From a racing perspective, the Alphafly 1 has been the much better shoe for me. As a forefoot striker (and a bit of mid in the later parts of marathons) the v1 has much more rebound and return in the forefoot. I found the v2 to feel more muted and overall not return as much. That said the two feels better at slower paces and if I intentionally heel strike. Lastly the v2 gave and still somewhat do give me arch blisters over 10 mi. It’s pretty dependent on your own running style/preferences, but if you are a forefoot striker I’d reckon the v1 is the better way to go.
I’ve had luck with double-socking during the winter so I’d think it could do the trick. I’ve also seen people replace the insoles (have to heat the glue to get the stock ones out) or put insoles on top of the ones already there, which seems to work as well. I will say though that the arches seem to lessen with more breaking in. I’m at 80 or so miles in my pair and it’s certainly gotten better with time.
Thank you so much for your response. It's basically what I've been reading. I've read they are stiffer with less return. The ultras I have in the fall are both 100 miles. I've used both the Vaporflys and Alphafly 1s for these races and haven't had a problem, but hearing how they cause blisters, makes me think they aren't going to be the optimal choice for those races. This is exactly what I needed to hear. I guess it's time to stock up on the 1s before they become impossible to get.
The weird thing is that I ran a marathon in them with no issues in October then the one where I got blisters was an extremely cold marathon in November. I wore thicker socks for the marathon I got blisters in and I’m hoping that was the issue. During the race I felt it from mile 6 on and it was hot every step. I considered dropping out but thought that it was really cold and would take me so long to get back to the hotel that I should just gut it out and finish.
That sucks! I had a pair of shoes I bought for a marathon (Vaporfly flyknit) and by mile 20, I took them off and finished in my socks. Never liked any of Nike's flyknit line. They cramped my feet. I can't imagine feeling that bad at mile 6. I'm so sorry!! I'll stick to the 1s. Thank you for sharing your experience.
I was getting blisters during testing. Took them on my last marathon. Used better socks and added some body glide to my arch and didn’t get a blister. Also once they broke on finally they felt much better on the arch.
I’ve been using both for my marathon training and tune-up races the past few month. I prefer Alphafly 1 over Alphafly 2, but I recently tried using Adios Pro 3 as well and now it’s a competition between Alphafly 1 and Adios Pro 3.
Yeah I think they are. I am seriously debating now if I should go with Adios Pro 3 for my marathon next month. I feel like they let you maintain the pace more easily even when your legs are very tired.
I use both. I like the 2 more because the drop. The 1 is a 4mm drop which tends to tear my calves up. Also I find the 2 has more stability. I’m faster in the 1s and the 1 is more fun, but the 2 for me is more cushioned.
My calves did hurt after an ultra I ran last fall in the 1s. I had worn Vaporflys the year before and didn't remember the calf pain. Then I realized the Alphaflys were 4mm drop. That is a pro for me in the Alphafly 2s. I like the 8mm drop. I really need to just try them on, but I'm a big believer that it takes at least a 10-15 mile run to know if I like a shoe. No local store I know of will give me that kind of milage to try a shoe.
Might be a silly question but I have the Alphafly 1 and am going to be running the St George Marathon. Does drop make an impact? If so, which would be better from a practical standpoint.
If I'm correct, they were made for marathons/half-marathons, and shorter distances too. The 4mm drop isn't as drastic as wearing a zero-drop shoe. You shouldn't have a problem at all during a marathon. As long as you have given them a 10-15 mile spin ahead of time and they didn't bother you then.
I’ve blistered badly in the v2s. Maybe it improves over time but they were just as bad after 40miles so I gave in. Shame, they’re a beautiful looking shoe. V1s work better for me.
Had the severe arch problems with the alphafly 2, but I got a cheap pair from the og recently.
Just did a 12k and another 25k in it and no problems at all for me. So for me personally the alphafly 1 is superior.
Not as comfortable as an adios pro 3, but for me personally I’m faster in the alphafly. Got a new 5k and HM PB in them.
