Nike’s Vaporfly 3 Sneakers Are Built for Speed
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When you're spending $250 or more on running shoes, you're either in the serious runner category or you're aspiring to be. There are stellar pairs on the market for less than that. Hoka's Bondi and Clifton come to mind. New Balance's affordable Fresh Foam and even the lifestyle-focused 990 work just fine. But I was curious when it comes to bang for your buck in the sneaker department. Is something as pricey as Nike's Vaporfly 3 worth the investment (though it's technically a step down from the marathon-level Alphafly 3)? I've been putting it to the test to find out, and surprisingly I'm on board.
Having run a marathon a few years ago in a pair of Nike's older Flyknit iterations, it seems only right that my current half marathon training shoe incorporates the same ultralightweight technology. While I'm not aiming for record-breaking time—a solid nine- or ten-minute mile will do quite fine—it's still nice to feel like I'm running fast, to feel propelled forward. These shoes do exactly that.
Vaporfly 3 Men's Road Racing Shoes
Lightweight and built for speed
This shoe is as close to running barefoot as it gets in terms of weight. The cushioning system is decidedly not barefoot-like. Each shoe weighs 7.1 ounces, one of the lightest on the market, creating that barely-there feel. The ZoomX foam is Nike's most responsive sole material, and it's where you lose the barefoot-ness of this run. It delivers phenomenal energy return from heel to toe with each stride. Different from previous iterations, the Vaporfly 3 features a modified thin rubber outsole to reduce outsole weight and thickness, allowing for extra millimeters of ZoomX foam underfoot.
Yet even with all of this added foam, the sneakers don't get that squishy quality you tend to find with other models. I could still feel my run, but the shoes put a spring in my step that I didn't even realize I'd been missing. That would be thanks to the carbon-fiber plate at the core of the sole. It's what revolutionized the world of running shoes, and it's what makes this specific pair so fast.
Good for sweaty feet
Personal note: My feet sweat. While sweaty feet aren't something I'm ashamed of, it's uncomfortable when I'm running if my feet are overheated with my socks getting all moist. During a marathon, it can actually slow you down. One of my favorite parts about this shoe is that it's as breathable as it gets. You can literally see your socks through the mesh holes of the upper; it's like a mesh lacrosse pinnie in footwear form. While this might not seem like a big deal, this perforated upper keeps my foot cool as I run long distances.
Power in the details
Every element of the design of the Vaporfly 3 is thoughtful, from heel to toe. The sleek and streamlined silhouette is an aerodynamic shape. A full-length carbon-fiber Flyplate delivers a stiff and propulsive feel. Light padding on the tongue aims to reduce lace pressure. Even the various colorways all have unique touches: The all-black pair features a "Running Is Mental" heel design, nodding to the mindful aspects of the sport. The flame-patterned style—which still has a full size run on the Nike site at the time of writing—commemorated Japan's 2025 New Year Ekiden.
My two notes
The other thing to be aware of when purchasing your pair is that they run slightly small. We're talking a half size too small, at least. That's how all of my Nike running shoes are, so perhaps it's a personal anatomy issue. Who knows. But if you're in between sizes, I'd go up. That's general practice in running, though. Too big is bad, but any amount of too small is really unusable.
Also, you are going to need to replace them eventually. The worst part about finding a running shoe that you fall in love with is the knowledge that one day you are going to need to get a new pair. So when a heftier price tag is attached to said new pair, it's going to sting a little. While the construction isn't any less durable than that of other Nike models, I have noticed that the sole does wear slightly quicker than others.
Is Nike's Vaporfly 3 worth $270?
It comes down to patience and preference. When I first tried the Vaporfly, it actually took a little bit to get used to such a pro-level running shoe. I had never experienced anything like that energy return, so it required some time adjusting to the extra bounce in my gait. But now? Running with another pair of shoes feels weird. I need to start a savings jar so I'm ready for when these kick the bucket.
Vaporfly 3 Men's Road Racing Shoes
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