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Nike Vaporfly 4 vs Nike Vaporfly 3

Nike Vaporfly 4, side view

Nike

Vaporfly 4

  • Weight 190 g
  • Drop 6 mm
  • Stack 35 mm

USD 260

Nike

Vaporfly 3

  • Weight 200 g
  • Drop 8 mm
  • Stack 40 mm

USD 260

Which one for which runner?

What sets each model apart, from the published specs. Neither is better in absolute terms.

  • Nike Vaporfly 4

    • Latest version (2025)
    • 2 mm lower drop
    • 5 mm less under the heel

  • Nike Vaporfly 3

    • Previous version (2023)
    • 2 mm higher drop
    • 5 mm more under the heel
    • Also made for: 5K & 10K races, Half marathon

Side by side

  • Nike Vaporfly 4 has a 2 mm lower drop
  • Nike Vaporfly 3 has 5 mm more heel stack

Profiles

  • Nike Vaporfly 4
  • Nike Vaporfly 3
ComfortResponsivenessStabilityDurabilityGripVersatility
  • Vaporfly 4 — Comfort: 4/5
  • Vaporfly 4 — Responsiveness: 5/5
  • Vaporfly 4 — Stability: 3/5
  • Vaporfly 4 — Durability: 2/5
  • Vaporfly 4 — Grip: 5/5
  • Vaporfly 4 — Versatility: 2/5
  • Vaporfly 3 — Comfort: 4/5
  • Vaporfly 3 — Responsiveness: 5/5
  • Vaporfly 3 — Stability: 3/5
  • Vaporfly 3 — Durability: 2/5
  • Vaporfly 3 — Grip: 5/5
  • Vaporfly 3 — Versatility: 2/5
CriterionNike Vaporfly 4Nike Vaporfly 3
Price
Catalogue price USD 260 USD 260
Best price found Not specified Not specified
Specifications
Weight 190 g 200 g
Drop 6 mm 8 mm
Heel stack 35 mm 40 mm
Forefoot stack 29 mm 32 mm
Midsole foam ZoomX ZoomX
Plate Carbon Carbon
Support Not specified Not specified
Ratings
Overall 4.32 out of 5 3.89 out of 5
Cushioning 4 out of 5 4 out of 5
Stability 3 out of 5 3 out of 5
Comfort 4 out of 5 4 out of 5
Responsiveness 5 out of 5 5 out of 5
Durability 2 out of 5 2 out of 5
Grip 5 out of 5 5 out of 5
Versatility 2 out of 5 2 out of 5
Best for
Terrain Road Road
Role Racing Racing
Versions Men's Men's
Uses Marathon 5K & 10K races, Half marathon, Marathon
Runner level Not specified Intermediate, Advanced
Paces Not specified Race pace

Related pages

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Retailer prices

Nike Vaporfly 4

No retailer price available for this shoe yet.

Recommended retail priceUSD 260

Nike Vaporfly 3

No retailer price available for this shoe yet.

Recommended retail priceUSD 260

Alternatives to these two models

Derived from terrain, category, use, cushioning, stability, drop, weight and price.