Nike Alphafly v1 Review AFTER 100 Miles (Incredible) | FOD Runner

[@jonathanwatkins447]

Best race show for me by far. My first pair has 650KM on them and still feel great. I bought 3 more pairs just to make sure I have them for races. PBs of course in them for all distances. Used them at conrades and they were amazing. Love them. Great video

[@christinaclementson]

I love my Alphaflys! I have a pair in the Mango colour way and I have run hundreds of miles in them. They’re still going strong. I just use them for longer training runs now but they are fine. The Vaporflys are a lot less durable. Alphaflys have been my marathon shoe for my last 4 marathons. Love them 👌

[@dom_leary]

I'm using these for my first marathon, Amsterdam, this weekend. They went well on a half race and a 35km run so, fingers crossed! Only reason I have them is because of that video you put out way back Andy - got the same Volt colourway for 135 quid - cheers mate!

[@benhruns]

I have done just over 200km in mine, I have used them for half marathons and Sunday long runs and they’re still superb. Like you say I will look for a new pair in a sale for next years marathon training block and race

[@robwetherell]

I agree Andy. Best shoe ever. I’m on my second pair now of V1’s and they are so fast and comfortable. Knocked 3.5 minutes of my half marathon time last weekend in Manchester wearing then. Was slower at the GNR in the V2’s. The course was a lot hillier, so maybe not the best comparison. I’m keen to buy more if I can. Been looking at StockX. Plenty on there if you’re stuck.

[@ricardoreis3844]

Firstly I would like to congrat you on your amazing London Marathon my mate! Wonderful job again! About Alphafly 1, I love that shoe, that for me is the best one that I have used, so that I have run two marathons in them and I cant imagine running another one in other shoes, but Alphafly 2 that I bought but I havent tried yet. For me Alphafly is the best choice for half and full marathons (better than Vaporfly, endorphin pro 1, Adios pro 2, RC Elite 2). Greetings from Brazil!

[@benchandler3220]

About to tick past 600km on mine and they’re still going strong. I reckon they’ll be the first runners I’ve ever got to 1000k.

[@Npgilly1976]

Af 1’s are great, but I do think adidas adizero adios pro 3’s are more versatile so much more stable than v2, endorphin pro 3 to me are in my opinion closest to the nb rc elite v2, more squish and you cannot feel the plate at all. Great video again andy👍

[@yenoomneb]

I picked up a pair of AF v1s in April this year on sale, as the shoe I'd use for London marathon. Unfortunately I suffered quite bad from arch problem so I replaced the insoles (had to tear out the ones glued-in) which stopped the rubbing and huge blisters, but they still weren't as comfortable as I wanted for my first marathon. My feet do get on well with Saucony shoes, so I ended up running with Endorphin Pro 3s, which do fit my feet a lot better and did an amazing job for the Marathon. Both shoes are phenomenal, but quite different in the way they feel - the speed roll on the Endorphins really suits my high cadence shuffle style, whereas the AFs are advantageous when focussing on longer stride. I've run over 100miles in the AFs and they're still great - I'm determined to use them in a race, most likely a half marathon.

[@timtrenholm3698]

33km on my AlphaFly, since I have a pair of Tempo Next% at nearly 200KM. And I have put a 2nd pair of AlphaFly V1 into a digital shopping cart 4 times...only to not pull the trigger. And I know with almost 100% certainty if I don't get a 2nd pair of V1's before they are all gone I will regret it.

[@chriswhittington6445]

Love my Alphas. Similar wear to you at 125 miles. Long MP training runs and London Marathon. I find them super comfortable as long as i'm not walking in them, and legs seem to recover faster after wearing them. I'd be interested on your comparison between the Alphafly V1 and the Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 as those have got me interested. Love my Endorphin Speed V1's as an everyday speed shoe. Cheers!

[@bev9708]

WOW you really HAVE been saving it only just getting to 100miles!! I’ve been saving mine too but I got twice that in half the time. 😁 I’ve got a second pair now waiting in their box in the cupboard, picked them up for €123 last month!! 🎁😃

[@JasperPuttu]

I have over 600km on my v1. Still has fantastic forefoot pop. Amazing durability.

[@billywheeler4168]

Get some Shoe Goo for the out-soles, brilliant for uneven wear.

