Nike Alphafly Next% 3 Review
Updated: February 1, 2024
It's the Alphafly's World, We're Just Running in It
Likes
- Sensational underfoot experience
- Amazing weight to cushioning ratio
Dislikes
- $10 price increase from previous version
- Heel collar is somewhat abrasive
What's New
When it comes to producing pinnacle racing shoes that get the best out of world class athletes and everyday marathoners alike, no brand has met these needs better than Nike. The innovation continues with the Nike Alphafly Next% 3, which sees its fair share of updates that aims to make the running experience smoother, faster, and more efficient.
The biggest change we see in the Alphafly 3 compared to the previous versions is that the midsole cushioning in the heel and forefoot connect to form one continuous bottom. This change was made to increase smoother heel-to-toe transitions. Additionally, the carbon-fiber Flyplate in the midsole has been widened for increased stability.
The new Fast Shot outsole enhances grip and traction while the Atomknit 3.0 upper seeks to improve containment and breathability.
The Bottom Line
The Nike Alphafly Next% 3 lives up to the hype and delivers an incredibly smooth and fast ride. While the widened Flyplate and continuous bottom makes this more accommdating for a wider range of runners, we found that this shoe performs best at faster paces and believe there are better options for runners with 3:30+ hour marathon times.
Another consideration to make is the $285 price tag, which puts it on the high end of marathon racing shoes. There are a host of super shoes in the $250 range that would work just as well, if not better for a lot of runners. However, in terms of pure performance, it would be hard pressed to find another racing shoe that checks as many boxes as the Alphafly 3.
Specifications & Fit
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 7.0 oz (size 9) | Women's: Coming Soon (size 8) |
| Stack Height | 40 mm (Heel), 32 mm (Forefoot) | 8 mm Heel-Toe Offset |
| Terrain | Road |
| Stability | Neutral |
| Sizing | True to Size |
Our In-Depth Look
Upper
Jon: Overall, I thought the upper of the Alphafly 3 fantastic. The Atomknit 3.0 has everything you want in a marathon racing shoe. It is lightweight, adaptable, breathable, and secure. Additionally, there is excellent padding in the heel collar, which wraps nicely around the Achilles. My only gripe with the upper, and the shoe for that matter, is that I did experience rubbing on my ankle bone from the threading in the collar. Thankfully it didn't result in any bleeding or bruising, but it's not a shoe I would wear low cut socks with.
Midsole
Jon: To the surprise of no one, the midsole is where the magic of this shoe lies. The ZoomX cushioning continues to offer unmatched responsiveness, the widened carbon-fiber Flyplate improves stability and is highly propulsive, and last but not least, the two Air Zoom Units in the forefoot makes for an amazing toe-off. And for all the technology that's packed into this shoe, it is so lightweight! We measured a Men's US 9 at just 7 oz, which weighs less than just about every other shoe in its category, save the Nike Vaporfly. I would say it disappears on foot, but it's impossible to forget about how good the midsole cushioning feels with every stride.
Not that this will come as a surprise, but this shoe wants to go fast. Between the responsiveness and energy return of the ZoomX, to the propulsion and pop of the Flyplate and Air Zoom Units, it takes very little effort to hold faster paces for the duration of the run. My longest effort in the Alphafly 3 was 17 miles where I ran mostly at moderate effort with a few miles at marathon pace sprinkled in and the shoes felt amazing from start to finish.
One last note on the midsole, I have a pair of the OG Alphafly's and contrary to popular opinion, I didn't love them. My primary issue was how high the arch of the midsole was. It created an uncomfortable pressure on the arches of my feet and made it hard for me to run double digits in them. I also found the midfoot to be extremely narrow. I'm very happy to say that the Alphafly 3 improved dramatically in both of those respects. The midfoot is wider and much more accommodating and the arches are not noticeably high. The underfoot fit and feel was fantastic throughout my testing period.
Outsole
Jon: The Fast Shot outsole did an excellent job throughout testing in terms of grip and traction. I only ran on pavement and the track, but let's be honest, why would I test these out on any other surface and risk getting this beautiful Proto colorway dirty? After 35 miles in my pair, there is little signs of wear on the outsole. I get it, that's not a lot of miles, but we now live in a world where some (at least one) marathon shoes are only designed to hold up for one race. The Nike Alphafly 3 appears to be durable enough to perform well for multiple races.
Comparable Shoes
Nike Alphafly Next% 3 vs. Saucony Endorphin Elite
Jon: Another top notch marathon shoe option that comes to mind after running in the Nike Alphafly 3 is the Saucony Endorphin Elite. The Endorphin Elite is the shoe that helped me achieve my current marathon PR (3:07) so needless to say, I really love the Endorphin Elite and the explosive ride it delivers. So how does it compare to the Alphafly 3? For starters, the ZoomX foam cushioning is quite softer than the PWRRUN HG in the Endorphin Elite, but it's just as, if not more responsive. And while the Endorphin Elite has a much more dramatic geometry in the forefoot, which offers an explosive toe off, the two Air Zoom Units in the forefoot of the Alphafly offers an incredibly bouncy and propulsive toe off in its own right. The Alphafly is a little lighter, but I find the upper of the Endorphin Elite to be more accommodating for my foot shape and therefore, more comfortable. But I would absolutely love the opportunity to race a marathon in the Alphafly and plan to at the 2024 Chicago Marathon.
Nike Alphafly Next% 3 vs. HOKA Cielo X1
Jon: Another early 2024 release in the racing category is the all-new HOKA Cielo X1. The Cielo X1 features a de-coupled section of the midsole on the lateral side, which gives it a similar look to the previous versions of the Alphafly. It's listed at 40mm by HOKA, but based on how we measure stack, it came in at a whopping 46mm. That would explain why it weighs 2 more ounces than the Alphafly. In terms of tech, the midsole of the Cielo X1 features HOKA's wonderful PEBA foam with a winged carbon fiber plate embedded within the midsole. In terms of underfoot experience, I'm still in the early stages of testing the Cielo X1, but I can say that the foam of the Cielo X1 feels great and is soft (not as soft as ZoomX), responsive, and delivers a smooth ride. It picks up the pace well and it's unique geometry keeps your momentum going forward with ease and allows for smooth transitions. But I really felt that extra weight during my first run in them and even though the underfoot experience was good, it lacks the magical feeling that I got from the Alphafly's. And given the $275 price tag of the Cielo X1, it's an easy call for me to recommend paying the additional $10 to get the Alphafly 3's.
Individual Thoughts
JonOverall Score: 9.5/10
The Nike Alphafly Next% 3 is one of the best shoes I've had the fortune to run in. We hear the term "makes running faster easier" a lot, but in this case, it's absolutely true. The technology featured in the midsole is something to behold and when you consider how lightweight the shoe is, it's hard to find a better option for race day.
I did have some issues with the heel collar rubbing against my ankle bone, but it did seem to be less abrasive the more I ran in them and wearing high socks helped a lot.
I also don't love that the price increased $10. That may not be a lot in the scheme of things, but for a shoe that was already priced at $275, adding any extra cost may be a deal breaker for some, no matter how good the shoe is.
But in terms of performance, I cannot recommend this shoe enough.
Nike Men's Alphafly
The Nike Alphafly Next% is a highly cushioned, carbon fiber plated racing shoe designed to shatter your marathon records and PRs at any pace.
Nike Women's Alphafly
The Nike Alphafly Next% is a highly cushioned, carbon fiber plated racing shoe designed to shatter your marathon records and PRs at any pace.
