ALPHAFLY vs. VAPORFLY (battle of the magic shoes!!)

Two super shoes, but which one is better? I tested them both out and it's a no brainer which shoe I think is better! Note: I am NOT sponsored by Nike, I paid cash for these shoes. When I wear workout gear, I always wear GYMSHARK apparel! Check them out here: gym.sh/NickSym...
Enter for a chance to win a free pair of Nike Alphaflys here: rungum.com/pag...
Try Wintergreen Run Gum and get a free face mask/headband here: rungum.com/pag...
Follow me on Instagram here: / nicksymmonds
Get a copy of my new eBook, How To Be A Better Runner, here: www.nicksymmon...
My Favorite Shoes for Various Missions:
Good Sprint Spikes (100m-400m): amzn.to/31x7os6
Great Sprint Spikes (100m-400m): amzn.to/2Srf7Uv
My Favorite Middle Distance Spikes (800m-Mile): amzn.to/39exfI0
Also Good if you Prefer Nike (800m-Mile): amzn.to/375K59M
Very Good Distance Spike (5K-10K on the track): amzn.to/3bkJqF8
Great Spike for XC: amzn.to/31t6z3y
Great Road Racing Flat: amzn.to/3blXNcj
Best Shoe for Half-Marathon and Full Marathon: amzn.to/2uo0AAM
Favorite Shoe for Trail Running: amzn.to/2SlorsU
Favorite Shoe to Walk Around In: amzn.to/39oBWz9
Some great options for everyday trainers below...
Brooks: amzn.to/3biwXBK
Nike: amzn.to/2GXz7Zl
Sketchers: amzn.to/3bgN4Qk
Hoka: amzn.to/39jkKuR
UA: amzn.to/39oBWz9
Thank you for watching this video. My favorite days are those that stimulate me physically and mentally. Athletics keeps my body fit, entrepreneurial business keeps my mind fit. Welcome to the life of the ATHLETEPRENEUR!
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► Subscribe to My Channel Here : / nicksymmonds800
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Nick Symmonds is a two-time Olympian and a serial entrepreneur. He is the founder and president of Nick Symmonds, LLC and the co-founder and CEO of Run Gum, a caffeinated chewing gum company that gives people a quick boost in energy and focus with their revolutionary energy gum.
Nick holds a degree in biochemistry from Willamette University. He is also an Eagle Scout, a published author, and an accomplished fly fisherman and mountaineer.

[@nicksymmonds]

BATTLE OF THE SUPER SHOES!! Which one do you prefer? Let me know down below. And if you want to enter for a chance to win a brand new pair of Alphaflys, click here: rungum.com/pages/alphafly-sweepstakes

[@1v1sports93]

Vapor fly

[@matthiasverling3806]

First one 😉👍

[@gabrielanaya3279]

I’m from Mexico :(

[@gabrielanaya3279]

I hate I can’t enter giveaways

[@thomascochran2741]

Why is there an age requirement of 18

[@darrenh9617]

"Which shoe is better for me?" Me: No shoe. I havent been outside for months now.

[@nicksymmonds]

laughing, but crying too :(

[@JC_Edits_Official]

Haha 😂 true

[@kymdaigle1992]

Lolol

[@classicalytrumpet9190]

Nick: Which shoe is the best for you? Me: The one I can afford. So, neither!

[@nicksymmonds]

I've been there!!

[@eyang7]

Neither, bc they're fugly 🤦‍♂️🤮🤢

[@pegasusairborne2978]

Save then?!

[@stubborn.turtle]

@@eyang7 if your idea of a fashion show is a bunch of sweaty guys soaked in the sun, then those shoes are definitely unsightly

[@inflagranti2705]

In my opinion, money shouldn't prevent you from buying the best shoes, since it's for your own health. You might enjoy running more with either one of those shoes, which makes you happier after all. I got myself the Alphaflys and they are amazing! They are my main running shoes right now and they are just so much fun. And when they are broken, unfortunately, I have to buy them again or the successor. They are just too good to not have them.

[@JordanThomasmedia]

I came to a similar conclusion. While I feel crazy fast in the Alphafly I also trust the Vaporfly more. To me it’s like comparing a sports car and a sports sedan. With the Alphafly being the sports car and the Vaporfly being the sports sedan. Thanks as always for the creativity! 🙌🏾

[@Striped63]

2:41 any one else notice that he called the vaporfly next% upper flyknit and not vaporweave

[@RaphaelIgrisianu]

so what, everyone errs or are you God?!