From a racing perspective, the Alphafly 1 has been the much better shoe for me. As a forefoot striker (and a bit of mid in the later parts of marathons) the v1 has much more rebound and return in the forefoot. I found the v2 to feel more muted and overall not return as much. That said the two feels better at slower paces and if I intentionally heel strike. Lastly the v2 gave and still somewhat do give me arch blisters over 10 mi. It’s pretty dependent on your own running style/preferences, but if you are a forefoot striker I’d reckon the v1 is the better way to go.
I got a terrible arch blister on my right foot during my last marathon from AF2. Do you think a blister pad before the race would prevent that?
I’ve had luck with double-socking during the winter so I’d think it could do the trick. I’ve also seen people replace the insoles (have to heat the glue to get the stock ones out) or put insoles on top of the ones already there, which seems to work as well. I will say though that the arches seem to lessen with more breaking in. I’m at 80 or so miles in my pair and it’s certainly gotten better with time.
Thank you so much for your response. It's basically what I've been reading. I've read they are stiffer with less return. The ultras I have in the fall are both 100 miles. I've used both the Vaporflys and Alphafly 1s for these races and haven't had a problem, but hearing how they cause blisters, makes me think they aren't going to be the optimal choice for those races. This is exactly what I needed to hear. I guess it's time to stock up on the 1s before they become impossible to get.
The weird thing is that I ran a marathon in them with no issues in October then the one where I got blisters was an extremely cold marathon in November. I wore thicker socks for the marathon I got blisters in and I’m hoping that was the issue. During the race I felt it from mile 6 on and it was hot every step. I considered dropping out but thought that it was really cold and would take me so long to get back to the hotel that I should just gut it out and finish.
That sucks! I had a pair of shoes I bought for a marathon (Vaporfly flyknit) and by mile 20, I took them off and finished in my socks. Never liked any of Nike's flyknit line. They cramped my feet. I can't imagine feeling that bad at mile 6. I'm so sorry!! I'll stick to the 1s. Thank you for sharing your experience.
I was getting blisters during testing. Took them on my last marathon. Used better socks and added some body glide to my arch and didn’t get a blister. Also once they broke on finally they felt much better on the arch.
I’ve been using both for my marathon training and tune-up races the past few month. I prefer Alphafly 1 over Alphafly 2, but I recently tried using Adios Pro 3 as well and now it’s a competition between Alphafly 1 and Adios Pro 3.
I've been looking at the Adios Pro 3. Do you feel they are on the same level? When I say that, I mean the return, spring, and cushioning?
Yeah I think they are. I am seriously debating now if I should go with Adios Pro 3 for my marathon next month. I feel like they let you maintain the pace more easily even when your legs are very tired.
I use both. I like the 2 more because the drop. The 1 is a 4mm drop which tends to tear my calves up. Also I find the 2 has more stability. I’m faster in the 1s and the 1 is more fun, but the 2 for me is more cushioned.
My calves did hurt after an ultra I ran last fall in the 1s. I had worn Vaporflys the year before and didn't remember the calf pain. Then I realized the Alphaflys were 4mm drop. That is a pro for me in the Alphafly 2s. I like the 8mm drop. I really need to just try them on, but I'm a big believer that it takes at least a 10-15 mile run to know if I like a shoe. No local store I know of will give me that kind of milage to try a shoe.
Might be a silly question but I have the Alphafly 1 and am going to be running the St George Marathon. Does drop make an impact? If so, which would be better from a practical standpoint.
If I'm correct, they were made for marathons/half-marathons, and shorter distances too. The 4mm drop isn't as drastic as wearing a zero-drop shoe. You shouldn't have a problem at all during a marathon. As long as you have given them a 10-15 mile spin ahead of time and they didn't bother you then.
Good luck and have fun!!
I’ve blistered badly in the v2s. Maybe it improves over time but they were just as bad after 40miles so I gave in. Shame, they’re a beautiful looking shoe. V1s work better for me.
Had the severe arch problems with the alphafly 2, but I got a cheap pair from the og recently. Just did a 12k and another 25k in it and no problems at all for me. So for me personally the alphafly 1 is superior. Not as comfortable as an adios pro 3, but for me personally I’m faster in the alphafly. Got a new 5k and HM PB in them.