[@JeremyGiese]

Your 100miles looks really good. I had 91miles on mine and the rubber on the lateral edges in the forefoot were basically smoothed down . Nike rubber for me and how I strike are the least durable from a company. My metaspeed skys(and adios pro 2) have 100miles. The rubber is very thin but barely any wear in my usual spots.

[@runfrankfurt]

With the Vaporfly 3 expected to release before the Spring 2023 racing season, I will likely get that as my next year racing shoe. My Alphafly V1 only have about 60 miles on them now, therefore good enough for all the upcoming races this year until the Vaporfly 3 releases. 😁

[@DonMuhammad-dk3ms]

the music was great!!

[@alistairt3640]

Still my go to shoe for marathon raceday. Picked up another pair (Ekiden edition) last month for £170

[@chrisgardiner4998]

I’ve only done one 10k TT and a “warm up” half for a marathon this weekend. Seriously fast shoe, but I do find it incredibly uncomfortable in the arch and had some issues post the half marathon that means I really am unsure if my ankle will deal with a whole marathon in them. I’ve had to use an additional insole in them to help protect the arch. But boy are they speedy! Fastest 10k in the TT and went much faster than intended in the half…just couldn’t stop myself. Second fastest half ever at 51 with a negative split!

[@Alecmcq]

Chris, totally agree on the arch comfort. When I first used these shoes, they were unusable for me: it felt like a spike going up through my arches with each step. So I ripped out the original inner sole, and put a much bigger shoe inner sole into the alphaflys from an old pair of runners. Made the weight a lot higher, but made them wearable for me. Only to 5k and possibly 10k at a pinch, but certainly no longer. I mainly use these now for my 5k parkruns.

[@TheFODRunner]

Try putting in another shoes insole over the top of the alphafly insole... i've put my mach 4 insole inside and it eliminates all arch issues

[@chrisgardiner4998]

@@TheFODRunner I’ve done exactly that Andy. I did try to take the existing insoles out, but couldn’t get them out that easily.

[@stoicrunner2757]

Andy, I have used both the ASICS Metaspeed Sky and the Alphafly V1. While the Alphaflys are superior, they did give me blisters due to the narrow arch during my tune up HM. I went with the Metaspeed Skys for the marathon and they were great too, although not the same bounce. Racing season is over for me so I have been using them both occasionally for long runs and tempo work.

[@ricardoreis3844]

I am running a half marathon in Metaspeed SKY plus in twenty days. It is gonna be my first race in them. Do you think they better than Alphafly in that distance?

[@stoicrunner2757]

@@ricardoreis3844 I think the Alphaflys are better, even over the shorter distance, but not by very much. The Skys will serve you very well.

[@ricardoreis3844]

@@stoicrunner2757 Thanks a lot!

[@thewingitrunner]

@@ricardoreis3844 we all run differently and only real way for you to know is to run in both and see which you thought was best. I have done 3 marathon in metaspeed sky and never had a problem and think they are great over that distance setting pbs. So you will be fine. Yet to try the alphafly abd not tried the V1s over 10k distance yet.

[@ricardoreis3844]

@@thewingitrunner Thanks! I did just one training in Metaspeed SKY plus. It was a 13 km Tempo run, in marathon and half marathon pace. I got impressed by their energy return and snappiness so that, even running just one time, I already put Metaspeed SKY over Adios Pro 2, RC Elite 2 and Endorphin Pro in my preference. Of course I need more time to compare them to Vaporfly and Alphafly, still my favorite racing shoes.

[@weekendkicks5964]

I always end up with a niggle in my left hip after a run with them. Totally fine in the Vapes as my other carbon racer 👍🏻

[@JohnBirtchetSharpe]

I agree with your analysis on the VF2 vs the Endorphin Pro 3. The vapor's (v2) would batter my forefoot during any races greater than 10k (and I put at least 10k a week in barefoot shoes), The pro 3's give me the same bounce as the Nike shoe but the forefoot is cradled nicely

[@adrianh-k]

Mine are holding up very well too.

