These two elite Nike shoes are built to go fast on race day. Brigid Kosgei set a new women’s marathon world record wearing the Vaporfly (a record since beaten in October 2023 by Tigist Assefa in the Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1), while Kelvin Kiptum wore the Alphafly when he set the new marathon world record of 2:00:35 in Chicago that same month. American star Galen Rupp, another long-distance specialist, is also known for racing in the Alphafly.
The two shoes are very similar on paper: a thick 40 mm sole under the heel, ZoomX foam, a carbon-fiber plate.
In the past, the main difference was the drop: the Alphafly had a low drop of just 4 mm, versus 8 mm today.
In 2024, both models share the same drop. Most likely Nike wanted the shoe to work for the rest of us, since a low drop isn’t comfortable for everyone.
Then there are the Alphafly’s two Zoom Air units (small pods of compressed air) under the forefoot, for a very comfortable push-off.
Also worth knowing: the Alphafly’s lockdown is a bit more precise than the Vaporfly’s. That gap is amplified with the Vaporfly 3, whose fit is even roomier than before.
Finally, the 2024 update of the Alphafly (v3) is more stable and more comfortable while also gaining performance.
Vaporfly or Alphafly: Which Should You Choose?
This comparison is a perfect case of “it depends” and “it’s a matter of taste.” They are two very good shoes with equivalent but slightly different setups, designed to suit as many athletes as possible.
We recommend trying both in a store (or ideally on a run) before deciding.
The consensus among runners is that the Alphafly 3 is the more cutting-edge, faster shoe of the two. The Vaporfly 3, though, has the advantage of being the more affordable of the two, all the more so since it is the older model and often discounted.
Finally, if this is your first carbon-plated shoe, the Alphafly 3 may be the better pick thanks to its more stable setup.
