Nike Zoom Vaporfly 4%

Name: Nike Zoom Vaporfly 4%
Brand: Nike
Rating: 4.7 (71 reviews)

Racing shoe · Neutral · Road · 6.9 oz · 39/29mm stack · 10mm drop

Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock. The Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% replaced it

How it ranks

The Nike Zoom Vaporfly 4% is one of the strongest racing shoes in our data. Looks and comfort are its strongest sub-ratings. Durability scores well below its other sub-ratings. The rating is based on 73 runner reviews and 4 other rated shoes in the Vaporfly product line.

Exceptional

Overall

Exceptional 98

Cushioning

Exceptional 99

Appearance

Exceptional 99

Comfort

Exceptional 98

Value

Below average 60

Durability

Bottom-tier 50

Confidence

How settled the rating is against every other rated shoe. A shoe can rate high on confidence with relatively few reviews of its own when its product line has a long record and external ratings from retailer sites agree. Confidence is low when we have few ratings or when runners disagree.

See the product line's history

Confidence

99 Very high

Very high 99

Based on

The bars show roughly how much each source contributes to this shoe’s rating. Their influence depends on how many reviews we’ve collected, how many earlier versions are in the product line, and the external ratings available.

Our ratings
Brand rating
External ratings

What runners say

“These shoes are fast, and it was hard to dial the goal pace in because they want to go so fast.”

5/5 Full review 75 mpw training for a marathon came from the New Balance Fresh Foam Zante v3

“On my first run in the shoes I immediately noticed some extra pop, more so than anything I had run in before.”

5/5 Full review 60 mpw training for a half marathon came from the New Balance 1500 v4

“The combination of the carbon plate with ZoomX midsole cushioning provides just the right amount of feedback and forward propulsion.”

5/5 Full review 60 mpw training for a half marathon came from the New Balance 1500 v4

“Normally the quads feel like rocks by that point, especially going uphill. But they felt much better in the 4% .”

5/5 Full review 90 mpw training for a marathon came from the Nike LunarTempo 2

“These do what they are advertised to do, help you really roll/pop off your toes with the plate. It was a stressor that my achilles, ankles, and calves just couldn't handle, leaving me extremely sore.”

1/5 Full review training for a marathon

“This is the single best shoe i have ever run in, there is a genuine difference in comfort, road feel and speed.”

5/5 Full review 100 mpw training for a marathon came from the Nike LunaRacer 4

“The cushion technology has my legs feeling great far into long runs and better than ever after runs.”

5/5 Full review 55 mpw training for a marathon came from the Saucony Havok XC2 Flat

“The first mile was downhill, and I could feel a lot of cushioning and springiness for each step.”

5/5 Full review 75 mpw training for a marathon came from the New Balance Fresh Foam Zante v3

“They aren't too durable; after about 5 miles of wear, I can already see how the soles are grinding out on the street.”

5/5 Full review 3 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike Zoom Fly SP (Special Project)

“The cushioning can be comparable to a Hoka One One but quite honestly this is more plush.”

4/5 Full review 65 mpw training for a marathon came from the Nike Zoom Pegasus 35 Turbo

“After about 25 miles, the foam in the heel literally started to chip away and fall off.”

4/5 Full review 55 mpw training for a marathon came from the Nike LunaRacer 4

“The carbon fiber insole propels, no, launches you forward at mach speeds.”

5/5 Full review 30 mpw training for a half marathon

“Fit is amazing. I have a bunion on right foot. Always hurts because most shoes are too snug. Not the Vaporfly.”

5/5 Full review 8 mpw training for a half marathon

“After 26 miles, the carbon fiber plate started to dig into my foot, leaving an unusual callus and blister in that location.”

4/5 Full review 60 mpw training for a marathon came from the Nike Flyknit Lunar 3

“After 2 marathons, sole started cracking and peeling apart, maybe 200 miles total.”

5/5 Full review 60 mpw training for a marathon came from the HOKA Clifton 6

“It was like I was suddenly running barefoot on concrete.”

5/5 Full review 75 mpw training for a marathon came from the New Balance Fresh Foam Zante v3

“The durability is the only weak point as the white foam that is exposed on the outsole of the shoe wears down faster than the reinforced black blown rubber sections.”

4/5 Full review 65 mpw training for a marathon came from the Nike Zoom Pegasus 35 Turbo

“These shoes don't work for forefoot strikers because that big bouncy heel is no longer doing anything.”

