Running Shoe Reviews
ASICS MEGABLAST
Nike Vaporfly 4 Review
Published: May 15, 2025
The Nike Vaporfly 4 Super Shoe Just Got Supercharged
Likes
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Extremely lightweight design feels even faster on foot
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Stripped down midsole delivers an even more nimble ride
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More supportive upper
Dislikes
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Heel fit could be improved for better lockdown
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Not as protective for the marathon distance
What's New
When you’re sitting on the throne, every update matters. That’s the burden—and beauty—of the Vaporfly legacy. With version 4, Nike’s legendary road racing shoe receives its most comprehensive overhaul yet, fine-tuning every component to squeeze out even more speed and performance. The Vaporfly 4 is now lighter, snappier, and more efficient—crafted to crush races.
The Vaporfly 4 retains the fan-favorite ZoomX foam, but the platform has been strategically carved and refined to remove excess weight without sacrificing the lively, spring-loaded ride that made ZoomX iconic. A slightly lower stack height keeps things nimble, while a revised curvature in the carbon Flyplate delivers even more aggressive toe-off propulsion. Combined, the retooled midsole geometry gives this latest Vaporfly its most dialed-in ride yet.
Beneath it all, the outsole receives a full redesign. Gone are the exposed foam cutouts—now replaced by a waffle-inspired layout with soft, blown rubber lugs. These changes improve durability and grip while smoothing out transitions, especially during high-speed cornering. While the outsole is thinner in spots to help trim weight, we experienced excellent traction and minimal wear, even after tough sessions.
Up top, the Vaporfly 4 sports a featherweight engineered mesh upper that keeps the foot locked down without adding bulk. This new version is more structured than before, which gave us a snug, race-ready wrap, though those with wider feet may want to try before they buy. The overly long tongue from the Vaporfly 3 has been shortened, which was a welcome change, but heel fit was a bit polarizing—some needed to use the extra eyelet for better lockdown.
So what does all this add up to? The most refined Vaporfly yet. Lighter. Faster. Sharper. Still unmistakably ZoomX, but with a sleeker, racier edge.
The Bottom Line
With its reengineered geometry, revised upper, and strategic weight reductions, version 4 refines an already legendary formula into something even more potent. This is still one of the best super shoes on the market, and maybe the most versatile race-day option across the board.
The Vaporfly 4 offers a light, snappy feel that makes it ideal for everything from mile repeats to the half marathon. While some elite runners will still take it 26.2 miles, the lower stack and firmer ride now place it in more direct competition with the likes of the adidas Adios Pro 4 or New Balance SC Pacer—especially for shorter races where responsiveness and quick turnover matter most.
We appreciated how the ZoomX foam continues to deliver that unmistakable bounce, even if it no longer stands as the undisputed softest or highest-stack foam on the market. The updated Flyplate offers more noticeable propulsion, and the newly structured upper felt sleek, light, and performance-focused, though the fit may be snug for wider-footed runners. The heel lockdown drew mixed reviews, but most found it manageable with minor lacing adjustments.
Ultimately, if you're looking for a purebred race shoe that makes fast feel fun—and fast feel fast—the Vaporfly 4 is still hard to beat. Whether you're an elite chasing podiums or a weekend warrior chasing PRs, the Vaporfly 4 delivers speed in spades and continues to set the gold standard for super shoes.
Specifications & Fit
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 5.9 oz (size 9) | Women's: 4.9 oz (size 8) |
| Stack Height | 36 mm (Heel), 30 mm (Forefoot) | 6 mm Heel-Toe Offset |
| Terrain | Road |
| Stability | Neutral |
| Sizing | True to size |
Our In-Depth Look
Upper
Connor: "The upper of the Vaporfly 4 continues to provide an ultra-light and race-tuned design. It’s extremely breathable and stripped down to provide just enough support for race day and nothing else. I found the shoe ran true to size, and the midfoot and toe box offered really nice lockdown with a comfortable, performance fit. I had issues with the Vaporfly 3’s extremely long tongue which has since been addressed but I still had some small concerns with the heel fit in v4. I reworked the laces to use the additional eyelet prior to my first run, and it helped, but the heel still felt slightly sloppy. While I am personally more prone to hotspots and blisters in the heel, I didn’t have any issues after several faster workouts, and the more I ran in the shoe, the less I noticed the heel sloppiness."
Risa: "To me, the upper was the perfect balance (for a racing shoe) of super lightweight and breathable, yet structured. I found it to be notably more structured than the last version, but it felt like the ideal wrap around my narrow feet. That said, this shoe may not work for those with wider feet."
Midsole
Connor: "The Vaporfly is known for the bouncy and ultra-lightweight ZoomX compound, and while small tweaks have been made to the formulation over the years, the compound still delivers on its initial promise of providing elite-level performance. The foam is tried and true, and while v4 of the Vaporfly is a little lower stack than it used to be (36mm heel), it still has the protection to go nearly any distance. With that being said, stack heights are typically getting higher and higher for marathon race day shoes, and now more people may choose to go for the higher stacked Nike Alphafly 3 for marathon da,y while the Vaporfly 4 will most likely be more common for shorter distance races (half marathon and under). I still think the midsole in this super shoe is up there with the best, but ZoomX seems to no longer be the clear leader in the foam space. Now in 2025, there are several brands that have stepped up and delivered innovative approaches that compete in both weight and bounciness, but ZoomX continues to provide that fun performance feel that can't help but make you smile as you pick up the pace."
