What is Nike's Fastest Shoe?
A review of Nike’s road going speed offerings, from 5k to Ultra racing, and from training to race day, just what are the different Nike Speed shoes designed for, how do you get the most out of them, and which one suits your runs the best?
With an abundance of choice in the running shoe market, it is perhaps harder than ever to find the perfect shoe to match your individual needs. If you read the marketing material of any running shoe, from any brand, chances are you’ll encounter buzz words like lightweight, responsive and supportive.
In this article, we’ll be diving deep into the Nike’s fastest road shoe to decipher exactly where each shoe fits in your running shoe rotation.
Nike Alphafly Next Percent 3
Price: £284.99
Weight: 228g (Men's US 9)
Stack height: 39mm – 31mm
Heel drop: 8mm
Midsole composition: ZoomX foam, 2 Air Zoom Pods
Plate: Full length carbon fibre flyplate
Purpose: Long distance road racing, more specifically the full marathon
A race day behemoth and first shoe of its kind upon initial release in 2019, the Alphafly Next Percent 3 features a barely legal stack of ZoomX foam in the midsole alongside Air Zoom Pods in the forefoot. Put simply, the Alphafly represents the pinnacle of Nike’s long distance road racing technology, tested and verified by the great Eliud Kipchoge.
Despite no official lab data being released by Nike themselves, numerous third-party studies have vouched for the tremendous running efficiency gains of the Alphafly, solidifying its spot at the top of the food chain for long distance road racing.
Vaporfly Next Percent 3
Price: £239.99
Weight: 190g (Men's US 9)
Stack height: 40mm – 34mm
Heel drop: 6mm
Midsole composition: ZoomX foam
Plate: Full length carbon flyplate
Targeted activity: Any distance on the road from 5k to the full marathon
Another truly iconic road racing legend, with added versatility. The Vaporfly is the original super shoe that started it all.
From 5k to the Marathon the Vaporfly is the one shoe in your armoury that can do it all. So, if you have a 10k one month and 26.2 miles the next and you want one shoe for the lot, this is your best bet. It has a more direct feel at toe off than the Alphafly which helps it feel fast across any distance.
ZoomX Streakfly 2
Price: £164.99
Weight: 145g
Stack height: 27mm – 23mm
Heel drop: 4mm
Midsole composition: ZoomX
Plate: Full length carbon fibre Flyplate
Targeted activity: Races over 5k-10k distance
A track shoe for the road, the Streakfly 2 has taken the elements that have taken Nikes track racing shoes to the top of so many podiums and rebuilt them for the road.
Specifically excellent at shorter distance races, it uses the same technology (ZoomX foam and a full-length carbon fibre plate) as the Alphafly and Vaporfly, but in a lower to the ground design that is more focused on forefoot energy, giving a hugely powerful pop of energy at toe-off, as well as an incredibly light build.
Frequently ask questions
What are the Best Nike Running Shoes?
Over a full marathon distance, it’s hard to look beyond the Alphafly, but the Vaporfly may feel better over a half marathon and the Streakfly for a 5k. For one shoe to do it all, the Pegasus is a must have, while the Zoom Fly is an excellent carbon plated fast training shoe. Each have their niche and are outstanding at their job.
Where can I buy Nike Running shoes?
Here at Pro:DirectRunning we offer a full range of Nike running shoes, including everyday runners and kids shoes, as well as the fast pack seen above.
Where can I buy Nike Clothing?
Our range of Nike clothing includes top of the line lightweight race day spec gear, alongside more casual running apparel with that undeniable style and iconic swoosh that Nike bring to all their products.
Does Nike Air make you run faster?
Combining a pressurised air pocket with tightly stretched fibres, the Zoom Air unit can reduce stress on muscles, joints, and tendons, and offer an explosive feel on take-off for a more efficient stride.
What is the best Nike running shoe for a 5k?
With the Vapofly marketed as a racing shoe for 5k to a full marathon, and the Streakfly at 5k to 10k, you will need to make a personal choice on what suits you best. The Streakfly is stripped back, lower to the ground, lighter and more flexible, while the Vaporfly offers more cushioning, and a carbon plate for increased rigidity. Whichever you choose, expect incredible speed that lets you aim for a new PB.
How Many miles can you run in Nike ZoomX Vaporfly?
The durability of that lightweight and incredibly responsive ZoomX foam is the main factor stopping you use your Vaporflys, as eventually, like all foams it stops springing back with the same responsive snap from day one. That said you should be able to get 250 – 300 miles out of a pair of these shoes, that are perhaps best kept for race day.
Are Nike Alphafly good for 5k?
As you will have seen elsewhere in this article, the Alphafly is marketed as a long-distance racer, specifically targeting the marathon distance, while both the Vaporfly and Streakfly are targeted at the 5k distance. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t run a 5k successfully in the Alphafly, but you might not get the best out of the technology, power, and efficiency gain over the shorter distance.
So, there it, the Fast Pack explained, for more shoes, including the recent Nike Pegasus Turbo Next Nature you can check the entire Nike range here
*Nike rarely release official weight and stack heights, figures used are the consensus.
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