On October 8th, 2023, 23-year-old Kelvin Kiptum won the Chicago Marathon and set a new world record with a time of two hours, 35 seconds, shaving 34 seconds off the previous mark. On his feet were prototypes of Nike’s newest super shoe, and while the feat itself made headlines, there’s another compelling piece to the swoosh puzzle: According to Nike Running senior product designer Bret Schoolmeester, Nike’s Alphafly 3 super shoes can last up to a whopping 250 miles per pair.
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Compare that to the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1s Tigist Assefa wore breaking the women’s marathon record Berlin last fall. While it’s not necessarily true they are “single use,” actual testing indicates they’d probably max out at two races of that distance, which leads to some pretty wild math. At $285, the Nike Alphafly 3 is a bit over half the cost of the $500 Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1s yet should take you roughly five times as far. And it’s finally available today.
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What’s new on the latest version of the Alphafly?
There are a couple key components to the Alphafly 3 that get our attention: the first is the continuously rounded and rockered profile, which is striking to behold but also provides for a super-smooth transition from the heel to the forefoot. Second, Nike’s team shaved the weight 15 percent versus the Alphafly 2, with the new version coming in at 218 grams (just under 7.7 ounces). To compare, the Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1s weigh in at 138 grams (4.87 ounces) — a bit over half the weight.
The outsole is made from a new compound that cuts weight but adds traction, resulting in a lighter yet more resilient shoe. Other structural updates included a wider carbon fiber plate for more stability and an updated midsole, alongside an all-new Atomknit upper, optimized for multidirectional movement and breathability.
