THE FASTEST SHOE EVER MADE? Nike Next% VAPORFLY 2 honest Review! Will it make rotation? 

Only 3 cheaper pairs in my rotation: adidas adios 6, I just retired my adidas supernova beginner shoes and am now breaking in the reebok floatride energy 3.0, and salomon supercross for the trails. Btw, I just ran my first half marathon race in Antwerp in the adios 6, which you gave me some really useful advice for (about eatibg when starting in the evening and not focussing on time but just enjoying the experience), and had an absolute blast even beating my A goal. So, thank you so much, Ben! Keep it up, and good luck with your training!

Love the reviews you do Ben! Thanks so much!

Totally agree on the discomfort at slower paces and walking. Glad it's not just me 😀 It's rapid though at pace and has definitely helped me get below 20mins in the 5k. Keep it up Ben, great content recently 👏 👌 👍🏻 oh I have 3 shoes in rotation, Vaporfly V.1 is one of them, Infinity react and a Brooks trail shoe.

I definitely agree with the feel of the Vaporfly at slower paces and its downright weird to walk in!! I currently have 4 pairs in rotation: Turbo 2, Zoom Fly 3, Invincible and the Vaporfly 2

Great video, Ben - as London approaches, I'm finding a lot of what you're saying resonates well with me! My shoes are: - Saucony Endorphin Speed for races >10k - Brooks Adrenaline GTS 21 for road mileage - On Cloudflyer for 5k/10k blasts - Asics Trabucco Max for trail running - Old crappy Adidas for Wolf Run!!!!

Took the plunge and bought these for London Marathon . Test tempo run tonight and found them super light and very springy. The heel tab has some foam around the Achilles which was sore when I finished. Great review Ben as always.

My current shoe rotation: Marathon - New Balance RC Elite V2 Long Runs - New Balance Rebel V2 Faster running - Saucony Endorphin Speed V1 Daily running - Nike Pegasus 38 Recovery running - Nike ZoomX Invincible Run

Very nice and useful episode 👍 thank you Ben 🙏🙌😃

Great review! Rotation shoes: Vaporfly next 2 for races, vaporfly FN 4% for easy - long runs, Tempo next for tempo and Adidas Boston boost for rainy days.

4 different racing shoes and 6 trainers. I like Nike, Asics, and New Balance. The most used shoe I have right now is the Nike Invincible. The huge slab of zoom x keeps my legs fresh on easy and long runs.

Cheers Ben. Top review as always 👍🏼

Currently rotating 3 pairs. Hoka Clifton 7 for my easy, recovery and some slow long runs. I have 2 pairs of Saucony Endorphin Speed. 1 pair for my quicker sessions and the other pair for racing.

Great post Ben. I will be running the London marathon, my first ever marathon and hope to see you on the day.

I’ve had the Salomon S/LAB Ultra 3, Hoka Clifton 8, Brooks Glycerin 19 and Alphafly’s in my rotation for Manchester… starting to wonder if the Alpha’s are the shoe of choice for the race now. Might check out the next%2 or some Saucony’s…. Any way! Keep up the great work Ben! 👍💪

Great review Ben👍 unfortunately I had to send my next% back as they caused me a hamstring injury, which kept me out for 5 weeks...not the best prep for London. Lucky I’ll be able to get 10 weeks training in. Because I’m a slight heel striker they caused an imbalance. I actually wore out on the opposite side on the rear to all my other Nike’s.

A few 😊 Recovery Day - Brooks Glycerin 18 Daily Training - Altra Torin Plush 4.5 Trail - Hoka Speedgoat 4 Session/Tempo - Saucony Endorphin Speed Long Run - ASICS Novablast Race - Saucony Endorphin Pro 2

I’ve had 5 pairs in rotation for my training for Manchester in a few weeks, Pegasus 36 Nike invincible Hoka rincon Adidas sl20 new balance 1080v10. 1080v10 probably my favourite of the lot. Just treated myself to my first pair of vaporfly next%2, can’t wait to test them out!

Purchased the same colourway for the Hackney Half weekend, first pair of Vaporflys so looking forward to using them

Great video Ben, 5 pairs in my rotation 1 x peg turbos, 2 x vapour fly’s, first model 1 x alpha fly, Kipchoge colour’s 1 x Pegasus trail 2 goretex for the winter I have the invincible but for some reason I get really bad hotspots on both feet, at the ball of my feet after 3 miles. Tried different insoles but nothing works. Shame as they feel so comfortable.

