u/ClydeMcCoy

Allegedly scheduled for release by 2030

Alphafly Apex*

130 lbs, forefoot striker, 1:20 half marathon. Most of my mileage is in Zone 1/2 at 6:45–8:00/mile, with threshold work around 5:30–6:00/mile. Typically running ~40-50ish miles per week. I’ve previously compared the Nike Alphafly 3, Adidas Adios Pro 4, and Saucony Endorphin Elite 2.

Session: 6 × 1200 m at ~5:41 per mile with 2 mins rest, alternating shoes between intervals.

Nike Air Zoom Alphafly NEXT%

Energetic and responsive. The combination of the decoupled midsole, stiff carbon-fiber plate, and Air Zoom units creates a highly propulsive sensation at toe-off. The forefoot is firm but well-protected and not overly fatiguing. The second half of the decoupled midsole is softer and very similar to the Vaporfly NEXT% 2. This is the least stable of the Alphafly models due to the narrowness of the midsole and minimal outsole. But it is my favorite of the three in terms of forefoot springiness, and I am impressed by how well it compares to more contemporary carbon-plated shoes considering its 2020 release. If you are a forefoot striker with neutral pronation looking for an aggressive ride, it may be worth seeking out.

Nike Air Zoom Alphafly NEXT% 2

I am somewhat surprised Nike released this shoe to the general public given its apparent tuning for elite racing. The reinforced Atomknit upper, denser ZoomX, stiffer carbon-fiber plate, and extended outsole together create an experience that borders on punishing. Compared to the Alphafly NEXT%, stability is improved, but some of the liveliness of the ride is lost. The contoured midsection of the medial arch is also uncomfortable even with high arches, though it is less noticeable at speed. While energetic and efficient, the Alphafly NEXT% 2 just feels too hardcore for me. The experience running in the Alphafly NEXT% or the Alphafly 3 is so much more enjoyable that I rarely reach for these.

Nike Alphafly 3

The softest and most accessible of the Alphafly models (though still firmer than the Adidas Adios Pro 4 or the Saucony Endorphin Elite 2). The continuous midsole provides the smoothest heel-to-toe transition and is more forgiving for midfoot and heel strikers at the expense of slightly less responsiveness in the forefoot compared to the Alphafly NEXT% or NEXT% 2. The Atomknit 3.0 upper is outstanding: comfortable, breathable, supportive, and more protective than previous versions. While less exciting than the Alphafly NEXT% (and comically more comfortable than the Alphafly NEXT% 2), the Alphafly 3 is the least fatiguing over long distances and the most versatile across a wide range of paces. Nike traded some of the aggression from the Alphafly NEXT% for a more balanced and forgiving ride, and for the vast majority of runners (including myself), I think this is a worthy tradeoff.

Your mileage may vary.

130 lbs, forefoot striker, 1:20 half marathon. Most of my mileage is in Zone 1/2 at 7:00–8:00/mile, with threshold work around 5:30–6:00/mile. Typically running ~40–60ish miles per week.

Saucony Endorphin Elite 2
If you’re looking for a marshmallow running shoe, this is it. The shoe is incredibly soft. Almost unbelievably soft. Yet despite this softness, I find it fatiguing and somewhat harsh in the forefoot, probably due to the extreme compression and decompression of the IncrediRUN foam, which makes the carbon plate feel noticeable and unpleasant underfoot. I understand that this shoe tests very well in the lab for energy return and shock absorption, but when actually running in it, it feels like I have to work harder than in the other shoes mentioned here due to the extreme softness of the IncrediRUN foam. The upper is similar to the Nike Alphafly 3, though less flexible, and the toe box is too vertically shallow, creating an overly snug fit that adds to the harshness in the forefoot. I really like soft running shoes, and I never thought I’d find one too soft, but I think Saucony went too far here. I don’t mind it for threshold sessions on the track, but this is my least favorite of the three.

Adidas Adios Pro 4
Soft, but nowhere near as extreme as the Endorphin Elite 2. The rocker geometry is very pronounced, which I don’t necessarily mind, though it engages the calves in a way that can become fatiguing over longer runs. Like the Endorphin Elite 2, I find the forefoot somewhat harsh despite the softness of the LIGHTSTRIKE PRO foam. Here, it feels as though vibrations from the Energy Rods 2.0 transmit directly through the foam on impact. It’s noticeable and somewhat unpleasant. The upper has essentially no stretch, which makes getting the shoe on and off annoying. And the laces are laughably cheap. I’m glad to see Adidas remove the Energy Rods 2.0 in the Adios Pro 5. I think it will be excellent. This shoe is one or two changes away from working really well for me.

Nike Alphafly 3
I really like the tuning of the ZoomX here. It’s just soft enough to feel compliant while still being highly responsive, with noticeable rebound. But it’s much firmer than the other two shoes mentioned above. It’s interesting to me that this shoe is often dismissed because of its age and inferior performance in the lab. On foot, it is the most responsive feeling of the three. It does not feel as though I’m losing energy to excessive foam compression and there are no harsh forefoot vibrations from the carbon plate or Energy Rods 2.0 that I experience in the other two shoes. And the upper is the most comfortable and breathable of the three. It is so good that I hope Nike changes nothing about it in future iterations. What really distinguishes this shoe from the other two is its distinct “platform” ride. There is substantially less connection with the ground in terms of road feel. I like this isolation and I find it reduces fatigue. I also like the geometry of the rocker and it feels natural across a wide range of paces. My only real complaint is that I wish the Air Zoom units sat closer towards the forefoot. This is my easily my favorite of the three and I do most of my mileage in it.

Your mileage may vary.

"The times are changing.

In 2026, Nike Running will revolutionize racing innovation, design and performance — pushing the sport forward for every athlete and building on a five-decade legacy of running innovation.

Nike currently has multiple development prototypes approved by World Athletics that elite and everyday runners are wearing in competition, setting personal bests and new records while trailblazing the future of running for all athletes.

Over the coming months, these prototypes will be seen at some of the world's most regarded races. Keep tabs on the gallery below — and podiums around the globe — for early looks at the future of fast."

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