So what’s the best?
They both seem to like the Nikes the most but don’t actually give a summary table 
I’ve got a friend who has the 4% and the next %. I tried both on and pranced around the living room in them. Wow. They feel unreal. Can’t imagine what they must feel like to run fast in. Looking closely at them, it does seem as if they are designed for heel strikers with such big heel sections, but then don’t fast runners usually mid-foot strike…? I’ve heard a few people say the Nikes are a bit unstable and that the new Asics carbon shoes are more stable. I’m gradually trying to ease back into running and will be interested to try a few pairs…
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I didn’t spot anyone wearing Alphas in the Olympic marathons, only NEXT%?
Rupp was. But you’re right looking at some photos, most of the others including Kipchoge look to be waring vaporfly NEXT%.
Interesting observation and why that is. I do recall Seth Demoor doing a video saying he’d probably wear the vaporfly NEXT% if he were to run a marathon.
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Ah - this is where the conversation is 
Whoops - I’ll link back
Someone posted a while back about heel/mid/forefoot strikers…
…I think I’m forefoot to mid, and tend to land harder on the outside of my left foot.
Thought I’d take some pics of the wear of my three pairs.
Looking at how long I’ve had the Next% Vaporfly and Alpha’s, I’ve done far too much “training” in them and not much racing at all 
VaporFly 4% Flyknits
332km since March 2019
Vaporfly Next% Vaporweave (original version)
269km since January 2021
AlphaFly Next% AtomKnit
211km since April 2021
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Yeah, looking at those 4% shoes, you’re definitely nothing like a heel striker! The rear outside corner of my original pair of 4% shoes are trashed. But I have done over 1000km in them according to strava
And the thing to note is, I still find them the fastest pair of shoes in my “training rotation” that I have. Other standard shoes are generally binned after 500ish km as they are just dead.
Which sort of blows the short lifespan of the ZoomX shoes out of the water. They might not have the optimal raceday gains beyond 100km or so, but they’re still immense shoes long beyond that. I’ve never got near 1000km in any other pair of shoes over the last decade, so from a ROI basis, the cost of vaporflys is actually pretty good value
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Yeah - totally the same with my 4%.
But I do find the Alpha’s better now.
So much so that I’m looking at ordering a “race” pair.
Then my current ones retired to “training” and the 4% become an “everyday” shoe 
Popped into the Factory Store the other day; another ‘miss’. In fact it’s always crap there, and the women’s running offerings are always better. Still, tried on some Tempos (£165 still), so know my size. Got a BNIB pair in my sights on eBay 
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Have a look at Keller Sports.
They seem legit and state there’s no customs or import taxes to pay
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Sorted. Zoom Tempo Next for £66 BNIB 
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Did anyone try the Invincibles or the Tempo Nexts in the end? My 2nd pair of pegs are nearing their replacement cycle, and as i’m semi, sort of, not really, or am i, who knows, training for a marathon this November, i’m thinking that spending a few more £ on some shoes that will protect me as i build up the mileage may well be worth it.
Both felt good at first but both gave me blisters after about 5 miles so both went back.
Don’t normally blister in Nikes.
Yes, first run in the Tempo Next yesterday. Noisy but effective: they made me run much faster than I have for a few months 
Could have been ‘new trainer effect’. I only ran 10k @ 4:15/kms but in the main it felt not too taxing. They are very high shoes.
@TriCurious agree on the hot spots. First time I’ve had one in trainers for years. On my heel. Must be that padded rib around the back of the heel?
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On the Tempo’s i got a blister in between my big toe and next one down.
Never had one there before and not had one since!
Even if I left it a few weeks between running in the Tempo’s the blister still appeared.
I wanted them to be ok for me because they did feel really nice to run in.
Might borrow another pair just in case 
Well mine can’t go back as they were £66 on eBay!
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Blimey that was a good price!
how?!?! There’s bugger all on ebay at the mo. Were you looking out for them for ages, or just get lucky?
The only ones i can see thjat are cheap have ‘only got about 200/250 miles on them’ … yeah, nah. you’re alright mate.
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Pixie feet, and a lot of patience.
That’s me out on both counts then!
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