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.
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.
Confidence
99 Very high
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.
“These shoes are fast, and it was hard to dial the goal pace in because they want to go so fast.”
“On my first run in the shoes I immediately noticed some extra pop, more so than anything I had run in before.”
“The combination of the carbon plate with ZoomX midsole cushioning provides just the right amount of feedback and forward propulsion.”
“Normally the quads feel like rocks by that point, especially going uphill. But they felt much better in the 4% .”
“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.”
“This is the single best shoe i have ever run in, there is a genuine difference in comfort, road feel and speed.”
“The cushion technology has my legs feeling great far into long runs and better than ever after runs.”
“The first mile was downhill, and I could feel a lot of cushioning and springiness for each step.”
“They aren't too durable; after about 5 miles of wear, I can already see how the soles are grinding out on the street.”
“The cushioning can be comparable to a Hoka One One but quite honestly this is more plush.”
“After about 25 miles, the foam in the heel literally started to chip away and fall off.”
“The carbon fiber insole propels, no, launches you forward at mach speeds.”
“Fit is amazing. I have a bunion on right foot. Always hurts because most shoes are too snug. Not the Vaporfly.”
“After 26 miles, the carbon fiber plate started to dig into my foot, leaving an unusual callus and blister in that location.”
“After 2 marathons, sole started cracking and peeling apart, maybe 200 miles total.”
“It was like I was suddenly running barefoot on concrete.”
“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.”
“These shoes don't work for forefoot strikers because that big bouncy heel is no longer doing anything.”
“Although they feel amazing to race in, I have already noticed the sole of the shoe is becoming damaged.”
“The sole is noticeably smaller. Providing a smaller landing surface and a feeling of instability.”
“Feels spongey and kind of clunky but firms up at pace.”
“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.”
“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.”
“Best when running fast; slow jogging diminishes their efficiency.”
“I believe the shoe is purely for the racing component. No training for me in these shoes.”
“I feel VF 4% is probably half size bigger than Zoom Fly.”
“I like them just as much as any other flats, but I'm not sure if my body actually responded to them.”
“Fits true to size.”
“I think the plate is just for stiffening purposes to make the ZoomX foam work.”
“This shoe is made for racing.”
51% 34/67
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Prices updated daily. Last checked Oct 22.
Rating & Confidence vs. other shoes for sale
Each dot is one rated shoe for sale, placed by its rating and by how much evidence sits behind it. Shoes toward the top right are both well rated and well established.
Better Shoes Rating
Each dot is one version of the Vaporfly, placed by its rating and release year. The gold dot is this shoe.
Release year
2025 · 3 reviews
98 Exceptional
71 Confidence
2023 · 90 reviews
99 Exceptional
98 Confidence
2021 · 49 reviews
99 Exceptional
97 Confidence
2019 · 27 reviews
99 Exceptional
95 Confidence
Zoom Vaporfly 4% This shoe
2017 · 73 reviews
98 Exceptional
99 Confidence
Sizing and ride details at a glance.
5/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Jul 5, 2019
85 mpw training for a half marathon
5/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Jul 4, 2019
10 mpw training for a half marathon came from the HOKA Clifton 5
5/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Jul 3, 2019
3 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike Zoom Fly SP (Special Project)
5/5
Overall
romkarunner · Jul 3, 2019
5/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Jul 3, 2019
60 mpw training for a half marathon
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