Nike Vaporfly Next% 3 | RACE TESTED REVIEW

The Nike Vaporfly 3 is officially here! We didn't see a single Vaporfly 3 prototype among the top 10 men and women at the New York City Marathon, but by then, Jeff Dengate already had in a pair for testing. Here's how the Vaporfly 3 performs, after four months of workouts and racing.
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Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
0:57 - The Lightest Vaporfly yet?
2:15 - ZoomX Performance
3:27 - New Flyknit Upper
4:40 - Race-tested Flyplate Snap
5:48 - Quieter and Smoother Ride
6:34 - Colorways and Aesthetics
7:45 - Release Date and Price
The third version of the Vaporfly is essentially an entirely new shoe, but it doesn’t deviate too far from the original model. Nike didn’t want to reinvent a shoe that was already working so well, and looked to make small tweaks that improve upon the existing racer. Even so, it uses all-new components.
Nike overhauled the Vaporfly from the rubber up, looking to make the third version the lightest yet. In Jeff's men’s size 12, the shoe sees only a 0.1-ounce drop from version 2 (the first Next% was 0.4 ounces lighter still). So, it’s not the lightest ever, but it’s still lighter than competitors like the Asics MetaSpeed Sky+, Saucony Endorphin Pro 3, New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v3, Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3, and Puma Deviate Elite 2.
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[@josuegelabertroncal1180]

Love to see video reviews from Runner’s World finally!!! Keep it up.

[@budioktawijaya8375]

Glad to see another shoe review by runnersworld, its been a while

[@iGo0gIe]

Great review!

[@migueldnmtz]

Thanks for the review! Excited for this to come out. Also just some unsolicited, but hopefully helpful nit-picky video feedback -- it's a little difficult to hear or focus on Jeff's talking points with the music levels on this edit.

[@RunnersWorld]

Thanks for the tip, Miguel. Always appreciate feedback.

[@runclearun]

I have the Next% pink like you do, and I didn’t love the gap around the ankle collar that a lot of runners experienced with it. Does this version eliminate that? It looked to be a better fit in the video. Thanks!

[@isidrotormogarcia4879]

Ohhh what a beauty. I like Vaporfly Next 1 and Metaspeed Sky v1. Next 2 is not the same for the upper and the ZoomX seems firmer than in V1. I hope ZoomX in v3 can be similar in terms of bounciness and reactivity because v2 is different on feel. Great video🎉🎉🎉💪

[@davecurry3322]

After watching your review I must have a pair. Never owned or tried a pair but would like to race my 1/2 marathon in June in a pair.

[@enreekaybarr]

Is the v3 true to size or would you say go 1/2 size up. Loved your review. Thanks

[@josefsbeach]

Is the upper material the same as the 2s? I love vapoeflys but the only thing that throws me off in these are the heel design. That squared off foam with a platform doesn't do it for me compared to the sharper look of the previous models. Everything else looks great!

[@LoaforDie]

I had this color in the 1st gen and it’s really nice. I wouldn’t mind this in the 3. Looks much slicker than 1 and 2 models.

[@JeanLucConnery]

White’s not a colour, it’s a hue.

[@Drew.Whitcomb]

Nice job Jeff!

[@janetbradford2026]

I really need to know if you can wear these amazing shoes if you pronate when you run? are they suitable? or is there one of the other model's more suitable?

[@chrisvanbuggenum871]

I had ankle issues with the 2, but still have a 5km PB in them.

[@nonyabusiness8693]

I love the alpha fly and when the alpha fly 2 came out, the arch felt so much different. Did the new vapor fly change arches from the next% 2’s or is it more similar to the AF 2’s arch? How would you compare under foot?

[@FernandoCMello]

I’d like to know too! Could you help us?

[@pochen86]

Thanks Nice video

[@joewillburn]

Is it proper rubber or the same foam/rubber mix like the V1 and V2?

[@peteryun8379]

This video was what I have been waiting for. Thanks for the information and just subscribed! Do you know if it will be released early March or late March?

[@JeffDengate]

Nike has said only "March 2023" for the US. It'll be earlier for some overseas regions.

[@munkki2700]

Early

[@yonelwatene5442]

6 or 7 March according to Instagram posts.

[@JeffDengate]

@@yonelwatene5442 I had that press release last week and asked about the date. Nike told me “North America won’t be March 6.” Did not give me a date. Just “March 2023.”

[@yonelwatene5442]

@@JeffDengate Thanks!

