8.8Staff pick
Nike
Alphafly 4
$280ZoomX LT foam, a wider Flyplate and quieter Air pods, about 10 grams lighter than before.
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Race Day · Nike
Alphafly 3
Air pods, ZoomX and a full carbon plate, now light enough to stop apologising for.
8.6 Elite
Runsletter Score out of 10. Among the best we've tested. Buy with confidence.
Buy it if
- Unmatched forefoot bounce at marathon pace
- Smooth transition from a continuous midsole
- Proven over countless marathon personal bests
Skip it if
- Now outclassed by the lighter Alphafly 4
- Heel can feel unstable at slow speeds
- Premium price for a limited-mileage shoe
$285
List price; often discounted in seasonal sales
Check price at retailers ↗When does it go on sale?We may earn a commission
Staff pick
- Weight
- 218 g
- Stack
- 40 mm
- Drop
- 8 mm
The verdict
The Alphafly 3 pairs ZoomX foam with a full-length carbon Flyplate and two Air Zoom pods under the forefoot. The result is the most aggressive bounce on the shelf, with a ride that feels like it wants to fall forward the moment you lean in.
It is built for the marathon and half marathon at race pace, and it works best for runners who land on the midfoot or forefoot. A continuous midsole made it far smoother than the clunkier early Alphaflys, so it is now a fair option for runners who heel strike at the start and drift forward as they tire.
The Alphafly 4 has since trimmed weight and quietened the pods, so the 3 makes most sense on discount. Fit is close and secure with a race-day lockdown, and Nike says it runs small, so consider half a size up.
“Still the marathon shoe everyone else is measured against.”
Specs
| Weight | 218 g |
|---|---|
| Stack height | 40 mm |
| Drop | 8 mm |
| Cushion | 4 / 5 |
| Plate | carbon |
| Support | Neutral |
| Surface | road |
| Best for | race, long |
| Midsole | ZoomX foam with forefoot Air Zoom pods |
| Plate detail | Full-length carbon Flyplate |
| Upper | One-piece Atomknit upper |
| Outsole | Rubber in the main contact zones |
| Fit | Close, secure race fit; Nike advises half a size up |
| Widths | Standard only |
We may earn a commission if you buy through our links. Scores are sample editorial data.
How it stacks up
Compare side by side →| Product | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Nike Alphafly 3 · this one | 8.6 Elite | $285 |
| Nike Alphafly 4 | 8.8 Elite | $280 |
| Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 | 8.4 Strong | $250 |
| Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 | 8.3 Strong | $275 |
Mentioned in
From the Journal
Versus · 6 min
Alphafly 4 vs Alphafly 3: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
Same 8 mm drop, same Air pods, same idea. The 4 is lighter, quieter and steadier, but a discounted 3 is still a very fast shoe.
Versus · 6 min
Alphafly 4 vs Nike Apex: Which Nike Should You Race In?
Nike now has two flagship marathon shoes. One is for personal bests, the other is for world records, and they aren't built the same way.
Versus · 8 min
Every Nike Alphafly, Compared: From Next% to Alphafly 4
Four generations, two world-changing marathons and one persistent squeak. We rank them all and tell you which is still worth buying.
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