Shoes in my rotation: Brooks Adrenaline for daily training and long / hilly races. Saucony Fasttwitch for 5k / 10K stuff.

Totally agree regarding the warm ups & walk in the vaporfly It’s just too stiff I’ll start wearing another shoes for the warm ups like you do. No Rotations so far I just wear my vaporfly next % 2 rawadacious , thinking of getting another shoes for my intervals. And on more thing in the negatives I can’t turn in these shoes while running. Big like on your review keep them coming 👍🏻

Great review! Thank you 🙏

Good review. Thanks

I have my shoes rotations from 3 pairs of Nike Alphafly and 3 pairs of Nike Vaporfly Next%. I save 1 pairs each for races in which Alphafly for full and Vaporfly for half. I put in over 1,000 miles on each pair before tossing them out in the garbage but very comfortable for any paces. I use Vaporfly for speed days and Alphafly for long run days. Best part is that these shoes last me more than 2 times other brands.

Vood review. As an owner of two pairs of vaporfly i agree with your review. And they are my favorite shoes ever

Great the Vaporfly's ! Best race shoe for me. I probably have 7 or 8 in the rotation, but half of them come from the last training block as there's still life there.

Only 2 right now. Reebok floatride 3 - soft easy runs plus some distance. Vivo barefoot trail 2 - trails, intervals and just generally running. Love my barefoot and tend to feel stronger when using regularly. The Reebok's then offer cushion on days between.

I have the Miler 2, Tempo Next% and the Alphaflys, and a pair of Trail 2 for the occasional forest outing. Good luck in London Ben

I love running shoes and have far too many! Most used in my rotation currently are: Easy days - Puma Velocity Nitro & Nike Invincible Tempo days - old pair of Vaporfly Next% OG, Saucony Endorphin Speed Race days - Vaporfly Next%2 or Alphafly Trail - Nike Terra Kiger (short) or Salomon Ultraglide (Long)

I have 3 pairs of shoes. Salomon Speedcross for trail running, Brooks Launch GTS for speed work and short races. For everything else I use my trusty Brooks Adrenaline GTS. Need to get a second pair of them soon.

This is my current rotation: Easy miles / long run : Hoka Clifton 7 Track/Tempo: NB Fuel Cell Rebel v2 Trail: Inov8 Roclite g275 Race: Nike Vaporfly v2 I also hate walking in the vaporflys i feel like i'm gonna fall over!! I agree that they are a lot of money, but when i put them next to other running shoes they feel like they're worth it.

I have 5 pairs for my build up to Boston. 3 easy run shoes (2 asic keyano gels, 1 Nike Pegasus) and 2 speed workout shoes, both NB 1400s

2 pairs of Saucony Kinvaras, versions 10 and 12 (v11 was just retired, lasted less than v10) for various runs Saucony Fastwitch for speedwork Saucony Endorphin Pro for races 4 pairs in total

I have 2 shoes for road running, and 2 shoes for the trails. The Saucony speed 1 and NB 880s for the easy runs. The Salomon Sense Pro 4 for specific training and races. And Sense ride 4 for everyday run/hike

I have two shoes Nike zoom vaporfly 4% and tempo next % I love the rubber on the tempos because it doesn't absorb stones and glass like my 4%s do. I've gone off road in my 4%s before and it was not too bad just had to go slow and careful. Tempos are so loud when you run (they made an audible tap) so it's amazing for busy walkways or seaside path runs with lots of people. Tempos hug so tightly my socks are hard to adjust. 4%s way roomier and lighter, good if you experience foot swelling after long runs. Yes both shoes cost a boat load of money but I'm at almost 1000km in my 4%s and 200km in my tempos. Tempos still look new and my 4%s look very worn (still runnable for another 200-300km but after that they'll likely have lost too much grip and the foam is almost dead). Edit: prior to these shoes I did 800km in a cheaper pair of Nike zoom flys, once the foam went I started getting sprains and pain, but still good lifespan for the money.

Omg I’m 62yo casual runner focus on 5k. Since I started back in running my goal is under 24, I ran 27:00 a few weeks ago then the next two runs were around 27:00. This week the next run in my old shoes was 26:24 Today was my first run in the vapors and I ran 25:00! Pretty incredible for me.

