Nike Alphafly v3 vs Adidas Adizero Adios Pro v4
A side-by-side comparison grounded in verdicts from 6 reviewers with every source linked. We don't invent quotes; every claim below is attributed.
Specs at a glance
| Nike Alphafly v3 | Adidas Adizero Adios Pro v4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Stack (heel / forefoot) | 40.0 / 32.0 mm | 39.0 / 33.0 mm |
| Drop | 8.0 mm | 6.0 mm |
| Weight (men's 9) | 7.0 oz (198g) | 7.1 oz (201g) |
| Midsole | ZoomX (PEBA) + forefoot Air Zoom units | Lightstrike Pro (PEBA) |
| Plate | Full-length carbon fiber Flyplate | Full-length carbon Energy Rods 2.0 |
| Upper | Atomknit 3.0 | Engineered mesh (Micro Fit one-way stretch) |
| MSRP | $285.00 | $220.00 |
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.
Nike Alphafly v3
A marathon-focused super shoe that delivers a soft, cushioned ride with smooth heel-to-toe transitions and stable energy return, though some testers flag unpredictable behavior and arch discomfort at the premium price point.
Adidas Adizero Adios Pro v4
A soft, bouncy marathon racer that prioritizes cushioning and propulsion over snappiness, earning praise for its durable outsole and versatility across distances—though the toe box runs narrow and requires sizing up a half size, and the foam softens noticeably after 100 miles.
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.
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 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
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.
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
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
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
One of two shoes he is choosing between for Manchester Marathon
Nike Alphafly v3 — what reviewers say
Ride profile: high cushion , balanced feel , high energy return , neutral stability , moderate rocker.
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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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A slightly better trainer and long-distance marathon option than the Fast-R 3 thanks to its wider platform and heel stability, though it loses to the Puma on outright speed at 5K/10K.
Ride:Wider landing platform than Fast-R 3 with substantial heel width and more aggressive air units; better trainer and long-distance option among the two
In their words: "very, very durable" · "the most durable yet" · "slightly better trainer and long distance option"
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A stiff, bouncy trampoline-like super shoe with a snappy, explosive forefoot, well-suited to runners who want a structured and more aggressive racing feel.
Ride:Very stiff, trampoline-like platform with snappy, bouncy ZoomX and airpod suspension in the forefoot; lands at the heel and explodes off the forefoot with a structured feel and good sole flaring for stability.
Fit:Translucent mesh with a performance fit; more volume in forefoot and midfoot than the Cloudboom Strike, with a shallow heel counter and good lace lockdown that can bite when cinched.
In their words: "almost feels like a trampoline" · "explode off the forefoot" · "more volume in the forefoot"
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RunRepeat's lab says Nike hit a home run — lighter than the OG Alphafly yet more stable and accommodating than v2, making the Alphafly 3 a superb super shoe for a wide range of runners despite its weak toebox durability and premium $285 price.
Ride:Lab measured 18HA lower ZoomX layer (softer than v2) and 29HA firmer upper layer; 71.7 N stiffness flex; midsole freezer test showed only 17% firmer in cold; AirPods slightly protrude for earlier ground contact; carbon plate has more pronounced midfoot incline than v2
Fit:Atomknit 3.0 upper is exceptionally breathable (5/5) and lighter than prior versions; lower arch and slightly wider midfoot should alleviate arch blisters from Alphafly 1/2; sock-like tongue eliminates shifting; heel counter is intentionally soft (1/5) with generous padding
In their words: "purely built for speed" · "much more aggressive and bouncy" · "more spacious than previous versions"
Adidas Adizero Adios Pro v4 — 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 v3 if
- Half marathon and marathon racing and marathon-pace workouts. — Ben Is Running
- Half marathon and marathon distance for runners who want maximum cushion and heel stability. — EDDBUD
- Racing at shorter, faster paces like 5K where the stiff, snappy forefoot shines, though still strong at any distance — Doctors of Running
- An all-distance carbon racer suited for any race from 5K to marathon — The Run Testers
- 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
Consider the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro v4 if
- Race day, biggest workouts, and marathon racing for non-elite runners as well as pros. — Kofuzi
- Faster runners with long strides who can open up hips and toe off hard; workouts and race paces at 5K-marathon effort — Doctors of Running
- Runners targeting marathon or longer who want cushioned protection and are comfortable with the fit; recommended for those running slower than sub-3 marathon pace — The Run Testers
- Racers who want a soft, light shoe at a discounted price — EDDBUD
- Carbon-plated racing across multiple distances from 5K to marathon, especially for runners who want bounce and energy return — The Run Testers
- Runners who want a brilliant, versatile race shoe across common distances and prioritize value; those who prefer wider fit — EDDBUD