IN THE SHOP SALES ONLY SO COME ON DOWN AND TRY THEM ON. WE ARE HAPPY TO DISCUSS SUITABILITY FOR YOUR SPECIFIC RUNNING AIMS.

Nike Vaporfly 4 vs. previous Vaporfly models

The Nike Vaporfly 4 is a meaningful change from the Vaporfly 3 rather than a small refresh. Nike has made it lighter, lower, leaner, and more aggressive, with less foam, a lower drop, a thinner outsole, and a revised carbon Flyplate angle. It is still a road-racing “super shoe,” but it feels more tuned for fast, efficient racing from 10K to marathon, whereas the Vaporfly 3 was softer, taller, and more forgiving over the marathon distance. Nike lists the Vaporfly 4 at 190 g / 6.7 oz in men’s US 10, with a 6 mm drop. 

Quick comparison table

What changed in the Vaporfly 4?

1. It is lighter

Nike’s own product page says weight was trimmed from the midsole, outsole, and upper compared with the Vaporfly 3. The listed weight is about 190 g / 6.7 oz for men’s US 10, making it one of the lightest Vaporfly versions. 

Practical effect:
The Vaporfly 4 should feel quicker on turnover, especially at 5K, 10K, and half-marathon effort. Compared with the Vaporfly 3, it trades some plushness for a racier, snappier feel.

2. Lower drop: 6 mm instead of 8 mm

The Vaporfly 4 has a 6 mm heel-to-toe drop, while the Vaporfly 3 and Vaporfly Next% 2 were generally associated with an 8 mm drop. Nike specifically says the Vaporfly 4 combines a higher Flyplate angle with a lower heel-to-toe drop to create a stable, propulsive race-day feel.

Practical effect:
The Vaporfly 4 may feel a bit more natural and aggressive under the forefoot. Heel strikers who liked the taller rear geometry of the Vaporfly 3 may notice the change more than midfoot or forefoot strikers.

3. Less foam, more direct ride

Nike says the Vaporfly 4 uses a slightly reduced midsole and lighter ZoomX foam. Independent reviews and databases have also reported that the Vaporfly 4 has a lower stack profile than the Vaporfly 3, with RoadTrailRun noting a drop of almost 5 mm in stack height compared with Vaporfly 3.

Practical effect:
The Vaporfly 3 feels more cushioned and forgiving. The Vaporfly 4 feels more stripped down and race-focused. If you loved the soft, deep bounce of the Vaporfly 3, the 4 may feel less protective. If you wanted the Vaporfly to feel sharper and lighter, the 4 is likely an improvement.

4. Revised carbon Flyplate

The Vaporfly 4 keeps the full-length carbon fiber Flyplate, but Nike says the plate has a higher angle than the Vaporfly 3. 

Practical effect:
This should increase the sense of forward roll and propulsion. The shoe may feel more aggressive at race pace, but potentially less relaxed at easy or slower paces.

5. Thinner outsole

Nike says the Vaporfly 4 uses thinner rubber than the Vaporfly 3 to reduce weight. 

Practical effect:
The outsole change helps with weight savings and road feel, but runners who value durability may prefer the Vaporfly 3. As with most super shoes, the Vaporfly 4 is best saved for workouts and races rather than daily mileage.

Vaporfly 4 vs Vaporfly 3

The Vaporfly 4 is best understood as a leaner, sharper Vaporfly 3.

Bottom line:
Choose the Vaporfly 4 if you want a lighter, more aggressive, faster-feeling racer. Choose the Vaporfly 3 if you want more cushioning, more forgiveness, and a safer choice for the marathon.

Vaporfly 4 vs Vaporfly Next% 2

The Vaporfly Next% 2 was very close to the original Next% formula: high stack, ZoomX foam, carbon plate, and an improved upper. It used the familiar 40 mm heel / 32 mm forefoot, 8 mm drop geometry. 

Compared with the Next% 2, the Vaporfly 4 is:

• Lighter
• Lower-drop
• More sculpted
• Less traditional in Vaporfly feel
• More aggressive through the plate
• Potentially less cushioned over the marathon

The Next% 2 remains one of the most universally liked Vaporfly models because it balanced lightness, bounce, and efficiency without becoming too specialized. The Vaporfly 4 pushes more toward minimal race-day sharpness.

Vaporfly 4 vs original Vaporfly Next%

The original Vaporfly Next% was the shoe that refined the Vaporfly formula after the Vaporfly 4%: ZoomX foam, a carbon plate, and a very light VaporWeave upper. The Vaporfly 4 keeps the core concept but modernizes it with a lighter engineered mesh upper, revised plate geometry, reduced outsole, and lower drop.

The biggest difference is philosophical:

• Vaporfly Next% 1: maximum super-shoe breakthrough feel.
• Vaporfly Next% 2: same magic, better upper.
• Vaporfly 3: softer, wider, more marathon-friendly.
• Vaporfly 4: lighter, lower, racier, more stripped back.

Who should buy the Vaporfly 4?

The Vaporfly 4 is best for runners who:

• Want the lightest and sharpest Vaporfly feel
• Race 5K, 10K, half marathon, or marathon
• Prefer a more direct, nimble ride
• Like carbon shoes that feel aggressive at pace
• Found the Vaporfly 3 a bit too soft, tall, or bulky

You may prefer the Vaporfly 3 or Next% 2 if you:

• Want more cushioning underfoot
• Are running a first marathon
• Heel strike heavily and like an 8 mm drop
• Prefer a softer, more forgiving super-shoe ride
• Prioritize durability over minimal weight

Overall verdict

The Nike Vaporfly 4 is not simply “Vaporfly 3 plus small updates.” It is a lighter, lower, more aggressive racing shoe. Nike reduced weight across the upper, midsole, and outsole; lowered the drop to 6 mm; used a lighter ZoomX setup; and changed the carbon Flyplate angle for a more propulsive feel.

If the Vaporfly 3 was the more cushioned marathon specialist, the Vaporfly 4 is the racier all-rounder. For many runners, it will be better for shorter road races and fast half marathons. For marathoners who want maximum protection late in the race, the Vaporfly 3 or Alphafly may still be the more comfortable choice.