Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 3: First Thoughts on the Lightest Super Shoe Yet

Introduction

The Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 3 has landed, and early impressions suggest Nike has kept the formula that made this line famous while trimming weight and refining the fit. If you have a spring race on the calendar, this first-look breakdown covers what actually changed and whether the newest version deserves your money.

Fit and Upper: A Clear Step Forward

The Flyknit upper is one of the biggest improvements. The way it contours the foot and curls in around the ankle eliminates the gaping that some runners experienced with the previous version. It also holds no water thanks to the hydrophobic material in the Flyknit, which makes it a genuinely strong choice for running in heavy rain. One caveat: heel lockdown may feel a touch looser than the last version for some feet, though lacing through the full length of the eyelets tightens things up.

Weight and Outsole Changes

This is a lighter shoe, full stop. In the tested size, the previous model weighed around 7.45 ounces while this one came in at 7.3 flat, and there may not be another super shoe on the market that light. The weight breakdown is even printed on the heel: roughly 71 grams of ZoomX foam, 24 grams of rubber, and 21 grams for the plate.

The outsole uses less rubber coverage than before, and the ZoomX midsole has visible cutouts and thinner sections. That thinner rubber application gives a little more flex and a little more road feel, which changes how the shoe rolls through your stride. On wet surfaces, grip was decent but not class-leading, with slight slippage noticeable in the rain.

The Ride: Effortless Pop Off the Toe

The ride is gooey in the best sense. The combination of very low weight and bouncy ZoomX foam makes faster-paced running feel almost effortless, and the carbon plate flexing on takeoff is clearly noticeable, loading up and snapping you through to the toe. Runners who land midfoot will especially feel that dig-in and bounce at max effort.

For anyone worried this version might lose the magic of the original, the early verdict is the opposite: it may actually have more. It brings back the feeling some runners felt the second version drifted from, and it comfortably keeps its place at the top of the plated trainer rankings against stiff recent competition.

The Flyknit looks delicate but holds up fine under real-world conditions, including downpours and mixed surfaces like concrete, brick, and wood decking. Durability concerns about the upper appear misplaced based on early miles.

Should You Buy It Now?

If you do not want to wait for a full long-term review, the early read is simple: this is a shoe you can buy with confidence, especially if you have a spring race coming up. Availability is expected around April 1st, though there appear to be some shipping delays in Europe, so timing may vary by region.

Interestingly, some elite runners with access to both models have been choosing the previous version. The thinking here is that this new one is the better pick all day, with the only possible argument for the old version being its extra rubber. That preference may simply come down to grip confidence in wet conditions.

Conclusion

The Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 3 is lighter, better fitting, and rolls through the stride with more flex and road feel, all while keeping the bouncy, effortless ride that made the line famous. Wet-weather grip is the main trade-off. For racers chasing a personal best this spring, it belongs near the very top of the shortlist.