Nike Alphafly 3 vs Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4
A side-by-side comparison grounded in verdicts from 5 reviewers with every source linked. We don't invent quotes; every claim below is attributed.
Specs at a glance
The consensus read
Each paragraph is a synthesis across every reviewer in our database for that shoe — what they collectively concluded after wear-testing. Not a quote. Not one person's take. The shape of the room.
Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4
A softer, bouncier marathon racer that trades some midfoot stability for cushioning and responsiveness, though most testers flag the narrow toe box and recommend sizing up half a size to avoid toenail trouble.
Reviewers who wore both
Direct paired observations — reviewers who actually ran in both of these and wrote the contrast. This is the strongest comparative signal on the page.
Less comfortable transition than the Adidas
Alphafly has a broader, more stable feel with a softer heel into firmer forefoot, better for cruising at marathon pace than the nimbler Adios Pro 4
Similar stack and drop, but Alphafly 3 has a wider heel and costs far more; not clearly better enough to justify the price gap over the Adios Pro 4
Adios Pro 3 has the best super-shoe outsole durability thanks to Continental rubber
Alphafly 3 fit is more generous, almost baggy, with harsh knit edges. Zoom Air pods feel clunky, noisy, and rickety compared to the smoother Pro 4, but it remains an extremely efficient set-and-forget marathon racer — only 0.2 oz heavier at 7.4 oz.
One of two shoes he is choosing between for Manchester Marathon
More comfortable transition than the Alphafly for this reviewer
Alphafly 3 has a more plush upper and more stability and cushion in the heel thanks to a flatter plate placement; considered the king in cushion/stability/comfort but much more expensive and harder to get
Similar stack and drop, but Adios Pro 4 is much narrower in the heel and significantly cheaper; Alphafly 3 is slightly more aggressive on traction but Adios Pro 4 is competitive enough that it may take the marathon slot
Adios Pro 4 is lighter, nimbler and a bit more springy throughout, cheaper, and slightly preferred at harder efforts, while the Alphafly has a more relaxed cruising feel better for locking into marathon pace
Nike Alphafly 3 — what reviewers say
Ride profile: high cushion , balanced feel , high energy return , neutral stability , moderate rocker.
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EDDBUD has a soft spot for the ZoomX foam in the Alphafly 3, calling it one of his favorite shoes over recent years, though he feels ZoomX overall has not kept pace with newer foams in the market.
In their words: "soft spot for the Zumax" · "one of my favorite shoes over the last few years" · "design is very much exactly what it was back in 2020"
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Both reviewers consider it an excellent carbon plate racer that remains one of the best marathon options for its cushioning and protection, but agree it has been surpassed by the lighter, more responsive Metaspeed Sky Tokyo. Still a strong choice for runners who prioritize cushy protection over lightweight agility.
Ride:Cushier and more protective feeling than the Metaspeed Sky Tokyo, especially at the heel. Provides a stable and safe landing with a wider base. Air Zoom pods under the forefoot deliver punch off the toes. Feels like it protects legs well over marathon distance. Great for locking into a pace and holding it, with a slightly cruisier ride character.
Fit:True to size but a more restrictive fit than the Metaspeed Sky Tokyo. Booty-style upper can be hard to get on. Midfoot runs lean and snug; runners with wider feet should take note. One reviewer had zero complaints; the other noted the tighter midfoot.
In their words: "cushier feeling at the back of the shoe" · "feels like it's built like a tank"
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WINNER of Megan's knockout race-day bracket — her ultimate race-day shoe.
Ride:Forefoot Air Zoom pods give it the edge over the Vaporfly 4. Megan's race-day pick regardless of distance (except Vaporfly 2 which she disliked). Comfortable upper. Heavier than the Metaspeed Ray but worth it. Feels great in the late miles of a marathon.
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The fastest shoe in the world by many accounts; unique Air Zoom + ZoomX combo.
Ride:Combination of ZoomX foam plus very different (larger) Air Zoom units than Pegasus is what makes the Alphafly so unique and fun.
Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 — what reviewers say
Ride profile: high cushion , neutral stability .
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Both reviewers rated the Adios Pro 4 as an excellent carbon racer that is softer and cushier than the Metaspeed Sky Tokyo, with a more protective heel landing. However, both preferred the ASICS for its lighter weight, poppier forefoot, and faster overall feel. The Adios Pro 4 is a strong value pick, especially at its lower price point.
Ride:Updated Lightstrike Pro foam is softer and bouncier than the Pro 3, providing a cushier, more protective feel especially at the heel. Sharp rocker geometry delivers fast transition. Good energy return and springiness with no signs of foam degradation. Slightly more stable heel landing than the Metaspeed Sky Tokyo. The medial cutout may cause some instability concerns at slower paces. One reviewer noted it is improved over the Pro 3 but that the added softness comes with a slight stability trade-off.
