Nike Vaporfly 4 vs ASICS Metaspeed Sky/Edge Tokyo
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
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.
Metaspeed Tokyo is far better with lightness, speed, bounce, and propulsion
Vaporfly 4 is lighter and quicker but less bouncy and less versatile
Beast of traction compared to Vaporfly 4
Metaspeed Sky Tokyo feels just as light but with more bounce — preferred over the Vaporfly 4
Vaporfly has a more curved plate; ASICS shoes have a lower 5mm drop vs most competitor race shoes
Sky is comparable to or lighter than the Vaporfly, one of the lightest race-day shoes
Nike went the opposite direction, reducing midsole stack.
More bounce, more energy return, and more versatility across distances
Nike Vaporfly 4 — what reviewers say
Ride profile: high cushion , neutral stability .
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EDDBUD says the Vaporfly 4 became one of his favorites after initially disliking it — great lockdown since the offset lacing was dropped, very light, and durable outside of sharp debris.
Fit:Sizing is a bit sporadic across colorways currently on sale.
In their words: "kind of become one of my favorites" · "great lockdown" · "very light shoe"
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#4 carbon racer. Brings Vaporfly closer to Alphafly aesthetic — execution issues but still fun at fast paces. Extremely lightweight.
In their words: "still very fun for running very fast" · "extremely lightweight shoe" · "execution issues going on with this shoe"
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A solid but limited race shoe that feels light and quick at shorter distances but lacks the midsole and bounce for longer races, especially the marathon.
Ride:Lighter and closer to the ground than Vaporfly 3 with snappy, responsive ride and reliable landings; lacks midsole bounce and feels limited at longer distances; works well for shorter, faster efforts.
Fit:Roomier than expected for such a lean, small-looking shoe with plenty of space for the big toe; race-hugging without feeling cramped, with some heel slipping fixable with attentive lacing; stay true to size.
In their words: "designed for shorter distances" · "doesn't have enough midsole for me" · "a half marathon sweet spot"
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Not a flop — still a top-tier super shoe, but Nike has narrowed its purpose to 5K and 10K racing, making it less versatile than prior Vaporflies and a poor pick for half marathon or marathon distances.
Ride:Lightest Vaporfly yet, makes 5K pace feel smooth and efficient; ZoomX shows quick compression where the foot lands
Fit:Best-fitting Vaporfly to date with a slightly more narrow forefoot, traditional tongue and a secure spike-like lockdown; no heel slipping for Ben
ASICS Metaspeed Sky/Edge Tokyo — what reviewers say
Ride profile: maximal cushion , neutral stability .
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The Run Testers rank the Metaspeed Sky Tokyo joint-second among racing shoes — very light and bouncy, excelling over long distances, with some team members running their fastest marathons in it.
In their words: "very lightweight and bouncy designs" · "notched our fastest marathons" · "great racing shoe"
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A very fast, lightweight racing shoe the reviewer uses for shorter race distances (5K/10K), while preferring the Edge for half marathon and marathon.
In their words: "extremely fast and very lightweight"
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An exceptionally light, fast racing shoe with top-tier foam that produced the reviewer's fastest recent 5K, at the cost of a narrower, less stable heel and so-so outsole grip.
In their words: "quite amazed, actually, the time I managed to get wearing this shoe" · "almost nothing there on foot"
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A forefoot-oriented carbon-plated racer with FF Leap foam and a big landing pad up front; Kofuzi's go-to race day shoe for fast workouts and racing, though he notes it's slightly less durable than the Metaspeed Ray.
In their words: "giant landing pad in the front" · "ideal for forefoot stompers like me" · "still a very good racing shoe"
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 Vaporfly 4 if
- Racing for runners seeking a light, fast marathon/road racer at a bargain price, especially those with smaller/lighter feet who get the most 'explosive feel' from it. — EDDBUD
- 5K to half marathon; viable marathon option for seasoned runners — The Run Testers
- Runners who prioritize a comfortable, light upper in a race shoe but may find the foam underwhelming — EDDBUD
- Runners wanting one lightweight super shoe that covers easy through race day — especially those new to carbon — Doctors of Running
- Runners who want a lightweight, snappy, ground-connected race shoe for 5K to half marathon distances — The Run Testers
- Track workouts and shorter races where breathability and a narrow, light, fast platform matter — Seth James DeMoor
Consider the ASICS Metaspeed Sky/Edge Tokyo if
- Half marathon to marathon racing for stride-oriented runners wanting late-race impact protection — EDDBUD
- Marathon racing on flatter courses when not chasing an outright time; reviewer already PB'd a half marathon in it and rates it slightly better than the Sky Paris — The Run Testers
- Races from 5K to marathon for runners who prefer a light, responsive, and poppy carbon plate shoe — The Run Testers
- Marathon racing and any distance where a softer, bouncier carbon-plated feel is preferred, especially on undulating courses. — The Run Testers
- Lighter runners who can maintain form over long races — EDDBUD
- 5K, 10K, and half marathon racing — particularly when going at top speed and striding out for a PB attempt — FORDY RUNS
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between the Nike Vaporfly 4 and the ASICS Metaspeed Sky/Edge Tokyo?
The Nike Vaporfly 4 is a race shoe and the ASICS Metaspeed Sky/Edge Tokyo is a race shoe. By the numbers, the Nike Vaporfly 4 weighs 167g, has a 36mm heel stack and a 6mm drop, while the ASICS Metaspeed Sky/Edge Tokyo weighs 159g, has a 40mm heel stack and a 5mm drop. MSRP is $240 for the Nike Vaporfly 4 and $270 for the ASICS Metaspeed Sky/Edge Tokyo.
Should I buy the Nike Vaporfly 4 or the ASICS Metaspeed Sky/Edge Tokyo?
EDDBUD on the Nike Vaporfly 4: Racing for runners seeking a light, fast marathon/road racer at a bargain price, especially those with smaller/lighter feet who get the most 'explosive feel' from it. EDDBUD on the ASICS Metaspeed Sky/Edge Tokyo: Half marathon to marathon racing for stride-oriented runners wanting late-race impact protection.
Per EDDBUD.
Has anyone reviewed both the Nike Vaporfly 4 and the ASICS Metaspeed Sky/Edge Tokyo?
Yes — The Run Testers, EDDBUD, and Believe in the Run directly compared the Nike Vaporfly 4 and the ASICS Metaspeed Sky/Edge Tokyo in their reviews.
Per The Run Testers, EDDBUD, Believe in the Run.
Which is more cushioned, the Nike Vaporfly 4 or the ASICS Metaspeed Sky/Edge Tokyo?
Measured by stack height, the ASICS Metaspeed Sky/Edge Tokyo has more underfoot foam — 40mm at the heel versus 36mm.
Which is cheaper, the Nike Vaporfly 4 or the ASICS Metaspeed Sky/Edge Tokyo?
The Nike Vaporfly 4 is cheaper at $240 versus $270 MSRP — about $30 less.