Nike Alphafly 3
The Alphafly 3 is Nike's flagship marathon racer, combining a full carbon Flyplate, ZoomX foam, and dual forefoot Air Zoom pods on a continuous single-piece midsole. It was the shoe under Kelvin Kiptum's world record and remains one of the most propulsive long-distance racers available. The tall, springy platform rewards rhythmical midfoot striking and is strictly a race-day tool.
Reach for the Nike Alphafly 3 for race day. It's a neutral shoe, best for runners with an efficient stride who don't need pronation support. The tall, soft stack favors comfort over ground feel — great for high mileage and bigger runners, less so for racing snappiness.
- Elite marathon performance
- Propulsive Air pods plus carbon plate
- More stable and smoother than Alphafly 2
- Very expensive
- Limited durability
- Ride is too specialized for training
Ratings compare the current lineup. Price favors lower cost.
Runner Toolkit may earn a commission when you buy through these links. It never affects the price you pay or which shoes we recommend.