{"id":45260,"date":"2024-02-20T05:04:02","date_gmt":"2024-02-20T10:04:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.runningshoesguru.com\/?post_type=reviews_road&p=45260"},"modified":"2024-02-27T06:15:30","modified_gmt":"2024-02-27T11:15:30","slug":"nike-alphafly-3-review","status":"publish","type":"reviews_road","link":"https:\/\/www.runningshoesguru.com\/reviews\/road\/nike-alphafly-3-review\/","title":"Nike Alphafly 3 Review","author":95,"featured_media":45262,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"brands":[101],"shoes_type":[259,781],"shoes_family":[],"_stcr@_rolfkleinfeld@hotmail.com":null,"review_3_website_name":null,"test_trail":null,"_test_trail":null,"usd":null,"_usd":null,"aud":null,"_aud":null,"cad":null,"_cad":null,"gbp":null,"_gbp":null,"eur":null,"_eur":null,"shoe_brand":null,"_shoe_brand":null,"shoe_name":null,"pros":"5","cons":"3","verdict":"The Nike Alphafly 3 is a superb top-tier racer and the best Alphafly version to date but it\u2019s not deserving of its megahype or its $285 price. While it lacks the \u2018magical\u2019 feeling, it still has a combination of critical features (light weight, firm, stable, efficient) which provide a high level of speed assistance to the runner. Version 3 is a much better version than 2. It has a continuous bottom which results in smoother transitions, a stiffer midsole and most importantly, a wider midfoot with less arch irritation. \r\n","weight":null,"heel":null,"toe":null,"heeldrop":null,"reccomended_for":null,"rrp":null,"review":null,"keywords":"Nike Alphafly 3 , Nike running shoes review, best Nike running shoes, Racer running shoes,","description":"The Nike Alphafly 3 is a superb top-tier racer and the best Alphafly version to date but it\u2019s not deserving of its megahype or its $285 price. While it lacks the \u2018magical\u2019 feeling, it still has a combination of critical features (light weight, firm, stable, efficient) which provide a high level of speed assistance to the runner. Version 3 is a much better version than 2. It has a continuous bottom which results in smoother transitions, a stiffer midsole and most importantly, a wider midfoot with less arch irritation. \r\n","professional_image":"44413","_professional_image":"field_5d9574dae3414","usage":["racing","speedwork"],"_usage":"field_5943593f1d1c2","rsg_subtitle":null,"subtitle":null,"_subtitle":null,"introduction":"[caption id=\"attachment_45269\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2560\"]\"Picture<\/span>[\/caption]\r\n\r\nThe Alphafly Next% 2 was the most disappointing shoe of 2022 in my opinion<\/a>. Nearly every runner I know of who ran in the shoe (me included) developed arch blisters due to how narrow the midfoot was and how aggressively it tapered inward, just in front of the arch section. \r\n\r\nThis was excruciatingly bad for runners with flat arches and for most runners who had this arch issue, it was unusable for races or any important speed workouts. \r\n\r\nWhen a brand develops a new shoe, they are supposed to do thousands of hours of testing with hundreds of runners who have different running styles and foot shapes. This was clearly not done when the Alphafly 2 was developed (or it was done but Nike chose not to listen to the feedback). The worst thing was that this was a $275 premium super shoe, the most expensive in the range. \r\n\r\nWhen the original Alphafly launched in 2020, it was the only premium super shoe, priced at $275, $25 higher than the rest. Now, almost every brand has their own premium shoe, which demands an astronomical amount. The Adidas Prime X Strung<\/a> comes in at even more than the Alphafly, at $300. This year\u2019s Alphafly 3 (just like last year\u2019s Vaporfly 3<\/a>) has gone up by $10. \r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_45283\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2560\"]\"Picture<\/span>[\/caption]\r\n\r\nIn the Nike racing range, the Vaporfly is far more popular than the Alphafly<\/strong>. The Vaporfly is cheaper, lighter, more comfortable and has a smoother ride<\/strong>. \r\n\r\nMost