NIKE ALPHAFLY 3 REVIEW

NIKE ALPHAFLY 3

Shoe	Nike Alphafly 3
Category	Elite Marathon Racing Shoe
Weight	220g (UK Size 9)
Heel-to-Toe Drop	8mm
Midsole Foam	Continuous ZoomX + Air Zoom Pods
Carbon Plate?	Yes (Full Length Flyplate)
Price	£284.99 / $285

PLEASE NOTE: I paid for the Nike Alphafly 3 trainers myself and was not gifted these trainers or paid by Nike to give a honest review. This page contains affiliate links. Making a purchase via our affiliate link means I may receive a small share of the sale.

The Nike Alphafly 3 is the next evolution in the world of elite racing shoes.

Building upon the success of its predecessors, this latest iteration offers improved comfort, stability, and performance but is it better?

Read on to find out.

THE HEEL

The heel of the Alphafly 3 has seen some improvements. Nike has increased the padding around the heel collar, providing enhanced comfort for the Achilles area.

This additional cushioning not only improves the overall fit but also helps prevent blistering during long distance runs. The foot opening is easier to get on, whilst still keeping the foot securely in place.

THE UPPERS

The upper of the Alphafly 3 is a marvel of engineering.

It features a breathable, sock like construction that provides a snug yet comfortable fit. The lockdown is near perfect, with no slipping or sliding even at high speeds.

The lacing system, complete with notched laces allows for easy adjustments.

While the toe box durability has not changed much compared to the previous model, the overall comfort and fit of the upper have significantly improved.

THE OUTSOLE

Nike has put considerable thought into the outsole design of the Alphafly 3. The Fast Shot rubber covers much of the midsole, particularly in the forefoot area, enhancing durability.

Interestingly, Nike has used different rubber formulations for various parts of the shoe.

I found the waffled pattern on the outsole has delivers fantastic performance, even in wet conditions.

THE MIDSOLE

The midsole is where the Alphafly 3 truly shines. Nike has made a crucial change by introducing a continuous midsole, replacing the decoupled design of its predecessor.

This modification results in a smoother, more natural transition and improved stability. The signature ZoomX foam and Air Zoom pods in the forefoot continue to provide exceptional energy return and propulsion.

The ride feels more aggressive and responsive compared to the Alphafly 2, with a noticeable 'tippy' sensation that adds to the shoe's liveliness, similar to the Vaporfly 3.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is the Nike Alphafly 3 better than the Alphafly 2? For most runners, yes. Nike completely redesigned the midsole for the Alphafly 3. By connecting the heel and forefoot foam into one continuous block, they eliminated the "clunky" midfoot slapping sensation of the Alphafly 2, creating a much smoother and lighter shoe.

Can I use the Nike Alphafly 3 for daily training? We do not recommend it. At £285, the exposed ZoomX foam and delicate upper are designed strictly for peak performance on race day, not for hundreds of grinding training miles. Use a shoe like the Nike Zoom Fly 6 for your tempo training blocks and save the Alphafly 3 for race day.

Does the Nike Alphafly 3 have a full carbon plate? Yes. The Alphafly 3 features Nike’s rigid "Flyplate," a full length carbon fibre plate that runs from the heel through the forefoot. The plate has been slightly widened in version 3 to provide more stability when cornering or dealing with late race marathon fatigue.

How much do they weigh? My size 9 shoes weigh 220g.

How much do they cost? The Nike Alphafly 3 shoes retail at £284.95.

PROS & CONS

Pros	Cons
Continuous Midsole: The connected ZoomX foam creates a much smoother heel to toe transition than the Alphafly 2.	Premium Price: At £285, it is an incredibly expensive investment strictly for race days.
Insane Energy Return: The combination of the rigid Flyplate and Air Zoom pods literally bounces you forward.	Aggressive Ride: The aggressive geometry isn't ideal for slow paces; it forces you to run fast.
Improved Upper: Much easier to put on than previous models, with zero heel slipping.	Hard to Find: Highly sought after and frequently sells out in popular sizes on the Nike app.

WOULD I RECOMMEND THEM?

Yes! A definite purchase if you can afford them but keep them just for race day.

At the moment I lean towards the Nike Alphafly 2 being the better version out of the Alphafly trainers.

However, I think this is purely because I was running much better when version 2 came out and I was smashing PB's left right and center so I am probably slightly biased towards them.

I still think the Nike Alphafly 3 are the best race day shoes on the market at the moment but is really just for race days, where as the Nike Alphafly 2 I would in train in and race in.

WHERE TO BUY

You can buy Nike Alphafly shoes direct from the Nike website.

CONCLUSION

The Nike Alphafly 3 is Nike's top tier racing shoe. It offers a more accommodating fit, improved stability, and an even more responsive ride than its predecessors.

The continuous midsole design and enhanced comfort make it suitable for a wider range of runners, from elite athletes to ambitious amateurs.

While the shoe excels in many areas, it's worth noting that it is a slightly firmer ride than previous versions and is much more aggressive, like the Nike Vaporfly 3.

Its blend of comfort, responsiveness, and energy return makes it a top contender in the world of elite racing shoes. For runners looking to shave seconds off their personal bests, the Nike Alphafly 3 certainly deserves serious consideration.

QUESTIONS

If you have any questions you would like to ask about the Nike Alphafly 3, please get in touch.

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