Nike Vaporfly Next 3 running shoes

The Nike Vaporfly Next 3 running shoe is Nike’s top-of-the-range road super running shoe (alongside the Alphafly), best suited for experienced and fast runners. Of course, you can use it outside of races, but since it wears out quickly, this would be a waste of a shoe. If you had to choose a similar but cheaper and more durable training running shoe to the Vaporfly 3, the Nike Zoom Fly 5 running shoe is the best choice, which is heavier, slower, but has a similar high midfoot and carbon plate. Slower runners can also use the Vaporfly 3, but it may be unnecessary to spend that much money on it for a slower runner, because it won’t be able to give you enough extra speed to make it worth it. Slower runners will also be able to go faster in this running shoe the question is whether it’s worth it. However, this shoe is like a Ferrari, in everyday life most people wouldn’t know what to do with it, but everyone would try it once (on a race track). It has all the technology that Nike has. Lightweight, breathable, stable, comfortable, the whole sole has ZoomX technology and a carbon plate.

The upper of the Nike Vaporfly Next 3 running shoe is made of a lightweight knitted mesh material that is very thin and has very good breathability. The density of the weave varies, with a denser weave where you need to keep the foot more firmly in place, and a more airy weave in other areas. Despite the fact that there are no additional layers on the mesh to stiffen the mesh, the upper is rigid and will not collapse without the foot in it, as stronger fibres are woven into the weave. Compared to previous versions, it’s more comfortable, with less compression on the foot, as racing shoes tend to do. The tongue is very thin and is not fixed on two sides, but the laces can be slipped over the strap on the tongue so it doesn’t move. As in the previous versions, the lacing is slanted on the shoe. The heel, also very thin, has a padded layer inside that holds the foot very well and adds comfort, it doesn’t bend as much as in previous versions.

The midsole of the Nike Vaporfly Next 3 running shoe hasn’t changed much from the previous version, but Nike has changed a lot in its behavior. The most noticeable difference is in the geometry of the midsole. The new, wider midfoot design makes the Vaporfly much more stable, which, combined with the increased height and comfort, makes the shoe more suitable for longer runs. With the geometry change, the Vaporfly 3 is clearly aimed at a wider audience. The midfoot is 40 mm higher at the heel, yet the shoe is incredibly lightweight. The triangle cutout on the side of the midsole and the sole also serves the function of making the shoe lighter, as it is not needed there. The ZoomX that makes up the entire sole gives a lot of flexibility, which is stiffened slightly by the carbon insert that also covers the entire sole, but the latter makes the shoe much more dynamic and fast. The carbon plate in the midsole (FlyPlate) is not straight or flat, but curved like a spoon. This means that the front of the foot is much closer to the ground and also wider than the heel, which makes the shoe even more aggressive, with better energy transfer. The curved carbon plate propels the runner forward rather than up. Thanks to the two technologies (ZoomX and carbon plate), the shoe is fast, but also flexible and soft to run in. At all paces, the shoe gives a comfortable run, but its prowess is best brought out on faster runs. The only downside to the tall and soft foam is that it collapses more quickly and wears out more easily with use, so it’s worth saving your mileage in the Vaporfly 3 running shoes.

The outsole of the Nike Vaporfly Next 3 running shoe is a thin, tough rubber compound with good traction. The waffle pattern on the forefoot is a familiar Nike design, which also saves weight, but not at the expense of traction. The thin and articulated outsole, which doesn’t cover the entire sole, helps a lot to keep the shoe from being heavy, but also has a big impact on durability, unfortunately in a negative way.

Overall, the Nike Vaporfly Next 3 running shoe remains one of the best running shoes. Lightweight, comfortable, fast, breathable, stable (or at least more stable than the previous version) and versatile. Compared to previous versions, it’s clear that Nike is trying to appeal to a wider audience with the Vaporfly 3, as they’ve made it more stable and even more comfortable, making it more suitable for longer runs. The question is how much more durable it is, whether you can run more than 300 km in it, because the already high price is made even more expensive by the fact that it can wear out quickly.