Vaporfly 4% longevity?

Just FEI, Nike does have a policy that if the wear of the shoe is not up to what you believe it should be they will provide you with a replacement pair or discount if you buy them via an authorized retailer or Nike themselves. I'm not saying take a Steak for 400 miles and be pissed when it's worn, but I did have a pair of ZE9s that lasted

I only have 27 miles on my Vaporfly 4% over 3 training runs. The last run was on packed dirt / crushed stone, but a surface I never considered too rough ... actually have always thought of it more like a track than asphalt, and do speed work on it.

Still, the rubber sole is very worn, especially in the heel. There are some areas where foam is completely exposed.

Was hoping to run a marathon in these on Sunday but worried they'll come apart?

Anyone else seeing this kind of wear so quickly?

mitalub wrote:

I only have 27 miles on my Vaporfly 4% over 3 training runs. The last run was on packed dirt / crushed stone, but a surface I never considered too rough ... actually have always thought of it more like a track than asphalt, and do speed work on it.

Still, the rubber sole is very worn, especially in the heel. There are some areas where foam is completely exposed.

Was hoping to run a marathon in these on Sunday but worried they'll come apart?

Anyone else seeing this kind of wear so quickly?

Yes, and they’re fine. What you’re describing is cosmetic. Best to stay off those rough surfaces, but not a big deal.

Zante wrote:

1. zoomx is pebax foam

2. pebax foam is one of the least durable cushioning technologies at the cost of having the most energy return

3. reebok's floatride is pebax foam

4. the floatride run fast pro is meant to last only one marathon

therefore, the vaporfly is probably only good for occasional workouts leading up to one marathon, and then to be replaced. i think you should be good but don't expect them to feel quite the same after that

What the F*** are you talking about?

ZoomX is NOT pebax foam

Yes it is: https://www.pebaxpowered.com/en/news/details/A-new-Pebax-Powered-shoe-to-beat-your-best/

800 dude wrote:

mitalub wrote:

I only have 27 miles on my Vaporfly 4% over 3 training runs. The last run was on packed dirt / crushed stone, but a surface I never considered too rough ... actually have always thought of it more like a track than asphalt, and do speed work on it.

Still, the rubber sole is very worn, especially in the heel. There are some areas where foam is completely exposed.

Was hoping to run a marathon in these on Sunday but worried they'll come apart?

Anyone else seeing this kind of wear so quickly?

Yes, and they’re fine. What you’re describing is cosmetic. Best to stay off those rough surfaces, but not a big deal.

I was wondering the same thing. I snagged a pair on Oct 4-5 and running Houston Marathon in late January. I didn’t know how often I should practice using them on my runs to break them in/at least test them out so that I know if my feet do OK in them. Never a good idea to be using something the first time in a race. If durability is really an issue then don’t know how much to use or not use. I figure common sense would be to use for at least 2-3 long runs before race day

Do one normal run or workout in them before the marathon to be sure of the fit, and then save them. As long as they fit you well, there's no question you should use them so you don't need a trial period to make that decision.

mitalub wrote:

I only have 27 miles on my Vaporfly 4% over 3 training runs. The last run was on packed dirt / crushed stone, but a surface I never considered too rough ... actually have always thought of it more like a track than asphalt, and do speed work on it.

Still, the rubber sole is very worn, especially in the heel. There are some areas where foam is completely exposed.

Was hoping to run a marathon in these on Sunday but worried they'll come apart?

Anyone else seeing this kind of wear so quickly?

Me too. Wore for one short track workout and raced a half, and this happened to the heel on the sole. I have poor form and am a heel striker, but still a bit disconcerting given the price of the shoe. (That said, IMO the ecstasy from racing in these shoes, and the advantage you feel like you get from them, has probably been UNDERstated on these boards, believe it or not.)

gads wrote:

Zante wrote:

1. zoomx is pebax foam

2. pebax foam is one of the least durable cushioning technologies at the cost of having the most energy return

3. reebok's floatride is pebax foam

4. the floatride run fast pro is meant to last only one marathon

therefore, the vaporfly is probably only good for occasional workouts leading up to one marathon, and then to be replaced. i think you should be good but don't expect them to feel quite the same after that

What the F*** are you talking about?

