I trained the whole Berlin block in the Metaspeed to test it out, and I didn’t put the Alphafly on until the morning of the race. That’s the setup for this review, and it’s also a thing you should never do, but I wasn’t really racing Berlin so I let myself.
No bounce
They were totally fine. They were definitely fast. And there was just no bounce. That’s the whole note. Once I switched to the ASICS Metaspeed I couldn’t go back to the Alphafly, and I felt it at every mile in Berlin: the Nike is stiff and quick, the ASICS is soft and springy and comfortable, and comfortable at mile 20 is what I actually want from a race shoe.
The same feeling as the New Balance
It’s the same complaint I have about the SC Elite. Fast foam that doesn’t feel soft or bouncy to me. I know a lot of people love the Alphafly. I think they haven’t raced in a Metaspeed.
Would I buy it again
No. Berlin was the only marathon they’ll ever run for me. The Metaspeed Sky Tokyo is the race shoe now. Photos by Carl Nard.
What I wore
| Brand | Piece | Size | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nike | Alphafly 3 | 8 | Berlin Marathon, once |
All my measurements and every size I wear are on the sizing page.
Questions I get
Alphafly 3 or Metaspeed Sky for a marathon?
Metaspeed Sky. I trained in the Metaspeed all block, raced Berlin in the Alphafly, and the Alphafly felt like it had no bounce by comparison. Fast, fine, not comfortable the way the ASICS is.
Is the Alphafly 3 comfortable?
Not for me. It's fast and stiff. Comfortable is the Metaspeed.
