Nike Vaporfly 4 Review: A Racing Shoe for the Speed Demons
- FORDY RUNS
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Nike’s Vaporfly series has been a staple for competitive runners, offering a high-performance shoe that promises both speed and efficiency. The Vaporfly 4 brings some significant changes to the table, but do these adjustments enhance the shoe for everyday runners, or have they made it worse? Let’s break it down.
Key Changes from the Vaporfly 3
The Nike Vaporfly 4 sees several alterations compared to its predecessor, the Vaporfly 3, including changes to the stack height, the carbon plate, the upper design, and weight reduction. Here's a closer look:
Stack Height: Reduced from 40mm to 35mm.
Drop: Reduced from 8mm to 6mm.
Carbon Plate: The design has been shifted slightly upwards at the heel, offering a different feel during your stride.
Upper: Gone is the Flyknit design, replaced by an engineered mesh. This is lighter and more breathable.
Outsole: Nike returns to the one-piece rubber design at the forefoot, reminiscent of earlier versions of the Vaporfly.
These tweaks move the Vaporfly 4 closer to the race-ready model it was originally meant to be, shedding some of the marathon-specific features seen in the third iteration.
Performance on the Road
In terms of ride, the Vaporfly 4 is all about speed. It feels light on your feet and responsive, almost begging you to pick up the pace. The combination of ZoomX foam and the carbon plate gives you a punchy feeling, especially in the forefoot. The midsole is softer at the back, but the stability is reduced—particularly if you’re a heel striker or prone to pronation. This shoe is designed to launch you forward and reward speed.
Best Pace for the Vaporfly 4This shoe truly shines at paces around 7:15 per mile (4:30 per km) or faster. If you’re a marathon runner looking for a shoe that’ll take you through those slower, steadier paces, the Vaporfly 4 may feel unstable, especially at those longer distances. It thrives on short bursts of speed, making it ideal for distances like 5Ks, 10Ks, and half marathons.
If you’re running a marathon at a slower pace, the Vaporfly 4’s instability in the heel might not be for you. For those faster events, however, it’s a missile of a shoe.
Key Takeaways
Lightweight and Speedy: This shoe’s responsiveness makes it a perfect choice for shorter races. It feels agile and quick underfoot, perfect for those who want to push their limits.
Stability: While this shoe is fantastic for fast, race-day efforts, it’s not the most stable option for everyone. Heel strikers or those prone to pronation might find it difficult to feel confident with the Vaporfly 4 on longer runs.
Upper Design: The switch to an engineered mesh upper is a significant upgrade over the Flyknit. The laces and eyelets have been redesigned for a more secure fit, and the lockdown feels improved.
