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Nike Vaporfly 4 carbon plate road running shoe
Nike

Vaporfly 4

Tracked dailyCarbon Plated👁 50 people tracking this
Best price todayLowest tracked · 90d
£110.71£260.00−57%
at SportsdirectDEAL · 27% under 30d avg
Men's
90D Low£107.10
30D Avg£151.63
RRP£260.00
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Expert review

Our verdict

The Vaporfly 4 is Nike's pure road racer, the carbon racing shoe that started the super-shoe era and still sits near the top of it. This is a marathon shoe built for one job: returning as much energy as possible when you run fast. At a claimed 190g with a carbon plate and an 6mm drop, it is light, snappy and unmistakably race-focused. It is not a do-everything trainer and it does not pretend to be. Park it for easy days and bring it out when the pace matters. We rate it as one of the most accessible elite racers you can buy, because it suits a wider range of paces than the bigger Alphafly 3, which rewards a stronger, faster runner. If you want a proven 5k-to-marathon racing shoe with real pop and a forgiving ride, the Vaporfly 4 is an easy shortlist pick. At £260 RRP it is a serious investment, so it earns its place as a race-day specialist rather than a daily option.

Key features

  • Carbon fibre plateSnaps you through toe-off and adds real propulsion when you push the pace
  • Lightweight buildKeeps your feet quick and your turnover crisp at around 190g
  • Responsive racing foamRebounds fast under load so energy comes back rather than getting swallowed
  • Race-tuned cushioningProtects your legs deep into a marathon without going soft and slow
  • Breathable thin upperMoves air on warm race days and locks the foot over the plate
  • 6mm drop geometryEncourages a smooth, forward-rolling transition at speed

Who it suits

Who should buy it

  • Marathon and half marathon racers chasing a personal best who want maximum return at pace
  • Neutral runners with an efficient, established stride who can use a tall racing platform
  • Runners who already own a daily trainer and want a dedicated race-day shoe
  • Anyone wanting an accessible elite racer that works from 5k to the marathon

Who should not buy it

  • You need stability or motion control to keep your stride in line
  • You want one shoe to handle easy days, long runs and racing
  • You are on a tight budget and cannot justify a £260 race specialist
  • You prefer a soft, plush ride over a firm and responsive one

Best uses

  • marathon
  • half
  • 10k
  • 5k
  • tempo
  • race day

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At a glance

Ratings

9.2Superbout of 10
Lightness9.4
Cushioning8.0
Flexibility6.0
Responsive9.5
Stability5.0
Grip7.5

Pros

  • Exceptional energy return at race pace
  • Light and fast at around 190g
  • Forgiving across a wide range of race paces
  • Protective enough for a full marathon
  • Breathable, low-fuss race-day upper

Cons

  • Premium £260 price tag
  • Firm and aloof at easy paces
  • No stability for runners who need support
  • Race-focused durability, not an everyday trainer
Good to know

Extra information

Fit & sizing

The Vaporfly 4 fits true to size for most runners, and we would start with your usual Nike race size. The fit is snug and performance-oriented through the midfoot, which is what you want when you are pushing pace and need the foot locked over the plate. The toe box is reasonable rather than roomy, so if you have a wide foot or you swell on long runs, you may want to size up a half. Heel hold is secure without being aggressive, and the thin upper wraps close to the foot with very little excess material. Lockdown is good once you dial in the lacing, though the slim build means there is not a lot of structure to hide a sloppy fit. If you are coming from the Vaporfly 3 the sizing carries straight over. As a race-day fit it is meant to feel close and precise, so do not expect the relaxed volume of a daily trainer.

Performance breakdown

Ride & feel

The ride is fast, bouncy and built to reward pace. Roll onto the forefoot and the carbon plate gives you a firm, propulsive snap through toe-off that makes holding race effort feel easier than it should. At easy paces it can feel slightly aloof, almost like the shoe is waiting for you to commit. Lift the effort and it comes alive. The foam is lively and quick to rebound rather than soft and plush, so you stay connected to the road and your turnover feels crisp. Long efforts hold up well, with enough cushioning underfoot to take the sting out of late miles without dulling the responsiveness. It is a shoe that feels best when you are running with intent.

