Can Hoka really compete with Nike when it comes to carbon-plated shoes? After all, Nike pioneered the technology with its Vaporfly.
First, Hoka targets very long distances (ultra) with its Carbon X 3. The brand relied on American ultra-trail champion Jim Walmsley to popularize this road running shoe.
Note: the Carbon X 3 is no longer on sale. Its closest replacement at Hoka is the Mach X 3, born from a cross between the Mach 5 and the Carbon X 2. Nike’s marathon answer is the Alphafly 4, its flagship at that distance.
The Nike Alphafly 4 has an elite setup built to go very fast: it’s much lighter, by about 50 g / 1.8 oz, and its midsole is noticeably taller at the heel. The drop is a bit lower on the Carbon X 3.
Hoka has at last moved to supercritical foam (a specific manufacturing technique) with its PROFLY X midsole foam, while the Alphafly 4 layers two ZoomX foams, including the new, lighter ZoomX LT, around a widened Flyplate and two Air Zoom units under the forefoot. In practice, that means a firmer feel on the Hoka and balanced, slightly plush cushioning on the Nike.
Finally, testers note that the Nike Alphafly 4’s ride is more responsive than the Hoka Carbon X 3’s. The Hoka offers smooth transitions and helps you save energy, but the Nike’s propulsion and bounce are more impressive.
Carbon X or Alphafly: Which Should You Choose?
While the Alphafly 4 gives a more efficient ride and therefore lets you go faster, the Hoka has other strengths. First, it’s more versatile, and therefore comfortable even at slow paces, while the Alphafly 4 makes less sense at moderate speeds.
Second, the Hoka is more durable: the Alphafly 4’s foam shows wear quickly. Together, these make the Carbon X 3 suitable for daily training, which the Nike is not.
Bottom line, it’s performance versus versatility. If you want a shoe for pure racing, pick the Alphafly 4. For a more versatile carbon-plated shoe to enjoy on your daily runs, we recommend the Carbon X 3 (or its replacement, the Mach X 3).
