Super Shoes Showdown: Nike Vaporfly Next% 3 vs Adios Pro 3, Endorphin Pro 3 and Metaspeed Sky Plus

Introduction

Maxed-out super shoes are closer than ever in 2023. We put four of the most talked-about 40mm-stack racing models head to head: the Nike Vaporfly Next% 3, the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3, the Saucony Endorphin Pro 3, and the ASICS Metaspeed Sky Plus. Each one has its own personality, and the differences that matter are smaller than the marketing suggests.

The Numbers at a Glance

The Adizero Adios Pro 3 has the widest surface area up front and almost the widest heel of the group, roughly half a centimetre wider than the Endorphin Pro 3 in the heel. The Endorphin Pro 3 comes in second on heel width, slightly wider than both the Vaporfly Next% 3 and the Metaspeed Sky Plus.

The Vaporfly Next% 3 is the lightest of the four, by two whole grams over the Metaspeed Sky Plus, leaving the Saucony and the Adidas shoes a tad heavier, perhaps the price Adidas pays for that extra midsole surface area. Stack heights are very similar across all four, though the ASICS runs a slightly lower drop, with a good chunk of its foam concentrated in the mid to forefoot where it bows outward around a prominent forefoot curve.

Upper Fit and Craftsmanship

The Metaspeed Sky Plus takes the crown on upper. It is almost glove-like: snug but comfortable, and you can put it on and nail the fit every time without trying. The Endorphin Pro 3 shares that consistency, and the two of them are the most reliable uppers here.

The Vaporfly Next% 3 and the Adios Pro 3 lack a little in lockdown, with too much material down towards the initial eyelets. Nike’s upper material and cut-back midsole area do help it reclaim the title of lightest super shoe, and the feel is reminiscent of the Endorphin Pro 3’s upper, but a bit more padding at the top of the tongue would not go amiss. Nike has also kept a more traditional heel counter, compared with the very narrow heel counter on the Endorphin Pro 3. All four are plenty breathable, and none feel weighty or bulky.

Midsole Feel and Ride

The Vaporfly Next% 3 feels good from 10K pace right through to marathon effort. The Endorphin Pro 3 sits alongside it as the most versatile of the group: the two are the most consistent models across 5K to marathon pace, with tons of cushion and a propulsive feel in both.

The Adios Pro 3 is the more marathon option of the four. With extra foam in the forefoot, it does not really invite 10K or even half marathon racing, and it lacks the wild feel of its predecessor, the Adios Pro 2. The Metaspeed Sky Plus, with its lower drop and the narrowest forefoot here, leans the other way: more aggressive, better suited to 10K or half marathon than a full marathon.

One niggle worth noting: Nike’s quite prominent arch is still there in the Vaporfly Next% 3, and wider width fittings would win them more fans without adding much weight.

Durability and Outsole Wear

The Pebax midsoles in the Endorphin Pro 3 and the Vaporfly series are not the most durable. They discolour quickly and lose their luster after about 150 miles, great while they last, then it is time for the bucket of cold water. The Adios Pro 3 stands out here: its Lightstrike Pro foam actually gets better the more miles you put in, rather than diminishing out of the box, and it is probably one of the most durable midsole materials available right now.

Outsole-wise, the Metaspeed Sky Plus and the Adios Pro 3 are hard to beat for rubber durability and longevity. The Endorphin Pro 3 shows only minor lateral heel wear. The Vaporfly Next% 3 is the concern: after 16 miles at pace there is already some rubber shedding in the midfoot. Less rubber means lower weight, but it is hard to love at 100 miles, so plan to use it sparingly for when it counts. Treadmill or track use may stretch its life.

Is the Vaporfly Next% 3 a Must-Buy?

There has been plenty of talk about real differences between the previous Vaporfly and this V3. Measured honestly, there are no major differences: the same arch, the same mid to forefoot width, the same heel width, and very similar stack readings. Any claim that the V3 is wider in the forefoot comes down to the generous upper material rather than the geometry.

If you are tempted, it may be worth holding out for a discounted pair of the Vaporfly Next% 2 instead. There is no major difference between the two, and the V3 does not feel like an absolute must-buy right now.

Conclusion

There are no outright champions here, and that is the honest verdict. All four are superb race and pace options with different features and levels of cushion, and you can genuinely run any distance in any of them. The similarities between them outweigh the differences: pick the Endorphin Pro 3 or Vaporfly Next% 3 for all-round versatility, the Adios Pro 3 for marathon durability, and the Metaspeed Sky Plus for shorter, more aggressive efforts.