Nike Alphafly 3 Review: Is This Still the King of Carbon-Plate Racers?

The Alphafly 3 refines Nike's flagship marathon racer with a wider base and updated Atomknit upper. We put it through its paces over 100 miles to find out if it still belongs on your race-day shortlist.

The Nike Alphafly 3 arrives with a quieter update cycle than its predecessor, but the changes are meaningful. Nike has widened the forefoot platform by 2mm, dramatically improving the stability that runners complained about in the Alphafly 2 — a legitimate concern for anyone pushing hard in the final miles of a marathon.

The ZoomX foam stack remains class-leading. At 40mm in the heel and 32mm in the forefoot, it delivers that unmistakable propulsive sensation that made the original Alphafly a sensation in 2020. The Atomknit 3.0 upper is lighter and more breathable than before, with a more accommodating fit through the midfoot.

Key specs:

Stack height: 40mm heel / 32mm forefoot

Weight: 220g (men's UK 9)

Drop: 8mm

Carbon plate: full-length

Who it's for: Runners targeting sub-3:30 marathons and half marathons who want maximum energy return and don't mind the premium price tag.

Verdict: The Alphafly 3 is a meaningful refinement. It's more stable, equally fast, and slightly more comfortable than the Alphafly 2. If you're racing a spring marathon, it belongs on your shortlist.