Hey guys, I’ll compare two of Nike’s fastest shoes in this article: the Nike Vaporfly 4% Flyknit and the Nike Vaporfly Next%. Since the Nike vaporflyFly is hard to find, I thought I’d focus on the next best options.
In contrast to my previous shoe review (Nike Zoomx Vaporfly Next vs Nike Zoom Fly 3), I’ll keep this comparison more conversational. I plan to review each shoe individually because they’re both excellent and deserve their explanation.
Nike Vaporfly 4%
I’ll start by looking at the Nike Vaporfly 4% Flyknit, which gets its name from the claim that it can make you four percent faster. The Nike Vaporfly 4% Flyknit is worth its $250 price tag.
It has a carbon plate that can make you run faster, which is why it’s called the “4%” shoe. If you’re looking to set a new personal record or want a shoe to improve your speed, this is the one to consider. Let me give you some technical details.
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Technical Detail of Nike Vaporfly 4%
Weight
The men’s size 10 of the Nike Vaporfly 4% Flyknit weighs 7 ounces, while I wear a size 11, which is slightly different. Nonetheless, the shoe is extremely lightweight and has an 11-millimeter offset. In case you’re unaware, the offset or drop refers to the difference in height from where the shoe contacts the front and back of your foot.
Upper
I personally like this shoe a lot. Its upper is made of fly knit material, which provides a snug fit like a sock. Additionally, the lacing system is simple, with only one lace. But it is important to be cautious while lacing the shoe because it is like a second skin, similar to the Pegasus but even more pronounced.
Laced too tightly can cause discomfort and numbness at the top of the foot. Moreover, the traction of the shoe is a little subpar. I have personally run 250-300 miles in these shoes.
Height
The Nike Vaporfly 4% Flyknit has a heel-to-toe drop or offset of 11 millimeters. This means there is an 11-millimeter difference in height between the heel and the shoe’s forefoot.
The shoe has a slightly elevated heel, providing a more forward-leaning position and potentially enhancing running performance.
It’s important to note that the height or stack height of the shoe, which refers to the total thickness of the midsole and outsole, can vary based on the size of the shoe.
Unfortunately, I don’t have the specific stack height information for the Nike Vaporfly 4% Flyknit in different sizes.
However, it’s worth mentioning that the shoe is known for its lightweight design and responsive cushioning, which helps to minimize impact during running.
Drawbacks
Although these shoes have minor drawbacks, such as poor traction and potential issues with the lacing, I still have fond memories of wearing them. I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a speedy racing shoe.
Nike occasionally puts them on sale for around $185, so keep an eye out for that if you’re interested in snagging a pair.
It’s worth noting that my particular pair has started to show some wear and tear, with the traction pad starting to peel away and the front portion of the sole becoming higher than the back portion of the sole, indicating that it’s time to retire them.
However, The Nike Vaporfly Next 4% is a great shoe that can be used for any distance running, and I’ve personally had great results with it.
Everyone’s idea of a “fast” shoe can vary, so I’ll share my experience.
My Opinion
In my opinion, these shoes have helped me run faster, and I would rate them a 9.8 out of 10, with the only minor drawback is the traction which could use some improvement, especially for heel strikers like me.
Another thing to note is that you cannot run in them in wet weather as the flyknit upper will get soaked.
Now, let’s shift our focus to the other shoe we’re comparing it to, the Nike Vaporfly Next%.
Nike Vaporfly Next
The shoe we will look at is ironically called the Nike Vaporfly Next Percent, and it’s the best shoe Nike has ever made. It’s amazing and can make you fly. The difference between this shoe and the Nike Vaporfly 4 is that this one has minor changes.
Weight
It weighs 7.1 ounces, lighter than the Vaporfly 4, which weighed 7.65 ounces. Despite being seemingly bigger, it has 15 percent more ZoomX foam in the midsole, which makes it feel like you’re landing on a cloud when running in these shoes.
Upper
Like the Nike Vaporfly 4, it has a carbon plate, which makes it expensive but worth it. Another difference is the Vaporweave material used in these shoes, which Nike came out with.
The VaporWeave material used in the Nike Vaporfly Next% is weatherproof, allowing for running in the rain. Additionally, the shoe features a separate tongue instead of a sock-like upper, providing more flexibility and avoiding discomfort if tied too tight.
As mentioned earlier, the separate tongue on the Nike Vaporfly Next% shoe provides a better fit and allows for more flex in the foot, unlike the one-piece Flyknit construction of the Nike Vaporfly 4. Tight lacing on the previous model can cause discomfort as it digs into the top of the foot, but the new model’s tongue provides more flexibility.
Back Heel
The back heel design is also different, with the Next% having a less accentuated heel, which promotes a more natural turnover through your stride, allowing you to take your next step more quickly.
This shoe is amazing and helped me achieve my fastest personal records. I have great memories of running in this exact shoe. The next version of this shoe, the Alpha Fly, is even better. Unfortunately, it’s hard to get right now. If you can find this shoe, I recommend trying it. Nike occasionally has it on their website Nike.com, which can also be found at Dick’s Sporting Goods.
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Fake Version of Nike Vaporfly Next
The fake versions of this shoe are prevalent, so it’s best to only purchase from Nike or Dick’s Sporting Goods. These shoes are definitely worth the price tag since they’re lightweight, fast, and have a carbon plate. Additionally, they have excellent traction due to the grippy rubber and the added trackpads.
There’s also a difference in the rubber between this shoe and the Vaporfly flyknit, as this one has a real grippy rubber while the former has smooth rubber on the outside.
Although it still gets worn out, it’s not as bad as the Vaporfly 4. I would give this shoe a 9.9 out of 10, and it’s pretty close to the perfect shoe. I’m a big fan of this shoe and the previous one, which I’d rate as a 9.8.
Both of these shoes are awesome and super-fast. You can set personal records in either of them. The price difference is around $65, as the Vaporfly Next% costs $250, and the Nike Zoom Fly 3 costs $185. Both shoes are worth the investment and make you feel like a rockstar, and the back heel pad allows for explosive movements.
I’m a big fan of these shoes’ colors, which are translucent blue with neon green accents. Compared to the other colorway, this one is much more eye-catching. These shoes are amazing, and I can’t recommend them enough if you want to set a personal record. They’re perfect for a half or full marathon and even a 10k. However, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend them for a 5k.
