The Nike Alphafly 4 is a top-of-the-line marathon road racing shoe designed to shatter personal bests.
Best Use
Surface
Stability
Road Shoes Types
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Daily TrainersDaily Trainers
As the broad base of the running shoe pyramid, daily trainers are the definition of a go-to running shoe. They prioritize dependable comfort, support, durability, and routine versatility. They're a staple in every runner's closet. If you're newer to running shoes, you can confidently start your journey here.
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Performance TrainersPerformance Trainers
Performance trainers (or "super trainers") blend elements of daily trainers and super shoes, often giving you the benefits of advanced foams and plates while being adapted for daily training. They make fast runs faster and long runs easier. Their high versatility also makes them great choices as accessible racing shoes.
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Race Super ShoesRace Super Shoes
The pinnacle of the pyramid, super shoes are the fastest running shoes you can buy. They're designed to race your absolute best and are the apex of running-shoe technology and innovation. Often built with carbon-fiber plates and cutting-edge superfoams for the highest energy return, they're made for ultimate racing speed.
Surface
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Roads & PavementRoads & Pavement
Road running shoes feature smooth outsoles that are designed for running on paved surfaces such as roads, sidewalks, and bike paths.
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Smooth Trails & FireroadsSmooth Trails & Fireroads
Designed to handle most trail runs, these shoes prioritize comfort and a smooth ride. These shoes are great for anything from smooth singletrack, park trails, and fireroads making them ideal for those who run from their doorstep on streets before hitting the trail.
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Rocky & Technical TrailsRocky & Technical Trails
These shoes are best used for hard, rugged trails such as shale, granite or sandstone where grip on smooth surfaces and underfoot protection are important.
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Soft & Muddy TrailsSoft & Muddy Trails
Designed for use in muddy, soggy conditions, these shoes feature very aggressive outsoles that dig deep into soft ground for exceptional traction.
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Snowy & Icy TrailsSnowy & Icy Trails
These shoes feature technical outsoles designed to grip snowy and icy trails making them ideal for winter trail running.
Stability Level
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Neutral Running Shoes
Neutral shoes support the foot through a normal range of arch collapse and generally do not have built-in technology to correct movement.
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Stability Running Shoes
Stability shoes are a great option for those who overpronate or need added support. These shoes help to limit the inward rolling motion of the ankle while running or walking and assist in guiding the foot straight through the gait cycle.
At A Glance:
- Best for: marathon and long-distance road racing
- Updates: lighter than previous version, new upper, updated foam, Flyplate, and Air Zoom units
- Who it's for: Runners looking for a high-performance marathon racer
Product Highlights:
The Nike Alphafly 4 is built for marathon racing, combining responsive cushioning, a carbon fiber plate, and forefoot Air Zoom units while also being a lighter package than its predecessor. A wider carbon fiber Flyplate helps create a smooth transition through the stride, while additional foam above the plate adds cushioning underfoot.
The Nike Alphafly 4 features a new upper with a more breathable toe box for a comfortable, secure fit during long-distance efforts. Underfoot, the updated ZoomX LT foam is supposed to provide a lighter, softer, more energetic feel, while the redesigned Air Zoom units use separate chambers with less surrounding plastic to further reduce weight without changing their height.
A lightweight outsole provides traction for race-day road running, while the combination of foam, Air Zoom units, and carbon fiber Flyplate creates the responsive, rolling sensation the Nike Alphafly is known for.
Model Number: IU4686-002
Specs & FitLearn More
Shoe Specs
- Weight: Coming Soon
- Heel Stack: Coming Soon
- Forefoot Stack: Coming Soon
- Heel-Toe Offset: 8 mm
How We Measure Our Shoe Specs
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We measure every shoe in-house to provide accurate and consistent details.
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Weight
Weight is measured per single shoe, including laces. Men's and unisex styles are based on a men's size 9, and women's styles are based on a women's size 8.
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Heel Stack
The heel stack refers to how high your heel sits above the ground when wearing shoes. Based on Men's size 9 as the standard.
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Forefoot Stack
Forefoot stack refers to how high the ball of the foot sits above the ground when wearing shoes. Based on Men's size 9 as the standard.
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Heel-toe Offset
Heel-toe offset (drop) is the difference in height between the heel stack and the forefoot stack. We use the number given to us by the brand.
How We Measure Shoe Fit
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All measurements are based on Medium width. Note: fit is relative to the "average" running shoe.
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We partner with SmartLast, a program by Heeluxe, to use advanced shoe-measuring technology, to provide objective measurements for toe box, midfoot, and heel widths as well as overall length.
Learn more about the SmartLast measuring process here.
Stack Height
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MinimalMinimal
14-18 mm. The shoe has a thin midsole that allows for a natural running experience. Classic racing flats and minimalist shoes are common here. These shoes offer a feeling of being directly connected to the road or trail.
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LowLow
19-23 mm. The shoe has a slightly cushioned feel and might feature additional midsole technologies. Performance training shoes and some trail shoes are common here. These offer some protection during foot strike but prioritize a lightweight, grounded experience.
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MediumMedium
24-28 mm. These shoes have a stack height that falls near the middle of the spectrum. The shoes in this category are versatile and great for almost all types of runs and distances.
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HighHigh
29-34 mm. The shoe has a thick midsole and ample cushioning. These shoes are highly protective and absorb more of the impact you experience.
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MaximalMaximal
35 mm plus. The shoe has an extremely thick midsole and extra cushioning. The focus is on maximum protection underfoot, often with a plush experience for hardly any ground feel. Some pinnacle racing and performance shoes can also be found here.
Technologies
MIDSOLE
- ZoomX LT foam cushioning is a lighter version of the top-of-the-line ZoomX superfoam and delivers incredible energy return and a softer feel.
- Carbon-fiber Flyplate is wider than the previous version and delivers a propulsive yet stable ride.
- Dual Forefoot Air Zoom units use separate chambers to provide a propulsive toe-off while reducing material and weight.
OUTSOLE
- Fast Shot outsole offers optimal grip without compromising weight.
UPPER
- Atomknit upper offers a more precise fit for less distraction. A breathable, fully seamless construction features zoned midfoot cables, an integrated heel unit, and a molded sock liner for added security in every stride.