Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 4 Proto Running Shoes

The Vaporfly 4 is a lean, mean, mile-eating machine. Nike has trimmed weight in the midsole, outsole and upper from the Vaporfly 3 without sacrificing performance. The result is a lighter, more propulsive all-around racing shoe that's trusted from the mile to the marathon.

Engineered Mesh Upper

The lightest model in Vaporfly's franchise history, the new Vaporfly 4 is an exceptionally lightweight shoe featuring an updated, lighter, engineered mesh upper to ensure it remains true. The mesh offers improved comfort and a barely-there feel for a more consistent, secure fit. Strategically placed perforations keep you cool and fresh thanks to the consistent flow of air that's supplied to your feet, preventing overheating and ensuring distraction-free running. With a flexible design, the uppers allow you to move and bend your feet more naturally, to prevent restrictions and keep you confident on long journeys. Nike has reduced the tongue size to sit comfortably against your foot, which works with a cushioned collar and slightly elasticated laces for a snug, secure fit and prevent in-shoe slipping.

ZoomX Midsole

Nike's most resilient, responsive and lightest midsole compound, the Vaporfly 4 utilises a ZoomX foam compound with a slight reduction, making them faster than their predecessors. The ZoomX compound has outstanding energy return properties to keep feet feeling light and bouncy when running long and short-distance races. Running from heel to toe, this springy foam helps you maximise speed and has a more flexible construction, with shock-absorbing properties to absorb impact on joints when striking down onto tough surfaces. This helps reduce the risks of injury or discomfort, and spares your joints during tough miles, keeping your legs fresh and you focused throughout your next run. Updated from the Vaporfly 3, the midsole bulges slightly more by the heel, which helps to reduce the weight on the inside of the foot for a more stable ride. Working with this, the shoes feature a full-length carbon-fibre Flyplate which sits underfoot to provide feet with a snappy, propulsive, racing feel and keep you supported during tough miles. Designed with a higher angle and a lower heel-to-toe drop, the curvature of the plate provides even more propulsion than before, to help enhance performance and strive towards your next PB. Finally, the midsole features a handwritten number on the midsole, which shows appreciation to the wear-testers who put these shoes through rigorous testing, for the best possible performance.

Durable Rubber Outsole

Further minimising bulk and keeping weight to a minimum, the outsole of the 4th version of the Vaporfly features a durable rubber outsole, however in a thinner structure than before. This provides you with the same level of reliability, yet prevents the need for unnecessary thickness. Optimising grip and traction on road running surfaces, the durable outsole keeps you secure with the ground below. Strategically placed across the forefoot and some areas of the rearfoot, the rubber compound supplies a strong grip and protects the shoes from damage and users from losing control and slipping. This outsole provides feet with a reliable, long-lasting running buddy that will push you to the finish line.