Type a shoe name, like Pegasus, Clifton or Kayano.

Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next%

Racing shoe · Neutral · Road · 6.6 oz · 40/32mm stack · 8mm drop

Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock. The Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 2 replaced it

How it ranks

The Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% is one of the strongest racing shoes in our data. Looks and cushioning are its strongest sub-ratings. Durability scores well below its other sub-ratings. Most runners who compared it with another shoe preferred it. The rating is based on 27 runner reviews and 4 other rated shoes in the Vaporfly product line.

Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next%

of 4

Exceptional

99
Overall
99
Cushioning
99
Appearance
99
Comfort
95
Value
73
Durability
60
Confidence

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

95 Very high

95

External retailer ratings

We break apart ratings from mass-market retailers and specialty running shops since they serve different audiences.

The middle of the bar marks the typical shoe at each type of retailer. The dot shows where this shoe ranks in comparison.

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.

  1. Product line track record
  2. Our ratings
  3. External ratings

What runners say

“Anyone who doesn't acknowledge that these shoes are crazy fast is kidding themselves.”
5/5 Full review 45 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike Zoom Streak LT 4
“The extreme platform and narrow silhouette of the shoe would cause my foot to topple over the inside with each step.”
3/5 Full review 80 mpw training for a marathon
“It feels easier to run in, my splits are better, I run with better form, and I recover faster.”
5/5 Full review 85 mpw training for a marathon came from the Nike Zoom Vaporfly 4%
“You feel how soft the foam is walking around, but the ride is perfect once you're up to speed.”
5/5 Full review 70 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Brooks Launch 5
“Shoes seriously have some pop and fantastic cushioning for the distance of the marathon.”
4/5 Full review training for a marathon came from the Nike Zoom Pegasus Turbo 2
“High cost for low durability.”
4/5 Full review training for a marathon came from the Nike Zoom Pegasus Turbo 2
“Not a very durable shoe and too expensive to be replacing often.”
5/5 Full review 10 mpw training for a half marathon
“It seems everyone feels like if they size down it is too small and if they size up it is too big.”
5/5 Full review 85 mpw training for a marathon came from the Nike Zoom Vaporfly 4%
“Significantly more durable without giving up the socks with springs feeling that I love in the vaporfly.”
5/5 Full review training for a marathon came from the Nike Zoom Vaporfly 4%
“Speed work and long runs were immediately easier.”
5/5 Full review 50 mpw training for a marathon came from the Saucony Kinvara 10
“They also seem to run a little smaller in size than normal.”
4/5 Full review training for a marathon came from the Nike Zoom Pegasus Turbo 2
“I severely strained every muscle in my calf and ankle that is associated with stabilizing the ankle.”
3/5 Full review 80 mpw training for a marathon
“The support and cushioning is excellent and it really keeps your legs much fresher than my other running shoes.”
5/5 Full review 10 mpw training for a half marathon
“I run 30 seconds faster per mile in these.”
5/5 Full review 18 mpw came from the Nike Zoom Vaporfly 4%
“I rather doubt they'll last the 500km suggested by Nike.”
4/5 Full review training for a half marathon came from the Saucony Fastwitch 9
“I do wish the toe box was a bit wider and that the fit was a little more snug around the ankle.”
5/5 Full review 85 mpw training for a marathon came from the Nike Zoom Vaporfly 4%
“The side laces are genius which makes the shoe fit my foot so naturally.”
5/5 Full review training for a marathon came from the Nike Zoom Vaporfly 4%
“Amazing bounce and cushioning at a race-ready weight.”
5/5 Full review 50 mpw training for a half marathon came from the adidas adizero Boston 7
“They do seem a little unstable at first, but after a mile or so your ankles adjust and it feels natural.”
4/5 Full review training for a marathon came from the Nike Zoom Pegasus Turbo 2
“This shoe is NOT made for everyone.”
3/5 Full review 80 mpw training for a marathon
“These shoes feel happy when you get below 8 minute miles.”
5/5 Full review 50 mpw training for a marathon came from the Saucony Kinvara 10
“Don't try to go round corners too quickly in them—you'll fall off the earth into outer space.”
4/5 Full review training for a half marathon came from the Saucony Fastwitch 9
“The carbon plate, the lightness, the shape of the outsole all contribute to a rather peculiar-feeling running experience.”
4/5 Full review training for a half marathon came from the Saucony Fastwitch 9
“Felt a little extra strain in calves on first long run.”
5/5 Full review 50 mpw training for a marathon came from the Saucony Kinvara 10

Prefer this shoe over another

68% 21/31

Where to buy

No offers available

Affiliate links included. They never affect our ratings.

