Nike Vaporfly 4 vs Nike Vaporfly 3: Which Racing Shoe Should You Buy?

Introduction

Nike has taken a new direction with the Vaporfly 4. Instead of chasing the maximum 40mm race-legal stack that defines most modern super shoes, the latest model steps back toward the lower, more direct feel of the original Vaporfly, cutting its own path away from both the Vaporfly 3 and its stablemate, the Alphafly Next% 3.

That raises an obvious question: will fans of the Vaporfly 3, who liked the extra cushioning, appreciate the change? This head-to-head covers the specs, fit, ride, and durability so you can decide which of these two racers suits you.

Quick Spec Comparison: Stack, Weight, and Price

The Vaporfly 4 trims 5mm from the heel and 3mm from the forefoot compared to the Vaporfly 3. You now get a 35mm heel and 29mm forefoot for a 6mm drop, versus 40mm and 32mm for an 8mm drop on the Vaporfly 3.

Weight is where the Vaporfly 4 makes a bigger statement: it is the lightest Vaporfly ever, weighing 5.2 oz (148g) in a UK 8.5 (US men’s 9.5). That is more than an ounce lighter than the Vaporfly 3, which comes in at 6.9 oz (195g) in the same size.

On price, the Vaporfly 4 costs a little extra: $260 in the US or £240 in the UK, versus $250 or £235 for the Vaporfly 3.

What Stays the Same, and What Changed

Both shoes stick to the familiar super shoe formula: a ZoomX midsole, a carbon flyplate, and a light, breathable racing upper. Both are compact, lightweight, and relatively minimal.

The biggest change is in the midsole. Nike has reduced the amount of ZoomX foam underfoot, which lowers the weight but creates a firmer, snappier ride than the softer, spongier Vaporfly 3. The carbon plate has also been tweaked with a more aggressive curve to enhance the lever effect, and the midfoot is wider, which should help anyone who found the narrow Vaporfly 3 caused irritation.

The uppers differ too. The Vaporfly 3 uses a highly perforated Flyknit, while the Vaporfly 4 gets a new light engineered mesh that adds more wrap and support, though it is a little less airy. The heel collar remains similar, with added heel pads on both, plus a heel tab on the Vaporfly 4 to help you get the shoe on and keep it in place. The lacing is no longer offset on the Vaporfly 4, and both use flat, wrapping tongues with light padding against lace pinch.

Both shoes carry good outsole rubber coverage in the forefoot and two heel pads in the impact zones, but Nike has thinned the outsole on the Vaporfly 4 for more weight savings. The Vaporfly 4 also has a large central channel in the midsole that cuts weight but can catch a few more stones.

Fit and Sizing

In testing, the Vaporfly 4 fit true to size with a good balance of hold and flex. The upper wraps nicely and moves with the foot, giving a race-hugging feel without the cramping some carbon race shoes produce. The wider midfoot makes the shoe more accommodating, though the fit is still compact and snug. If you do not pay attention to lacing, a little heel slip can appear, but tightening the laces fixes it.

The Vaporfly 3 is also secure, with good hold in the heel and midfoot, no pinching, and no movement on the big ZoomX platform. The trade-off is a toe box that comes up slightly long, which some runners will actually appreciate since the extra room helps avoid black toenails. Either way, going true to size is the safe recommendation for both.

Ride and Performance: Where They Differ

The core difference is the midsole feel. The Vaporfly 3 offers a much squishier, softer, more accommodating setup, which is kinder to ragged form and tired legs on long runs. The downside, at least in testing, was a slightly mushy ride that lost some of the all-out edge.

The Vaporfly 4 compresses less, especially in the heel, and returns energy faster. It feels lighter, more connected to the ground, and snappier, recalling the earlier generations of the Vaporfly while still keeping some softness. Runners who liked the snappy feel of the earliest models will likely welcome the return of that immediacy.

This shift has a practical consequence. For many runners, the lighter, lower-stack Vaporfly 4 now suits hard efforts up to the half marathon better than the full marathon, while elites may still use it for the full 26.2. Some testers describe it as more akin to a fast 5K and 10K shoe, closer in spirit to short-distance race shoes than to max-stack cruisers. If you want a combination of more cushion and energy for marathon day, the Alphafly Next% 3 remains arguably the better long-haul option.

Durability and Outsole

Endurance of the outsole setup is broadly similar between the two, with one caveat. The Vaporfly 3’s large perforated upper had a tendency to stretch over time, though it never broke. The more closed mesh structure on the Vaporfly 4 looks built to last longer.

On the outsole itself, the Vaporfly 4 has held up well in early testing, with the rubber on the back section of the shoe showing clear improvement in quality after roughly 50K of running.

Which One Should You Buy?

Choosing between these two comes down to ride preference. If you want a softer, squishier, more forgiving edge for long races, the Vaporfly 3 is your shoe, especially if you can find it discounted. If you want foam that compresses less, returns faster, and bites with a firmer, lighter feel, the Vaporfly 4 is the way to go, and many testers regard it as a genuine improvement.

Conclusion

The Vaporfly 4 and Vaporfly 3 now serve slightly different purposes. The Vaporfly 3 is a softer all-rounder carbon racer that competes in a crowded field, while the Vaporfly 4 is a lighter, snappier shoe tuned for shorter race distances that does exactly what it sets out to do. Pick the 3 for cushioned marathon comfort on a deal, and the 4 if pop and speed matter most to you.