Vaporfly 4%, first impression...

Beware, Nike hitmen are on their way to your house as we speak.

Get the family to a safe place ASAP.

I thought the 4% had a nice pop the two times I've raced in them. The fly is very stiff and pops off the ground very nicely. The 4% sinks a bit into the ground under the forefoot but I feel as if you bounce off the ground better once you're running faster speeds. The heels on both of them are super super soft but I never land with that emphatic of a heel strike so idk.

The Vaporfly has really shone for me by having more stack height and letting me run at race paces with the same or slightly less effort. I've noticed my legs and feet feel better in the closing stages of races which I think is important in the longer races.

If you're a heel striker, the 4% is probably not going to be the right shoe for you. They are made the land mid foot, have cushioning, but as you sink into the foam, have the plate do the work and snap you off the ground. They produce an unbelievable stride if you hit them just right. I have put a lot of miles on the Fly's and the 4%. Both are great, but in different ways. If you over pronate or are a heel striker, the Fly is likely going to be a better long race shoe for you. There is no doubt the 4% is the quicker shoes, but not if you land too far back.

Thanks for the heads up.

I though they might be over hyped pieces garbage.

Brilliant. Spending all that money and you are a heel striker. Haha

Londonpp wrote:

Brilliant. Spending all that money and you are a heel striker. Haha

As are most people at 7:00 min/mile in shoes with that stack and drop. At a faster pace (6:15), on the mid to fore, they also felt squishy. Ha ha, dick.

You are not alone. I was not a fan of the 4%. Sure, plenty of cushion and it may save your legs a little, but it felt like I was running in sand all the time. I returned mine pretty quickly. I really, really wanted to like them.. but couldn't get over how mushy they were.

They aren't designed for 200+ pound plodders

So, these are essentially a Hoka Clifton 3 with a narrower sole, more drop, and twice the price?

Portland Hobby Jogger wrote:

So, these are essentially a Hoka Clifton 3 with a narrower sole, more drop, and twice the price?

Yes, but that spring plate surely will revolutionize all of athletics.

What's the stack of these shoes?

slowerthanuoutdkjfd wrote:

They aren't designed for 200+ pound plodders

Like Kichoge.

No they aren't. Stop lying to yourself.

Fat blokes like you do.

Whoops forgot to quote you.

'As are most people at 7:00 min/mile in shoes with that stack and drop. At a faster pace (6:15), on the mid to fore, they also felt squishy. Ha ha, dick'

Portland Hobby Jogger wrote:

So, these are essentially a Hoka Clifton 3 with a narrower sole, more drop, and twice the price?

Plus carbon plate.

They are squishier than the Clifton, but you don't notice after running 2 miles in them.

They perform best under 7:00 pace.

They improve running economy.

Camille Heron from LRC recommended them on her twitter.

Best shoe I've tried.

The ONLY surprising thing about them is their manufacturer isn't cranking them out to meet the demand. I guess they make their money selling apparel at big box stores? Are they losing money at $250 per pair or something?

Actual 4% tester wrote:

Portland Hobby Jogger wrote:

So, these are essentially a Hoka Clifton 3 with a narrower sole, more drop, and twice the price?

Plus carbon plate.

They are squishier than the Clifton, but you don't notice after running 2 miles in them.

They perform best under 7:00 pace.

They improve running economy.

Camille Heron from LRC recommended them on her twitter.

Best shoe I've tried.

The ONLY surprising thing about them is their manufacturer isn't cranking them out to meet the demand. I guess they make their money selling apparel at big box stores? Are they losing money at $250 per pair or something?

If that carbon plate is propelling you along then they are using blade runner technology.

Shouldn't this be illegal, like Spira shoes?

harry wales wrote:

Actual 4% tester wrote:

Plus carbon plate.

They are squishier than the Clifton, but you don't notice after running 2 miles in them.

They perform best under 7:00 pace.

They improve running economy.

Camille Heron from LRC recommended them on her twitter.

Best shoe I've tried.

The ONLY surprising thing about them is their manufacturer isn't cranking them out to meet the demand. I guess they make their money selling apparel at big box stores? Are they losing money at $250 per pair or something?

If that carbon plate is propelling you along then they are using blade runner technology.

Shouldn't this be illegal, like Spira shoes?

My goodness, this had been covered ad nauseum.

Londonpp wrote:

Brilliant. Spending all that money and you are a heel striker. Haha

With a 2 inch pillow under the heel why not?

Acloop wrote:

harry wales wrote:

If that carbon plate is propelling you along then they are using blade runner technology.

Shouldn't this be illegal, like Spira shoes?

My goodness, this had been covered ad nauseum.

Link?