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NIke Next% - other brands?
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I know that other brands are attempting to produce shoes with the performance of the Nike 4% / Next%. Honestly, I can't keep up. What (specific) brands/models are attempting to provide advanced performance similar to the Nike 4% / Next%. How do they compare? I hope to be racing in October, so a new pair of super fast shoes purchased in the next month or two would give me time to train in them a bit and see if they are really beneficial for me. I'm hoping that this will result in a list of possibilities, but if anyone wants to recommend something specific, I do my fast training in Kinvaras and race in Zoot TT (old, I know) or Newtons... ANd, hey, if nothing is close to the Nike shoes, that just makes the shopping easier...
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Re: NIke Next% - other brands? [giorgitd] [ In reply to ]
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If you like your Kinvaras, give the Endorphin 3 a go. Sold out on Saucony website, but it is their answer and *should have a similar fit. Just released, bouncy foam, carbon plate like the Nikes:
https://www.runningwarehouse.com/...escpage-SMEPMS1.html

Other shoes that are "answers" and people on this forum are likely to have opinions and experience with:

Hoka Carbon X (carbon plate)
https://www.hokaoneone.com/...arbon-x/1102886.html

Brooks Hyperion Elite (bouncy foam + carbon plate)
https://www.brooksrunning.com/...ing-shoe/100032.html

ASICS Metaracer (bouncy foam + carbon plate)
https://www.asics.com/...andard&rrec=true

New Balance Fuel Cell (bouncy foam + carbon plate)
https://www.newbalance.com/.../MRCXV1-28772-M.html

Vibram has a model coming out soon, but I can't recall the specifics nor find a link in a cursory search.

Nike AlphaFlys NEXT% were to be released today to Nike+ members and July 2 through retailers, but that appears to have been delayed, likely due to the world coming to an end.
https://news.nike.com/...percent-release-date
Last edited by: kwikfoot: Jun 2, 20 15:08
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Re: NIke Next% - other brands? [kwikfoot] [ In reply to ]
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In addition there is the Hoka RacerX that's coming out soon if not already out.

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Re: NIke Next% - other brands? [kwikfoot] [ In reply to ]
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Just to add that Saucony make 3 Endorphin models. The Pro is the most racey one.

New Balance is worth mentioning as the Fuelcell TC gets great reviews and the Fuelcell RC will be the race one, don't think it's released yet but might be interesting.
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Re: NIke Next% - other brands? [OddSlug] [ In reply to ]
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Thanks, edited the list and links with those details for easy navigation
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Re: NIke Next% - other brands? [giorgitd] [ In reply to ]
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I would seriously consider the Skechers Razor 3. Many people including myself like them better than the Nike vapor fly/next. Anthony Famiglietti wore them to set the treadmill mile record (3:55)and 2mile record this past winter. The shoe has a great feel and I think the Skechers Hyperburst foam is better than Nike’s ZoomX foam because it tends to collapse less laterally but feels just as soft yet is more lively.

No plate, but recent research has shown that the shoe plates could be causing injury and that it is the foam more than anything that increases the running efficiency.
Last edited by: J7: Jun 2, 20 15:33
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Re: NIke Next% - other brands? [J7] [ In reply to ]
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Thanks, everyone. Super helpful for me (and others, I hope). Keep 'em coming...
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Re: NIke Next% - other brands? [J7] [ In reply to ]
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Is that the Razor 3 Hyper? Or some other variant?
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Re: NIke Next% - other brands? [giorgitd] [ In reply to ]
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Yeah it’s called the Razor 3 hyper, commonly referred to just as razor 3. It’s on sale for just over 100 at Zappos and Amazon. Has hypeburst foam which is a really exciting new concept from Skechers. They have the hyper burst in another shoe the Skechers Ride 8 which I use for easy runs. Roadtrailrun.com gave both shoes stellar reviews. I concur. For a reference I have a 1608 5K PR, I’m a bit older now but do tempo runs at about 545 to 600 pace.
Last edited by: J7: Jun 3, 20 15:38
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Re: NIke Next% - other brands? [giorgitd] [ In reply to ]
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Hey!

Like a few others have said there are a fair amount of brands that are competing with Nike. Id love to say that there are better options but in my opinion there really isn't anything thats exactly on par with where Nike is at. Ive tried a few of them, Hoka Carbon Rocket, Skechers speed elite and the new balance fuel cell tc. Hokas were very firm to where you definelty felt your legs. The speed elites were a little too narrow for me at least. I know a lot of people like them for 5ks and maybe 10ks but nothing more really than that. I LOVE the new balance fuel cell TC's especially as a fast trainer shoe for speed, tempo, long runs. I think their new RC coming soon will be great also. With saying all of this, as much as id love to not be on the nike bandwagon to be a little different, there really isn't anything thats on par quite yet, again in my opinion.

https://www.strava.com/athletes/11645943 https://www.instagram.com/timeforicecream/
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Re: NIke Next% - other brands? [J7] [ In reply to ]
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Perfect. That's why I asked about the specific name - I saw the hyper on runrepeat.com and wasn't sure if it was a different variant than your recommendation. Runrepeat.com gives them high marks, too. And at 60% of the price and available now, I might give them a go. I've just retired two pairs of running shoes so the timing also seems right. Thanks!
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Re: NIke Next% - other brands? [giorgitd] [ In reply to ]
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Just picked up the new Saucony Endorphin Pro. Extremely nice ride, been running in the Kinvaras for years and wouldn't have guessed there would be this much difference. Feel like my stride is smooth and there just seems to be much more spring in the shoe, definitely recommend trying them out!

Have not worn the Nike Next% although I would be curious to try them out
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Re: NIke Next% - other brands? [Matt_ajohnson] [ In reply to ]
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Where did you get them?
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Re: NIke Next% - other brands? [giorgitd] [ In reply to ]
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giorgitd wrote:
Where did you get them?

Got them online from The Running Shop, last pair of 10s, I think they had a couple left in other sizes but it seems like everywhere is running low
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Re: NIke Next% - other brands? [Matt_ajohnson] [ In reply to ]
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no love or respect for the original creators of the nike% next cheat fly shoes....


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Re: NIke Next% - other brands? [synthetic] [ In reply to ]
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Imagine running a marathon in those lol
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Re: NIke Next% - other brands? [J7] [ In reply to ]
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J7 wrote:
Yeah it’s called the Razor 3 hyper, commonly referred to just as razor 3. It’s on sale for just over 100 at Zappos and Amazon. Has hypeburst foam which is a really exciting new concept from Skechers. They have the hyper burst in another shoe the Skechers Ride 8 which I use for easy runs. Roadtrailrun.com gave both shoes stellar reviews. I concur. For a reference I have a 1608 5K PR, I’m a bit older now but do tempo runs at about 545 to 600 pace.

I'm also a big fan of the razor 3 and use it all the time for training, but it does not have the same feel as the 4%/next%. It's amazingly lightweight and soft, but does not have the same bounce as the Nike.
Worth mentioning (since the OP was on carbon plates) that Skechers also have a carbon plate shoe - speed elite hyper. Its the same foam as the razor 3 with 3/4 length plate. I really did not like it and sent it back after a short run, it is way too stiff and much worse than the razor 3 and the nike (in my opinion)
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