1/5 Full review 6 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike LunaRacer 4

“Although they feel amazing to race in, I have already noticed the sole of the shoe is becoming damaged.”

5/5 Full review 65 mpw training for a half marathon came from the adidas adizero Boston 7

“The sole is noticeably smaller. Providing a smaller landing surface and a feeling of instability.”

4/5 Full review 60 mpw

“Feels spongey and kind of clunky but firms up at pace.”

5/5 Full review 40 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Saucony Freedom ISO

“I personally think this shoe is great for racing and up-tempo training, maybe still OK for fast easy. But it's not meant for slow recovery run.”

5/5 Full review 3 mpw training for a marathon

“Durability is the biggest question but I don't believe Nike will make it more durable since it is designed to be a racing shoe.”

5/5 Full review 40 mpw training for a half marathon

“Best when running fast; slow jogging diminishes their efficiency.”

5/5 Full review 8 mpw training for a half marathon

“I believe the shoe is purely for the racing component. No training for me in these shoes.”

5/5 Full review 40 mpw training for a half marathon

“I feel VF 4% is probably half size bigger than Zoom Fly.”

5/5 Full review 3 mpw training for a marathon

“I like them just as much as any other flats, but I'm not sure if my body actually responded to them.”

5/5 Full review 60 mpw training for a marathon came from the adidas adizero adios 5

“Fits true to size.”

4/5 Full review 55 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike LunaRacer 4

“I think the plate is just for stiffening purposes to make the ZoomX foam work.”

4/5 Full review 55 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike LunaRacer 4

“This shoe is made for racing.”

5/5 Full review 10 mpw training for a half marathon came from the HOKA Clifton 5

Prefer this shoe over another

51% 34/67

Where to buy

No offers available

Affiliate links included. They never affect our ratings.

Prices updated daily. Last checked Oct 22.

Pros

Reviewers repeatedly report legs feeling fresher after races and long runs in it.
At 6.9 oz on a 39mm heel stack, and reviewers call it incredibly cushioned for the weight.
Reviewers report race PRs at distances from the 10k to the marathon.

Cons

Durability is its lowest-rated dimension at 3.3 out of 5, and reviewers report the outsole wearing and the sole peeling, one after about 200 miles.
Value rates 3.7 out of 5 against a $250 list price, and reviewers who like the shoe still call it too expensive.
Reviewers say it feels unstable at slower paces, and eleven of seventy-three find it runs small.

Zoom Vaporfly 4% rates 98. This shoe has very high confidence. See how we rate shoes.

Better Shoes Rating of prior versions of the Nike Vaporfly

Each dot is one version of the Vaporfly, placed by its rating and release year. The gold dot is this shoe.

Rating

40 60 80 100

98 2017 99 2019 99 2021 99 2023 98 2025

Release year

We use the reviews of past versions to inform this shoe’s rating. See why.

Vaporfly 4

2025 · 3 reviews

98 Exceptional

71 Confidence
Vaporfly 3

2023 · 90 reviews

99 Exceptional

98 Confidence
ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 2

2021 · 49 reviews

99 Exceptional

97 Confidence
ZoomX Vaporfly Next%

2019 · 27 reviews

99 Exceptional

95 Confidence
Zoom Vaporfly 4% This shoe

2017 · 73 reviews

98 Exceptional

99 Confidence

Runner Ratings

73 ratings

5/5 55

4/5 16

3/5 0

2/5 0

1/5 2

See written reviews Write a review

Specs & fit

Sizing and ride details at a glance.

Weight: 6.9 oz
Men's / women's: Men's 6.9 oz · Women's 6.9 oz
Release: 2017 Q3
MSRP: $250
Stack: 39/29mm
Drop: 10mm

Runner reviews

Write a review

Great marathon racer

5/5

Overall

This shoe is excellent as a marathon racer because it is very cushiony but still feels fast. Definitely not 4% faster but honestly there haven't really been any racers specifically designed for the marathon and this is a great start. Definitely felt wierd the first time I tried them out.

batkinson · Feb 5, 2018

100 mpw training for a marathon

Comfort: 5/5
Durability: 3/5
Appearance: 5/5
Value: 2/5

Fast

5/5

Overall

This is premature. One workout in. I have been running in the Zoomfly's so the feel of the shoe wasn't Foreign. I ran the workout on the track but it was 10 degrees F so the surface was pretty firm. Maybe it's a Placebo effect but I ran the workout 10s faster/mile than I ever have before (800s at 5:30 pace) and 20s faster than my coach was calling for with my current fitness. They are light, comfortable and my legs didn't tire in a manner I would expect them too... I was able to push the aggressive pace from 1st rep to last. Maybe I had a good day but the shoes def didn't hurt.