[@Dannyrunsphilly]

Wondering about the head to head against the metaspeed sky+.

[@mohd_hazri]

Always Nike Vaporfly for my run😊

[@DeeKay1911]

The Vaporfly Next % 2 has been my all time favorite race-day shoe! This one looks to continue the trend!

[@RunTommy123]

The music behind the scenes sounds like a reprise of Call Me Al

[@spenceraronfeld4456]

Well done Jeff!

[@spenceraronfeld4456]

@text-4000 Jeff awesome! How do I claim my prize?

[@alopez129]

Awesome vid! Are you thinking they’ll last around 200+ miles?

[@JeffDengate]

I had 70ish miles on the shoes you see here and they look fine.

[@hynekjanousek7887]

Perfect fit for me in its previous two versions. Best racing shoe I ever had. But its durability was not great. Because it is so expensive, using it for racing marathons feels a bit like a ritual sacrifice each time. You feel like quite a bit of the shoe dies in the race.

[@runfrankfurt]

I have several pairs of Vaporflys, from the 4% to the Next% 2. All of them lasted very long, the last pair of Next% 2 now has over 600km on them and the midsole/outsole/upper is still holding up well. As long as you stay on paved roads/asphalt and don‘t hit dirt/packed gravel etc. they hold up great. For me I definitely got a goof return on investment, you can basically get the Next% on sale all over the place now which makes them even more interesting.

[@hynekjanousek7887]

@@runfrankfurt Lucky you. In my first pair, I noticed a considerable change in rebound effect after my Prague Marathon (I kept about 4:10/km and there are some cobbles so they got some pounding). At that time the had about 100km in them. Otherwise, they do still look good. Nothing is tearing or falling off, no holes in the sole. Except they feel dead. And after the marathon the left shoe had a slightly different feel to the right one, as I have a slightly uneven stride.

[@mominapod]

Nice views of running around Easton, Jeff. Shame Runner's World got rid of all their wear testers a few years ago. Guess you're doing it all yourself now. Hope RW hires the old wear testers back again. Good times. Have fun with all those awesome shoes!

[@JeffDengate]

We re-evaluated all of our shoe testers a few years ago, and only got rid of those who weren’t contributing helpful feedback. Then we brought on new testers. But we still have nearly 300 runners testing shoes for us.

[@NithinJawali]

I PRed in the Next% 1 in Chicago Marathon 2019 as well 😀

[@JeffDengate]

Best weather ever that day, too!

[@montebeerbower7796]

I am new to running. Started 3 yrs ago at 57 yrs old. I'm 60 now. I'm not fast at all but want as comfortable as shoe on race days as possible. I'm basically been running the Mach 5 daily and race days. Getting ready to run my 3rd half marathon in mid April. I've got a 5k first week of March and a 10k end of March. My half pace is 2hrs and 21 min. Would this be good shoe for me for race days? I like lighter shoes but want more comfort also. Mach is great but I really feel my feet knees and stuff by mile 6.

[@jamesprivate9832]

Try the asics glideride 3 or the Saucony triumph 20. Order both and return the ones you don't like. Both are so so good for 2+ hour runs and both highly capable of delivering a fast time for you on race day, despite not being plated.

[@andrewcollier3495]

I'm 50 and have been recently running in the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 and the Saucony Endorphin Pro 3, both very comfortable and now my go to running shoes.

[@VIZOP]

Thats amazing sir, i hope you keep running and be fitter than ever!!!

[@bh4560]

Wow this is the one!

[@padmabharani6122]

I feel my feet are tilted inwards, dies ever get better?

[@kev60625]

what is the drop on them?

[@DonGivani]

Whats the durability, after 200 miles you can throw it away ?

[@JasperPuttu]

You mentioned it having more foam in the forefoot? How much compared to the previous version?

[@JeffDengate]

Just like they did with the Alphafly 2, Nike made the rubber 2mm thinner and added 2mm of ZoomX in the forefoot. So the overall stack height remains unchanged.

[@baltsu]

are there differences between colorways? What I have noticed in previous versions is that foam density and even sizing has been a little bit different in different colorways.

[@JeffDengate]

Technically, no. Those variations can happen in production, though. They should be small, if any.

[@hawaiifranke7637]

The music during this review is much to loud, why do we need to hear music at all? Its so disturbing that I switched over to the written review.

[@Dannyrunsphilly]

“GET OFF MY LAWN” says Hawai’i

[@willmcgonigal7464]

😂😮

[@Theed193]

Very bad mix, distracting from a good review.

