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The Nike Alphafly 3 was the first big super-shoe launch of 2024, having been used by elites throughout 2023, including by Kelvin Kiptum when he set the world record in the marathon in Chicago.
Nike didn’t officially launch the shoe until January 2024, when a limited run of the white ‘Proto’ colourway came out. It costs £285/$285 and is now widely available, having been initially been hard to get hold of.
Both the original Alphafly and the Alphafly 2 are among the best carbon plate running shoes, and it’s fair to say that’s true of the Nike Alphafly 3 as well, with Nick rating it as the best racing shoe available at the time of our full review. That’s to say before the Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris was launched, more on which later…
Nike Alphafly 3 Review
The key updates are found in the midsole, which is now one continuous piece to make for smoother transitions, no matter where you land with your footstrike. Some foam has also been carved out of the midsole to reduce the weight of the shoe, and it’s the lightest Alphafly ever at 220g in a UK 9/US 10.
Nike has also tweaked the carbon Flyplate to be wider on the medial side to increase stability, and the Atomknit upper has been redesigned as well.
The updates have created a fantastic racing shoe that Nick has used to log his 10K PB in this year, and there’s little doubt that those who stick to the swoosh for their racing shoe will be well served by the Alphafly 3.
However, Tom has also now tested the Alphafly 3, and is not as convinced that it is an improvement on the original Nike Alphafly NEXT%, which is still available to pick up in sales at times. Tom and Nick discussed the two shoes for a comparison video on the channel.
Nike Alphafly 3 vs Nike Alphafly 1
Since our review of the Nike Alphafly 3 several other excellent carbon plate running shoes have been released, with standout being the Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris, a shoe that has quickly become a favourite at Run Tester HQ with both Nick (2:27) and Kieran (2:54) running new marathon PBs in it this spring.
Nike Alphafly 3 vs Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris
Another new shoe that has impressed us in 2024 is the Hoka Cielo X1, which is a very bouncy carbon plate shoe that excels over long distances in particular. It’s about as fun as super-shoes get, but is it better than the Alphafly 3?
Nike Alphafly 3 vs Hoka Cielo X1
The Nike Vaporfly 3 is also a big competitor to the Alphafly 3, offering a lighter and more nimble design that some runners will prefer to the bigger, bouncier Alphafly. Nick did a comparison video of the Vaporfly 3 and the Alphafly 3 on the YouTube channel.
Nike Alphafly 3 vs Nike Vaporfly 3
Nike Alphafly 3 vs The Rest
We’ll keep adding other comparison videos for the Nike Alphafly 3 as we make them, because when it comes to picking a carbon shoe, the Alphafly 3 is always likely to be one of the contenders.