Fit:Runs short — both reviewers recommend going up half a size. The upper design has a lip near the toes that can catch toenails. Even accounting for US/UK size differences, it feels smaller than other Adidas shoes in the same size. Check centimeter sizing carefully. Rest of the fit around heel and midfoot is comfortable and secure.
In their words: "a little bit softer" · "more comfortable for me and less aggressive" · "a great carbon shoe"
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BITR's preferred Adidas race shoe — beats the Pro Evo 2 at half the price.
Ride:First Adios Pro where BITR likes the foam — v3 was too dense and firm. Lighter and more responsive in v4 with a propulsive feel and distinct pop off the toe. Traction is fine on dry pavement. Knocks out the NB SC Elite V5 in Megan's bracket.
In their words: "almost feels blocky under foot" · "feels like slappy almost" · "more of a propulsive feeling"
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A light, soft and durable-outsoled racer that's aging well on price but suffers from a very soft ride, broken-rods durability issues, and an unstructured upper that makes it less reliable than the Pro 5 for marathons when form breaks down.
Ride:Softer than the Endorphin Pro 5 and dulls quicker over time. Outsole is insanely durable, among the best in the comparison, with versatility despite minimal ridges. Foam softness caused the reviewer knee trouble around the 15-16 mile mark. Plagued by broken energy rods, likely because the softer Lightstrike Pro allows the rods too much movement.
Fit:Minimal upper that lacks structure; some runners recommend sizing up half a size because the foot slides forward in the shoe, which can cause toe problems on a marathon.
In their words: "insanely durable" · "minimal, but it does lack structure" · "a bit of knee trouble"
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Ben's marathon pick. Prioritizes cushioning over snappiness.
Ride:Much softer than Pro 3 but plenty of cushion still. Carbon rods (not a plate) run under metatarsals, providing a softer ride ideal for the marathon distance. 200g men's 9 — heavier than his 5K/10K picks but weight matters less over 26.2. Ben ran 2:24 marathon PBs in both Pro 3 (Boston) and v4-style shoe (Valencia 2024). Very soft — ran 14:46 5K in it but felt it sink too much at that pace.
Who should buy which
Use cases the reviewers above actually call out — one bullet per distinct take, attributed. Where reviewers converge (e.g. "5K to half marathon" appearing across multiple takes) the agreement is a stronger buying signal than any single voice.
Consider the Nike Alphafly 3 if
- Racing at shorter, faster paces like 5K where the stiff, snappy forefoot shines, though still strong at any distance — Doctors of Running
- Faster runners racing or doing fast workouts who want a very aggressive, forward-directed super shoe. — Doctors of Running
- Long runs at uptempo paces and marathon racing. — EDDBUD
- All-distance racing from 5K up to marathon, especially for heel strikers and anyone wanting a cushier, more accommodating super shoe — The Run Testers
- Runners who want an aggressive bouncy forefoot toe-off and are racing 10K down to marathon, with enough control to harness the bounce. — Doctors of Running
- Marathon training and racing, and leg-saving long runs, for runners with normal arches. — EDDBUD
Consider the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 if
- Race day, biggest workouts, and marathon racing for non-elite runners as well as pros. — Kofuzi
- Racers who want a soft, light shoe at a discounted price — EDDBUD
- Marathon racing; verdict deferred to 2025 list. — Kofuzi
- Half marathon and marathon racing; versatile enough to handle any common race distance including 5K/10K. — EDDBUD
- Marathon racing where bounce and pop matter most — The Running Channel
- The most versatile super shoe in the test — 5K through marathon. EDDBUD's overall winner at 19/25. — EDDBUD
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between the Nike Alphafly 3 and the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4?
The Nike Alphafly 3 is a race shoe and the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 is a race shoe. By the numbers, the Nike Alphafly 3 weighs 198g, has a 40mm heel stack and an 8mm drop, while the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 weighs 201g, has a 39mm heel stack and a 6mm drop. MSRP is $285 for the Nike Alphafly 3 and $220 for the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4.
Should I buy the Nike Alphafly 3 or the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4?
Doctors of Running on the Nike Alphafly 3: Racing at shorter, faster paces like 5K where the stiff, snappy forefoot shines, though still strong at any distance. Kofuzi on the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4: Race day, biggest workouts, and marathon racing for non-elite runners as well as pros.
Per Doctors of Running, Kofuzi.
Has anyone reviewed both the Nike Alphafly 3 and the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4?
Yes — The Running Channel, The Run Testers, EDDBUD, RunRepeat, and Kofuzi directly compared the Nike Alphafly 3 and the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 in their reviews.
Per The Running Channel, The Run Testers, EDDBUD, RunRepeat, Kofuzi.
Which is cheaper, the Nike Alphafly 3 or the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4?
The Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 is cheaper at $220 versus $285 MSRP — about $65 less.