I have quite an addiction: Nike Invincible Run, Pegasus 37-38, Zoom Fly3. Saucony Endorphin Pro and Speed 1 Hoka Clifton 7, Rincon 2, Carbon X2 Adidas SL20 and Brooks Glycerin

I will have 3 pairs soon. Got pegs 38 speed 2 and getting my vaporfly 2 OG tomorrow. So to say i am happy is an understatement

I have 3 pairs in my rotation: Puma Velocity Nitro for all slow runs, a bit worn out original zoom fly's (yea those from 2018 or so) for xc workouts and next%'s for all work on track

It’s my first London marathon this year. I’m really looking forward to it.

Two shoe types: altra torin 4.5 for road, and altra lone peak for trail.

Great review and hope to see you in London :)

4 in rotation - 2 for training, 1 for rain and 1 for race

Currently have 9 in the rotation, but probably only use 5 or so regularly: - Nike Vaporfly Next %2 - NB RC Elite V2 - Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 - 2x Saucony Endorphin Speed (one was a gift) - Asics Novablast Tokyo - Saucony Triumph 18 - Adidas Boston 9 - Adidas Terex GTX (trail)

7 pairs in my current rotation. The only Nike I have is the zoom invincible. I’ve just picked up the adidas terrex speed ultra for winter 😎😃

I don’t mean to put a spanner in the works but I spent months doing slow 120-130BPM MAF runs in winter & spring with my Vapour fly Next% 1’s and to me make no difference in how comfortable they are whether doing intervals or jogging. They only get a bit uneasy when walking. I’ve really enjoyed just trotting along for hundreds of miles + I have a collapsed work injury related spine & have scoliosis which these plated shoes assist with alleviating on impact. The other great shoe for slow cruising with my condition as well as for intervals or 10K etc is the HOKA rocket X, not as stable or propulsive but super hard wearing & comfortable at all speeds. I’ll let you into a secret, the fastest foot wear I ever wore apart from track spikes was my Dunlop flip flops in which I’ve run above 10 miles many times & allows the body to propel in the most natural way for best stride & cadence. I did 600+ miles one year in my Dunlop’s including hill sprints MAF tempo intervals cross country in summer quite amazing & only £10.00.. although you do get comments & stares from people who simply have not woken up the flip flop running. :-)..ha. Just shows you since Dunlop have that dual layer rubberised foam which is supper comfortable with a harder lower layer makes all the difference over all other flip flop brands.. Always go for the soft fabric strand between the toes area NOT rubber.

Hi Ben. I'm also running London and looking to run my third sub 2:40 in a row. I'll also be wearing white Next %s (the Tokyo colors). I'll be keeping an eye out for someone talking to their hand and making 6:00 pace look easy. :-)

Currently have 3 shoes in rotation: Brooks Ghost 12, New Balance 880V10, Saucony Triumph 18. The Brooks might get close to their end of life, so I have a pair of Asics Novablast V1 waiting to replace them.

I have a brooks ghost and a Nike Pegasus. I ran a 1:26 half with the ghost last week and I hope to go sub 3 for the marathon soon

Have 8 pairs in rotation atm. Trying alot of brands atm and seeing what works well. Next % 2 is such a nice shoe to race in! I was tempted to get some alphas for a race coming up in a few weeks but im still thinking of staying with the next%2

You bring up a good point about people with wider feet. I actually like the feel of the 1st version better bc of this. But I’ll be racing Boston in the Vapor Fly 2’s I believe

Way too many shoes in my rotation! In 2020 bought too many during lockdown...I believe it was a kind of reaction to the stressfull situation. Now I stopped and in 2021 bought just the essential and I will use all the 2020 ones 😄

Hi Ben, I was just watching your review on the Nike Vaporfly Next% 2 and noticed, that one of your negatives is the comfort when wearing it at slower speed. So as a really fast runner your slow speeds during warm up for example are much faster than mine (I'm w 36:20min. 10k runner). So I was wondering up to which speed you would not recommend running in this shoe? I'm just asking because I heard a few times that you got to be a fast runner to be able to run with this shoe in an efficient and painfree/comfortable way. Really like your content and good luck for achieving your championship qualification time at the London marathon next year!

Shoe rotation Nike 4% flyknit Atreyu the artist & base model New balance 1080v11 & 880v11 Sketchers OG razor 3 & go run 7 Saucony endorphin speed 1 (have 2 pair) Hoke Mach 4 Hoke torrent v1 when I run trails. 11 pairs and I’ve got miles in all of them. Most of my running recently has been in The artist for long runs, endorphin speeds for tempo and the 1080v11 for everything else. I’ll reach for the base model atreyu for something lighter and I just picked up the Mach 4 which for me falls in the same category as the base model.

