The Nike Vaporfly 4 is the shoe I lace up for speed workouts. I’ve put somewhere between 25 and 75 miles on mine, all of it tempo and interval work, and it is fast and springy. It also fixed the one thing I couldn’t stand about my old Vaporfly 2: on hard marathon workouts, that shoe would sometimes make my slightly wide feet bleed. The Vaporfly 4 hasn’t done that once.
The short answer: buy it if you want a light carbon-plated shoe for fast running and can stomach the $270 price. That price is my biggest complaint, and I’d still buy it again at full price.
Best for speed workouts
Nike Vaporfly 4
A light, springy carbon-plated racer with a 6 mm drop and a true-to-size fit.
Nike Vaporfly 4 Review: Quick Verdict
The Vaporfly 4 feels quick the moment you pick up the pace. The rebound makes fast running feel easier, the fit has been far kinder to my feet than the Vaporfly 2, and after my miles so far, the shoes still look basically new.
I haven’t raced in mine yet, so this review comes from hard training sessions rather than a start line. Nike pitches the shoe for races from the 10K to the marathon.
Nike Vaporfly 4 specs
| Spec | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $270 | Older colorways are often discounted |
| Weight | 6.7 oz (190 g) | Nike's figure for a men's US 10 |
| Stack height | 35 mm heel / 29 mm forefoot | Under the 40 mm road racing limit |
| Heel-to-toe drop | 6 mm | Down from 8 mm on the Vaporfly 3 |
| Midsole | ZoomX foam | Runs from heel to toe |
| Plate | Full-length carbon Flyplate | Higher angle than the Vaporfly 3 |
| Outsole | Thin blown rubber | Thinner than the Vaporfly 3 to save weight |
| Nike race distances | 10K, half marathon, marathon |
How the Vaporfly 4 Feels on Speed Workouts
“Fast and springy” is the simplest way I can describe it. There’s a strong rebound when you’re moving, and it helps faster paces feel easier to hold during a hard session. That’s why I reach for it on workout days.
The ride comes from three things working together: ZoomX foam from heel to toe, a curved full-length carbon Flyplate, and a low overall weight. Nike set the plate at a higher angle than on the Vaporfly 3 and lowered the drop to 6 mm, which it says adds to the propulsive feel.
Nike Vaporfly 4 Fit and Sizing
The Vaporfly 4 fits true to size. My usual Nike size was right, and I’d tell most runners to start there.
Fit is the biggest improvement I noticed. My feet are slightly wide, and on hard marathon workouts in the Vaporfly 2 they would sometimes bleed. I haven’t had that problem in the Vaporfly 4. It’s a little more comfortable overall, and it doesn’t feel as rigid.
Nike rebuilt the upper with engineered mesh and shrank the heel and tongue to save weight. It’s still a racing shoe, so don’t expect a roomy trainer fit, especially if your feet are much wider than mine. Some wide-footed runners do find it snug, and there’s no wide version. If you can, try a pair on first.
Nike Vaporfly 4 Durability
Mine still look basically new after 25 to 75 miles of speed work. That’s a limited sample, but it’s a good start for a shoe with this little rubber.
Nike thinned the outsole compared with the Vaporfly 3 to cut weight, and some runners report exposed foam showing wear quickly. Surface and stride will make a big difference. Saving the shoe for fast sessions and races, as I do, is the simple way to make a $270 pair last. For everyday miles, a cushioned trainer makes more sense, and our Hoka Bondi vs. Clifton comparison covers two good options.
Vaporfly 4 vs. Vaporfly 2
I’ve run in both. The Vaporfly 4 is a little more comfortable, it’s less rigid, and it hasn’t given me the foot problems the Vaporfly 2 did on hard workouts.