Risa: "I did a test run before checking the specs, and I was honestly surprised to see that some foam was removed in the shoe. There is now 2mm less cushioning in the heel. I’m a heel striker as well, so I would be most affected. If anything, I found the Vaporfly 4 to have a more comfortable underfoot feel than the last version. That could be due to multiple factors, including a slightly lower drop (down from 8 mm to 6 mm), slight tweaks to the midsole foam compound, or changes in geometries. Although the midsole is quite narrow, I didn’t feel unstable in the shoe. However, I would not recommend it to runners with stability needs. They’d be better off with a racing shoe with a wider base."
Outsole
Connor: "The outsole of the Vaporfly 4 has been completely redesigned, and now all the cutouts of v3 have been filled in with small and soft waffle-like lugs. From a traction perspective, the shoe seems to still hold up well for my road racing needs. It is worth noting that the rubber is thinner in the forefoot and seems to be even more minimal in the heel. Pair that with a bigger midfoot cutout, and the shoe continues to get more weight savings, which helps with performance. With the reductions, I was concerned about durability, but the shoe has held up well, and most of the wear seen on my pair appears to be aesthetic from some use on a rough synthetic track."
Risa: "The rubber is now 2mm thinner to help save on weight, but I did not experience any issues with grip on the roads. I only tested the shoe on roads and in dry conditions."
Comparable Shoes
Nike Vaporfly 4 vs. adidas Adios Pro 4
Connor: "The runner interested in the Nike Vaporfly 4 would also want to consider the adidas adizero Adios Pro 4. Both are high-performance super shoes with similar price points ($250-$260). The Adios Pro 4 has a slightly higher stack, which provides a little more comfort over longer distances, along with a little extra weight from the added foam. The Adios Pro 4 comes in at 7.1 oz (over an ounce heavier than Vaporfly 4) and has a slightly softer underfoot experience. The new Lightstrike Pro foam is lighter than past versions, and paired with a nearly 40mm stack, the shoe has a very soft and energetic ride. The Vaporfly 4 is still on the soft side, but the lower stack offers a more nimble design. It's fast and aggressive and would be a better choice for shorter races where you may be making tighter turns or would prefer the lighter weight over added protection."
Nike Vaporfly 4 vs. Nike Alphafly Next% 3
Risa: "In my opinion, these are shoes for two different purposes, but a lot of people compare them. For some runners, the Vaporfly 4 could be a marathon shoe, but I would only use it up to half-marathon distance. I would like maximum cushioning in my marathon shoes. The Alphafly Next% 3 foam is also a little bit bouncier, while I would describe the Vaporfly 4 as having more of a snappy feel. Shoutout to the Alphafly Next% 3 for my marathon PR!"
Nike Men's Vaporfly
Designed to meet the needs of world-class marathoners, the Vaporfly is a lightweight road racing super shoe that delivers great energy return and sleek speed.
Nike Women's Vaporfly
Designed to meet the needs of world-class marathoners, the Vaporfly is a lightweight road racing super shoe that delivers great energy return and sleek speed.
Individual Thoughts
ConnorOverall Score: 9/10
Overall, the Nike Vaporfly 4 continues to offer an extremely efficient super shoe option with some small changes that help create an even faster feel. With a midsole that has been strategically carved away, the shoe delivers an even more nimble race day option and achieves that status as the lightest Vaporfly to date. While I think we will still see the shoe used for the marathon by lighter/efficient runners, I think we will now see a bigger divide between Alphafly and Vaporfly, with more athletes leaning towards the Vaporfly for half marathon and under. If you are a fan of Nike racing shoes and seeking one of the fastest and lightest super shoes on the market, I would highly suggest giving the Vaporfly 4 a shot!
RisaOverall Score: 10/10
Hello old friend! That’s how it felt lacing up the Nike Vaporfly 4. It felt very familiar, but also just a little bit better overall. Version 3 was my first pair of Vaporfly. I liked the feel of the slightly stiffer, more structured upper on version 4, and the foam was soft and snappy, just how I like it in my fast shoes. The shoe does fit snugly in the forefoot, and I would suggest going up half a size if you like to wear thick socks. The arch is also noticeable in this shoe. While I appreciated the support, it may not be a good fit for runners who don’t like a high arch.
I would also note that the shoe feels best at faster paces, which I can’t knock it for. That is what it is designed for. I would not do cruising miles/daily training in the shoe. That said, I run around 9-minute miles for the half marathon, and the shoe feels fantastic for me as a middle-pack runner. I think anyone would experience a boost from the shoe, but I found that it felt best at my faster paces. It feels very comfortable, smooth, and relatively stable. It is fun to run fast in, but doesn’t feel squirrely to me.
Without a doubt, the Vaporfly 4 will be my race day choice for anything from the half marathon on down for the foreseeable future.