[@thelegends222]

i noticed i was like that def not flyknit

[@somebodywholives422]

Yeah I was like eww

[@waltpro1945]

You pointed out that when you were going fast, the energy return was quite noticeable. That's probably the catch. This was highly engineered for Kipchoge, and going a marathon at his pace, he probably experienced that kind of benefit from it. Not all top marathoners prefer this shoe, however, so this may not be entirely correct, or maybe there was something about the feel of the shoe that they dislike.

[@morganvon5664]

Strange. I found both shoes comfortable to walk in. The alphafly feels so much different than anything else. It really feels like a spring. Hard to believe it's legal.

[@reemmansoor2204]

😯

[@forzahorizen4711]

No way u walking in alpha flys

[@Ahonghekiaaksisj]

Yes

[@spiderlegs6564]

True story, during my county championship for cross country my shoe which was smooth laces came undone. Didn’t cost my team the win though.

[@praatyush2615]

Hi nick, this message is for you. One thing I really like about this channel, is that how you reply to every comment. I have seen channels that stop interacting when they get a lot more popular. It is a request to you to not stop replying to people even when you hit 10 million subscribers. Cheers.

[@nateg1075]

Anybody else not wanting to give this video a like so he won't cut open those beautiful shoes?

[@jacobchristoffersen541]

Yup

[@zaheerzazei362]

Only cost like 300$ still a lot but 🥱

[@fkhan98]

Maybe Nick should donate the equivalent cash an aspiring local runner.

[@sarahboyd6154]

God bless 🥰

[@pradyumansevar]

I liked it just so he cuts it in half.. :-)

[@VizMaior]

I have both and I used the alphaflys on my FBI PFT and I blew those events out of the water. I will say that when I have take my second PFT, I will use the alphafly to see how they stack up. Both are phenomenal shoes!

[@defaultboiyeets2395]

Lucky

[@TankToChest]

Yo. 3 mile run?

[@ptcool121]

It would be nice if Adidas or New Balance came up with a shoe to compete with the Nikes. I think if more companies began to flood the market with Carbon Fibre plated shoes you would see more affordable options. The Asics Metaracer looks like an interesting shoe its has a much lower stack height for runners who are used to less cushioning.

[@Tvo281]

Try the Hoka One One Carbon X

[@lendalejohnson4866]

The vaporfly isn’t flyknit, it’s an engineered mesh. Flyknit or in this case atomknit is heavier which, aside from the zoom unit, is part of the added weight

[@sadladd]

got the aphaflys for 150 at dicks. not a runner mainly got them to casually run in so i’m kinda worried about the durability. they really feel like springs lol

[@jamessandersonn]

I stated freaking out when you broke out the saw!😂

[@stevew5146]

I couldn't believe it either! But Nick proved it and that's an awesome thing. I wonder is it the carbon plate that gives the lift or more so the air pockets? I wonder too of these shoes actual reduce load impact on knee joints?

[@KrnSniper01]

Excellent content! I probably won't get either of the two pairs due to the prices but was always curious as to how they compare.

[@settlers33]

Vaperfly has been the best shoe I ever put on and used heavily.

[@trygvan]

I've been super happy with my Next%, going for 200+ miles now. I'm unsure whether I could say that they've lost some of the springiness. I can still notice that the occasional fast long run feels easy with them, but also that all that cushion feels maybe a bit draining compared to my racing flats (Asics Tartherzeal). The tartherzeal is far less cushion of course, but they've got very good performance, and are lighter, as long as my legs are trained enough to take the beating. I got a 1/2 marathon coming up, and Ive trained some in Tartherzeal, but I also just ordered a pair of Alphafly's. Now comes the questions - which to choose; The used but still half good Next%, the new alphafly, or the fast and light but less cushioned tartherzeal?

[@kymdaigle1471]

Hey Nick! I just ran my first 800m in a year and i got 3:27. I'm planning on running everyday so, do you have any tips? Btw im only 13. :) Hope i improve.

[@nicksymmonds]

That is a great time! Keep working hard, focus on consistency with your training!!

[@kymdaigle1471]

@@nicksymmonds Ty! You're literally my only motivation lol

[@DailyDiscountNL]

Eat some Rungum during your activity 😁

[@gopalvsathyav8221]

Yeah I agree

[@carlinreeves8806]

Run more. That alone will improve your time substantially. And add some fast strides to the end of your easy runs to build speed.