Vaporfly 4 and Vaporfly 2 specs
| Spec | Vaporfly 4 | Vaporfly Next% 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Stack height (heel / forefoot) | 35 / 29 mm | 40 / 32 mm |
| Drop | 6 mm | 8 mm |
| Foam and plate | ZoomX, carbon Flyplate | ZoomX, carbon plate |
| Feel | Springy, less rigid | More rigid |
| Comfort on my wider feet | No bleeding so far | Sometimes bled on hard workouts |
If your Vaporfly 2 fits you perfectly, there’s less urgency to upgrade. If it has ever chewed up your feet the way mine did, the Vaporfly 4 is worth trying.
Vaporfly 4 vs. Vaporfly 3
The Vaporfly 4 is a lighter, lower shoe than the Vaporfly 3. Nike trimmed the upper, foam, and outsole, cut the drop from 8 mm to 6 mm, and raised the angle of the plate. The new upper also gives a closer, more race-like hold, while the Vaporfly 3 has a looser, more accommodating fit.
If you’re choosing between them, the Vaporfly 4 is the lighter, more aggressive option. A discounted Vaporfly 3 is worth a look if you like more room in your race shoe.
Vaporfly 4 vs. Alphafly
The Vaporfly is the lighter, lower shoe with a wider range of race distances. The Alphafly is Nike’s bigger marathon shoe, with Air Zoom units under the forefoot and a taller stack. Nike now sells the Alphafly 4 for $280, and the Alphafly 3 has about a 40 mm heel.
Vaporfly 4 and Alphafly 4 specs
| Spec | Vaporfly 4 | Alphafly 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $270 | $280 |
| Nike's listed weight | 6.7 oz (men's US 10) | 6.6 oz (men's US 8.5) |
| Drop | 6 mm | 8 mm |
| Midsole | ZoomX | ZoomX and ZoomX LT, Air Zoom unit |
| Nike race distances | 10K to marathon | Half marathon and marathon |
Note the different sizes in those weights: the Vaporfly is the lighter shoe at the same size. If you want one fast shoe for workouts and races of different lengths, Nike’s own positioning points to the Vaporfly. If you only care about the half and full marathon, the Alphafly is worth comparing.
Is the Nike Vaporfly 4 Worth $270?
For me, yes. The price is my biggest complaint, but I’d buy it again at full price because of how it feels on hard days and because it fixed the foot problems I had in the Vaporfly 2.
You also don’t always have to pay full price. Older colorways are often discounted, some to under $200, at Nike and on Amazon.
Buy the Vaporfly 4 if you do regular speed work or race from the 10K to the marathon, you want a light, springy shoe, and you’ve found older Vaporfly models too rigid or harsh on your feet.
Skip it if you want one shoe for all your daily miles, you need a wide width, or $270 is hard to justify for a shoe you’d only wear on fast days.
My pick for speed workouts
Nike Vaporfly 4
Fast and springy, true to size, and easier on my wider feet than the Vaporfly 2.
Nike Vaporfly 4 FAQ
Does the Nike Vaporfly 4 run true to size?
Yes, in my experience. My usual Nike size fit well, so start with yours. If your feet are much wider than average, try a pair on first, because the shoe only comes in one standard width.
Is the Vaporfly 4 good for wide feet?
It’s good for slightly wide feet like mine. It’s more comfortable than my Vaporfly 2, which sometimes made my feet bleed on hard workouts. It’s still a racing shoe, though, so runners with very wide feet may find it snug.
How much does the Nike Vaporfly 4 weigh?
Nike lists it at about 6.7 oz (190 g) for a men’s US 10. Fleet Feet lists women’s pairs at about 5.3 oz.
How long does the Nike Vaporfly 4 last?
Mine still look basically new after 25 to 75 miles of speed work. It has a thin outsole, so it’s best kept for fast sessions and races rather than daily mileage.
Can you use the Vaporfly 4 for training?
Yes, that’s how I use it. It’s great for speed workouts, but at $270 with a thin outsole, it doesn’t make sense as your only daily trainer.
Is the Vaporfly 4 good for a marathon?
Nike designed it for races from the 10K to the marathon. I’ve used mine for speed workouts and haven’t raced in it yet, but so far it has avoided the foot problems my Vaporfly 2 caused in hard marathon training.
