Nike Alphafly 3: release date, price, and what’s changed

a photo of the Nike Alphafly 3
(Image credit: Nike)

Just look at the podium of any major marathon, and you’ll see that Nike makes some of the fastest running shoes in the world. Things look like they’re getting speedier with the announcement of the Nike Alphafly 3. 

According to Nike, the shoe is 15% lighter than the Alphafly 2 and designed to be more stable underfoot. Here’s everything you need to know about the Alphafly 3, including when you can get your hands on it and just how much it’ll cost. 

The original Alphafly made headlines worldwide when Eliud Kipchoge wore it to break the 2-hour marathon barrier in October 2019. Since then, the shoe has become a popular choice with elite runners and amateurs alike, with a full-length carbon fiber plate, and Zoom Air units in the forefoot.

If you’re looking for one of the best carbon fiber running shoes you can buy right now, read my Nike Alphafly 2 review and my face-off between the Nike Vaporfly 2 vs Nike Alphafly 2

Nike Alphafly 3: Price and availability 

Like most of the best carbon fiber running shoes, the Nike Alphafly 3 does not come cheap. The shoe will be available in the prototype colorway from January 4, 2024, and will cost $285. This is slightly more expensive than the Alphafly 2, which cost $275 when it was launched in July 2022. 

Nike Alphafly 3: What’s changed? 

Why would you want to buy the Alphafly 3 over the Alphafly 2? Here’s what is different about the new super shoe: 

a photo of the Nike ALphafly 3

(Image credit: Nike)

The Alphafly 3 is lighter

If you’re a super speedy runner, you’ll know that every ounce makes a difference on race day. The Alphafly 3 is 15% lighter than the Alphafly 2, and 4% lighter than the original Alphafly. The newest shoe weighs 7.7 oz in a men’s size US 10, and 6.2 oz in a women’s size US 8.

a photo of the Nike Alphafly 3

(Image credit: Nike)

Nike has mainly done this by tweaking the upper and the outsole of the shoe. The upper features a new Atomkit 3.0 upper, which is more breathable and lightweight — it looks similar to that used in the Vaporfly 3. Nike has called the outsole Fast Shot — it’s lighter, while still offering grip and protection on the roads. 

There’s a continuous bottom

Compared to previous iterations of this shoe, one of the first things you’ll notice about the Alphafly 3 is the continuous bottom — the midsole and outsole are no longer disjointed, as they were on previous iterations of the shoe. Nike says this allows for smoother heel-to-toe transitions when you’re running quickly.  

a photo of the Nike Alphafly 3

(Image credit: Nike)

There’s a wider carbon-fiber plate

While previous iterations of this shoe have been incredibly fast, unless you have legs as strong as an athlete, they’ve felt a little unstable underfoot. Nike has attempted to increase the stability of the Alphafly 3 by making the carbon fiber plate wider. The third iteration of the super shoe still has a high stack of ZoomX midsole foam and the Zoom Air pods under the ball of the foot to launch you into your next step. That said, the Zoom Air units have been adjusted slightly, both horizontally and vertically, to increase the energy return. 

I’m excited to run in the updated shoe, and predict this one will be on the podiums of Nike athletes at both spring marathons and the Paris Olympic marathons next year. 

More from Tom's Guide

Jane McGuire
Fitness editor

Jane McGuire is Tom's Guide's Fitness editor, which means she looks after everything fitness related - from running gear to yoga mats. An avid runner, Jane has tested and reviewed fitness products for the past five years, so knows what to look for when finding a good running watch or a pair of shorts with pockets big enough for your smartphone. When she's not pounding the pavements, you'll find Jane striding round the Surrey Hills, taking far too many photos of her puppy. 

Read more
Nike Vaporfly 4
Nike launches the Vaporfly 4 — 5 things you need to know about the new carbon super-shoe
Best Carbon Plate Running Shoes
The best carbon plate running shoes 2025
A collection of Nike running shoes arranged on grass in the sun
The best Nike running shoes in 2025
Puma Fast-RB Nitro Elite LD
I just ran in this Puma carbon plate racer that breaks all the rules — and it's one of the strangest shoes I've ever tried
Hoka Cielo X1 2.0
I ran 40 miles in the Hoka Cielo X1 2.0 — here’s my verdict on Hoka’s top racing shoe
Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4
I ran 40 miles in the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 — here’s my verdict
Latest in Fitness
adidas Men's Ultraboost Light Sneaker held aloft
Mega Adidas sale is live from $8 at Amazon — 15 deals I’d buy now on sneakers and apparel
Walking workout man and woman walking up stairs
I'm a personal trainer — these are my 3 'non-negotiables' for building mental stamina
Woman walking on the WalkingPad Z1
Quick! This popular WalkingPad treadmill is $96 off ahead of Amazon's Big Spring Sale
a photo of a woman holding a barbell
I swapped barbells for a banded resistance bar — and it transformed my strength training
Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4
I ran 40 miles in the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 — here’s my verdict
a photo of a woman looking at her fitness tracker
Forget the treadmill — I boosted my metabolism and walked 2,000 steps with this 15-minute workout
Latest in News
A magnifying glass on top of the Steam logo in a web browser
Valve just pulled a malicious game demo spreading info-stealing malware from Steam
Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Scuderia Ferrari looks on during Sprint Qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of China at Shanghai International Circuit in Shanghai, China, on March 21, 2025. (Photo by Song Haiyuan/Paddocker/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
How to watch F1 Chinese GP 1 2025 online without cable – Sprint race, Qualifying
NYTimes Connections
NYT Connections today hints and answers — Saturday, March 22 (#650)
Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo Switch 2 — 7 biggest questions that need answers at Nintendo Direct April 2
iPhone 17 Air render
iPhone 17 Air — new survey could be bad news for Apple's super thin iPhone
Segway g30lp
Segway recalls 220,000 electric scooters - what to do if yours is on the list