[@thegagepage9194]

If I win the alpha flys I’m going to start a beautiful relationship with them. Take them to dinner on the weekends, have a white picked track, have little Pegasus’s run around everywhere. I’m ready to start my life with her Nick, don’t hold us away from our destiny 😂

[@synergybs1347]

Lmao😂😂😂😂

[@will9444555]

I'm a heel striker and prefer the vaporfly. I feel like the alphafly is more suited to people who run more on their toes, I don't get as much speed or enjoyment out of it which kind of surprised me at first

[@OffRadarPro_3768]

Personally I prefer the vaporflys but there's also the zoom fly 3 which rival the vaporfly

[@Jackson-ln9oj]

Personally I like the alphaflys because they are more padded to me because of the air pids

[@jameson1235]

Hey nick I have a question, what is your favorite flavor of run gum

[@nicksymmonds]

Wintergreen!!

[@Lukafo]

@@nicksymmonds I just received my box of wintergreen😀

[@stevew5146]

I just received the Wintergreen with the awesome headband and it has a really fresh and powerful flavor that lasts quite a while. Each piece is a good size too. It doesn't chew like leather. Very enjoyable to maintain in the mouth for a long time. Impressed actually.

[@ostanh8751]

Wintergreen is really fire tho

[@jameson1235]

Thanks everyone

[@MrBlockHeadHero]

Finally I've been waiting for this!

[@davidh5429]

Two years later and both have V2 versions which are less good then the original. Awesome stuff.

[@thomascochran2741]

Yeah, probably trust the vaporfly more

[@tonyt8271]

thanks for the comparison, but my goodness... they're racing shoes, I want to know in-depth about performance, not casual/street wear or lifting, who gets these shoes for that?

[@Sami-upload]

Why is no one talking about the fact that the shoe Eliud ran in had 3 carbon fiber plates? not to take anything away from his record but people keep saying he ran in the alphafly shoes! he did not run in the same shoes your buys, that's just facts! Maybe that's why they are too squishy as they were meant to have more support in them?

[@Oliver-vh8if]

Yeah his had 3 carbon plates in which isn't allowed by World Athletics. The pair he wore were a prototype

[@Sami-upload]

@@Oliver-vh8if yeak ik, just wondering why everyone pretends he wore the alphafly!

[@heidiandersen8289]

Starting my workout...new video....yes! I watch these while I lift weights.

[@gorn1120]

I like the alphaflys more. I'm a sucker for green... I left the Nike shoe world many years ago but I've been in several brands since then. It's only fair to try all brands - unless you're sponsored 😅

[@blitzedge]

Saucony Endorphin Pro all the way, Nick. Did a wear test for a mile in the Kinvara followed by a mile in the EP...5:22 in Kinvara/5:06 in EP at same heart rate

[@felixleon4694]

Hey Nick, I just got a pair of ZoomFly 3s, and I wanted to know if they are similar to the VaporFlys.

[@marcelomacedofialho]

I got it (ZF3) but I haven’t experienced VFN% neither AF. I’ve seen many videos comparing ZF3 and VF and all them consider ZF3 worse than VF, mainly because of weight and the effect of carbon plate, which doesn’t work as well in the react as it does in ZoomX.

[@SteveT82]

@@marcelomacedofialho I've ran over 1000 miles in Zoom Flys and have raced a few times in Vaporfly Next%. The Zoom Flys are a great training shoe, very durable but a little heavy and firm. They do come with a carbon plate and are intended by Nike to be the training partner of the Vapprfly. The Vaporfly are noticeably lighter, have much greater responsiveness through the ZoomX foam but are less durable and probably wouldn't last more than 150 miles before losing their rebound.

[@marcelomacedofialho]

@Félix Leon , I think you got the answer from Steve. Thank you Steve!

[@unknowenunknowen4060]

As far as I know the Vaporfly Sole has a thickness of 35mm and not 40mm. That’s one of the big differences between these shoes. Nevertheless nice video and keep up the good work.

[@greysonfrancisco2335]

I have those same exact pair of next %’s and I have about 1,000 miles on them and they still feel amazing but really torn up but still work

[@beastgaming3157]

Awesome comparison review!

[@hiltonburleson6111]

They gotta make the alpha fly a permanent shoe no new versions just the alpha fly itself only cuz it’s great jogging I feel like I’m jogging with marsh mellows

[@howardOKC]

Damn! This is EXACTLY what i've been looking for! And to hear it from respectable Nick is just amazing! Let me put his comment in and watch the video now.