First time listening to your blog and enjoyed it. I have run 13 marathons and have always had only one shoe for my training - currently the Brooks Hyperion Tempo. I weigh around 67kg and usually use my shoes for around +/- 1,300 km although I would not recommend this - I am just cheap. Will be running the Warsaw Marathon next weekend. I did not get my peak mileage high enough so will see how it goes. For those of you who have purchased the training program(s) do these have specific time ranges you shoud be running depending on your targeted marathon time?

Roatation Nike Pegasus 37 - any type of workout Hoka Clifton 7s - recovery and longruns Nike Rival Spikes - XC races Just ordered vaporfly 2 , probably going to use them for road races and maybe really hard workouts. Pegs and Hokas have 400+miles so not going to use them anymore. Got nike zoom fly 3s with like less then 50miles, so probably going to use those for workouts. Just need shoes for long runs and easy running. Hoka Clifton again? or was thinking about trying a nike version and getting Nike zoomx invincible .

Well currently 5 but 2 are trail: Trailtalon 290 and Cloudultra For road I've got 3 - Adidas Solarglide ST, Asics Gel Kayano 26 and Gel Kayano 27 (they just work for me!) Would like to get another pair of road shoes just to to mix it up a bit, but you know money!

Are you going to start selling some Ben Parkes shorts?? Don't know whether you have in the past but I like the look of the ones you wear in some of the videos.

4 shoes , daily trainer easy: Mach4, for faster efforts and tempo runs: endorphin Speed V1, Time trials and race faster long runs: endorphine pro1, recovery & easy runs: NB 1080 v10..... thinking of adding the alpha fly into the rotation

I ran without socks in a pair of Vaporfly 2's last Sunday and got a sub 3 in my first ever marathon. I can't deny there's a part of me that wonders how I'd have done if I'd had Dunlop Green Flash instead. I also have the originals but by far prefer the upper of the 2's.

3 shoes in rotation. Boston, SL20, Pegasus

Just subscribed! 😊❤

Newish runner so only have two pairs in my rotation. Nike Pegasus Trail 2 and Hoka Mach 4. Need to invest in some shoes for speed for sure

I race 5 and 10k's and use the Hoka Mach 4 for easy and tempo runs. For 5-10k road racing Nike streakfly!

I have 5 for the Eugene Marathon May 1 Daily - Nike Invincible Speed/Interval - Nike Streak Fly Tempo - Nike Zoom SP Long Run - Hoka Clifton 8 Race - Vaporfly 2 Next%

I currently have 4 pairs of shoes in my rotation: -pegasus turbo 2 for my workhorse shoe -vaporfly next% mango for race day, -nike terra kiger 7 for shorter trails, -hoka speedgoat 4 for longer trails.

Adidas Adios Adizero 4/ New Balance fuel cell rebel V2/Nike Pegasus 37/Adidas SL20 v1 / New Balance 1500 V6.

Ran a pb on Saturday for 10k 34.50 . Taught I was somewhere between 35.30 to 35.50. There's no.doubt about it. If your fit and in shape you will run quicker times wearing those running shoes

Today, on holiday, in my NEXT% (original version) I walked to the ferry, sat on it, did a 12 mile run with a mix of relatively fast and slow speeds, went to a cafe, popped into the supermarket, walk, ferry and walk back. Agree not my first choice of a casual walking shoe but needs must :) Other days of late often wear Endorphin Speed & Pro, NOVABLAST, Dragonfly spikes (well on a track), Adios Pro 2, Prime X (if feeling brave!), RC Elite 2, Brooks Launch 8, Boston 10 (with reluctance!!!), Invincible, Terrex Speed Ultra, S-Lab Pulsar.

I’m a pretty average runner but I take my running seriously so I do use a rotation. I have the Saucony Endorphin Shift for easy, long and recovery runs. I have the Brooks Launch 7 for tempo and some interval sessions as well as some 10k base-building runs. Then I have the ASICS Novablast 1 for everything except intervals and I use the Saucony Endorphin Speeds for intervals and racing or time-trials. I run about 40-50k per week and with this rotation I think it will last me 3 years judging by the lack of wear on them so far. 😎🏃‍♂️

Great video Ben! Do you think these shoes would still be good for a hilly half marathon?

4 trail and 3 road shoes in rotation. Brooks Cascadia x 4, Brooks Adrenalin x 2 Brooks Hyperion Tempo x 1...... trying to decide if I am going to add carbon shoes for race day!

