Your Experience w/ Zoom Fly versus Zoom Vaporfly 4%

Definitely not my experience. I've done test 3 mile repeats first with Zoom Fly FK and then switching to VF FKs. VFs for me definately faster at the same RPE or HR. Weight difference alone is noticeable, but the better fit and rebound of the ZoomX also feels much better. Used VFs in two marathons including a BQ, and major benefit is lightweight with great cushion that doesn't suck energy.

For 10K or less I use Adidas Bostons or Adios. VFs shine in saving your legs over longer efforts from my experience.

Last point from my experience - in the same Nike size 10, getting a good lockdown in the Zoom Flys FK(Version 1) for me is a challenge -- last eyelet is too far forward I think. Somehow in VFs, the fit is snugger and with a little crankdown of the laces, I get a comfortable snugness without heel coming off the bottom.

yeah I mean, they (ZF) feel like bricks weight-wise compared to the VF. I like them, but it ain't the same

I use zoom Fly for fast tempo runs up to 7-8 miles. Still get the speed benefit and weight is not a huge factor for that short a distance. Vaporfly for race or any log runs over 15 miles as you feel soo much less beat up.

Different shoes for sure but my heel striker self loves carbon plate shoes.

so vaporfly 4% beats your legs up less than zoom fly over longer distance?

I got massively sore quads last year doing a marathon in zoom flys and was wondering if it was worth the risk to try a marathon in 4%s ?

I love Zoom Fly Flyknits. Best shoe I've worn for every type of training runs and "B" races imaginable.

However, for the "A" races, you bet I am running in my fking Vaporflys

My anecdotal experiences in 2019 wearing both...

Prologue; IMO most of advantage (if any) of the 4%s is likely due in large part to the weight advance. A pair of 4% in size 10 weighs 402 grams. My pair of standard Zoom Flys size 10 weighs 520 grams - Standard and generally accepted conventional wisdom estimates every 100 grams of weight saved = about 1% increase in efficiency. BUT asubstainal advantage is the 4%s feel like they are easier on my calves. Should be interesting to see how I feel when I run some 1/2 marathons and maybe a full later in the year.

How has that played out in racing in 2019 so far? (Five races - all 5ks since February 2, 2019 in three different states.)

In 4% Vapors:

1) 2/2 Recent Personal Best (meaning last 20 years- and can't really compare to what I ran in in 1982 anymore) and overall 1st place in local Florida race. Recent PB by about :30 in ideal conditions.

2) 2/17 8th overall in N.C. time was actually about :30-:45 slower on this hilly and challenging course, cool damp weather.

2nd Master 1st Grand-master ( I think the drive 500 mile through the mountains took a slight toll)

3) 3/16 3rd overall in recent PB pace by about :03 per mile. 30 degrees, but flat as pancake.

In Zoom Flys:

4) 2/10 4th Small local race with time about spot on considering the amount of warm weather gear for the 21 degrees temperature then add the wind chill. Added weight of winter gear about 950 grams.

5) 3/3 1st overall in a tiny local run - Time about what I was running in late 2018.

Next race this Thursday 3/28 - Planning on wearing the Vapors again.

I do not use either pair in training runs.

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Marianne94 wrote:

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I'm a bigger fan of the ZF Fly knit...

The zoom fly, SP and vaporfly put a lot of pressure on the inside of my foot up top.

I'm willing to trade 2oz of weight for some react and carbon fiber plate though with more comfort.

dfa wrote:

I love Zoom Fly Flyknits. Best shoe I've worn for every type of training runs and "B" races imaginable.

However, for the "A" races, you bet I am running in my fking Vaporflys

This.

I only did a 10 miler and some test loops in the VFs before a marathon. Had only done a few short runs and races in Zoom Fly FKs-- but no problem stepping up. Had a whole race to dial in my strike and stride.

Pretty amazing how good my legs felt after in comparison to a marathon 4 weeks before in Kinvara 9s. Pretty beat up after that race. Not with the VFs - nice negative split too.

Havethemall wrote:

I only did a 10 miler and some test loops in the VFs before a marathon. Had only done a few short runs and races in Zoom Fly FKs-- but no problem stepping up. Had a whole race to dial in my strike and stride.

Pretty amazing how good my legs felt after in comparison to a marathon 4 weeks before in Kinvara 9s. Pretty beat up after that race. Not with the VFs - nice negative split too.

It was all about fit and not material for me. I know I'm an anomaly in the shoe.

I used to be a dedicated Kinvara guy but always hurt in the dang things.

I think you did the right thing with not running in the VF exclusively. It probably helped due to the issues people have ran into with wearing them exclusively.

Thanks for all the replies, y’all.

qquestions wrote:

I got massively sore quads last year doing a marathon in zoom flys and was wondering if it was worth the risk to try a marathon in 4%s ?

Massively sore quads in a marathon is the norm I think. Preventing that is the benefit of the 4% in my experience. I've run 5 marathons getting faster in each one starting with 2:31, and the 5th was 2:26 in the 4% (other four in "normal" shoes). My quads felt so much better in the last 10k with the 4%.

I also like the Zoom Fly, but wouldn't do a marathon in them if the 4% are an option. The weight difference will matter over 26 miles.