Design Build
Lean racing platform – Men's Nike Vaporfly 4 is built for speed, with a stack height of ~35 mm in the heel / ~29 mm in the forefoot, giving a 6 mm drop.
ZoomX midsole + full-length Flyplate – The shoe uses Nike’s high energy-return ZoomX foam, paired with a full-length carbon fiber Flyplate. The foam is tuned to be lighter and more responsive, with foam removed where it isn’t needed to reduce weight.
Reduced foam compared to prior version – Vaporfly 4’s midsole is trimmed down relative to Vaporfly 3: about 5 mm less foam in the heel and ~3 mm less in the forefoot.
Thinner outsole / lighter buckling – The outsole uses thinner rubber, especially in the heel, and less material overall to save weight. The design includes blown rubber in high-wear areas.
Upper & Fit
Engineered mesh upper – Lightweight, more breathable, with more consistent fit than some earlier versions.
Secure midfoot and forefoot lockdown – The fit is tighter through the midfoot and forefoot than in some previous Vaporfly models; the new footbed also reduces interior volume.
True-to-size (but narrow in places) – Overall length fits true to size; however, the forefoot is somewhat narrow, especially for runners with wider feet. Some heel lockdown concerns until laces are adjusted.
Outsole & Traction
Blown rubber in high-wear areas – There is soft blown rubber placed where it’s needed most to maintain grip and reduce weight.
Thinner rubber in the heel – The rubber in the heel impact zone is thinner than earlier Vaporfly models; this helps shave weight but may reduce durability in that area.
Simplified outsole layout – Compared to Vaporfly 3, less aggressive texture/perforations; the design emphasizes weight savings and smoother transitions over maximum grip in off-road or mixed surfaces.
Performance & Feel
Lighter & snappier ride – Many testers say the Vaporfly 4 feels more responsive, faster off the ground than the Vaporfly 3, thanks to the trimmed foam, more aggressive plate curvature, and lighter build.
More ground-feel than previous models – With less foam underfoot and a lower drop, you get more of the road sensation; the shoe doesn’t “float” as much as prior supershoes.
Best at faster paces – The Vaporfly 4 shines in shorter races, workouts, and tempo runs (5K to half-marathon) where cadence, propulsion, and responsiveness matter more. At slower, easy-run paces it may feel less plush or stable.
Trade-offs in durability & cushioning – Because of the thinner outsole rubber (especially in the heel) and reduced foam, durability is more limited than some more cushioned racing shoes. Also, reduced cushioning means less protection in very long runs or slower, softer training miles.
Who It’s For
The Men's Nike Vaporfly 4 Ideal for runners who want a race day super-shoe that is lighter, more responsive, and delivers propulsion in distances from 5K through the marathon. It works well for those who value speed and turnover over maximum cushioning or softness. If you run slower, want more durability, or need a wider fit, some of the trade-offs might be noticeable.
Summary
The Nike Vaporfly 4 returns more toward the Vaporfly’s roots: a lighter, leaner super-shoe that emphasizes responsiveness, propulsion, and efficiency rather than outright cushioning or plush ride. With 35/29 mm stack, a 6 mm drop, updated Flyplate geometry, lighter upper, and thinner outsole, it’s crafted to deliver fast performance. It may not replace more cushioned models for easy or long slog days, but for race-pace efforts and pushing the pace, it’s a strong contender.
