Nike Vaporfly 4
Pros
- 13% lighter than the Vaporfly 3
- Awesome for 5K, 10K and 21K races
- Full ZoomX midsole
- Spring-loaded carbon-fiber Flyplate
- Fantastic lockdown with premium laces
- Moderate rocker for a more natural ride
- Improved perforated, removable insole
- Better rubber coverage in the forefoot
- Gets improvements from the Alphafly 3
- Great upper featuring breathability and durability
Cons
- Less ideal for marathon racing
- Still lacks the snappy feel of the Vaporfly 1&2
- Narrow midfoot and heel limit stability
Key Features
- Full-length carbon fiber Flyplate: Offers a higher angle compared to its predecessor, providing a propulsive feel.
- Nike ZoomX foam: Known for its responsiveness, this latest iteration is lighter and provides exceptional energy return.
- Reduced weight: A slight midsole reduction enhances the bouncy, feathery feeling during your runs.
- Engineered mesh construction: Contributes to a lighter shoe while ensuring a more consistent fit throughout your run.
Specifications
- Origin: Imported
- Sole Material: Rubber
- Outer Material: Carbon fiber Flyplate and mesh
- Closure Type: Lace-Up
The Nike Vaporfly 4 is an excellent choice for competitive female runners seeking a combination of speed, lightness, and comfort. After extensive lab tests and runs, it emerged as a leading contender in racing performance.
This shoe features a stiff and uniquely spoon-shaped carbon FlyPlate, enhancing turnover efficiency for impressive speed. The soft yet responsive ZoomX foam cushioning minimizes muscle strain, providing a comfortable ride with each landing supported by a plush 19.9 HA midsole.
With a weight of only 5.9 oz (166g), the Vaporfly 4 is among the lightest options available, allowing for effortless movement during races. Its breathable upper, which achieved a score of 4/5 in our smoke test, further enhances comfort, reducing the risk of blisters during prolonged runs.
However, rear foot strikers may experience instability due to the narrow heel design of the Vaporfly 4. For those whose biomechanics align with this style, it can be a powerful addition to their racing gear.
Nike Alphafly 3
Pros
- Remarkably lightweight despite its broad size
- Best-in-class breathability
- Excels in the marathon distance
- Repositioned Air Pods offer a better ride than the v2
- ZoomX foam delivers massive energy return
- Aids in forward momentum, especially when legs begin to fatigue
- Better than ever for 5K/10K racing
- Finally smooth transitions!
Cons
- Heel strikers might wear down the outsole quickly
- The arch could still be a challenge for some
- The sock-like tongue might not suit everyone
Key Features
- Air Zoom Units: Two Air Zoom units in the forefoot enhance energy return for increased power with each step.
- Carbon Fibre Plate: A full-length carbon fibre plate enables smooth transitions and stability during runs.
- ZoomX Foam Midsole: Offers exceptional cushioning from heel to toe, ensuring comfort throughout your marathon.
- Lightweight Design: At only 218 g (for men's size 43), it's the lightest Alphafly yet, promoting faster speeds.
- New Atomknit Upper: This innovative upper enhances breathability and multi-directional cushioning.
- Textured Laces: Designed for a reliable grip while being gentle on the foot.
- Padded Tab: Integrated knitted tab reduces pressure from the laces, improving overall comfort.
Specifications
- Origin: Imported
- Sole Material: Rubber
- Outer Material: Nike Materials
- Closure Type: Lace-Up
- Weight: 218 g (men's shoe size 43)
- Drop: 8 mm
- Men to Women Sizing: Men Size 8 = Women Size 9.5
The Nike Alphafly 3 is designed for runners who supinate, providing a combination of speed, cushioning, and support that facilitates the pursuit of personal bests. This elite racing shoe features advanced technologies aimed at enhancing performance on race day.
From the initial strides, the Alphafly 3 demonstrates its capabilities. The energy rebound during toe-off is significant, driven by the dynamic FlyPlate and Air Pods within the midsole. Lab tests reveal its stiffness, withstanding a force of 28.4N to bend to 30º, exceeding the average by 89.3%.
Integral to its structure is the superior ZoomX midsole, which boasts a stack height of 38.1/29.6 mm for enhanced comfort. The dual-foam setup includes an impact-absorbing layer with a hardness of 18.1 HA and a firmer layer at 29.3 HA for additional support.
The sleek design of the Alphafly 3 contributes to its lightweight nature, weighing only 7.1 oz (201g), compared to the average racer's weight of 7.7 oz (217g). The unrestricted Atomknit upper enhances breathability, further supporting the overall performance.
However, the retail price of $285 may deter budget-conscious consumers, who might consider alternative options available in the market. Overall, the Nike Alphafly 3 presents a compelling choice for serious racers looking for stability and durability in their running shoes.
Adidas Adizero Prime X3 STRUNG
Pros
- Excellent shock absorption
- Fantastic bounce from new Lightstrike Pro foam
- Fits better than v2
- Innovative tech and design from heel to toe
- STRUNG upper is just awesome
- Works well on any season
- Skyscraper-like stack height
- A total blast (if it suits you)
- Breathable upper
Cons
- Crazy expensive
- Heavier than all supershoes
- Heel strikers may feel unstable
- Too stiff for easy days
Key Features
- Regular fit for enhanced comfort
- Lace closure for a secure fit
- Synthetic upper for durability and breathability
- Textile sockliner for added comfort
- LightstrikePro midsole for superior cushioning and energy return
Specifications
- Origin: Made in USA and Imported
- Sole material: Rubber
- Outer material: Synthetic
- Closure type: Lace-Up
The Adidas Adizero Prime X3 Strung is designed for serious runners seeking exceptional performance and cushioning. Its advanced construction includes a substantial stack height, sophisticated plate design, and a durable outsole that enhance its capabilities on the track.