shbayles · Feb 2, 2018

35 mpw

Comfort: 5/5
Durability: 3/5
Appearance: 5/5
Value: 4/5

Nike Vaporfly 4%

5/5

Overall

I knew that Nike had engineered an extremely unique shoe from the very first steps I took in the Vaporfly 4%. On my first run in the shoes I immediately noticed some extra pop, more so than anything I had run in before. The shoe is responsive and overall very snappy. The combination of the carbon plate with ZoomX midsole cushioning provides just the right amount of feedback and forward propulsion. All of this without making it feel like you’re running on a moon bounce! My first race attempt in the 4% was the Clarendon Day 5K/10K. This is an event where participants do a 5K and 10K double, one immediately following the other. On top of this big 15K endeavor, there is also a massive downhill mile to begin each race. This is a big test for brand new shoes. I figured that racing in a shoe for the first time at a longer distance with downhill terrain could get a little rough – every shoe needs a breaking-in period after all. To my surprise, this was not the case. I ended up with a result that was better than I had anticipated. In the days following the race, my legs felt less beat up than they usually do when I wear racing flats. I also experienced zero blistering, which is pretty rare for new shoes. I was thrilled! The following two races resulted in new half marathon and 10K personal best times. Certainly much of that can be credited to my gains in fitness and strength, but I can honestly say I have never felt stronger in the latter stages of racing than when I’m wearing the Vaporfly 4%. We all hit that stage in a race when everything hurts, and I really do feel the shoes helping me to hold things together. All hype aside, this is a shoe that feels amazing, fits well, ventilates great, and has excellent grip. I have had a great experience so far and ultimately can’t wait to try them in a full marathon.

Anonymous runner · Feb 1, 2018

60 mpw training for a half marathon came from the New Balance 1500 v4

Comfort: 5/5
Durability: 4/5
Appearance: 4/5
Value: 4/5

Nike Vaporfly 4% Review by a Midpacker

5/5

Overall

Scored a pair of Nike Vaporfly 4% Crimson 2 weeks before the Lebow Half. I wore it 3 times so far and put about 30 miles on it. I first tested them on treadmill for about 4 miles and it felt great. They are very light compared to my normal training shoes Clifton 3 (I hve 5 pairs in total) but I don't feel any "bouncing" effect though. I ran another 12 miles on treadmill the next day and my HR was about 10 beats lower when compared to the same workout a week earlier. My knee pain that usually starts at mile 7 was not as bad as before. Then I ran Lebow 4 days later and finished in 1:48, a 4 mins PR. The 4% was definitely a factor in the PR. My knee pain was manageable as well. I'm running Tokyo in a few weeks so I'm definitely going to wear them. I do have 3 issues with the shoes though. The first is durability. I put about 30 miles on them and they have already started to wear pretty bad around the heel! Maybe the terrain on Harlem Hill & Cat Hill were too rough? So I'm not going to wear them for regular training as I can't afford to spend $272 ($250 + tax) every few weeks (if I can find them). The second problem is the shoe tongue. It's too stiff for me. I wear low cut socks and the shoe tongue was rubbing against my foot. It was not a problem during Lebow because I was wearing a pair of tight. The third problem, could be my fault entirely, is that the shoelaces were kept coming undone. It was undone almost every mile when I did the treadmill runs. I even watched a Youtube video on granny knot vs square knot the night before Lebow to ensure the shoelaces are secured. And you know what, the shoelaces were undone 1 min into the race and I wasted at least 30 seconds fixing them. The only solace was that it didn't happen again.

Anonymous runner · Jan 31, 2018

40 mpw training for a marathon came from the HOKA Clifton 3

Comfort: 5/5
Durability: 1/5
Appearance: 5/5
Value: 3/5

The Real Deal

5/5

Overall

It’s hard not to run fast in these shoes. Standing still is hard. I ran a half in them and was in shape to run around 1:25 (if all went well) and sure enough ended up running 1:18. It was my 3rd time wearing them and the first two runs were only 3 miles total. Fantastic shoes. I’m hooked

Anonymous runner · Jan 31, 2018

30 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 33

Comfort: 5/5
Durability: 5/5
Appearance: 5/5
Value: 5/5

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Nike Zoom Vaporfly 4%

Exceptional