Nike Alphafly for slower/run-walk runners

[Falxori]

Hello,
wanted to get some thoughts on whether getting shoes such as the Nike Alphafly would make sense for a slower and/or run-walk runner.
Before you jump in and say it's an overkill, I'm less concerned about getting faster (I'm pretty happy with my ~12 min/mile pace and have no aspiration to go sub 2 hour....), and mostly considering it for making it a bit easier on the legs for longer runs (Training for Chicago and Disney marathons now).
I've read a lot of reviews, but mostly from faster runners and almost no one that run-walks. I know they are much better at faster paces, but not sure whether they'll just be less impactful at slower/walking pace or would they be uncomfortable or even injury-prone because of the way they're structured and how high they are.
Again, let's assume price is not an issue (just for the sake of this discussion)...
Thanks
Ori

 

[DopeyBadger]

Hello,
wanted to get some thoughts on whether getting shoes such as the Nike Alphafly would make sense for a slower and/or run-walk runner.
Before you jump in and say it's an overkill, I'm less concerned about getting faster (I'm pretty happy with my ~12 min/mile pace and have no aspiration to go sub 2 hour....), and mostly considering it for making it a bit easier on the legs for longer runs (Training for Chicago and Disney marathons now).
I've read a lot of reviews, but mostly from faster runners and almost no one that run-walks. I know they are much better at faster paces, but not sure whether they'll just be less impactful at slower/walking pace or would they be uncomfortable or even injury-prone because of the way they're structured and how high they are.
Again, let's assume price is not an issue (just for the sake of this discussion)...
Thanks
Ori

I'd say it's really hard to know definitively. I have been running in Next% as part of my rotation of shoes for a few years now. I've run in them as low as 3:45 min/mile, but I've also done run/walk with my daughter in the 13-15 min/mile range. During my running portion of the run/walk, we're usually doing 9-11 min/mile pace for 30 seconds. I also do some of my easy days in the Next % in the 8:30-9:30 min/mile range. So that's all to say, I do a wide variety of paces/effort levels in those shoes.

I have personally not seen any difference in how my body responds from an injury standpoint than any of my more traditional shoes. When I do the run/walk in the 13-15 min/mile range they still seem fine to me. Although I can't say whether I feel less fatigue or easier on my legs in that effort pace range. Conversely when I used to run in my Saucony Kinvaras on an easy day, they would absolutely trash my legs. So the Next% definitely holds that over the Kinvaras in my experience. I do know for my LR paces (7:40-8:20) they do seem better than my traditional shoes for less fatigue, but I feel like the effect is minimal. Where I find the shoes truly shine is at the faster paces which is less of what you seem to be aiming for. But things just feel easier and less like they're trashing me when I run fast. If you're concerned about squishiness, you might consider the Saucony Endorphin Pro/Speed. They're similar to the Next %, but apparently are a bit firmer. I have not tried them myself, but they're on the list of something to try next to compare to the Next %. Admittedly the Next % feel very weird to run in the first few times. Like you've got pillows and trampolines simultaneously strapped to your feet.

Not sure if any of that is much help to your question. I feel like @Barca33Runner might have tried a Vaporfly once before. But he can correct me if I'm wrong on that.

 

[DopeyBadger]

FYI, runningwarehouse.com allows no sweat returns for 90 days. Including wearing your shoes. They just give store credit for used items.

https://www.runningwarehouse.com/CustService/returns.html
Of course they do track whether you "abuse" their return policy. But it's something to consider if you want to try out some of these new types of shoes with less to worry about if they're truly not for you. A more long term trial period. There's always the option of going to a local running store as well and seeing how they feel on your feet for a shorter term experience.

 

[Barca33Runner]

Not sure if any of that is much help to your question. I feel like @Barca33Runner might have tried a Vaporfly once before. But he can correct me if I'm wrong on that.

I’m a bit of a sneakerhead so I’ve tried a lot of shoes for both running and leisure. I’ve never tried the Vaporfly or Alphafly but I have run in one of the slightly lower priced versions of the Vaporfly (same design, a little different on the materials). I wanted to try a variation of the shoe before going all in as it’s sometimes hard to tell from a fitting.

Short answer is: they weren’t for me. I have flat feet and a wide forefoot and they were very narrow for my feet. I used them off and on for a training cycle and even ran a Half in them, but I never got comfortable with them. My sister, on the other hand, runs in Vaporfly Next % and loves them.

Shoes can be a very individual thing. They could absolutely be a good option for what you’re looking for but nothing is a one size fits all.

ETA: As a slower runner and walk/runner the tech and height of the design was interesting. I felt stable on the shoes and the ride felt like it was doing a lot of the things that the tech was targeting. I really wanted to like the shoe and did like a lot of things about it. I just couldn’t get past the fit and comfort issues I was having.

 

[Guidman]

I would say if you're looking at the Alphafly (or any of the Nike ZoomX plated shoes) for having the affect of less fatigue on your legs, then I would suggest you look at the Nike Invincible too. It has a full ZoomX midsole like the AlphaFly/Vaporfly do but doesn't have the carbon plate in it. Any shoe with a carbon plate in it is going to be very stiff so keep that in mind as well.

 

[kps7795]

Have any of you tried out the Hoka One One? I generally wear Nike because I have a narrow foot, but was considering trying out the Hoka Cliftons because it seems that the cushioning would be helpful for a full marathon.

 

[Kerry1957]

I wear Hoka Challenger ATRs on the trail and Cliftons on the street. I've gone through about 3 or 4 of each over the past few years and really like them. I only get about 300-350 miles on the Challengers and 250 miles on the Cliftons before they start to break down but I'm also 215 pounds so they take a beating.

 

[AaronB]

Hello,
wanted to get some thoughts on whether getting shoes such as the Nike Alphafly would make sense for a slower and/or run-walk runner.
Before you jump in and say it's an overkill, I'm less concerned about getting faster (I'm pretty happy with my ~12 min/mile pace and have no aspiration to go sub 2 hour....), and mostly considering it for making it a bit easier on the legs for longer runs (Training for Chicago and Disney marathons now).
I've read a lot of reviews, but mostly from faster runners and almost no one that run-walks. I know they are much better at faster paces, but not sure whether they'll just be less impactful at slower/walking pace or would they be uncomfortable or even injury-prone because of the way they're structured and how high they are.
Again, let's assume price is not an issue (just for the sake of this discussion)...
Thanks
Ori

Most would probably consider the Alphafly, a go-fast, race day shoe, and targeted for faster paces. This is not to say you wouldn't be comfortable in them, but based on your pacing/use, they are not the intended design. If you wanted to stay with Nike, you could also look at the Pegasus, it is a longtime staple in the world of running shoes (I think they are up to version 38 now). Nice balance between what people would describe as a well cushioned everyday trainer and a race day shoe. I am mostly an all New Balance person, but the Pegasus is one of the few non NB shoes I have used over the years, and they are always fantastic.

 

[Novatrix]

Disclaimer: I have no clue the veracity, and other variables regarding temp, humidity,, ect in play, but I recall The Running Channel on YouTube filming one of their camera crew running 5k one week in his own running shoes, the next week in the Vaporflys.

Spoiler:
He experienced a 7.8% improvement. (34:35 to 31:54)

Literally YMMV.