This shoe offers remarkable cushioning, measured at a significant 48.1/35.1 mm, providing one of the highest stack heights observed in running footwear. The experience on foot reveals no ground feel coupled with outstanding responsiveness, supported by shock absorption ratings of 160/125 SA in the heel and forefoot.
The energy return is impressive, showing 73.7% in the heel and an even higher 76.7% in the forefoot. Featuring a full-length carbon plate alongside Energy Rods 2.0, the ride is both springy and stable, while the outsole's grip is validated by a friction score of 0.56 in traction tests.
However, despite its many advantages, the Prime X3's weight of 10.8 oz (305g) may be considered excessive for competitive racing, which could deter some athletes.
ASICS Noosa Tri 16
Pros
- Lightweight
- Exceptional grip
- Attention-grabbing aesthetic
- Gusseted tongue
- Comfortable upper
- Great for triathlon
- Really versatile
- Fantastic price point
- Breathability
Cons
- Upper longevity
- Minimal tongue padding
- Still not enough energy return
Key Features
- FF BLAST PLUS cushioning: This is ASICS' softest and lightweight cushioning material that provides exceptional impact absorption, helping to reduce fatigue during your runs.
- GUIDESOLE technology: Designed to create smooth toe-offs, this technology aids in conserving energy, allowing you to run longer distances with less effort.
- Mesh upper: Enhances breathability, ensuring that your feet stay cool even during intense workouts.
- ASICSGRIP outsole rubber: This unique outsole provides excellent grip and traction across various terrains, giving you the confidence to tackle different running environments.
- Environmentally-friendly sockliner: Produced using a solution dyeing process, it reduces water usage by approximately 33% and carbon emissions by about 45% compared to conventional methods.
Specifications
- Fabric type: 100% Synthetic
- Origin: Imported
- Sole material: Rubber
- Outer material: Polyester
The ASICS Noosa Tri 16 is ideal for runners seeking a tempo shoe that offers exceptional traction and performance. Its versatile outsole, responsive kick, and shock-absorbing cushioning make it suitable for speed training in various weather conditions.
A key feature of the ASICS Noosa Tri 16 is the ASICSGRIP rubber, which demonstrated reliability in wet conditions with a friction score of 0.79. This level of traction is significantly higher, at 68.1% grippier than average, ensuring confidence through sharp turns and slippery streets.
We measured the stack height at 32.8/26.9 mm, contributing to a lightweight design weighing just 7.7 oz (217g). Despite its low weight, the shoe remains comfortable for multi-hour runs, achieving solid shock absorption scores of 129/108 SA in the heel and forefoot, respectively.
Acceleration feels more efficient in this shoe, thanks to effective energy return. The forefoot recorded an energy return score of 60.5%, while heel strikers experienced a lower score of 53.9%. If energy return is critical for your running style, this may be a drawback when considering the ASICS Noosa Tri 16.
Adidas Adizero EVO SL
Pros
- 100% Lightstrike Pro superfoam
- Exceptional value-to-performance ratio
- Low weight
- Ultra-breathable upper
- Unmatched versatility
- Agile and fun ride
- Handles short and long runs with ease
- Striking Evo 1-inspired aesthetics
Cons
- Poor-quality laces
- Short, non-gusseted tongue
- Toebox durability
Key Features
- LIGHTSTRIKE PRO foam in the midsole offers exceptional cushioning and energy return.
- Regular fit with lace closure for a secure and comfortable fit.
- Forefoot patch made from Continental Rubber (Conti Winter) for superior traction.
- Rear foot patch features CL rubber for added durability.
- Average weight of 252.3 g per shoe (for size 9.5).
- Midsole drop of 0.25 inches (6.5 mm); heel height: 1.3 inches (32 mm), forefoot height: 1.5 inches (38.5 mm).
- Available in sizes ranging from 25.0-28.5 cm.
- Constructed from over 20% recycled materials.
Specifications
- Closure type: Lace-Up
- Upper Material: Synthetic Fiber
- Sole Material: Rubber sole
- Width: 2E
- Country of Origin: China
- Model Year: 2025
The Adidas Adizero EVO SL is an exceptional tempo trainer designed for runners seeking a lightweight and responsive experience. Its Lightstrike Pro midsole provides significant energy return, making it suitable for various running training sessions. Lab results indicate that the EVO SL combines speed with comfort, thanks to its non-plated design.
The high-performance trainer sustains speed without introducing stiffness, achieving impressive energy return scores of 74.3% in the heel and 70.3% in the forefoot. Each stride benefits from a gentle cushion, supported by shock absorption scores of 147 SA in the heel and 126 SA in the forefoot. This combination ensures effective performance during intense runs.
With a weight of only 7.9 oz (223g), the EVO SL is significantly lighter than average at 12.9% below the typical weight for similar shoes. The shoe's flexibility is notable, as confirmed by a 30-degree test showing a 34.7% higher flexibility score than average. This feature allows for natural foot movement while running.
It is important to note, however, that the tongue of the EVO SL is not gusseted. While this may not pose a major concern, it could be a minor annoyance for some runners during their training sessions.