I'll be wearing the Metaspeed Sky for London

Answering the question. 2 daily shoes (all round) 1speedwork shoe 1recovery shoe 1stable shoe 1 wet weather shoe 1 cross training shoe (for eliptical machine hiit)

Ben what is the slowest pace you can run on the Next% 2 before starts getting uncomfortable? About rotation, 4 shoes at the moment. Wish you a great London Run this weekend!

for those on a budget, the deviate nitro is hella versatile

Vapor’s, Pegs 38, Hoka 8

Just ordered a pair off of Nikes Website for 150€ in sale, don‘t know what‘s going on or if it‘s because the Next% 3 is around the corner but for me it‘s a bargain and I can‘t wait to test them out! 😍

Think I'll wait till the price comes down !

8 🤣🤣 NB 1080 v11 - Daily road NB rebel v2 - Tempo/Speed road NB More v3 - bought for my first marathon in 2021, now just for long/easy runs NB hierro v6 - Trail shoe NB RC Elite v1 - bought for half marathon racing Nike Pegasus 38 - light trail/parks Daily trainer Nike streakfly - 5-10k race shoe, also good on light trail (parkruns etc) Nike Vaporfly next % 2 - just got these on sale, ready for a huge PB in Melbourne marathon this year What pace/km is slow? I feel like your warm up would be my marathon pace, therefore these may not suit

Yes speed is totally right,i had my 6miles yesterday easy peasy

How many shoes in my rotation? Currently I have 10 pairs of all kinds of brands and for different types of runs. Altogether I have 29 pairs of running shoes in my closet and take the rest out every once in a while. I am just a shoe fanatic and can‘t resist when a new interesting pair comes out. 😂 Getting in trouble with my wife everytime. 🙈

I love this shoe!

I only have one running shoe currently LOL, Pegasus 37, but hoping to build up to having 5 pairs in rotation one day

I’m a relatively new runner, do around 30-40km a week and use the one all rounder pair (Mach-4). I just bought a pair of these vaporflys. Keen to try out and add something new to my runs 😆

Hi Ben, I notice you also have the NB Rebel, what is the width like through the mid foot in the next % compare to the rebel?

Thanks for the review I've always used alpha flys but over the last 5 months two have failed. One torn and yesterday a air bubble burst in my other pair. So brought Vaporflys hopefully they last longer. Nike quality has really gone downhill. Both pairs had little over 100 miles and i weight 140lb its really unacceptable.

Hi Ben, Great comments. My first marathon is coming soon late October. Aiming for 4hours and 10 mins I am trying to be easy. I may try faster for the last 4 miles. Is vaporfly right for my speed? Or any suggestions. I have ES and Zoomfly 3 for my training.

My current rotation x2 VapourFly’s V2. Adidas Pro2, New Balance Elite V2, Nike invincible, Endorphin Speed, AlphaFly’s, Pegasus Turbo2. Half marathon this Sunday (Chester) VapourFly V2

Ben, what time are you hoping to do London in?

man I took these out and they absolutely trashed my calves. I am hoping I will be able to use them in my races coming up and this was just a deconditioning thing vs. a shoe thing.

Saucony Endorphin Speed x 2 NB Fuel Cell Prism Nike Vaporfly Next %

Hi Ben, I would be really interested in a review of the Saucony Endorphin Speed 2. People have been foaming at the mouth over this shoe it seems

Saucony Endor Speed/Hoka RocketX/Adidas Takuma Sen 7

I love this shoe, I’ve recently had great results in two races and will definitely be wearing them for London!

Ben, are you not part of the camp that says they split the foam to half original soft/bouncy zoom x, and half of a less soft more durable version? I went from the 4% to the next %2 so can't say, but the 4% is one block of soft foam the next2 doest seem to have a soft layer and a firmer layer wither side of the plate.

I can't justify that price for a running shoe that will last you a year maximum, only me? Plus it's specifically for fast running so you need a different pair for training runs. I had the zoom fly 3s and found they were fast when running hard but uncomfortable and wobbly when jogging or walking so switched to a more versitile Hoka Rincon.

I love this shoe, but I'm not an elite runner. I will be running in the NYC marathon on November 7th. My question is, will it be allright for me as a non elite runner to go the distance 26.2?

Atm 8 have a fast pair and a soft pair. I am just waiting for some of these to arrive so i will have 3

They are still £209.95 for the older colour. I just checked on the website.