Nike Vaporfly 3 - The original super shoe reborn and refined

[@SagasuRunning]

Sorry for the hum in the background of the video. It's 34C (93F) where I live today and I couldn't do it with no A/C. Hopefully I've isolated it out enough. This is 2nd video in my Nike Vaporfly 3 content, there is already a design overview of the midsole and outsole (kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZmteH9jqrF1nK8) and next week's video with me a comparison video.

[@alexkhan2000]

I agree that Nike nailed it with the Vaporfly 3. I have the v2 and it's very good but not a shoe I want to take on runs longer than, say, 8~9 miles - ideally around 10K. To me, it's narrow in the forefoot and the ride is firm and a little too stiff for my taste for longer runs. It's a great speed and race shoe but the Vaporfly 3 takes it a step further with greater comfort for longer distances while still having the same amount of propulsion. It's softer and not as snappy as v2 but it's pretty close. VF3 is smoother with a more forgiving ride. I have the Adios Pro 3 and Endorphin Pro 3 as well and I like them a lot but the Vaporfly 3 just feels and rides better all around IMHO. As a forefoot and mid-foot striker, I really feel the extra cushioning under the forefoot. I've taken the VF3 on multiple runs over 13 miles and my feet and legs still feel fresh afterwards without any weird numbness or pain on the bottom of my forefoot. The VF3 is what I'd want to use on all races from 5K~10K (along with the Takumi Sen 8) to half-marathon and full marathon. The ride is just beautiful. My favorite long distance shoe is the Prime X Strung and still remains so for long runs from 13 to 20 miles, but it's a bit heavy for racing and all-out speed sessions. I really like the Adios Pro 3 but the upper can be problematic. I like the Endorphin Pro 3 but, to me, the PWRRUN PB foam just isn't as fun or engaging as Lightstrike Pro or ZoomX. I find the ZoomX a little too soft and bouncy on the Invincible Run 2 and 3, but it feels just right along with the carbon plate on the Vaporfly 3. I know that there are many other really good new supershoes out there now from Hoka, Mizuno, and Saucony, to name a few, but I decided to wait for the VF3 and I'm glad I did. This is exactly what I needed from a lightweight supershoe for racing and speed workouts. It's an absolute joy to run in.

[@SagasuRunning]

I (obviously) fully agree with your assessment of the VF3. It really is something special and Nike has done an incredible job. I have been spending more and more time in the Adios Pro 3 lately and will have some videos coming out on it. Honestly, the VF3 has made me appreciate what Adidas is doing with the Adios Pro and Takumi Sen lines along with Lightstrike Pro. Actually the VF3 has made me appreciate alot of shoes lately... but the peg 40/VF3 combo is hard to beat for most things. I agree there are alot of great super shoe options out there but the VF3 has pulled away again (though the AP3 is not far behind).

[@markoljustina]

i also have AP3 after VF1 and i will wait VF3 to come to Serbia

[@SagasuRunning]

@@markoljustina I will be publishing a AP3 video this weekend… with my full thoughts on that shoe. Tune in if interested.

[@markoljustina]

@@SagasuRunning in AP3 not any more; I can write some cons we you upload video 😀

[@SagasuRunning]

@@markoljustina Haha. Well then I think you may enjoy my AP3 video… it’s mostly going to be focused on the long list of cons. Stay tuned.

[@Ryan_Tinney]

Another superb review. Thank you for putting this content out there.

[@SagasuRunning]

Thank you for the support 🙏🏻

[@AubreyRunning]

Let's ggoooo!!!! love this sir! great review!

[@SagasuRunning]

Thank you! 🙏🏻

[@stephenrobinson4449]

Thanks fro your review! I always enjoyed the VF4% FK version , found the Next% 1 and 2 not suiting my style and forefoot plant (I had an id version of the Next$2 with Flyknit and waffles and that was a bit better) and I must say that the VF3 is just sublime. Really enjoying it. Did a 10mile race a week or so ago and it performed very well. Your comments on the upper accord with mine, it is really a great upper. Now I have to decide... I have a half marathon in about a month that is about 11 miles asphalt and about 2 miles or a rocky surface trail with some hilly parts...to use it or not is the question.....