runners (including elites) prefer to race in the simpler design of the Vaporfly however, last year, the 2 fastest marathon runners ever (Kipchoge and Kiptum) both chose to wear the Alphafly 3 to race in, both of them getting gold in those races. \r\n\r\nWhen the Alphafly 3 was launched on 4 Jan 2024, it was sold out in seconds here on the Nike Malaysia official app. I managed to buy a pair a couple weeks later in Singapore at the new Nike flagship store grand opening. The global release of the next colourway is 4 April. \r\n\r\nThere wasn\u2019t an Alphafly update in 2023, but this year we get a brand new, reworked Alphafly 3. It no longer has the decoupled forefoot but it still has the signature air pods. It weighs less at 218 g (7.7 oz) for a men\u2019s US 9, compared to the previous version which was 9 g (0.3 oz) heavier. The \u201cNext%\u201d has also been dropped from the name which sounds cleaner and simpler. \r\n","introduction_text":null,"conclusions":"[caption id=\"attachment_45264\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2560\"]\"Picture<\/span>[\/caption]\r\n\r\nThe Alphafly 3 is a top-tier racer<\/strong>. It may not have the flare or the fun factor that other top-tier racers have but it's a firm, lightweight super shoe which delivers a snappy ride. It also has great versatility- it can be used for marathons & half marathons as well as shorter races like 5K\u2019s\/10K\u2019s because of its firm ride. <\/strong>\r\n\r\nWhat I like most about it is that it just disappears on my feet. It crushes long-distance runs and it allows me to lock into a pace with ease. It has great cushioning depth and the new upper is extremely comfortable. I\u2019ll be racing a marathon in it this year for sure. \r\n\r\nVersion 3 is miles better than its predecessor<\/strong>: it\u2019s lighter, smoother, more comfortable and it feels more springy thanks to the new air unit housing design and stiffer midsole. Version 3 is actually my favourite version to date because it has the widest midfoot and suits heel strikers more than the other versions.\r\n\r\nIt feels more polished than other versions, like a lot of thought and testing went into developing it. \r\n\r\nThe Alphafly 3\u2019s biggest issue is its narrow midfoot which will still be a problem for some runners with low arches. The fact that I have to wear anti-blister tape whenever I do a long run in it is proof that it\u2019s not perfect. No other super shoe that I\u2019ve tried has this flaw. \r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_45286\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2560\"]\"Picture<\/span>[\/caption]\r\n\r\nIt's also way too expensive. I don\u2019t think it\u2019s worth $285 and all the hype. There isn\u2019t a big difference in performance between the Alphafly 3 and cheaper, $250 top-tier super shoes like the Adios Pro 3<\/a> or the Rocket X 2<\/a>. I definitely wouldn\u2019t call the Alphafly 3 the pinnacle of racing shoes. \r\n\r\nWhen compared to the Vaporfly 3, I prefer the Alphafly 3 because it feels more aggressive due to its firmer ride and more prominent forefoot rocker. It's slightly better than the Vaporfly 3, but it's not $25 better.\r\n\r\n\r\n","model":"Alphafly 3","_model":"field_5c1600ad0113f","who_is_it_for":"If you don\u2019t have sensitive arches and you enjoy firmer riding super shoes, the Alphafly 3 is a good choice. If you find the Vaporfly 3 too soft or flat, the Alphafly 3 is also a good option. If you want a light racer that disappears on your feet, get the Alphafly 3.","pros_0_pro_line":"Smooth transitions due to new continuous bottom","_pros_0_pro_line":"field_5c16011c4fed6","pros_1_pro_line":"Stiffer midsole results in snappier ride","_pros_1_pro_line":"field_5c16011c4fed6","pros_2_pro_line":"Stable ride with wider carbon plate","_pros_2_pro_line":"field_5c16011c4fed6","cons_0_cons_line":"Narrow midfoot might still create arch blisters","_cons_0_cons_line":"field_5c16011c70a57","cons_1_cons_line":"$10 price increase over previous versions","_cons_1_cons_line":"field_5c16011c70a57","cons_2_cons_line":"Loud