Prices updated daily. Last checked Oct 22.


Pros

  • Reviewers report faster race times and fresher legs afterwards.
  • Bouncy cushioning at 6.6 oz suits half marathons and marathons.
  • Cushioning is the highest-rated dimension across twenty-seven reviewers, at 4.9 out of 5.

Cons

  • Durability is its lowest-rated dimension at 3.7 out of 5, and reviewers say the outsole wears fast enough that most keep it for racing.
  • Three reviewers want a wider toe box, and two of twenty-seven find it runs small.
  • Three reviewers feel unstable on the tall platform, one of them badly enough to stop running for two weeks.

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.

Confidence
50 60 70 80 90 100 25 50 75 100

Better Shoes Rating

ZoomX Vaporfly Next% rates 99. 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

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% This shoe

    2019 · 27 reviews

    99 Exceptional

    95 Confidence

  • Zoom Vaporfly 4%

    2017 · 73 reviews

    98 Exceptional

    99 Confidence

Runner Ratings

27 ratings
5/5 22
4/5 4
3/5 1
2/5 0
1/5 0

Specs & fit

Sizing and ride details at a glance.

Weight
6.6 oz
Men's / women's
Men's 6.6 oz · Women's 6.6 oz
Release
2019 Q3
MSRP
$250
Stack
40/32mm
Drop
8mm

Runner reviews

Write a review

Showing 11–15 of 24 written reviews

Nike next%

5/5

Overall

AMAZING!!!

Anonymous runner · Jan 9, 2020

30 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike Zoom Fly 3

Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Nike Next% - maybe not so great?

4/5

Overall

I ran a NYC Marathon time-qualifier in these at the 2019 Malibu Half-Marathon, which was great. Tried them again at the 2019 California International Marathon and came in at only seconds off the same time I ran several months earlier using Hoka Rincons. It rained part of the time during the CIM. That may have been why the Nike’s weren’t especially better. They also pronated heavily during the last 8 miles. (I’m a neutral runner.) All in all, disappointing, especially given their cost and the hype. I’ll try them again during the LA Marathon and see how they go.

Anonymous runner · Jan 1, 2020

training for a marathon came from the HOKA Rincon

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

The best racing shoes!

4/5

Overall

Next % is the best racing shoes in the market to replace the 4%. It provided same speed up performance and durable life cycle. Meanwhile slow pressure to the muscle and quick recovery after the marathon. But the choice from color is limited. Meanwhile the surface materials is not soft with poor stretch. You have to loose the lace for long distance. It is better to provide the solution of 1st generation 4% service with the next bottom.

Anonymous runner · Dec 30, 2019

1 mpw training for sprints came from the Saucony Kinvara 9

Comfort
4/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
4/5

Pink is all that is left from NIKE NEXT %

5/5

Overall

Overall a fast and light shoe. I am a 150# 5ft 10 inch 49yo male just ran Scottsdale Half in just over 85 minutes !! Yes that is 6:31 per mi x 13.1 These shoes lived up to the promise to help propel me to a 5min half marathon PR coming off a BQ in the Marathon in Boise ID! Very happy overall Wish I could get the green shoes but Nike only had Pink

Anonymous runner · Dec 29, 2019

50 mpw training for a marathon came from the Nike Zoom Vaporfly 4%

Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
3/5
Appearance
2/5
Value
3/5

5/5

Overall

Anonymous runner · Dec 28, 2019

60 mpw training for a marathon

Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
3/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

More from Nike

Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

Current shoe
Choose a model
Best appearance
Lightest / Newest
Lowest price / Best comfort / Best durability
Shoe properties
Type
Racing shoe
Racing shoe
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
6.6 oz
6.1 oz Lightest
9.9 oz
Stack
40/32mm
35/29mm
40/35mm
Drop
8mm
6mm
4mm
Release
2019 Q3
2025 Newest
2022 Q3
MSRP
$250
$260
$165
Best price
—
$111
$95 Lowest price
Ratings
Overall
99 Exceptional
98 Exceptional
99 Exceptional
Comfort
95 Excellent
86 Good
99 Exceptional Best comfort
Cushioning
99 Exceptional
97 Exceptional
99 Exceptional
Durability
60 Below average
53 Bottom-tier
97 Exceptional Best durability
Appearance
99 Exceptional Best appearance
98 Exceptional
75 Decent
Value
73 Decent
69 Below average
77 Decent Best value rating
Specific shoe

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