[@SagasuRunning]

That’s a tough call on the race and that course. That 2 miles of rocky surface will destroy the VF3. You may need to sacrifice a pair if it’s an important race. The Ultrafly is coming out this summer and that would be the shoe for that kind of course.

[@i.p2088]

Great review, Alphafly V1 is so soft in the heel that I get pains in the heel after the run.. Vaporfly V2 does have this but it's much better. I found the Asics Metaspeed Edge plus on sale today so I ordered it.. I need fast shoes because I run with people at least 20 year young.. 😅

[@SagasuRunning]

I don't seem to get on well with Asics foam, but if you do then you'll love the Metaspeed Edge. Thanks for the kind words!

[@i.p2088]

@@SagasuRunning I have the Nimbus 24 and Novablast 3 and I just don't like the Blast plus midsole.. Feels boring.. But I have the Asics Superblast which is 90% Turbo foam midsole and is excellent.

[@SagasuRunning]

@@i.p2088 I agree on FFBlast+, it’s just kinda meh… but I feel the same way about FFTurbo 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@i.p2088]

@@SagasuRunning NOTHING is like the Vaporfly.. I don't sleep well the night before my Vaporfly V2 run.. I get exited every time. If I run with young runners (at least 20 years younger) I wear the Vaporfly V2 and I just fly.. It's a drug.. But you can't eat chocolate cake every day 🎂

[@m.ch4rmaland3r10]

Feels like VF3 is moving more to marathon area. wonder how does that position the AF2 or coming AF3?

[@SagasuRunning]

I think Nike has focused on making the VF3 the best any distance shoe it can be, while knowing the majority of racing it is used for is likely the half and full marathon distance. As for the AF2/3, that is Nike pure marathon racer. Only really intended for that distance it seems. I still expect to see majority of Nike's elite men in the VF3 this fall. The elite women seem to mix it up a little bit more though. I think you will see a few more Nike elite men in the AF3, especially for the flatter courses. As for the rest of us. I bet you'll see slightly less AF2s in races this fall as there will be many of us (myself included) who never really loved racing in that shoe and now are totally happy with the VF3 for the marathon distance. I do think when the AF3 releases it will be very different from the VF3 it may the right shoe for the full marathon distance again, for most of us. We shall see. I'm currently working on writing a video about the AF3 and what we know + what I think Nike is doing with thie racing shoe program. If I do publish it it will be in the next month or so.

[@DillonJan]

What would you recommend for a training companion for the vaporfly 3?

[@SagasuRunning]

Interesting you asked this as I've been thinking about it. In my "Nike rotation" video I said I used the AF2 for my longer tempo runs, but it is unlikely I will do that this season. I'm actually looking at the Zoom Fly 5 (assuming that if there is a 6 it will be an ipper refresh only) again as that shoe makes more sense to me given how the VF3 runs. I may just use a second pair of VF3s as well. My core rotation is still the Pegasus 40 - Vaporfly 3 - Streakfly - Invincible 3... I will likely make a video about this as I work though it a bit more. Stay tuned.

[@i.p2088]

Asics Superblast.

[@alexkhan2000]

I'd recommend the Adidas Prime X Strung, which is my favorite long run trainer. To me, the Vaporfly 3 feels like a lighter, faster, and more nimble version of the PXS.

[@SagasuRunning]

@@alexkhan2000 I have really warmed up to Adidas race shoes...but the Prime X is just too over the top for me. No longer a "super shoe", rather it's a full on "hyper shoe" with Adidas flexing on what it could be with no rules to hold it back. Interesting concept but on my feet they feel horrible. I know many love them though.

[@stephenrobinson4449]

I am using the Pegasus 39, StreakFly, an older Epic React and a VF4% FK as companions in my rotation. The StreakFly is underrated its a great track training and tempo shoe also, and the ZoomX is protective.