ZoomX is NOT pebax foam

What the f*** are YOU talking about? Check your facts before you post.

vf4 wrote:

Longevity on ZoomX on its own (Peg Turbo) remains to be seen

I've had no issues with the pairs that I've had, clocking well over 400 miles in a number of them.

Sure, it's less responsive than when new, however, it's still more responsive with 400 miles than most EVA foams when new.

"...pebax foam is one of the least durable cushioning technologies at the cost of having the most energy return..." Says who? I can only find references to its quick loss of "responsiveness"in forums like this or online magazine articles- the industry literature on Pebax seems to say it is inherently stronger than other sports foams.

I don’t know if I’m lucky but Nike uppers have never failed me, my vaporflys are on approximately 300 miles and the uppers are perfectly fine, the sole wears down, but the shoe still is very cushiony and springy

Mighty Vegemite wrote:

I'm at 750kms, using them purely for tempo runs since 100km, still in great condition

Same here: After about 150 miles, I relegated mine, the original 4%, to tempo runs only, and they are still going strong at 400 miles... A bit ragged on the soles but the cushioning is still there and they still feel, and perform, fast.

I tried them a while back (the bright crimson ones) before returning them to Nike. I did a 2 km run around the block and there was already some wear - namely a few tiny pieces of foam had tore off. I was sweating on whether I would get the refund.

The react foam at the front of the shoe showed no signs of wear - it's the exposed zoomx foam that is a lot more delicate.

I prefer the ride of the adios and boston.

makumbe wrote:

"...pebax foam is one of the least durable cushioning technologies at the cost of having the most energy return..." Says who? I can only find references to its quick loss of "responsiveness"in forums like this or online magazine articles- the industry literature on Pebax seems to say it is inherently stronger than other sports foams.

I don't buy that either. I've got 55 racing miles on some Run Fast Pros -- Pebax foam with no shank -- and haven't noticed any change in feel or signs of wear. I could see the foam wearing fast if you're doing something to abrade it, like running off road.

I have seen the same wear in my pair (foam exposed on the bottom of the outer heel). I'm 5'4" 120 and have put less than 50 miles. I was wondering the same thing - whether this was normal - and am relieved to hear others have seen it and continued to race in them without other problems.

From my experience they seem to have enough pop for racing or fast workouts through 150-175 miles. I ran a 1:12 half with a pair that had 125 miles on them. They still felt fast. I wouldn't run a marathon in them after 100 miles, but shorter races, I definitely would. I start to notice a lack of pop around 175-200 miles, so I stop using them for anything marathon pace or faster.

After this they still seem good for moderately paced runs down to 5% slower than MP. I did a 26.3 LFR of 10% slower than MP (2:45-2:46 total time) when they had about 240 miles on them. I made it through, but had soreness in areas I normally don't. So I tend to ditch them around 250-275 miles.

I could probably still use them for shorter moderate stuff, but no need to risk injury or soreness when I have other shoes I can run in or when I can just buy another pair of 4%s on discount.

I wonder about the shelf life of the VF. With races cancelled, my low mileage pair is just sitting in the closet.

Any chance these things go dead after a while or eventually, even is stored properly?

when stored - no, they'll be fine for forever.

Carbon plate is only good for 120 - 180 miles depending on weight.

Actual cushioning itself should last 300 - 400 miles.

I am using mine for races only at the moment, when I hit 130 miles or so (6'1, 195lbs so I go through shoes fast), they'll go to training shoes.

Anyone who says shoes are good for 600+ miles either has the weight of a stick or doesn't know about biomechanics and force transfer.