NIKE ALPHAFLY 4
| Type | Road |
| Weight | 188 g |
| Drop | 8 mm |
| Foot strike | Neutral |
| Recommended use | Racing |
| Carbon plate | Yes |
Nike Alphafly 4 Review: Features, Specs and Verdict
The Nike Alphafly 4 is the fourth version of Nike’s most recognisable marathon shoe, the one with the exposed Air Zoom pods under the forefoot. It looks very similar to the Alphafly 3, but the top foam is now ZoomX LT, the Air Zoom unit is updated for the first time and the Atomknit upper stretches more. In Spain it costs €279.99 on Nike’s website and €279.85 at BIKILA.
This review brings together Nike’s official data, lab measurements from RTINGS and the test by Believe in the Run, whose testers have raced marathons in it. It is not our own test. The rating on this page, 8.4 out of 10, is the score RTINGS gives it for half and full marathon racing.
What is new in the Nike Alphafly 4
ZoomX LT on top of ZoomX
The midsole has two layers. The ZoomX from the Alphafly 3 stays at the bottom and the new ZoomX LT sits on top, under the foot. According to Nike, as quoted by Believe in the Run, ZoomX LT is up to 17% lighter than ZoomX and returns around 8% more energy. Those are brand figures. What RTINGS did measure is a forefoot much softer than the Alphafly 3’s under both light and strong impacts.
Updated Air Zoom unit
Nike says this is the first change to the Air Zoom unit in Alphafly history and that it is now softer and quieter. Believe in the Run disagrees: the prototype was quiet, but the production pair squeaked for the first 5 to 6 miles, and the noise fades with wear without going away. RTINGS adds that its tests do not isolate what the pods contribute, so their effect is unconfirmed.
A lower price
In the US the price drops from $295 to $280, according to Believe in the Run. In Spain the Alphafly 4 is €279.99 on nike.com/es.
Nike Alphafly 4 specs
| Spec | Official | Lab measured |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 188 g (EU 42) | 187.1 g (men’s US 9, RTINGS) |
| Heel stack | 39 mm (Believe in the Run) | 39.8 mm (RTINGS) |
| Forefoot stack | 31 mm (Believe in the Run) | – |
| Drop | 8 mm | 7.4 mm (RTINGS) |
| Foam | ZoomX LT and ZoomX | – |
| Plate | carbon fibre Flyplate | – |
| Upper | Atomknit | – |
| Price | €279.99 (nike.com/es) | €279.85 at BIKILA (October 2026) |
With a 39 mm heel according to Believe in the Run and 39.8 mm according to RTINGS, the Alphafly 4 stays within the 40 mm World Athletics limit for road shoes.
Midsole and ride
What the lab says
RTINGS scores energy return at 8.6 and cushioning at 8.7 out of 10. The forefoot returns a similar amount of energy to the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 5, and impact protection holds up as the distance builds. In its test size it weighed about 14 grams less per shoe than the Alphafly 3.
What runners say
Meg at Believe in the Run has raced two marathons in it across the prototype and production versions. She lands midfoot to heel and says the ZoomX LT gives a clearer sink-in-and-bounce-back feel than the previous version. Her colleague Thomas sums up the Alphafly 4 as the same shoe made a little better everywhere, easy to settle into marathon pace and cruise.
Stability
This is its weak spot. RTINGS gives it 5.9: the wide forefoot helps, but the tall, soft foam and narrow heel make for a less planted ride, which shows more once fatigue sets in and form slips.
Nike Alphafly 4 upper and fit
The Atomknit keeps the holes of the old model but stretches more. Believe in the Run calls it one of the most comfortable race uppers they remember, stretchy yet supportive, and says you can crank the laces without pressure on the top of the foot. Nike adds perforated mesh zones for breathability and midfoot cables. There is no separate tongue: the upper is one piece.
Outsole and durability
According to Believe in the Run, the outsole is nearly identical to the Alphafly 3’s, with the same Fast Shot rubber coverage. Nike does not publish a lifespan. As a race shoe with very soft foam, it makes sense to keep the Nike Alphafly 4 for races and key sessions and to watch wear using when to replace running shoes.
Nike Alphafly 4 vs Alphafly 3 and Adios Pro Evo 3
| Alphafly 3 | Alphafly 4 | adidas Adios Pro Evo 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foam | ZoomX | ZoomX LT and ZoomX | Lightstrike Pro Evo |
| Measured weight | – | 187.1 g (RTINGS) | 99 g (RunRepeat) |
| Official drop | 8 mm | 8 mm | 3 mm |
| BIKILA price (October 2026) | from €199.95 (few sizes) | €279.85 | €500 |
The Nike Alphafly 3 is still on sale at a discount and suits anyone who wants the same concept for about €80 less. The adidas Adios Pro Evo 3 takes another route: half the weight, €220 more and very low durability.
Who is the Nike Alphafly 4 for?
Half and full marathon runners who want plenty of cushioning and bounce for the second half of the race, when the legs start to go. Meg, who is not an elite athlete, says it carries her through the late miles with a bounce she does not find elsewhere.
It is not the best choice for daily miles: RTINGS gives it 6.2 there, because the plate feels aggressive at easy paces. It is also less direct for 5K and 10K (7.5), where the soft foam takes some snap out of toe-off. If you are torn between a trainer and a racer, training vs racing shoes explains how to decide.
Pros and cons
For: high cushioning and energy return in RTINGS testing, a very comfortable upper, 14 grams less than the Alphafly 3 in the same size and a slightly lower US price than its predecessor.
Against: middling stability, noisy pods on the production pair according to Believe in the Run, and a painted midsole in the launch colourway that those testers dislike.
Nike Alphafly 4 alternatives
For something cheaper from Nike, the Nike Vaporfly 4 has a lower stack and starts at €159.95 at BIKILA. From adidas, the Adios Pro 5 costs €259.95 and uses the same EnergyRim as the Evo 3. You can put them side by side in the shoe comparison tool.
Final verdict
The Nike Alphafly 4 changes little on the outside and quite a lot inside: softer foam on top, less weight and a better upper. It suits the marathon and half marathon, especially if you fade late in races. Stability and noise are the drawbacks.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Nike Alphafly 4 weigh?
Nike lists 188 grams in EU size 42. RTINGS measured 187.1 grams in a men’s US 9.
What is the Nike Alphafly 4 drop?
8 mm according to Nike, with 39 mm at the heel and 31 mm at the forefoot. RTINGS measured 7.4 mm.
Is the Nike Alphafly 4 race legal?
Yes. Its 39 mm heel is under the 40 mm World Athletics limit for road racing.
How much does the Nike Alphafly 4 cost?
€279.99 on nike.com/es and €279.85 at BIKILA in October 2026. Prices can change by size and offers.