[@emanuelsantos5585]

Thats true 🤨

[@morgan70612]

Why are u complaining so much bro😂

[@andrewbaum6767]

what is your 5k PR?

[@LearningFast]

Is the stack height in larger sizes more than 40mm?

[@JeffDengate]

Yeah, they can be. And World Athletics took that into consideration when it drafted the rules that limit thickness: "World Athletics acknowledges that an Athletic Shoe above that standard sample size might contain a marginally thicker sole than that of a standard sample size shoe of the same make and model, which marginal increase in sole thickness is only attributable to the larger size of the shoe. Such marginal increases will be disregarded for the purposes of confirming compliance with these Rules."

[@TheWatchGod]

Look for me in these at the finish line May 7 OC marathon 💨

[@drexydelavega5516]

And the hyper shoes?

[@fabsterun]

Nice video. It looks a lot less narrow in the heel how much did they add in the new version wide wise?

[@JeffDengate]

We didn't get the full size run of shoes we typically would, just my size 12. I don't really feel much difference in the heel fit, personally. The shoe is still snug enough so I have no movement inside.

[@fabsterun]

@Jeff Dengate I meant midsole wise . Sorry I was mid making dinner a bit unclear my question 😅. The midsole looks wider bigger

[@JeffDengate]

@@fabsterun Ah, got it. Not really. I measured 0.3mm wider than v2 but 1.4mm narrower than v1. So, it's a wash.

[@fabsterun]

@@JeffDengate thank you 😊 🙏 . Curious about this shoe wonder if they will stop producing the v2 . Another one that's coming the vomero 17 is being so mysterious being postponed almost 4 times already

[@mattiasjohansson7689]

@@JeffDengate +1 amazing video, need those for Copenhagen Marathon. Same fit front foot/toes than v2? My v2 is super nice and snug, but on the limit but I dont want larger :D

[@johnogaage]

Are they true to size?

[@kbesner]

Any update on the release date?? Still just says coming soon on the Nike website.

[@RunnersWorld]

Nike has not provided an updated release date for North America.

[@americanexpress888]

What's the difference between a vaporfly 3 prototype vs juat a vaporfly 3? just a name difference and the color?

[@RunnersWorld]

We anticipate seeing a ”prototype” colorway released, with orange accents, but the performance of the different colors remains the same.

[@vincewarne228]

How many percent better is it than the 2? Is it only marginal improvement (I.e is it worth just getting the 2s on discount for most runners)?

[@daddycox82]

I was thinking the same thing

[@joyaclub]

I wouldn't mind this colour way.

[@Buansteven]

is it confirmed release at March? ive seen some "rumors" saying August?

[@RunnersWorld]

Yes! Nike says March 6.

[@acpmedicine]

cant find the shoe in stores. sold out

[@ScentNomad]

Thx! However, I would like to suggest to tone down that „Benny Hill Show“ soundtrack a bit. It's actually hard to follow what you say...

[@Feanaro5503]

It's probably just the slow motion, but the foot landing at 3:18 looked a little concerning.

[@TheEltev]

We can get version 2's now for about €150 in Europe.. is there a €100 upgrade in this shoe?

[@JeffDengate]

The biggest problem for shoes on sale is the popular sizes disappear pretty quickly.

[@TheEltev]

@@JeffDengate I do agree but it is slightly different in this instance, there seems to be some heavily discounted colorways... And I don't really mind the shoe colour if the shoe type helps me achieve my goals

[@JeffDengate]

@@TheEltev I didn't throw out my pair of VF2! 😁

[@TheEltev]

@@JeffDengate wise man 😁

[@alexanders4911]

At ca 4:10: i luv the humble Brag 😝

[@JeffDengate]

Humble? Ha, I'm proud to still be able to move a little! 😁

[@matth714]

I heard the offset on this version is 4mm ...is that true?

[@JeffDengate]

8mm

[@matth714]

@@JeffDengate Thanks for confirming, Jeff!

[@Trackstaa_]

No way is it the same foam. It may still be zoomx but that’s for sure a lot different to anything we’ve seen before

[@JeffDengate]

Same foam. Just new shaping (and 2mm extra in the forefoot).

[@Trackstaa_]

@@JeffDengate but it condenses completely different

[@enkidu2562]

A physics-defying cutout that doesn't trap rocks, you say?

[@haon2205]

Th apple of running shoes?