[@samg1204]

Hi Nick, would you suggest run gum for kids? Or not because of the caffeine

[@fish411]

You should try running with 1/2” spikes, and compare them to regular spikes

[@aidancort5307]

Super super helpful, getting back into running and prep for freshman year xc in college and about to buy a new pair

[@thepsychologist8159]

4:25 "there is no chance of this lace becoming untied". News Flash. On my first run wearing the Alphaflys, my right shoe lace came undone (even with a double-knot)! Hand on heart, this has never happened with any shoe prior. And believe me, like Nick, I am obsessed with my laces coming undone, so I make sure I tighten and re-check them before I head off. Luckily, the Alphaflys do have the 'fitted' upper mesh tongue so it didn't bother me so much as you can still run in these comfortably even if the laces do come undone. Oh, and on that run which was a 14km, I smashed my time by 2min 21seconds ... THESE SHOES ARE BRILLIANT. However, I can confirm for every run thereafter, the laces have not come undone. But I have ensured I really do exaggerate the effort on the final double-knot, just to be certain.

[@Rock-sz9hn]

Great video, keep it up nick.

[@ianbusche1471]

I had no idea you are a big fisherman. I’m obsessed with running, hunting, and fishing. I live in ND so no ocean fishing. But wondering what you catch in Oregon.

[@s_rahimi9693]

Tq nick ,you make my life easier with your vids!👍👍👍

[@ccharlotteoliver]

Nice video Nick! Keep it up!

[@HansPayneRuns]

You should apply to get on Shark tank with Run Gum

[@patriksorups]

I have never been this early to your upload!

[@marcusaschettino8270]

love your videos nick!

[@nicksymmonds]

Thank you for watching them!!

[@joelittle8296]

Out of curiosity, when you were training for the olympics, what was your mileage per week? Did you train more with sprinters or distance runners?

[@benclawson9564]

He made a book displaying his weekly mileage in preparation for the 2012 olympics: rungum.com/blogs/blog/nick-symmonds-2012-training-log-ebook-free-download

[@arunwinsatrunning923]

I would have really wanted to enter the giveaway but I'm not in America.

[@nicksymmonds]

sorry, this one is US only :(

[@marianacorreia5100]

Same problem

[@JC_Edits_Official]

Me to

[@JC_Edits_Official]

I’m Aussie

[@arunwinsatrunning923]

I'm British

[@chigookafor710]

I learned so much in these 10 mins of the video

[@jaiden_knudson7898]

I love your great content!!!

[@nicksymmonds]

Thank you for watching my videos!!

[@jamesismyfriend4403]

"...so if you're cost conscious, go for the Vapourfly." A $250 shoe.

[@jacob1tabor]

I would come run against you but i live in Texas

[@nicksymmonds]

I'll come to visit Texas soon!

[@AndDrew]

Yaboi Jacob same 😔

[@valdemarmeza483]

South Texas!!!??🙄

[@josephfuentes8187]

Nick Symmonds no wayyyyyyy

[@BryceMtn]

Come to Austin!

[@gg-ji1rl]

Cool video nick

[@1111Abhishek]

I'm flat footed. Can I wear them for speed workouts/tempo sessions . Or I need some stability shoes. Please suggest me best running shoes for my workouts.

[@ari7gam77]

Thanks for being the best running KZbinr on Earth

[@neeleshn3503]

I am definitely buying the vapor flys

[@patrickgarrett4802]

I love your videos. I am a young kid from Chicago and trying to get as good at running as I can. I would love it if I had vapor flies for my street races. My Pr in the mile is 5 minutes 44 seconds. I'm size 4.

[@shane-zt9ix]

My goodness your killing me with all these dope shoes!....dont cut them lol. Starting my 5k a day life change, im sure ill see ya around. Have a great day boss. Shane

[@nexuscross3233]

Love your content Nick 😊

[@rafaelluis8300]

I think I’d choose the vaporflys over the alphaflys because of one they are stylish, and two I’d have to go the the less weight

[@jacksomartin]

Love your vids!

[@benjaminbalazs3558]

You don’t have to saw the shoe open, if anything, just give that one away as well or keep it for yourself

[@yendis902]

I’m in highschool and do XC and track. Do you think the vaporfly would be good for XC races or should I stick with my XC flats

[@pacoalonso373]

Depending on the course,if there’s more road than natural terrain then use vaporfly’s but if it’s purely natural terrain then xc flats/spikes

[@iRunfastXC]

I need to see more testing with the shoe first, Nick!

