Nike Alphafly 3 vs Nike Vaporfly 3
Nike Alphafly 3
Nike Vaporfly 3
Alphafly 3 is the maximalist speed machine, Vaporfly 3 is the nimble racer — same goal, different paths.
How They Compare
The things that actually matter 💅
Pick Your Side 💜
Which one stole your heart?
Which One Is For You?
Two amazing products, two different vibes ✨
- You run long and want maximum cushion at mile twenty-two
- You prefer more foam underfoot for energy return on flats
- You want the most shoe Nike makes for race day
- You race everything from 5K to the marathon
- You want a lighter shoe that feels fast at any pace
- You like a more traditional racing shoe feel underfoot
The Full Story
LoveBar's deep-dive, written for humans 💕
Choosing between the Nike Alphafly 3 and Vaporfly 3 is one of the best problems a serious runner can have. The Alphafly is Nike's no-holds-barred racing flagship — more foam, more cushion, more everything. It was literally designed for the Breaking2 project and it shows. At marathon distance, that extra cushion pays dividends when your legs are screaming. The Vaporfly is the leaner sibling that sparked the entire super shoe revolution. It does everything the Alphafly does but with less bulk, making it more versatile across distances. You can race a 5K in Vaporfly and not feel overdressed. The Alphafly is the specialist — built for marathons and half marathons where cushion matters most. The Vaporfly is the generalist — a racing shoe that adapts to whatever distance you throw at it. Both have carbon plates, both have ZoomX foam, both will make you faster. The question is whether you want the scalpel or the sledgehammer.