Vaporfly Next% 3

2x EVO SL Boston 13 2x Endoephin Speed 4 Hoka Skyward x 3x ASICs Superblast 2 (2 pairs are EOL) 2x Vaporfly 3 (one for speed work. On for racing) 1x Alpha Fly 3 (distance racing) 1x Hoka Tectonic x2 for trails 1x Hoka Speedgoats for trails

I did the Pig in '23! Epic. I also wore normal shoes (Hoka Cliftons) and just embraced the wet, heavy shoes. I remember running out of Mariemont around mile 18 thinking "my feet are getting dry" only for it to start raining heavily 2 minutes later. This was before I embraced race shoes and I probably would have faired much better with my meshy Vapor Flys. My husband wore his Vapor Flys and is toes faired much better than mine.

The Vaporfly excels at the middle to half distances. Of course no one “needs” a carbon shoe. But they are fun, light, and most are faster with them, even at sub marathon distances.

Don't blast them until you try them. I love my big stack shoes. My favorite long runs shoes are the ASICs Megablasts and Hoka Skyward X. I also love Adidas EVO SLs. Race shoes are Nike Vapor Flys, Alpha FLys, and Adidas Pro 4s.

I seem to get one pair a year for my peak race. Just got the Metaspeed Tokyo. So now my Vaporfly 3s will get used for sessions and local 5k/ 10k.

Wow! I have Pro 3s with about 150 km. Have run a few 10k races in them and will wear them for a half marathon for the first time on Sunday. I am thinking of wearing them for Tokyo Marathon in March 2026. I was thinking of getting a new pair of Pro 4, but based on your comment, my 3s may still have enough life left in them for another marathon.

Lots of opinions here. I say get what you like, but if you want to go vapor, you might enjoy the feel of the VF3 (and have more color options at that price or better) than the VF4 (which to me is definitely more of an aggressive feel). I'm sure others will disagree, but I think between the outsole and generally more comfortable fit and stability of the 3 over the 4 (which is much closer to the VF2 for me), you'll get more value and enjoyment out of them. But yeah, like others have said, the vomero plus is going to give you a lot of zoomX fun, way more comfort and way more versatility for all your day to day runs. I just took them out on the trail for an 8ish minute pace tempo and they did fine. Did not feel held back at all at that pace.

This summer I’m running the Mt. Washington road race in New Hampshire for the first time. It’s 7.6 miles with 4,650 ft of elevation gain: 11% average grade, 24% maximum grade, and virtually no flat or downhill. My pace will probably be 11-12 minute miles. The surface is mostly paved with some broken pavement/gravel. My default shoe for races is the Vaporfly 3, but I also have the Streakfly 1, which I find very comfortable but maybe a bit slower. I think the Streakfly might be a better fit for this race because they are lighter and I won’t get the full benefit of the VF at this pace. Any advice from people who have done a similar race? I would prefer to choose between those two, but I am open to other options as well.

3:47 with Nike Vaporfly 3. No foot discomfort at all.

I experience the same thing in the Vaporfly 3s. I've ran one marathon and two half marathons in them with only 160 miles on them. I won't do more than a half in them now.

I PR'd my second marathon yesterday by 32 minutes in Saucony Triump 21 Runshields because it was forecast to pour rain for more than half the race. I was planning on running this race in Saucony Endorphin Speed 5s if it were dry weather. My first marathon was in Vaporfly 3s and I experienced the same foot fatigue it sounds like you did. I don't think I'll race any distance longer than a half marathon in them.