX LT foam, a redesigned carbon-fiber Flyplate, a Flyknit X upper, and a 40 mm platform with zero heel-to-toe drop. Nike also added a wider outsole and rocker geometry.
Nike claims the Apex can deliver up to 40% more energy return than the Alphafly 3 in its testing while weighing more than 10% less. Of course runners will not automatically become 40% faster….we know everyone responds to super shoes differently. Nike plans to release the Apex in January 2027 and has not included an official U.S. retail price in its announcement.
Where does that leave the Alphafly?
Nike is keeping the Alphafly alongside it. The new Nike Alphafly 4 launches in October 2026, while Nike describes the Apex as the option for runners pursuing maximum marathon performance. The Alphafly 4 is positioned as the more broadly accessible high-performance marathon shoe.That gives Nike two highly cushioned marathon racers, followed by the Swooshfly at another level of the lineup…And then there’s the Vaporfly.
Is Nike discontinuing the Vaporfly?
At least right now, no.
Would I be surprised if they do? Also no.
Nike still sells the Vaporfly 4 and still categorizes it as a road racing shoe. Nike specifically named the Apex, Alphafly 4, and Swooshfly when introducing its new race-day system. Nike even describes the collection as a choice rather than a hierarchy, although the Apex is clearly positioned around maximum marathon performance.
The Vaporfly 4 remains a much lighter and lower racing option. I reviewed the Vaporfly 4 last year and found it closer to the original Vaporfly than some recent versions, with a lower 35 mm heel, 29 mm forefoot, and quicker ride. I also found it kind of boring tbh. Runners who prefer something lower and lighter may still gravitate toward the Vaporfly, especially for shorter races.
I’ve also written before about why carbon-plated shoes don’t perform the same for every runner. Four Air Zoom units, ZoomX LT, and a carbon plate make an impressive spec sheet, but nobody knows whether the Apex will be their fastest shoe until they run in it. There is no best running shoe!
Nike tested the Apex with some very fast runners
Nike’s development process also gives a glimpse at where the company is heading. In Kenya, Nike tested racing prototypes with athletes including Eliud Kipchoge, Faith Kipyegon, Jacob Kiplimo, Brigid Kosgei, and Geoffrey Kamworor. Nike says Kiplimo and Kosgei compared multiple prototypes during workouts while developers adjusted weight, cushioning, fit, and stability.
One prototype reportedly dropped from roughly 176 grams to around 120 grams during development after Nike reduced outsole thickness, foam density, Air-unit film thickness, and upper weight.
Whether that exact prototype becomes the retail Apex remains another question, but Nike is looking for weight reduction alongside increasingly complicated underfoot technology. In 2016, most of our racing shoes were less than 5 ounces…it seems we may be going that way now just with more foam.
What happens to the Vaporfly now?
The Vaporfly 4 is still available, and Nike hasn’t announced its retirement. For years, runners debated Vaporfly versus Alphafly. Beginning in 2027, there will be another name in that conversation.
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Questions for you:
Would you choose the Nike Apex over the Vaporfly or Alphafly for a marathon?
Do you think Nike should keep the Vaporfly in its race-day lineup?