[@befreetv354]

background music TOO LOUD...is like being in a CLUB where I try to hear what you re saying!

[@befreetv354]

@text-4000 YOUR MOMA still ask about me? tell her to message ME HERE! Good luck yougster

[@therealtalla]

The current version is a pain in the ass to get the foot in, I hope it's better with this one

[@jonnygspot4]

I agree, they are more difficult to get on than most other running shoes but it's never bothered me because they aren't my daily shoes, I only wear them for races. So the benefits these shoes give me far outweigh the of hassle getting these on.

[@therealtalla]

@@jonnygspot4 It's nearly impossible when you use the runner's knot. But I can concur, it's a great shoe. Really looking forward to the new ones, maybe customize them with a flyknkit upper :)

[@atmavictu2995]

Can you walk in these shoes or too unstable?

[@dkny9954]

That’ll be a waste to use it as work shoe/walking shoe. But do you

[@ladiswashharum]

Its totally a Flyknit Racer on steroids. Cant wait to have it when its available here in the Philippines.

[@jam_2315]

What's ur thoughts on these vs invincible 3 just for every day walking not running? Anyone?

[@rich1760]

Probably still not wide foot friendly?

[@JeffDengate]

Still has a snug fit

[@dragosvoda3445]

I didn't like next% 2, as much as the first, much because of the upper. I'm afread this time, they've done it again wron, with the arch area also (like the Alphafly 2..), not only the upper.. and that waffel ruber on the outsole, come on! We are not in the '70 any more to pay tribute to Bowerman:)

[@BigMo966]

I just wish they would make these shoes for people with wide feet. I don't feel there's a great solution for racing shoes for wide feet.

[@qigong1001]

The Vaporfly 2 is still the same price despite the 3 coming out next month. Come on Nike! Give us a dang break.

[@olofwan5659]

Hopefully nike not using cheap glue again.. Called Dunlop and buy glues from them, a small can just 1 dollars 💸 in amazon,alibaba maybe less than 0.50 cents

[@erclahill]

Who put together the sound on this one? Clearly didn’t actually watch the video with audio on before approving the edit. Turn down the awful background music.

[@mosshark]

Kipchoge's vaporfly's that he wore when he ran a sub 2:00 marathon were prototypes with THREE carbon fiber plates. Much respect to Eliud, but he "cheated" a little bit there. I'll take these in a 9.5 please, thanks.

[@adrianyang2192]

Ur title tells us what ur talking about u dont need to list them all

[@marceloamador92024]

Is using plated shoes cheating to yourself ? Yes its nice to have that extra push or assist on maybe a tired day , going further but at the end if your counting your time / distance while wearing plated shoes ? Think my bench press and curling amount just went up, if I get an assist

[@xyzyyy2969]

It sounds like a rap😂

[@bluesque9687]

Too loud!! Why do we need to listen to such loud music?

[@jonb1107]

VF 2 was absolutely awful compared to the original VF and will be avoiding this like the plague. Less foam, and I bet the construction is horrible.

[@RareAirTwo4]

Or you can just get the vaporfly 2 for 100 dollars at your local outlet and save yourself 150 dollars.

[@JeffDengate]

As long as they have your size in stock, that's a great option.

[@RareAirTwo4]

@@JeffDengate even then, once the 3s come out previous versions always go down in price and can be found pretty much everywhere.

[@JeffDengate]

@@RareAirTwo4 Sweet, you see any size 12s for 100 bucks, give me a shout

[@Dannyner6]

but it has lost its good looks..

[@edwinduisburg8138]

It looks like a brick. Jokes on you I like running on bricks.

[@geert574]

These useless sales vids thk god for adblock

[@elijahmodnar1]

your running form is not ideal for these type of shoes, loads of heel hitting before the mid foot, should be landing on ball of foot or mid foot and only heel landing when youre tired near the end of your run

[@tjjames2520]

He claims he ran a marathon in under three hours for three decades. I'm sure he's just fine the way he's running

[@JeffDengate]

I've been running since the mid-80s. There's no shame in a heel strike.

[@ScentNomad]

Are we still shaming heel strikers for doing what most other runners do too?

[@dkny9954]

The ideal shoe wouldn’t be AF for heel strikers. But VF is different

[@elijahmodnar1]

heel strikers dont lie to yourself and buy a carbon plated shoe... theres F all rubber by the heel so you'll just wear down the plated shoe prematurely ;)

[@user-oj8zo3cr4b]

They look like the invincible 3s