Can anyone who have worn both describe the difference to someone who has only worn the 3?
Just the right amount of stability, but one of the few lightweight stability trainers that are wide enough for my custom rigid plastic orthotic.
Aside from the seamless interior and Nike+ipod deal, what can you tell me about the fit compared to the 3? Most notably has the width changed?
Thanks.
I’ll try this again (the Mizuno precision thread seemed to work) in the midst of the p4 hysteria…
bump
Can’t help you on the 3 vs. 4 thing, but I just got my first pair of the Elite 4’s and I like 'em. Been a lifelong Asics man, and they’re different for sure, but I like them plenty. I have pretty wide feet & low arches and have been in the 2080 for training and the DS Trainer for racing. Asics has been good to me since they have a wide toe box and I was a little skeptical about the Elite 4 since they looked to be pretty narrow in the forefoot. I noticed the extra heel and midfoot cushioning right away, but was surprised that they had plenty of room in the forefoot. My 2nd run in them was a 22 miler last weekend and they were great.
I wore the Elite 3 for all of my races in 2007 and for the first half of 2008 (6 total pairs). I switched over to the 4 in June and wore it for Lake Placid in July. There is minimal difference in fit. I actually ran downstairs to grab both sets of shoe and am wearing one on each foot as I type. The 4 sole is exactly the same as the 3 sole. One difference is the upper material, which I think the 4 is a little bit more breathable. Another idifference is the lacing is different on the 4, it’s missing the little notch at the bottom (towards the toes) that the 3 has, IMO the 3 is a little bit more snug because the laces pull the upper together a little bit tighter, very nominal though. If I hadn’t put them both on, I would say that they are identical.
(edit) P.S. I still think the 3 was a much better looking shoe.
I need the whitepapers of P4!!!
sorry about that 
I was so excited with the p4, i will name my first born as P4.
Biggest difference is, 3 has one full zoom cell. 4 has 2 divided cell one in the heel one in the forefoot. this is done purely to open a hole for ipod thingy nothing performance related. Which effects the cushioning a little bit. I did NOT run in the 4s but tried them in the store. I had 3s. As far as the stability goes both seem to be same and same similar narrowish fit. if you ask me, go with 3s.
i used the 3’s and only switched to the 4’s because i had to but i really like both. i agree that the fit feels the exact same to me. i do miss the full zoom air because i liked the cushioned feel that it gave but even without it, the 4’s are still my favorite shoe out there. if i had the choice i would still buy the 3’s but i dont think thats an option?
I have had several pairs of both and never felt any difference. Awesome shoes.
i noticed a bit of a difference in the sole.
seemed a bit stiffer… maybe to accommodate the nike+ sensor?
but after a couple of runs i couldn’t tell the difference.
if you like the 3 you like the 4 just as much.
great shoe.
would love it to go on nikeID so i can get it in orange
I just moved from the 3’s to the 4’s. I’ve used the Elite for a couple of years now.
I didn’t notice a difference in fit, even in the forefoot. One of the reasons I like the Elite is because of that feel of roominess without being loose.
Finishline.com had a great deal on the ugly silver/lime green version of the shoe when I bought mine. I would rather have the silver/blue, but I couldn’t pass up the $40 savings. Doesn’t look like they have anymore of them, though.