Cushioning

There is plenty of stack underfoot for a racer, and the cushioning is tuned for return rather than comfort. You get a protective, springy platform that keeps your legs fresher deep into a marathon, but it stays firm and responsive rather than soft. This is not a max-cushion ride that swallows the road. It is a race-day balance, enough to take the pounding off your legs over 26.2 miles while keeping the plate and foam working together to push you forward. Heavier runners or anyone who prefers a plush, cradling feel may find it a touch firm, but for racing that firmness is exactly what gives it the quick, energetic rebound.

Stability

This is a neutral racing shoe with no stability features, and the tall, narrow racing platform asks something of you in return. With a carbon plate and a high stack, it rewards a confident, efficient stride and can feel tippy if your form falls apart when you tire. There are no medial posts or guidance rails here, so runners who need motion control should look elsewhere. On smooth road at pace it is planted and predictable, but take it onto cambered or uneven surfaces and you will notice the lack of inherent stability. We would treat it as a tool for runners with a reasonably neutral, established gait.

Upper & comfort

The upper is thin, light and built for breathability over plushness. It wraps close to the foot with minimal padding, which keeps the weight down and lets air move through on warm race days. There is just enough structure to hold the foot without adding bulk. The tongue is slim and the heel collar is lightly padded, so it stays comfortable over a marathon without the cushioned, cosseting feel of a daily trainer. If you race in thin socks the close fit feels precise and locked-in. It is not a luxurious upper, but it is exactly what a race-day shoe should be: out of the way and barely noticeable when you are running hard.

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Common questions

FAQ

Yes, for most runners the Vaporfly 4 fits true to size, so order your usual Nike race size. The fit is deliberately snug through the midfoot to lock the foot over the carbon plate at speed. If you have a wide foot or your feet swell on long runs, consider going up a half size. The toe box is adequate rather than generous, and the slim upper has little spare volume, so a precise fit matters more here than in a daily trainer.

Yes, the Vaporfly 4 is one of the most proven marathon shoes you can buy. The carbon plate and responsive foam return energy efficiently at race pace, and there is enough cushioning to protect your legs over 26.2 miles without making the ride feel soft or sluggish. It suits a wide range of paces, which is why so many runners use it from half marathon to full marathon. Many runners do one or two long efforts in them first to get used to the platform before race day.

It can work for newer runners, but it is not the obvious first choice. It is a neutral racing shoe with a tall, firm platform and no stability, so it rewards a reasonably efficient stride and can feel tippy if your form breaks down when you tire. At £260 it is also a big outlay for a race specialist. If you are newer to running we would suggest a supportive daily trainer for the bulk of your miles and saving a shoe like this for race day once your form is settled.

Both are Nike carbon racers, but they target slightly different runners. The Vaporfly 4 is lighter, simpler and more forgiving across paces, which makes it a versatile racer from 5k to the marathon. The Alphafly 3 is the bigger, more aggressive marathon weapon with extra cushioning and a more demanding ride that rewards a stronger, faster runner. If you want one accessible racing shoe, the Vaporfly is usually the easier pick. If you race long and run efficiently, the Alphafly can give more.

Like most carbon super-shoes, the Vaporfly 4 is built for performance rather than mileage. The thin upper and race-tuned foam are not designed to absorb hundreds of easy training miles, and the energetic ride will fade before a daily trainer would wear out. To get the most from it, rotate it in for races and key fast sessions rather than everyday running. Treated as a race-day shoe it will reward you for a good number of races, but used daily it will wear out quickly.

Yes. While it is best known as a marathon shoe, the Vaporfly 4 is light and snappy enough to feel excellent over 5k and 10k too. The quick rebound and propulsive plate suit the higher turnover of shorter racing, and the lower weight helps when you are running hard. It is genuinely versatile across distances, which is part of why it is such a popular all-round racer. For pure track work a spike still makes more sense, but for road racing of any distance it delivers.

The numbers

Specifications

Technical specifications for the Nike Vaporfly 4
CategoryRace
SurfaceRoad
Drop6mm
Heel Stack35mm
Forefoot Stack29mm
Weight190g
Carbon PlatedYes
StabilityNo
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