Vaporfly

Vaporfly is a line of distance-running shoes released by Nike, designed to improve running economy for long races. The line began with the Zoom Vaporfly 4%, launched in 2017, which Nike pitched as offering around a 4% improvement in running economy compared with typical racing flats. The model achieved this through a combination of a full-length carbon-fiber plate and a lightweight, responsive ZoomX foam midsole, paired with a streamlined upper and outsole.

Subsequent iterations refined the design. The Vaporfly NEXT% line, introduced around 2019–2020, featured a redesigned plate and an updated midsole with greater energy return and reduced weight, continuing the emphasis on pace and efficiency for marathons and half-marathons. Later variants, including updates to the NEXT% family, maintained the same core concept—an integrated carbon plate and ZoomX foam—but with tweaks to geometry, upper materials, and outsole geometry to optimize ride and stability for racing.

Performance and reception: Vaporfly models quickly became popular among elite runners and many wearers in the mass-market segment seeking faster race times. They were associated with several course records and fast marathon results, leading to widespread discussion of shoe technology in athletics. The rapid adoption also drew regulatory scrutiny; World Athletics and other bodies examined racing-shoe technology and implemented rules to govern midsole thickness, plate configuration, and other design aspects in competition.

The Vaporfly line remains part of Nike’s racing-shoe portfolio, reflecting ongoing developments in carbon-plated shoes and high-foam midsoles aimed at balancing energy return, weight, and compliance with racing rules. Nike continues to release updated versions within the Vaporfly family, often alongside other models that use similar technology.