They look like highheel running shoes. I guess is falls into the don't knock it until you've tried it category.

Here’s a review

So why does he prefer the Alpha Fly to the Vapor Fly? I ask assuming he's been in the Vapor Fly.

He really likes the Vaporflys. He hasn’t used the Alphas yet. He’s going to do a 10k in the Alphas on July 4 so we should know more then. The Alphas do look interesting though.

Or is the performance they provide dictates the need? Only asking as I prefer minimalish shoes, 6mm drop or less but minimal cushion. I like to feel the road/trail. However know many, especially those trying to place in races have to go this route because the add benefits. Think these have the carbon sole that, through some science and energy efficiency, make each step "easier". Just curious coming from someone is balking at the new norm/style. Regardless, they cool and fast.

He has regular ASICS trainers that he will be putting most mileage on. He’ll be running about 45 miles/week in the fall. For workouts and races he is looking for more performance. He really likes the Nike Vaporflys and the Alphaflys were a natural progression. I have a connection with Nike so I get all his racing shoes free. Trying out what is considered the best running shoe in the world was a no brainer. I think for most runners, they are overkill. Unless you are super competitive, I would think that you stumble into shoes you love and stick with them. I do think that the weight of opinion is that the Vaporfly is a fantastic shoe. Initial reports are same for Alphafly, especially on longer distances. Here is my son with the Vaporfly….

All cushion with no support! No thanks! Yeah, I had two pair of Hokas, and the later generation was worse than the first. On Cloud Monsters are far better "max cushion" running shoes. Frankly "max cushion" shoes from every manufacturer probably have more support than those Hokas. But I'm done with "max cushioning." It's probably overkill and not needed. Nice gimmick.

My wife is a full time swim coach who also walks three miles a day with our dog. That's a lot of time standing on a concrete pool deck. If it's a champs meet weekend, she might pull two 12 hour days mostly standing with a lot of walking back and forth. Over the years, her feet were breaking down. Her MD suggested Hokas, and they have made a dramatic change in her ability to do her job. Also, my neighbor, Mike Wardian, wears Hokas. His feet have held up. Check out the linky below. I bought a pair of Hokas for our Italy trip where we averaged 12 miles a day in Rome and Florence (distance is more limited in Cinque Terre and Venice though we hiked some crazy trails between the 5 terre). Unlike my wife, I have a higher arch, so I didn't like them as much as my good old Adidas Terren hiking shoes. I don't run anymore due to not having cartilage in my right hip, but I do hike a lot, and the Adidas are perfect for me. I lift mostly barefoot and swim a fair amount, also barefoot. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Wardian

Less than a half mile if I ever tried running in them. Those were the only athletic shoe I've ever worn that felt like that. Every other running shoe I've ever worn was 1,000,000X better than those Hoka Gaviotas! I wore the second generation, and they were less comfortable standing around, but had the same lack of support. I game them two chances, and both sucked. I'll never buy another pair of Hokas again. I bought a pair of On Cloud Monsters next, and I could "power walk" or run in those. Heck, I could do anything in those shoes and my feet were really happy. I've never worn "max cushion" Nikes, Brooks, New Balance, Sarconys, etc., would guess all are better than the Hoka Gaviota.

My ortho, chiro, and PT pushed me toward Altra shoes, which are zero drop (I think Hokas are close but not zero). Had to return them. Wrecked my feet. Have tried INOV8 shoes as well. Everybody is different, and there is a shoe for everyone. After about 20 years of hardcore fighting, my feet are pretty much a collection of scar tissue and arthritis. The shoes I wear in my office job are NOBULL ripstop sneakers with a huge wide toebox. Perfect for me.

find that gave me some comfort. Propet (French company I think) has also been good! Im gonna look for what you described. Thanks!

I got a pair to work out in and decided to wear them to work because they are so comfortable. They primarily have been developed for crossfit, but they have running shoes. Very wide toe box. My right foot is somewhat disintegrating after a couple million roundhouse kicks, and it feels great in the standard crossfit shoe.