I’m trying to choose between these shoes. I’m 5’9" 147lbs and a mid foot striker. I primarily race IM 70.3.
I’ve seen reviews where Metaspeed has better cushion, bounce and response than Alphafly on independent third party testing.
On the other hand, Alphafly is supposed to have very good propulsion. From what I’ve heard the Nike shoes are better for heavier runners and heel strikers. I’m wondering if these are better for AG triathletes that may need a boost when form breaks down at the end of a race?
I’m a bit taller than you but the same weight, and also a midfoot striker. Very good leg speed and stride length (ex miler turned triathlete). I absolutely hated the Vaporfly and decided not to give the Alpha’s a shot. The propulsion was there, but the shoe fit was awful and uncomfortable. I’m much happier with the Saucony Endorphin Speed 2’s, and would suggest trying them on alongside the Asics.
I’m trying to choose between these shoes. I’m 5’9" 147lbs and a mid foot striker. I primarily race IM 70.3.
I’ve seen reviews where Metaspeed has better cushion, bounce and response than Alphafly on independent third party testing.
On the other hand, Alphafly is supposed to have very good propulsion. From what I’ve heard the Nike shoes are better for heavier runners and heel strikers. I’m wondering if these are better for AG triathletes that may need a boost when form breaks down at the end of a race?
I’ve run in both quite a bit - training and racing (mixture of open marathons, 70.3s and Olympics (no full IM yet).
In my opinion (from my experience):
When each have few miles on them…they both have awesome bounce, response feel. If had to choose, would give slight edge to Alpha’sBoth have provided that “4-5%”-type per mile time savings in races.The Metas feel lighter, to me. I love a light “feeling” shoe.The Metas feel more like a normal shoe - stability, cornering, more “normal” running shoe to me.I can use Lace Locks in Metas - much, much easier for me to get into them fast and run secured. The Nike (the Alpha’s, Vapors) lacing is quite convoluted and I’ve struggled in tris to get them on and tie them up quickly.
So I’m racing the Metas at Wisconsin 70.3 this weekend and in for the full in AZ in Nov…they seem just as/nearly as fast and much easier to deal with. For me, at least.
As well my training shoe is the Skechers Razor Plus which is 6.4oz. I like the fact the Metaspeed is 6.5oz. Based on feedback it sounds like the Metaspeed and Alphafly perform similar but the Metaspeed is more comfortable, more durable, and $25 cheaper.
I don’t experience with either shoe, but I’d echo the awesomeness of the Saucony Speed. I race in the Next% and the Speed is my primary training shoe. Based on workouts in both shoes, the Next% is marginally quicker, but a bit lighter, which counts on race day. The Alphafly seems a bit too clunky for me.
I don’t experience with either shoe, but I’d echo the awesomeness of the Saucony Speed. I race in the Next% and the Speed is my primary training shoe. Based on workouts in both shoes, the Next% is marginally quicker, but a bit lighter, which counts on race day. The Alphafly seems a bit too clunky for me.
I love the Endorphin speeds as well, but at least for my n=1, the Alphafly clearly outperforms the Speeds for fast intervals and racing. On my feet, it’s good for a consistent 7-10sec/mi faster than my Speeds (which have <150miles on them).
I was an Alphafly doubter, but after getting them, it’s clear to me that on my feet, they are incredible. Not only are they so fast I think my GPS is broken, but the ride is soooo sweet at fast paces, with the double cushioned air pods up front which actually work, a lively carbon plate that is so bouncy you feel it when you just walk around, and nice Zoomx foam. Literally the best shoe I have ever run in, bar none, and outperforming the Endo speeds for me in all categories save price.
I did also try the Endorphin Pro - for me, it was fine, but didn’t give me any more than the speed did, and I absolutely, much preferred the ride of the Alphaflys, so I ended up returning them.
But I do know of others who swear by the Endo Speeds over VF and Alphafly, so to each their own! For me though, the Alphafly is akin to putting ‘aerobars’ on my feet, it’s that much of an (unfair) advantage.
I’m looking at the Sky vs vaporfly next 2, so in a similar dilemma. Same distance targets.
Have a look at the roadtrailrun review of the sky (I think it’s that site) and you’ll see the Sky has a broader platform. I think that’s got to be a good thing for a bit more stability in the latter half of a 70.3 run. As a pure running shoe with no corners the Alpha might be better.
I used the Endorphin Speed this year. Nice shoe but as a midfoot striker Id prefer a lower drop and found myself heel striking more. I also use the original Razor, ride 9 and Rincon. All similar 4-6mm drop. The Sky fits this category so would probably suit you better of you’re used to the Razor.
