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Alphafly 3
Today's tracked prices
- 01End Clothing8d ago£171.00£285.00−40%
- 02Alpine Trek29d ago£172.87£285.00−39%
- 03Sportsdirect35d ago£210.00£285.00−26%
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Price history
Our verdict
Most carbon marathon shoes want strong, well-trained legs before they give much back. The Alphafly 3 asks for less than its looks suggest, and that came through in almost every review we read. Nike made the midsole one continuous piece for this version (the Alphafly 2 had a big gap under the midfoot) and took a lot of weight out. Reviewers describe a smoother roll from landing to toe-off, and it no longer feels clumsy on a warm-up jog. Ben Parkes, who has raced marathons in it, reckons it isn't so aggressive that only elites benefit, and thinks plenty of intermediate marathoners will get a lot from it.
It's still a specialist carbon racing shoe, and at £285 RRP it sits near the top of the market. It's also loud on the road, and some feet find it snug. For 5K and 10K races the lighter, snappier Vaporfly 3 makes more sense. For the half and the full marathon, we'd still put the Alphafly 3 near the front of the queue.
Key features
- Continuous midsoleThere's no longer a cut-out under the midfoot, so you roll from landing to toe-off smoothly, including if you land on your heel
- Forefoot Air Zoom podsYou get a firmer, springy push under the ball of your foot at toe-off, on top of the foam's bounce
- Full-length carbon plate, widened on the insideGives you a stiff, propulsive platform that feels more planted on corners than a stack this tall usually does
- Knit upperStays breathable and sock-like over a full marathon, with lace loops built into the knit to spread pressure when you pull the laces tight
- Forefoot-focused rubberPuts the grip where midfoot and forefoot strikers land; heel strikers get very little rubber at the back
Who it suits
Who should buy it
- Half and full marathon racers chasing a PB who want maximum bounce at pace
- Intermediate runners who found older super shoes too aggressive to use well
- Heel strikers put off by the gap under the midfoot of earlier Alphaflys
- Runners who want one race shoe that also handles long race-pace sessions
Who should not buy it
- You race mostly 5K and 10K and want something lighter and snappier
- You have a wide or deep forefoot, as some testers found the toe box short and low
- A noisy shoe would drive you mad, because the footstrike is loud
- You're new to running and your legs aren't yet used to race-pace work
- You need stability support from your race shoe
Best uses
Extra information
Fit & sizing
Most reviewers stayed in their usual size. In The Run Testers' first-run review it fitted in the same size the reviewer wears in every Alphafly and Vaporfly, with decent toe room and a secure heel. Not everyone got on with it. One US tester found it short with a low toe box and ended up with bruised big toenails, and another felt it ran short until the upper relaxed. A UK reviewer had the length right but found the midfoot still a little narrow, although the arch pressure people complained about in the Alphafly 2 had gone.
There's one width, with separate men's and women's fits. If your forefoot is wide or deep, try a pair on well before race day. One of the testers who found it short preferred the Vaporfly 3 for marathon comfort.
Performance breakdown
Ride & feel
Reviewers describe a bouncy, propulsive ride with a slight forward tip, closer to the Vaporfly than earlier Alphaflys were. You'll feel the Air Zoom pods as a firmer spring under the forefoot as you push off. The bigger change is at slower speeds. Previous versions felt clumsy below race pace, while this one is comfortable enough for warm-ups and steady running. Where it peaks is less settled. Most rate it at half to full marathon pace, but one tester found it a touch sluggish at marathon pace and liked it more for 5K to half.
Cushioning
There's a lot of midsole under you, 40mm at the heel and 32mm at the forefoot, and reviewers describe it as soft and springy rather than mushy. On paper that means fresher legs in the last 10K of a marathon than a firmer racer would leave you with. A UK reviewer who put serious training mileage into one pair could barely tell it apart from a nearly new pair in a hard session.
Stability
For a neutral shoe this tall, it's steadier than you'd expect. Nike widened the carbon plate on the inside edge, and one UK reviewer felt confident through tight turnarounds in races. Not every tester agreed: one found the midfoot a bit loose and felt it slide on wet roads. If you need real support, look elsewhere.
Upper & comfort
The knit upper is thin and very breathable, with a sock-like fit, and it's easier to get on than the Alphafly 2. Most reviewers report good lockdown and no lace bite, helped by lace loops built into the knit. It is minimal, though, and one tester wasn't fully sold on how secure it felt at speed.
Reviews
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FAQ
Specifications
| Category | Race |
| Surface | Road |
| Drop | 8mm |
| Heel Stack | 40mm |
| Forefoot Stack | 32mm |
| Weight | 218g |
| Carbon Plated | Yes |
| Stability | No |