[@Runningmansam]

Performance wise I think this shoe is almost second to non for next, however durability wise my air pod bust at 60 miles (still aren’t too bad to be fair) for me the biggest issue is the pain I get around the arch area… but I sorted this by going half a size DOWN and adding an extra insole. I know a lot of people get arch pain in this shoe 😢

[@joshwebb6434]

Test the on Cloudmonster , you’ll need to go up a half a size and they do 13.5

[@jean-phil]

I have 455km in my first pair of Tempo Next and they are feel as good as my new pair. Tempo Next shares many similarities with Alphafly. This being said, the Tempo Next is the more durable shoe in theory because of the thicker rubber. Also it uses React foam in the heel. I like Tempo Next for training and Alphafly for racing. They are my most used shoes out of my 30+ shoe collection ;p

[@sylvainbauge]

I have 120 miles on mine and they don't look as good as yours. I don't have the best running form, though. I reckon they'll last another 100 miles or so.

[@yonelwatene5442]

NB I overpronate and have wider-than-usual feet. I had serious issues with the arches post 25km for a few weeks - nasty blisters. Solved this issue with 100% polyester running socks and Rexona antiperspirant. Feet came out dry after 32km (with about 5 miles on a gravel path).

[@patrickedwards5804]

Andy it wasn't an impulse buy but my aquisition of he asics magic speed came before viewing your underwhelming review of them. Haven't been out with them yet ( thanks to COVID) but wonder if you could share options for a parsimonious runner newly and quasi reformed to the idea of shoe rotation ( albeit still smarting at the enforced commodity fetishism that it seems to encourage). High end carbon plated shoes are beyond my reach but in the market for a reasonably priced shoe that I can use for tempo and long run training as well as sitting well as an option for marathon running against the limitations you pointed out in the asics. Any pointers?

[@garybowes6284]

Puma velocity nitro 1 or 2 are a great all rounder and I just got a pair of 2s for £60 discounted at ASOS + 20% discount code. You could try a sneaky order run return at Nike and a few others.

[@patrickedwards5804]

@@garybowes6284 thanks for the tip Gary. Funnily enough I was angling in on the Pumas you mentioned. Will avail myself of the super handy price you advise ASOS do as well.

[@TheFODRunner]

OK so tempo and long run shoes.... I cant look past the brooks hyperion tempo... its currently down on offer to £99.99 on a couple of websites (start fitness being one of them) and you can aquire another 10% off ig you sign up to their newsletter or I believe FORDY RUNS has a discount code for them! Honestly mate, i've been through two marathon blocks now and this has been my go to long run shoe

[@yonelwatene5442]

I own 2 pairs - I have run 250km in my first pair and use it for long moderate runs, marathon pace runs, HM/10km TT's/5km TT's workouts and tempo runs, the second pair I'm holding out for a marathon and a couple of other races (once my first pair gets to what? 600km+ I'll get a third pair and use the second as I did the first, and probably still run in the first 😂).

[@Stevenc1984]

I bought 2 pairs of Zoom Fly Flyknits, 1 in Oct 2019 and the other in Oct 2020 both from Nike and on sale (just shows how long these things stick around). I've been using them as my race day shoe and I've done a few short TT's. I'm just over 100 miles in the first pair, at this rate I'll still be using them in 2030 😂🤦🏻‍♂️

[@dom_leary]

I previously mentioned I had lace-pressure issues with the Alphafly and Vaporfly with one foot. I found a solution - I put a small piece of 1mm neoprene under the offending lace pressure point. Battle tested during my recent marathon and it works perfectly. Thought I'd mention in case it helps anyone in future.

[@TheFODRunner]

Oh fantastic buddy thanks for sharing!

[@neilwalker2826]

I had an airpod fail before 100 miles which was disappointing. Fortunately it was accepted as a design/manufacturing fault and I got a refund. I wonder if this was the reason for the extra foam between the airpod and the outsole on the v2?

[@TheFODRunner]

I mentioned in my first impressions review of the v2 that I suspected this was the reason... so many people were popping them

[@bh4560]

Wow removed from the nike website!! Scary stuff! 😨

[@sylvainbauge]

Ultra runner Alex Sorokin puts 1000km on his Alphas (600 miles give or take.)

[@i.p2088]

Very interesting, how about running a few meters with V1 on one foot and V2 on the other? I have the V1. I take it out to look at being a work of art BUT I don't use them. Did a few 8 miles in them. I am a heel striker and I need to adjust my landing to mid foot to get them to work... The fit is great for me but my calf are killing me after the run.. Not paralysing like after the Newton Gravity 11 which shred my calfs. Amazing shoe by the way but, love the run in them, like a low stack Alphafly but extremely hard for the calf...