foot strikes","_cons_2_cons_line":"field_5c16011c70a57","water_resistance":null,"_water_resistance":null,"pros_3_pro_line":"Less prominent arch ","_pros_3_pro_line":"field_5c16011c4fed6","pros_4_pro_line":"Lighter weight","_pros_4_pro_line":"field_5c16011c4fed6","cons_3_cons_line":null,"_cons_3_cons_line":null,"cons_4_cons_line":null,"_cons_4_cons_line":null,"in_page_subtitle":null,"_in_page_subtitle":null,"image":null,"_image":null,"cushioning_type":"balanced","_cushioning_type":"field_594357fba24e6","cushioning_amount":"Highly cushioned","_cushioning_amount":"field_5c1a16c4d4c23","sizing":"1","_sizing":"field_59435b58fd832","heel_fit":"normal","_heel_fit":"field_59435bbc45b07","midfoot_fit":"normal","_midfoot_fit":"field_59435d1684838","toebox_fit":"normal","_toebox_fit":"field_59435d1484837","flexibility":"rigid","_flexibility":"field_59435d1284836","stability":"some stability","_stability":"field_5944aca41583c","midfoot_fit_copy":null,"_midfoot_fit_copy":null,"best_for":"","pe_timestamp":null,"ds_query":"+nike +\"alphafly 3\"","_ds_query":"field_5c1600ad01052","release_date":"","_release_date":"field_5c176d6fffe21","weight_oz":"7.7","_weight_oz":"field_5c176d34ffe1f","heel_drop_mm":"8","_heel_drop_mm":"field_5c176d57ffe20","intro_to_the_shoe":null,"_intro_to_the_shoe":null,"main_text":null,"_main_text":null,"protection":null,"_protection":null,"durability":"7","_durability":"field_6272de0b5fdf5","responsiveness_&_speed":null,"_responsiveness_&_speed":null,"comfort_and_fit":null,"_comfort_and_fit":null,"lugs":null,"_lugs":null,"rockplate":null,"_rockplate":null,"good_for_running":null,"_good_for_running":null,"previous_model":"38157","_previous_model":"field_5c1a17279c9f9","usage_these_shoes_for":null,"_usage_these_shoes_for":null,"rrp_us":"285","_rrp_us":"field_5c176dba632ff","rrp_au":"","_rrp_au":"field_5c176dd363300","rrp_ca":"","_rrp_ca":"field_5c176df863301","rrp_gb":"","_rrp_gb":"field_5c176dfe63302","rrp_de":"","_rrp_de":"field_5c176e0d63303","purchased_from_name":"Nike","_purchased_from_name":"field_5c374d8cdb87d","purchased_from_url":"https:\/\/www.jdoqocy.com\/click-3445118-14335043","_purchased_from_url":"field_5c374d9bdb87e","heel_mm":"40","_heel_mm":"field_630506e911fdf","toe_mm":"32","_toe_mm":"field_630506f011fe0","carbon_plate":"full","_carbon_plate":"field_63065e4848c57","360":"","_360":"field_630662fb826e3","_video":"field_63066304826e4","who_should_buy_it":"If you don\u2019t have sensitive arches and you enjoy firmer riding super shoes, the Alphafly 3 is a good choice. If you find the Vaporfly 3 too soft or flat, the Alphafly 3 is also a good option. If you want a light racer that disappears on your feet, get the Alphafly 3.","_who_should_buy_it":"field_63132fa733767","who_should_not_buy_it_":"If you\u2019re looking for a plush racer with a squishy ride, you should skip the Alphafly 3. If you want a super shoe with an extreme rocker that throws your forward, it\u2019s also not your shoe. \r\n","_who_should_not_buy_it_":"field_63132ff0865f5","build_quality":"7","_build_quality":"field_6272ddc1b33de","comfort":"8","_comfort":"field_6272dd6fa6b88","value_price":"6","_value_price":"field_6272de0a5fdf4","third_shoe":"41239","_third_shoe":"field_630bbf8341294","upper_rate":"9","_upper_rate":"field_6272de2a5fdfb","sole_unit_rate":"8","_sole_unit_rate":"field_6272de295fdfa","landing":"8","_landing":"field_6272de285fdf9","transition":"8","_transition":"field_6272de285fdf8","toe_off":"8","_toe_off":"field_6272de275fdf7","traction":"9","_traction":"field_6272de265fdf6","first_impressions":"[caption id=\"attachment_45268\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2560\"]\"Picture<\/span>[\/caption]\r\n\r\nI was disappointed with the finishing of the Alphafly 3 when I took it out of the box. The swoosh in the front was not painted properly because of the foam creases and there were gaps between the upper and midsole which had no paint on it so it looked like it was separating. It didn\u2019t look very premium. \r\n\r\nI decided to purchase it a half size up from my regular size because the Alphafly 2 