Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 3 Review

Upper

Connor: "The Vaporfly Next% 3 sees the return of Nike's Flyknit technology, and while we have seen this applied similarly in past versions, the latest iteration is on a whole new level. On foot, it feels extremely light and breathable, but it still offers the security and support needed for the marathon distance.

In terms of fit, the Vaporfly is fairly snug throughout, with a little wiggle room in the forefoot, but it's not nearly as tight as some other super shoes on the market. The on-foot comfort feels phenomenal, and I had no issues with the lockdown. That said, I found the execution of the tongue to be just a little off. I did not experience any major issues or discomfort, but it seemed like Nike used too much material. Again, not a huge problem, but it was something that stood out on an otherwise nearly perfect shoe.

One of the notable flaws with the Flyknit upper of the previously released Vaporfly 4% Flyknit was that the material absorbed too much water. This is no longer the case with the Vaporfly 3. Between speed sessions in rainy and warm conditions, I was surprised that the Flyknit upper here retained virtually no water or sweat. The open-knit design drained phenomenally in the rain, keeping my feet feeling cool in the heat. Nike has modified the upper quite a bit over the years, and there is no question that they put the latest and greatest in the Next% 3."

Kaleb: "The Vaporfly 3's updated Flyknit engineered upper is impressively lightweight with excellent on-foot breathability. It is minimal, and I enjoyed the snug, structured fit with a highly secure lockdown. Being a carbon-plated race-day shoe designed to go fast, the Vaporfly does not afford wearers much extra space, but the Flyknit material offers the slightest stretch, providing some adaptability and helping to keep things comfortable.

The thin ungusseted tongue was not my favorite, as it was finicky when putting the shoe on, and it also extended up past my sock, which did not cause irritation but was a bit strange. Ultimately, this was not a big issue and did not affect my experience in the shoe, but it was oddly aggravating at times."

Midsole

Connor: "The Vaporfly has become known as a leader in the super shoe race for supremacy, and the main contributor to its performance is the ZoomX foam midsole.

On foot, ZoomX still feels just as protective and bouncy as ever, and with even more ZoomX material underfoot, version 3 feels even more efficient. It feels smooth and responsive at my marathon pace, as well as peppy enough to easily handle shorter races. I have heard some other runners claim that the Vaporfly no longer delivers the elite speed for shorter-distance races, but I would disagree. While its most suitable event will always be the marathon or half marathon, it is extremely fast for nearly any distance, and my stride felt just as effortless at a moderate tempo pace as it did at a mile pace.

I prefer the Vaporfly over several other shoes because it feels very nimble for a max stack height shoe and has an aggressive overall feel. Not only does the Vaporlfy Next% 3 feel more efficient, but it also feels more stable. The shoe has small features built into the midsole that provide good structure without being overbuilt. The geometries and curvatures are well thought out and help maintain the shoe's ultra-fast feel."

Kaleb: "I could just say that the ZoomX foam midsole is awesome and the Flyplate is incredibly efficient, and that would just about cover it, but let us take a deeper dive.

This is the first time I have had the opportunity to test the Vaporfly, but I have tested a host of super marathon racing shoes and am very familiar with ZoomX foam midsoles. On my first run, I was not completely blown away. The midsole was plush and very bouncy with a highly efficient turnover, which has become the standard expectation of a modern-day super shoe racer, but I was expecting something, I guess, a bit more magical. In other words, though fantastic, the Vaporfly 3 did not immediately feel all that much better than some of the other 2022/2023 super shoes I have tested. This was not exactly what I expected, especially given everything I have read or heard about this revolutionary racing shoe line. 

That said, as I continued to clock miles, I noticed that my splits were very strong, especially considering my current fitness level and the effort I was putting in. Regardless of the type of run, all my mile splits were consistently faster while wearing the Vaporfly 3. Even better, they were faster with no perceived extra effort, and now, I can firmly say I know why the running world has been drinking the Vaporfly Kool-Aid. If I am going after a personal best on race day, the Vaporfly is my top choice.

Furthermore, I was a bit nervous that the Vaporfly would be unstable, but I was pleasantly surprised that I had no stability issues, even when cornering at top speeds. I do not think the Vaporfly is the most stable shoe out there, but the soft ZoomX foam and Flyplate combination provided a stable platform that gave me the confidence to push the pace."

Outsole

Connor: "Techniques and features to minimize weight are present throughout this shoe, and we can see it again with the reduction of the outsole. At the end of the day, this is a race-day shoe, and as someone who wants every edge while racing, I am always looking for ways to cut down on weight, even if it comes at the expense of the shoe's durability.

That said, Nike has stated that, after extensive testing, the durability has not been compromised due to the new compound. In my own experience through testing, I have not seen any major signs of outsole wear, and given how past versions have performed, the midsole typically starts to break down before the outsole. I am not worried about the durability of the Vaporfly 3, and I found that the traction was slightly better than its predecessor."

Kaleb: "The Vaporfly 3's updated outsole is thinner than the previous version, which likely contributes to the ultralight weight. Overall, I thought it performed well throughout testing. I never had issues with traction on the roads, even when they were dampened from spring rains, but I would keep the Vaporfly on the pavement.

Given that the outsole is thinner than version 2, I worry a bit about durability, but after 40-plus miles, I have had no issues. The midsole foam still feels resilient, as well."

Comparable Shoes

Connor: "I feel like the Vaporfly series has been in a class of its own for a while now, but over the past year or two, the competition has been quickly catching up. Now there are some very noteworthy competitors.

The Vaporfly definitely has its own unique on-foot feel, but in terms of recommending a rival for peak performance, I would suggest the Saucony Endorphin Elite or the adidas adizero Adios Pro 3. From an efficiency standpoint, I think the Endorphin Elite is very close. I feel like running is just as effortless, but the firmer foam and more aggressive stance give the Endorphin Elite a slightly different feel.

The Adios Pro 3 is probably the only other super shoe that we have frequently seen on the podiums of top marathons. While it is an ounce heavier, the Adios Pro 3 delivers an awesome ride with a soft, bouncy midsole built to set PRs. While I highly suggest trying on as many super shoes as possible to find the best fit for you, I do think the Vaporfly would be my first recommendation and a great place to start."

Kaleb: "As I said, the Vaporfly, in my opinion, is still the king sitting atop the marathon super shoe throne, and it would be my top choice for races at 10K to marathon distances. That said, I think the competition (adidas, New Balance, ASICS, and Saucony) is hot on Nike's heels with their latest elite racers. By feel alone, I did not notice a dramatic difference between the Vaporfly and other elite super shoes. But the proof is in the pudding, as they say, and I benefited greatly from the Vaporfly's elite energy return and efficiency, hitting great splits without feeling the need to work harder."