The Tempo Next% is brand new trainer with a premium price tag of $200. It has a dual-foam midsole combined with a flexible composite plate and plenty of thick outsole rubber.
The Alphafly holds the record for the fastest ever marathon distance. It has an astronomical price of $285 and has a single-foam midsole, a stiff carbon plate and thick outsole rubber on its forefoot.
Which one of these expensive Nike shoes is the right one for you?
The Tempo Next%’s midsole has React foam in its heel which extends into the midfoot. The midfoot and forefoot consist of ZoomX. React is denser and heavier than ZoomX so the Tempo Next% is slightly heel heavy. Both foams work well together to produce a cohesive ride.
The Alphafly’s midsole consists of 100% of Nike’s premium super foam, ZoomX. It makes the midsole lighter than that of the Tempo Next% and also makes the Alphafly feel more responsive and bouncy. The Alphafly feels softer and more forgiving so it’s better for longer runs when you need the extra foot protection.
Both shoes have large, thick Zoom Air units in the forefoot which are the most striking things about them.
The Tempo Next% has a flexible composite plate which allows the Tempo to be flexible in the forefoot. The plate does a good job in distributing the pressure from the air bags so that they don’t poke into your foot.
The carbon fibre plate in the Alphafly is much stiffer and lighter than the composite plate in the Tempo. The stiffer plate allows for a more propulsive ride because it acts as a lever that springs you forward during transitions. The carbon plate in the Alphafly is more flexible in smaller sizes of the shoe but stiffer in larger sizes. The Tempo Next%’s plate is the same rigidity across all sizes.
Stability is better in the Alphafly because of its wide forefoot which flares out at its base. As a result of the wider forefoot, the Alphafly is better on courses which have a lot of turns because you don’t have to slow down. The Tempo is lesss stable and better suited to straight-line running.
Ride transitions feel smoother in the Alphafly because of its single-foam, uniform midsole. In the tempo, you can feel where the air bags start and end as you transition from heel to toe. The soft ZoomX toe-off can also be felt in the Tempo whereas the stiffer plate in the Alphafly allows for a more uniform, smoother ride.
On the outsoles, both shoes have their forefoot covered in thick, ribbed rubber. The main difference between the two shoes is that the Tempo has thicker, raised strips of rubber on its rearfoot compared to thinner, lighter rubber which is recessed into the midsole of the Alphafly. The Tempo has the more durable outsole with better grip. Both shoes grip well on tar, pavement and grass in dry conditions but can feel slippery on wet pavement and wet grass.
The Alphafly has a hole in its forefoot which the Tempo doesn’t have. This hole increases cushioning by allowing the foam to compress through the hole.
Both shoes have bootie construction uppers but the main difference is in the material used. The Tempo uses traditional Flyknit. It is breathable in the forefoot, while thicker and warmer in the midfoot and heel. There are also midfoot underlays on the Tempo to increase midfoot support and durability.
The Alphafly’s upper is made from Atomknit 3.0 which is a new generation of Flyknit which has been steamed and stretched. Atomknit is very porous and extremely breathable. It was designed to absorb minimal liquid so the shoe stays light during races. Atomknit is thinner and not as durable as Flyknit.
The Tempo Next% fits true to size but the Alphafly is a half size too small. The Tempo is the more durable and more supportive of the two while the Alphafly has the cooler, lighter upper.
If you’re looking for a trainer which is more durable and better suited to shorter, faster paced runs, get the Nike Tempo Next%. It has a comfortable upper with great lockdown, a responsive ride and a tough outsole. The Tempo Next% also feels similar in ride to its more expensive sibling because they both have Zoom Air units, a high midsole stack height and a plate in their midsole.
If you’re looking for the king of racing shoes which offers high levels of cushioning and responsiveness, get the Alphafly. The Alphafly has a super breathable upper with great lockdown, a highly stable ride and an explosive forefoot. The Alphafly is $85 more than the Tempo but you get a lighter shoe with better long-distance comfort.