was a little bit too snug<\/strong>, especially when I wore thick socks to protect my arches from blisters. \r\n\r\nMy first run was 25 kilometres, consisting of a 5 kilometre warm up, 10 kilometres steady and 10 kilometres tempo. The sizing was perfect and it fit me like a glove<\/strong>. \r\n\r\nI could tell immediately that the poking arch sensation had been toned down and for the first 20 kilometres, I didn't feel anything at all. In the last 5, I could feel the narrow midfoot against my arches, but it wasn't painful or uncomfortable. \r\n\r\nThe cushioning felt a lot firmer than the SuperComp Elite v4<\/a> which I just tested but it definitely felt more aggressive and I found it easier to pick up the pace in the Alphafly 3<\/strong>. \r\n\r\nI enjoyed the smoother transitions most of all<\/strong>. It felt a lot more natural than previous Alphaflys and it was easier to get into a rhythm. \r\n\r\nThe loud foot strikes were still there and I didn\u2019t have to ask anyone in front of me to move over to the side- they could hear me coming. There were also squeaks that came from both shoes every time my feet struck the ground. \r\n","_first_impressions":"field_6313304ba000e","sole_unit":"[caption id=\"attachment_45265\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2560\"]\"Picture<\/span>[\/caption]\r\n\r\nThe Alphafly 3 doesn\u2019t feel spectacularly special in any one department: it doesn\u2019t feel wildly bouncy, it doesn\u2019t have an extreme rocker, nor does it have a featherweight build. What it does well is it provides a deeply cushioned, stable ride, which is smooth and punchy. It\u2019s a great all rounder; in other words, the whole is greater than the sum of all its parts. <\/strong>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_45285\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2560\"]\"Picture<\/span>[\/caption]\r\n\r\nThis can also be said of the Vaporfly 3<\/a> but the main difference is in the air pods in the forefoot of the Alphafly which make it firmer and more responsive. When you pick up the pace, the air pods activate by adding extra thrust to the ride which isn\u2019t there in the Vaporfly or any other super shoe.\r\n\r\nIn the 3rd version, the air pods have been integrated into the midsole, instead of sticking out. In all the other versions of the Alphafly, if you were a heel or midfoot striker, it felt like a chore to get over the air pods since the firm forefoot was decoupled from the rest of the midsole but in the Alphafly 3, this isn\u2019t the case and ride transitions feel a lot smoother, more fluid. You can roll right from the heel, all the way to the forefoot with the new full ground contact outsole so transitions feel more natural. \r\n\r\nThe air pod section has also been improved by having more space around the air pods. If you have a look at online pictures of the construction, you can see a wider space in front of the airpods, so when they are loaded, they can expand and rebound more, allowing for greater energy return. The air pod section has been moved slightly back in the shoe, towards the midfoot. It moves the rocker further back and makes it more suitable for midfoot strikers. \r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_44423\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1920\"]\"AlphaFly<\/span>[\/caption]\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to cushioning softness, the Alphafly 3 has a firm ride, one of the firmest of this year's super shoe releases. If you enjoy plush, squishy rides, this is one to avoid. I had initially put \u201cfirm ride\u201d as one of the cons of the shoe but I think it\u2019s the firm ride that makes it feel so aggressive and fast. \r\n\r\nI really enjoy using it for a variety of runs including long runs, intervals, threshold runs and steady runs<\/strong>. It\u2019s too firm for me for easy and recovery runs but it\u2019s not designed for slow running. During uptempo runs, there\u2019s a high level of speed assistance so it requires less effort to increase the pace. \r\n\r\nThe narrow midfoot and prominent