I’m a bit taller than you but the same weight, and also a midfoot striker. Very good leg speed and stride length (ex miler turned triathlete). I absolutely hated the Vaporfly and decided not to give the Alpha’s a shot. The propulsion was there, but the shoe fit was awful and uncomfortable. I’m much happier with the Saucony Endorphin Speed 2’s, and would suggest trying them on alongside the Asics.
FYI…Just about everyone is taller than me, you probably meant the OP
Funny I was looking at reviews comparing meta, rebel RC v2, next% v2 to figure out if I want to change up from next%. I tried out the alphas and they just felt too narrow for me. After an hour my arch rubbed like crazy and I returned them after that. They also didn’t feel noticeable different in speed than the next%. Can’t wait to try next% v2 since it has similar upper to the alpha fly which I really liked. So doesn’t really answer your question but just wanted to throw that out in case you didn’t look at next%, and if you did forget my advice!
I’m trying to choose between these shoes. I’m 5’9" 147lbs and a mid foot striker. I primarily race IM 70.3.
I’ve seen reviews where Metaspeed has better cushion, bounce and response than Alphafly on independent third party testing.
On the other hand, Alphafly is supposed to have very good propulsion. From what I’ve heard the Nike shoes are better for heavier runners and heel strikers. I’m wondering if these are better for AG triathletes that may need a boost when form breaks down at the end of a race?
Not sure where you “heard” any of this and I’m not saying one is better than the other but having run in both…
Alphafly has more bounce and cushion and “pop” and the Metaspeed. You can’t get much more bounce than the Alphafly.
Body weight has nothing to do with one being better than the other. You can compress the foam on both. Light weight women run in both with no compression issues.
Both are good at handling heel strikes. One isn’t better than the other.
I have found that the Alphafly was better at the end of a long run/marathon. Up to a half marathon both worked fine.
It’s interesting to read people’s opinions on both, to realize that either pair sometimes works for me for the exact opposite reason they don’t work for others. For example, I find the Nike much more unstable, better for lighter runners.
In the end both are great, and deciding which one to get is a personal decision. To find out, you need to try them. Easier said than done of course; I know that Nike was letting customers try the vaporfly on treadmills in some of their shops. If you can find shops that will let you test both, this will be the only way to find out what works for you.
I’m a heavy heel striker, and the Nike shoes (I have 4%; next% and Alphafly) are all 4% faster (no matter which distance) for me than conventional shoes. The Alphafly fits comfortably. Only disadvantage of my Alphafly: they make a grinding noise, coming from these cushioned areas.
Not exactly an answer to your question, but I’ve tried both the alphafly and vaporfly. I love the vapors, but the alphas hurt my achilles, maybe because they are a flatter drop, 4mm vs 8mm I think, not sure.
So just saying, if the alphas don’t work for you, you might want to still give the vapors a shot.
I’m down to the alphafly or the vaporfly. Seems like I’d have more bounce from the alphas but the vapors are an ounce lighter. For 70.3 and up, I’ve seen the alphas recommended over the VF.
Either one you buy get them from Nike, RunningWarehouse, or local running store that take returns after you wear them. I have been in VF/Next% since they came out then got Alphas and they did not work for me. Got them from Nike so I returned them after my only run in them. I only went for an hour run but did not feel any real difference in leg fatigue or “freshness” in alphas over Next% but that could be because I was focusing on my arch hurting the whole time. But whichever one works for you is a great shoe!
I did not get the alphas on my first run. Did not seem better than the VF.
However, after running in them some more, I really fell a big difference.
You really need to think about run form and use that plate and air bubble and you get more proportion. VF is a bit more forgiving, however I also find I run faster/less effort in them when I think about form.
As others suggested, most online stores will take them back if you only do one run and make sure they are clean. Nike will even pay for shipping back.
Either one you buy get them from Nike, RunningWarehouse, or local running store that take returns after you wear them. I have been in VF/Next% since they came out then got Alphas and they did not work for me. Got them from Nike so I returned them after my only run in them. I only went for an hour run but did not feel any real difference in leg fatigue or “freshness” in alphas over Next% but that could be because I was focusing on my arch hurting the whole time. But whichever one works for you is a great shoe!
I did see RW allows returns after using a product. I’ll probably go with that option. Maybe use them on the treadmill in a controlled environment and see how they stack up and how they work for me and return the one I don’t like. I didn’t realize that was an option. Sweet!