| Altra Vanish Carbon | Nike Vaporfly Next% 3 |
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| Buy From Altra | Buy From Nike |
PLEASE NOTE: Whilst I paid for the Nike Vaporfly 3 trainers myself, I was gifted the Vanish Carbon trainers by Altra to give a honest review. This page contains affiliate links. Making a purchase via our affiliate link means we may receive a small share of the sale.
If you are looking for a new pair of running shoes, there are so many that you can choose from.
There is no doubt you have probably heard about or considered Nike's Vaporfly 3 race day trainers but do you know about Altra's Vanish Carbon racer?
As you will see, each has its benefits and its drawbacks - but which should you go for?
What Is The Difference Between The Altra Vanish Carbon and Nike Vaporfly 3?
In order to get a balanced view, this guide will get to grips with the design features of Altra Vanish Carbon and the Nike Vaporfly 3.
From the heel difference to the stack and weight difference, let’s dive in to see which ones come out on top.
The Heel Difference
First of all, let’s look at the heel design.
The shape of both of these heels provides a pretty good, comfortable step for when you are running, but it does seem as though the Vaporfly 3 has somewhat more considered design to it.
Neither shoe has a heel loop, but to be honest you do not need it, as both shoes are really easy to get on.
With the Vanish Carbon, you do have this overall rocker shape, and the result of that on the heel is that it has an attractive upwards slant to it, as well as arguably being very comfortable to put on and take off.
Uppers Difference
On top, there is a lot of breathable material on both the Altra Vanish Carbon and Nike Vaporlfy 3.
With the Vaporfly 3 the entire top section of the shoe here is seeping with breathable holes, that is both strong and easily breathable. The Flyknit material feels more engineered in strength than the Altra Vanish Carbon breathable engineered mesh.
In terms of aesthetic, the Altra Vanish Carbon feels more simple in design compared to the now 3rd version of the Vaporfyly.
Although both will be durable enough for road racing, it does seem as though the Vaporlfy 3 Flyknit material feels a little more likely to last longer.
Outsole Difference
There is a marked and obvious difference between the outsoles of these two shoes, however.
With the Altra Vanish Carbon, it has much thicker outsole protecting the exposed midsole foam from breaking down. It performed well on the track as well as slightly damp roads providing plenty of grip.
However, the Nike Vaporfly 3 has a considerably thinner base to the outsole. This is obviously going to mean that you can feel more through it as you run, and that is something that is both a blessing and a curse, meaning that you get excellent ground contact but it does wear down especially when exposed to the track.
Both shoes have opted to expose parts of the midsole foam in a effort to save weight.
The Midsole Difference
In truth, it is quite hard to separate the two when it comes the foam aspect of these running shoes.
On both shoes, you have a thick layer of what both shoes say is there best ever foam for cushioning and both are really responsive rides.
The main difference is the Altra Vanish Carbon only has half a carbon plate and provides a rocking motion to propel you forward. The Vaporfly 3 has a full carbon plate that provides a stiffer bouncy motion to propel you forward.
The Weight Difference
So how do these compare in terms of weight?
The Altra Vanish Carbon weighs in at 206g, while the Nike Vaporfly 3 is a little less than that at 184g.
Despite both pairs of shoes having a lot of technology for saving weight and reducing size, there is definitely a difference here, and you will find that you are going to probably have a lighter shoe with the Vaporlfy 3 on the whole, if that matters for your particular running needs.
However, whilst you can feel a slight difference, in grand scheme of things 20g is not much difference to most of us, and both are a fantastic lightweight race day shoe.
The Stack Difference
As for the stack, the Vanish Carbon is slightly taller than the Vaporfly, which has a stack of 33mm.
However, it’s not a huge difference, and both of these are of the modern effect with a relatively low stack all in all.
You will probably find that you can feel the Nike around your ankles a little more, however, so that is a consideration here, especially if you are considering any long-distance running in these shoes.
| Altra Vanish Carbon | Nike Vaporfly Next% 3 |
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| Buy From Altra | Buy From Nike |
Conclusion
Choosing between the Nike Vaporfly 3 and the Altra Vanish Carbon ultimately depends on your running style and preferences.
If you're looking for maximum cushioning and energy return, the Vaporfly 3 is a top choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a more natural and rocking motion, the Vanish Carbon may be the better option.
In conclusion, both the Nike Vaporfly 3 and the Altra Vanish Carbon are excellent running shoes with their own unique features.
Where To Buy
You can buy both trainers easily online or in-store depending on your preference.
Here are links to the brands directly:
| Altra Vanish Carbon | Nike Vaporfly Next% 3 |
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| Buy From Altra | Buy From Nike |
Questions
If you have any questions you would like to ask about the Altra Vanish Carbon or Nike Vaporfly 3, please ask below in the comments.
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Nike Trainer Comparisons
If you found this guide useful, have a look at our other Nike trainer guides:
- Vaporfly 2 vs Vaporfly 3
- Alphafly 2 vs Vaporfly 2
- Invincible 2 vs Invincible 3
- Alphafly 1 vs Alphafly 2
- What is Nike's fastest running shoe?
Altra Comparisons
If you found this guide useful, have a look at our other Altra trainer guides: