Is the Nike Alphafly 2 good for average runners?

The Nike Alphafly 2 is Nike’s premier, flagship running shoe, chock full of the latest running shoe technology. You’ve seen the best runners in the world wear this shoe, but is it good for the average runner too? In my review, I took to the park paths to review the Nike Alphafly 2 at varying “slower” speeds. Check out the video below:

Key Features of the Nike Alphafly 2

The Nike Alphafly 2 has some incredible technology. This is a super shoe, which essentially means it is an ultralightweight shoe with a carbon fiber plate in the midsole. The Alphafly 2 features extremely bouncy and light ZoomX foam on the midsole with the carbon fiber plate inside. This plate is to provide energy return to your stride and propel you forward. There are also Air Zoom pods to help propel you forward. The upper is made of Nike’s Atomknit material, which is so thin that you can see right through it. There is minimal padding around the heel and the upper fits like a sock around your foot.

If that sounds like a lot, it is. But is it too much for the average 4-hour marathon runner? Let’s find out.

Pros

This is an awesome shoe.

• Weight: As soon as I put it on, I noticed how lightweight this shoe is. The ZoomX foam and Atomknit upper make for an extremely light shoe.
• Propulsion: Wearing these shoes feels like you have springs or are being propelled forward. Its no wonder some runners have voiced opposition to these types of shoes; they really do make you faster. The shoe returns energy to your stride and gave me the feeling of running downhill, even at slower speeds (like 9 minutes/mile).
• Looks: This shoe stands out. This shoe looks like a Ferrari and each colorway has bold colors that will certainly make you stand out on the course. In fact, they are so flashy that I was initially concerned that they are too cool for a 4-hour marathoner myself. Like, trying too hard much? But honestly, after putting these on, they look so flashy that I can’t resist. After all, look good, feel good, and run good, right?
• Performance: Let me be clear, these will make you a faster runner, no matter what pace you are running. And that’s what really matters. In fact, I think the improvement to performance might be greater for an average runner vs. an elite runner. Shaving off 4% of your time during a 4-hour marathon really adds up! I tried a few different speeds in my video, and they all felt pretty good. I did notice an urge to run faster at each of those speeds. This shoe is like a current pulling you out to the sea of faster paces, which I think is great.

Cons

• Price: This shoe retails for $275, which is wildly expensive. Fortunately, you can get this on StockX for far cheaper. Still, it’s a big chunk of change to drop on a pair of shoes. If you’re shoe shopping for your first big race, maybe consider something a little more “down to earth” like the Nike Pegasus instead.
• Durability: I am a heel striker, and as I noted in the video, I saw some slight wear and tear on the heel area after one run. These are racing shoes, so you probably aren’t going to get as many miles out of these as your typical running shoes (although I have seen some runners get a TON of miles in Alphaflys and Vaporflys). The thin upper is durable enough to perform well during normal marathon conditions, but you could be one rough surface from tearing them.

Final Thoughts

This is a super shoe, meaning it will 100% improve your performance, no matter what pace you plan on running. It’s fun, light and will turn some heads out on the course. If you can stomach the price, this shoe is a great racing shoe with enough cushioning to keep your feet happy for a full 26.2 and beyond.

Be sure to subscribe to The Fresh Brew Run Club on YouTube for more shoe reviews, weekly vlogs and other running-related videos. Finally, check out some previous shoe reviews on this page.