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.
After two sessions Ben's early impression is that the Alphafly 3 could be Nike's best carbon racer yet, especially at half marathon and marathon distances; he still prefers the Vaporfly for 5K and 10K where a more direct feel helps.
Best for: Half marathon and marathon racing and marathon-pace workouts.
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.
Best for: Racing at shorter, faster paces like 5K where the stiff, snappy forefoot shines, though still strong at any distance
One of David's two favorite current racing super shoes; shines from 10K down and for faster, more aggressive turnover, but requires some self-discipline to control the bounce.
Best for: Runners who want an aggressive bouncy forefoot toe-off and are racing 10K down to marathon, with enough control to harness the bounce.
Andrea's fast racer of choice from 5K to half marathon; the aggressive forefoot and Air Pod placement reward faster paces more than marathon efforts.
Best for: Lateral midfoot strikers racing 5K through half marathon who can control a very aggressive, bouncy forefoot.
Matt considers it a much more aggressive and faster-feeling Alphafly than prior versions, worth the $275 for runners who will actually race it fast — but a poor choice for easy runs or more moderate paces.
Best for: Faster runners racing or doing fast workouts who want a very aggressive, forward-directed super shoe.
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.
Best for: Marathon distance for runners needing heel stability; tempo after longer distances
EDDBUD raced the Manchester Marathon in the Alphafly 3 to a PB of 3:34:18 and calls it spot on — extremely comfortable, forgiving, with perfect lockdown and minimal wear, his ideal marathon choice.
Best for: Marathon racing where maximum cushion and long-distance leg saving matter more than outright lightness.
A super-forgiving, fun racer that EDDBUD loves, but its astronomical price makes it hard to recommend over the Adios Pro 4 unless you're deeply invested in the sport.
Best for: Marathon racing and long runs with speed intervals, plus everyday use for hardened Nike fans
EDDBUD's narrow pick over the Endorphin Pro 4 for marathon racing — magical on longer runs, wide and stable, but overkill for 5K/10K distances.
Best for: Marathon racing as a single-shoe training-and-racing option; runners who prefer wide, stable, air-unit ride
EDDBUD completely changed his mind after 100 miles — the Alphafly 3 is his favorite super shoe to throw on for anything from recovery to marathon-pace work, with the earlier arch pain gone and a stable, forgiving ride, scoring it 10.9/12.
Best for: Marathon training and racing, and leg-saving long runs, for runners with normal arches.
Between the two Nike racers EDDBUD would pick the Alphafly 3 if limited to one — it's more versatile, more durable than previous versions, and keeps improving with use, making it great even for long Sunday runs.
Best for: Half marathon and marathon distance for runners who want maximum cushion and heel stability.
A big improvement on the Alphafly 2 with a wide, cushioned, marathon-focused ride, but at £285 it's outshone by cheaper, more versatile options like the Endorphin Pro 4 in this showdown.
Best for: Marathon-distance racing and longer training runs.
After initial runs EDDBUD is underwhelmed — too many issues (unpredictable ride, arch rubbing, squeaking, shabby build quality) at a huge £285 price to recommend; tells viewers not to believe the hype and scores it 10.3/12.
Best for: Marathon racing for runners who've done well in previous Alphaflys; not a 5K/10K option and not ideal for heavier or very tall runners.
Still a favourite and very stable due to its wide platform, but feels dated next to the Feidian 6 — 89 quid more expensive, and Air Pod puncture risk makes a foam super shoe the safer choice.
Best for: Marathon racing on good quality road surfaces where puncture risk to the Air Pods is low
Fordy warns first-time marathoners away; soft foam can overwork calves and cause cramping late in the race.
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.
Best for: Marathon racing with stability and energy return in a lightweight package; also strong for 5K-half distances thanks to continuous midsole and Vaporfly-like feel
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.
Best for: Marathon racing for runners who want maximum cushioning and protection in a carbon plate shoe, especially heavier or more forceful runners
Best for: Marathon racing with leg protection
A versatile carbon race shoe that works well from 5K up to the marathon, with plenty of bounce, cushion, and energy return, and the better all-round pick over the Vaporfly 4 for the reviewer.
Best for: An all-distance carbon racer suited for any race from 5K to marathon
An outstanding all-distance carbon racer with a softer, more accommodating ride and a slight edge in durability and general usability; a very safe marathon pick for most runners.
Best for: All-distance racing from 5K up to marathon, especially for heel strikers and anyone wanting a cushier, more accommodating super shoe
A very fast and accommodating all-distance racer; especially strong at half and marathon distance thanks to its stable, cruiseable ride, though one reviewer felt it lacked the bounce of the original Alphafly.
Best for: All-distance racing with a particular edge for the marathon, and for runners wanting a more stable, accommodating super shoe
A top-tier all-distance super shoe that especially shines for the marathon, with smooth transitions onto punchy forefoot Air Zoom pods making it great for cruising at race pace.
Best for: Marathon racing and cruising at locked-in paces, with enough versatility to run 5K–10K PBs
Compared to other road racing in the same lane.