arch have not given me any problems in version 3. My longest run was 35 kilometres and I didn\u2019t experience any discomfort but I did use a strip of anti-blister tape on each of my arches for extra protection. The arch sensation is still there though and it feels like I\u2019m wearing an old school stability trainer with a firm arch wedge. Flat-footed runners who have sensitive arches might still have issues in the Alphafly 3. \r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_45271\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2560\"]\"Picture<\/span>[\/caption]\r\n\r\nThe midsole of the Alphafly 3 is much stiffer than its predecessors<\/strong>. In previous versions, a large portion of the carbon-fibre Flyplate was exposed under the midfoot, just before the air pods, allowing for a certain degree of flexibility. In version 3, the continuous bottom with more foam surrounding the plate results in a more rigid midsole with increased snappiness. \r\n\r\nThere\u2019s a new Fast Shot rubber outsole which feels softer so landings are more padded and quieter. Outsole durability is an aspect that I've been impressed with although the forefoot has much more rubber coverage than the midfoot\/rearfoot so forefoot strikers will get the best outsole durability. After 80 kilometres on the dot, I\u2019ve noticed some minor scuffing on the exposed foam and some discoloration of the foam that comes into contact with the ground but neither affect the ride. \r\n\r\nThe Alphafly 3\u2019s outsole is flatter than predecessors, so wear is distributed much better. The scooped centre of the rearfoot doesn't scrape the ground so much anymore. I\u2019ve had no issues with traction so far but I haven\u2019t tried it in the rain. I don\u2019t expect it to struggle though because there are nubs which protrude on the forefoot section. \r\n","_sole_unit":"field_6313305d53bc4","custom_fields":{"model":"Alphafly 3","cons":[{"cons_line":"Narrow midfoot might still create arch blisters"},{"cons_line":"$10 price increase over previous versions"},{"cons_line":"Loud foot strikes"}],"pros":[{"pro_line":"Smooth transitions due to new continuous bottom"},{"pro_line":"Stiffer midsole results in snappier ride"},{"pro_line":"Stable ride with wider carbon plate"},{"pro_line":"Less prominent arch "},{"pro_line":"Lighter weight"}],"vote":"9","weight_oz":"7.7","heel_drop_mm":"8","heel_mm":"40","toe_mm":"32","purchased_from_name":"Nike","purchased_from_url":"https:\/\/www.jdoqocy.com\/click-3445118-14335043","comfort":"8","build_quality":"7","upper_rate":"9","sole_unit_rate":"8","landing":"8","transition":"8","toe_off":"8","traction":"9","durability":"7","value_price":"6","who_is_it_for":"If you don\u2019t have sensitive arches and you enjoy firmer riding super shoes, the Alphafly 3 is a good choice. If you find the Vaporfly 3 too soft or flat, the Alphafly 3 is also a good option. If you want a light racer that disappears on your feet, get the Alphafly 3.","verdict":"The Nike Alphafly 3 is a superb top-tier racer and the best Alphafly version to date but it\u2019s not deserving of its megahype or its $285 price. While it lacks the \u2018magical\u2019 feeling, it still has a combination of critical features (light weight, firm, stable, efficient) which provide a high level of speed assistance to the runner. Version 3 is a much better version than 2. It has a continuous bottom which results in smoother transitions, a stiffer midsole and most importantly, a wider midfoot with less arch irritation. \r\n","who_should_buy_it":"

If you don\u2019t have sensitive arches and you enjoy firmer riding super shoes, the Alphafly 3 is a good choice. If you find the Vaporfly 3 too soft or flat, the Alphafly 3 is also a good option. If you want a light racer that disappears on your feet, get the Alphafly 3.<\/p>\n","who_should_not_buy_it_":"

If you\u2019re looking for a plush racer with a squishy ride, you should skip the Alphafly 3. If you want a super shoe with an extreme rocker that throws your forward, it\u2019s also not your shoe. <\/p>\n","introduction":"

\"Picture