Nike - Vaporfly Next% 2

My most recent race shoe purchase is the AP4. Haven’t run a full in them yet, but have done some shorter races. Previously, I’ve raced halfs and fulls in the Clifton 8, Vaporfly 2, Alphafly 1, Endorphin Speed 2, Adios Pro 3, Zegama 1, Topo Specter 1, Endorphin Trail, Endorphin Pro 3, Endorphin Speed 3, and Tyr Valkyrie Speedworks. AP3 has been my favorite of those. Ran 2 halfs and 2 fulls in them plus an ultra and then put a lot of miles in them as a daily trainer. Great shoe. AF1 was great too, but I did a lot more daily miles than races in those.

Heel striker here. Similar weight but nowhere as quick as OP. My PRs for 5K, 10K and Half have been with Vaporfly 2 and most recently in Adios pro 3. AP3s are very durable and forgiving for heel strikers.

Shoe tech peaked at Vaporfly 1 & 2 and Speed 1 & 2. Everything since then has been minor progress at major prices.

Coming from the Vaporfly Next 2's (which I loved), I tried the Vaporfly 4's, the Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3's and the Fast R3's. I also look at the Metaspeed Paris range but it seemed that these other three would be better for me (and the Tokyo's weren't out yet). Conclusion for me: Puma Fast R3. The Vaporfly 4's were lacking underfoot cushioning/protection it felt like, and felt slower than the Fast R 3's anyway. The Nitro Elite 3's felt great, but I wanted the fastest and lightest and the Fast R 3's were that. I bought them and have done one 5km solo time trial in them and went 18:45 on a slow course. They felt great. But - as a slight pronator who gets more towards heel strike as I tire, I would have doubts about taking these past a half marathon. For me, at 77kg, I would definitely make these my 5km and 10km shoes, half marathon it would be between the Vaporfly 2's or the Fast R3's (probably would try the latter at least once). Marathon I'd look at something else (Alphafly or Asics Tokyo) or use the Vaporfly 2's that still have some life in them.

To second this - I buy end of life performance shoes to see if I would like them in their prime. I.e. Metaspeed Sky for $50 and 200 miles, Vaporfly 2s that have done two marathons for $40, and Alphafly 2s for $30 that are pretty beat up, but I’m willing to make a bet they have some life left for $30. Then occasionally you get people that just don’t know what they have. This week I should be getting a pair of Endorphin Speed 3s that I paid $10 for that someone had listed as “Stylish Pink Saucony Shoes”

Finally, someone on the same (Nike) page as me lol. Very similar to you, I also had VF2 as my race shoe until I caved and bought the AF3.. I will never go back 😂

My current rotation: Recovery: VOM + Daily: Peg + Long: VOM +, Peg +, or ZF6 depending on workout Speed: ZF6 Race: VF2 (soon to be 4’s) or AF3 Trail run: Zegama 2 - may add UF ACG for racing I’m 46m 6’4” 180 lbs with size 14 feet. So I can’t try on too many shoes. Nikes just work for me with narrow feet with high arches. I can confidently order online knowing they’ll feel good. Easy pace ~8:30-9:00/mi on roads. ~3:00 marathoner. Wear patterns show I land on the lateral ball of my foot. Just switching to trails after a torn hip labrum.

I’m the same size as you (6’4” 175 +- 4lbs) and have loved VF’s. I’m fairly economical (1:27 half), video and wear pattern show mid-foot strike. Maybe something like Zoom Flys would be an option? I was doing some training runs in my VF’s but switched to using the ZF’s.

Het hele idee van jaarlijkse releases van schoenen vind ik helemaal niks. Volgens mij zijn alle schoenen waar ik nu op loop ook gewoon van vorige jaren: Endorphin Speed 4, Novablast 4, Superblast 2 en een paar Vaporfly Next 2% wat nog steeds mijn wedstrijdschoen is.

I do a decent bit of my speedwork in my former race shoes (Vaporfly 2's at the moment). Depending on the workout, I find it nice to really dial in my different race paces. Makes for no surprises on race day, and I can make an informed plan on my race strategy. My default speedwork I use ZoomFly 6. It's carbon plated, and can pick up the pace, but it's a really durable shoe with good tread and stability, albeit a good bit heavier.

I’ll start that I don’t see the point of a “daily” shoe as I’m either doing a session or I’m running easy. Either way, it’s be: Easy - Puma MagMax 2 Long - asics Megablast Tempo. - Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3 Session - adidas Takumi Sen 9 Race - Nike Vaporfly Next% 2