[@TimGrose]

I did that for about 5 mins when first got the v2. TBH could not tell a huge difference but I never really got on with the AF1. Have done a few sessions of late in the AF2 and although feel clumpy wasn't too bad. Do find a bit unnatural to run in.

[@i.p2088]

@@TimGrose Yes I find them very unnatural to run in. Unique experience, need to think all the time on how to land.. Excellent results because I have to go full out to keep landing midfoot. Follow day calfs dead every time.

[@gudboyngdisyerto]

is alphafly wider and has more volume than vaporfly?

[@TheFODRunner]

In the forefoot it has a wider platform yes....

[@jean-phil]

yes I agree with fod, definitively wider .. personally I prefer to upper fit on the Vaporfly because it's more locked, it feels better for racing very fast .. this being said, I use the Alphafly more because I'm used to run in the Tempo next so it feels more natural since they are both similar and also I think the Alphafly protects my legs better so I can run faster for longer without feeling hurt/exhausted

[@chrisvanbuggenum871]

Try ebay, i just got a pair and had my first run in it last Saturday.

[@madfemurfast]

Sounds like a fantastic shoe, if one can find it.

[@TimGrose]

I have got a pair of AF1 in a UK 13 in a box still :) Bought a 2nd pair on a whim when half price but haven't quite got my first pair to quite 100 miles yet so no wear issues for me either. Always been more of a Vaporfly fan. The AF just a bit too much of a clumpy feel for me. That said maybe the AF2 is doing OK for me as done a few decent sessions in it now. TBH I could not really detect a huge difference between the 2 versions. Both feel like am strapping on moon boots :) It is kind of like the Adios Pro 3 however (one we can now try!) that I don't particularly like the ride as much as the VF or more recently the Endorphin Pro 3 but when I look at the times they are both much better than it sort of feels. TBH I don't think we are actually missing much in a UK 13. As well as the Adios Pro 3, I have also tried the RC Elite 1 & 2 and Deviate Nitro Elite and they are just "OK" but I never found an indication we were losing speed. Probably only the ASICS Metaspeed ones I might like to try but then again perhaps we just have saved almost £500 with their still confusing do I need a Sky or Edge line up so I probably would have ended up getting both and then wondering why!

[@andydevinewine]

I've sent you a message mate.... I might have found some alphafly v1! In size 13

[@richshelley2922]

Got 4 pairs, use 2 pairs for everyday runs, 1 pair has 562 miles and still feels great, it’s nearly bare right at the front but it’s still bouncy and feels great, gonna take them to 750 I reckon. Got a new unused pair and a pair I use for threshold as well. Had 2 pairs of V2 absolute pony and got sold. I race in vaporfly but stick to 5 and 10ks atm, if racing longer wud probs use alpha V1.

[@edwardwilliammorris1340]

Love your videos , but 125 miles is nothing. Theses shoes are very expensive and all my different running shoes go well over 600 miles easily, my ASICS novablasts mkt 1 are at 500+ now and will easily give me several more hundred miles .

[@TheFODRunner]

Appreciate the feedback 🙏 yes my novablast v1 got to 400 miles, v2 500 miles and both could of gone on much more! Racing shoes aren’t meant to be quite as durable but I’m hoping for a good 200 racing miles out of these, then move them to a training shoe 👍

[@emanuelsantos5585]

Andy known as you are why u dont contact directly Nike? 😉

[@TheFODRunner]

I’d love too…. But they won’t send me any 😂

[@Eirikkinserdal]

Unless the pods puncture 😆

[@joyridaz]

It was this video that made me want to buy the v1, and then it was EDDBUD’svudeo this am that helped me snag a pair finally for a deal. After I bought them I had guilt and accidentally pulled up your first impressions video of this shoe and felt really regretful…. Yikes you initially really disliked them… I kept thinking of this video when u were raving about them. So glad I found this video to give me post purchase conviction!

[@TheFODRunner]

Awesome! Yeah sometimes you’ve got to persist with a shoe…. This is an absolute beauty now and I think it’s right up there as one of the best!