[@roryj5045]

Next% has a better fit and is lighter. The alphafly has too many bells and whistles and may be good for the marathon but is not as versitile as the next.

[@dawsonthelin]

Just wanted to add one thing, the Vaporflys use Vapor Weave and not Flyknit

[@Legend-bw8kh]

How do you buy the vapor fly? I can’t find them anywhere

[@byronmartin6303]

Is the vapour fly good for running on grass? Thanks nick I love your videos

[@presto_yt1207]

Nick love the vids

[@nicksymmonds]

Thank you for watching them!!

[@jonas0.870]

Hey Nick, I have a 800m event tomorrow and I need to get from 2:13 to 2:09 and I'm in the race with only slower guys do you have any tips for me it would be awesome PS: really love your videos keep the great work up!

[@joreiaq]

The only reason I'm watching this is to keep up with the athletic kid at school

[@JJ_Jonah]

How did it go?

[@namapena4318]

I love the way you cut that shoes. I call this totality. 😍

[@dominoperson5]

The vapor fly’s are so fun to do tempos in!

[@michaelstoll6167]

I've never been so conflicted on whether or not I should like a video

[@robertguerrero9232]

i cant to seem to find some vaporfly next % in men's size 13

[@19Kamau79]

Yes, I'm US13 user and it's hard to find any fancy shoes in the size.

[@dillydilly3680]

Check on the website GOAT.com or StockX.com

[@runnershigh.]

Time to send the Alphafly to space!

[@owenthornton287]

Let’s talk about racing “8 minutes in” haha!

[@felixglasenapp6192]

9:45 that low key blev my mind

[@cianmckiernan579]

Great vid Nick, just wondering what are the best spikes for 800 and 400

[@nicksymmonds]

Brooks ElMN8s or Nike Victorys

[@cianmckiernan579]

@@nicksymmonds Cheers Nick

[@gseric4721]

Hi Nick, does Run Gum help when you're on the road? I have a 2 and a half hour drive to work every day and it's never a good thing when you're nodding off on the road xD I need a healthier alternative than coffee because it's a physically demanding warehouse job.

[@RoadrunnerTrainingProjects]

“I am taking the laces out of the alphafly and putting them in the vaporfly”. That will only be $525 assuming you find an alphafly that cheap. 😭 Great video though. Got a kick out of that statement! 😂

[@landonthorn7297]

Who knows down the road Nike could sell the laces

[@realgurkhaathleteanimalsma8224]

Wow u r awesome.. doing fantastic work...u r inspiration for many athletes like me..🙏🇳🇵

[@mikezoid2009]

5:19 you wouldn’t be buying any of those shoes if you want to save money

[@doom4067]

IMO Nike made both of these shoes specifically for Kipchoge after he didn't break 2 hours in the 4%. The vast majority of us will never run that fast. He's probably going to break 2 hours in an official marathon within a couple years.

[@samanderson5078]

I am currently saving up for the vapourfly but right now I have the Nike tempo shoes. They are like the son of the alphaflys

[@Koragh_]

Rumor has it you can float and walk on water with these shoes

[@Exachad]

67 comments in one minute, insane!

[@nicksymmonds]

I LOVE MY SUBSCRIBERS!!!

[@doctorjai9322]

Nick- so basically I partnered with my own company

[@notedeath04]

Nick would you say the vaporfly is better for running a 5k pr or the alphafly?

[@elijahkwon422]

Me and my own company have teamed up. Insert Obama giving himself medal meme.

[@LuisSanchez-oh1nl]

Hey Nick, I was wondering if I should even enter the give away( now let me explain 😂). I am going into my freshman year and training for cross country, the longest runs I’ll be doing are 12 miles runs. But I am a true 800 runner. So do you think I should give it a shot?

[@borg_cube]

Stability is a huge deal for me, should I get Vapor or Alpha?

[@aidansunbury9341]

What about on a track? Which is better? Also what about a hard-packed fire road or groomed grass like many xc courses are run on?

[@vika0194]

Why can't they just make an all black version so you don't have to be embarrassed of wearing that design?

[@giorgosapo4508]

I found a pair of VaporFly Next% yesterday for 90$ , I couldn't believe it. The ZoomX is just crazy good and fun to run in.

[@neeleshn3503]

This video was actually pretty helpful.

[@nicksymmonds]

Very glad you found it helpful!!

[@bobwasherenotthere]

"I dont like smooth laces" cc: New Balance

[@justdrive.1117]

I love the NB 5280, my favorite racing shoe. Absolutely despise the laces because they unlace.