Comparison Overview
The Nike Vaporfly 4 is the latest evolution of the Vaporfly 3 line. We recommend the Vaporfly 3 for most runners.
How the Nike Vaporfly 3 and Nike Vaporfly 4 differ
The Nike Vaporfly 3 and the Nike Vaporfly 4 are both racing shoes from Nike, which makes this a classic same-line comparison: same design language, similar fit philosophy, but meaningful changes in feel and intended use.
Where they actually differ: the Nike Vaporfly 3 comes in roughly 0.2 oz lighter (6.5 oz vs 6.7 oz), which becomes noticeable on faster turnover and longer efforts; the drop differs (8mm on the Nike Vaporfly 3, 6mm on the Nike Vaporfly 4) — higher-drop shoes tend to feel friendlier to heel strikers and tight calves, while lower drops favor a midfoot landing; the Nike Vaporfly 3 rides on the taller stack (40mm/32mm vs 32mm/26mm), giving it more under-foot cushioning at the cost of a slightly less stable platform; and the Nike Vaporfly 3 is $10 cheaper at MSRP ($260 vs $270).
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | Nike Vaporfly 3 | Nike Vaporfly 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Nike | Nike |
| Model | Vaporfly 3 | Vaporfly 4 |
| Category | racing | racing |
| Weight | 6.5 oz | 6.7 oz |
| Drop | 8mm | 6mm |
| Price | $260 | $270 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which is lighter, the Nike Vaporfly 3 or the Nike Vaporfly 4?
- The Nike Vaporfly 3 is the lighter shoe at 6.5 oz versus 6.7 oz.
- Which costs less?
- The Nike Vaporfly 3 is the more affordable option at $260 compared to $270.
- Do they have the same heel-to-toe drop?
- No. The Nike Vaporfly 3 has a 8mm drop and the Nike Vaporfly 4 has a 6mm drop, which can change how each shoe loads your calves and Achilles.
- Are these carbon-plated racing shoes?
- Yes — both the Nike Vaporfly 3 and the Nike Vaporfly 4 use a carbon plate, so they're built primarily for race day and key workouts rather than daily mileage.
- Can I rotate both shoes in the same training block?
- Yes — many runners pair complementary shoes like these to spread load across different muscles and tendons. Use our rotation planner to build a mileage split that fits your schedule.
Read the full reviews
- Nike Vaporfly 3 — full specs, AI insights, and verdict.
- Nike Vaporfly 4 — full specs, AI insights, and verdict.
- Browse the full running shoe database
- See more shoe comparisons
Not sure which is right for you?
Use our AI-powered shoe finder for personalized recommendations, or build a smart shoe rotation with the rotation planner.