Every Nike Alphafly, Compared: From Next% to Alphafly 4

Few shoes have shaped marathon running like the Alphafly. A prototype carried Eliud Kipchoge to his 1:59:40 in Vienna in 2019, and a prototype of the Alphafly 3 was on Kelvin Kiptum's feet when he ran 2:00:35 in Chicago in 2023. Here is how the four retail versions compare, and which one we would buy today.

Alphafly Next% (2020). The original set the formula: a tall ZoomX stack, a full-length carbon Flyplate and two Zoom Air pods under the forefoot, all under the debut of Nike's Atomknit upper. Stack was 40 mm at the heel and 36 mm at the forefoot, a low 4 mm drop that rewarded forefoot strikers and punished anyone landing on their heels. It launched at $275. It was fast and surprisingly stable, but heavier than the Vaporfly and noticeably narrow through the midfoot.

Alphafly Next% 2 (2022). Nike added foam to the heel, raised the drop to 8 mm and widened the base to make the shoe friendlier to more runners. It worked: the 2 is the most stable Alphafly and the easiest to land on late in a race. The cost was weight. Testers measured it as roughly an ounce heavier than the original in the same size, and it felt the least lively of the four. Price stayed at $275.

Alphafly 3 (2024). This was the big rethink. A single continuous ZoomX midsole replaced the split design, the Air pods stayed and the Flyplate ran further back, all at the 40 mm heel and 32 mm forefoot limit with an 8 mm drop. At about 218 g in a men's 10 it shed most of the 2's weight, and it ran smoother through the gait. It was the best Alphafly to date, held back by a narrow platform that some runners found unstable and a $285 price.

Alphafly 4 (2026). The newest version refines rather than reinvents. ZoomX LT foam, a wider Flyplate and retuned Air pods bring it to about 208 g with a 39 mm heel, 31 mm forefoot and 8 mm drop. Nike claims 5% less weight and 10% more energy return than the 3, though that comes from its own lab. Testers agree it is bouncier and more stable than the 3, and at around $280 it is slightly cheaper. It still squeaks for some.

The ranking. 1: Alphafly 4, the lightest and most complete Alphafly, with the 3's speed and better stability. 2: Alphafly 3, close behind and likely to get cheaper now its successor is out. 3: the original Next%, still a thrill for efficient forefoot runners if you can find a pair. 4: Next% 2, the safest ride but the heaviest and least exciting.

Our verdict: buy the Alphafly 4 if you want the best marathon shoe Nike makes. Pick up a discounted Alphafly 3 if price matters more than the last few percent. If you heel strike or found every Alphafly too tippy, skip the family and look at the Adios Pro 4 or the Endorphin Elite 2.