Nike Vaporfly 4 vs ASICS Metaspeed Sky 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.
Vaporfly 4 is lighter and quicker but less bouncy and less versatile
Metaspeed Tokyo is far better with lightness, speed, bounce, and propulsion
Beast of traction compared to Vaporfly 4
Metaspeed Sky Tokyo feels just as light but with more bounce — preferred over the Vaporfly 4
More bounce, more energy return, and more versatility across distances
Sky is comparable to or lighter than the Vaporfly, one of the lightest race-day shoes
Nike went the opposite direction, reducing midsole stack.
Nike Vaporfly 4 — what reviewers say
Ride profile: high cushion , neutral stability .
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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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Didn't make top 5. Lower stack, not as cushioned, narrow. More a 10K/half shoe than a marathon racer. More a competitor to the Takumi Sen 11 than to top-tier carbons.
In their words: "not in the same league" · "still very narrow" · "Quite a costly 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 Tokyo — what reviewers say
Ride profile: maximal cushion , neutral stability .
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EDDBUD considers the Metaspeed Sky Tokyo one of his favorites after it grew on him over time; the dual-foam setup adds stability over the Ray while retaining the softness of FF Blast Leap.
In their words: "certainly one of my favorites in testing over the last year" · "took a little bit of time for me to get used to it" · "more stable implementation"
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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"
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Both reviewers consider the Metaspeed Sky Tokyo one of the top two to three carbon plate racing shoes currently available, praising the improved FF Leap foam for delivering a lighter, bouncier, and more responsive ride than the already-excellent Sky Paris predecessor. Minor downsides include reduced stability compared to the Paris and typical ASICS outsole durability concerns.
Ride:Dual-layer FF Leap and FF Turbo Plus midsole provides a soft, bouncy, and highly responsive ride with excellent energy return. Lighter and bouncier than the Metaspeed Sky Paris predecessor. Plate engagement is easy and provides strong propulsion off the toes. Not the most stable shoe due to the soft foam wedge at the heel, but not a major concern for most runners.
Fit:True to size for both reviewers. Good room around the toes and forefoot, slightly more snug than ASICS training shoes like the Nimbus. Comfortable lightweight Motion Wrap upper with good heel and midfoot lockdown. Midfoot has a bit more give than typical race shoes.
In their words: "great compact race shoe" · "really fast, really fun" · "not a particularly stable shoe"
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A propulsive, race-ready Metaspeed update — softer FF Leap bottom layer adds late-marathon comfort to the carbon-plated ride while top-tier outsole grip excels in wet cornering. Less stable than the Edge but more comfortable over the full marathon distance.
Ride:Bigger chunk of soft FF Leap foam underneath the carbon plate gives the Sky a softer, more cushioned ride than the Edge. Less stable than the Edge — Robbie called out a heel wobble at easy paces — but once you pick the pace up it 'all comes together.' Plate position closer to the foot delivers a propulsive toe-off. Outsole grip is top-tier in wet cornering.
Fit:Motion Wrap 3.0 upper is super light and breathable with very little structure — runs roomy in the toe box, allows toe splay, but Robbie noted some heel lift that required lacing to the top eyelet. Less constraining than the Adios Pro 4. Some give in the midfoot for runners with wider feet.
In their words: "felt very effortless running faster paces" · "explosive feel off the toe" · "comfort with the speed"
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
- Short-distance races and turn-heavy courses — Believe in the Run
- 10K to half marathon racing, track miles, shorter fast efforts — The Run Testers
- Lighter forefoot/cadence runners doing 10K to half marathon racing. — EDDBUD
- Half marathon sweet spot but versatile from shorter races up to marathon distance for runners who prefer a more direct ride — The Run Testers
- Short-distance racing up to 10K, or up to half marathon for more seasoned runners wanting minimal cushion — The Run Testers
- 5K through half marathon for runners who value low weight; lighter runners may also use for the marathon — EDDBUD
Consider the ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo if
- Half marathon to marathon racing for stride-oriented runners wanting late-race impact protection — EDDBUD
- Race day shoe for 5K through marathon distances. Suits stride-lengthening runners especially but works well for all neutral runners seeking a top-tier carbon plate racer. — The Run Testers
- 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
- 10K racing and potentially marathon distance — The Run Testers
- Racing from 5K up to the marathon — The Run Testers
- Runners who want a softer, trampoline-like heel feel and prefer to settle into rhythm at half marathon and marathon paces. — Doctors of Running
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between the Nike Vaporfly 4 and the ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo?
The Nike Vaporfly 4 is a race shoe and the ASICS Metaspeed Sky 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 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 Tokyo.
Should I buy the Nike Vaporfly 4 or the ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo?
Believe in the Run on the Nike Vaporfly 4: Short-distance races and turn-heavy courses. EDDBUD on the ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo: Half marathon to marathon racing for stride-oriented runners wanting late-race impact protection.
Per Believe in the Run, EDDBUD.
Has anyone reviewed both the Nike Vaporfly 4 and the ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo?
Yes — The Run Testers, EDDBUD, and Believe in the Run directly compared the Nike Vaporfly 4 and the ASICS Metaspeed Sky 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 Tokyo?
Measured by stack height, the ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo has more underfoot foam — 40mm at the heel versus 36mm.
Which is cheaper, the Nike Vaporfly 4 or the ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo?
The Nike Vaporfly 4 is cheaper at $240 versus $270 MSRP — about $30 less.