XTEP 160X 3.5 PRO
XTEP 160X 3.5 PRO Review: “This might just be the fastest shoe I’ve ever worn… seriously OP! Feels like a next-gen super shoe.”
Imagine mixing the bounce of the Nike Alphafly 1 with the raw speed of the original Vaporfly. And keep in mind, this model is based on tech that’s been around for a while now—wild!
It’s been two years since the 3.0 PRO dropped—yeah, the one everyone hyped—but I never tried it. One reason: zero breathability. Worse than the infamous ADIDAS Adios PRO 4 upper.
Even though XTEP has kept pushing out new models, people always seem to go back to the old one. Same vibe as the Alphafly 1—once v2 came out, nobody vibed with it the same way.
But now… it’s like XTEP finally figured something out. “Does a super shoe really need to be ultra light? What if it just needs a powerful engine?” Maybe chasing lighter foam actually hurt performance? (Just my theory.) So they basically brought back the 3.0 with the same sole but swapped out the upper for something breathable in this 3.5 version. A minor change—but one that matters. The new upper is actually heavier 😬 but at least it breathes. (And they didn’t mess with the “engine” inside, which was probably a good call.)
So yeah—I finally tried it. And man, I’ve been missing out. I wasted so much time chasing lightweight Euro and Chinese race flats thinking lighter = faster. But most of those ended up being 💩.
No wonder the fans of this shoe own it in every color. Remember when the first Vaporfly Next% came out and people just had to collect every colorway? This is like that. Honestly, the only things that could rival this now are those hyper-elite models like the Adidas Adios PRO EVO 2 or ASICS Metaspeed EVO—crazy expensive shoes that regular runners rarely get their hands on.
If you’re thinking of buying, go with the 3.5. It’s only like 100 baht more than the 3.0 and basically the same shoe, just better.
XTEP 160X 3.5 PRO Overview
Design: Still looks fresh after 2 years. Stylish in that bold Chinese way.
Upper: Easy to slip on/off, comfy, no real issues. I’d give it a 4/5. Honestly, they could’ve trimmed weight by thinning the heel and eyelet areas and adding bigger vent holes. Still, they probably prioritized durability.
Heel cup: Locks the heel in well. No slippage, even on long runs.XTEP 160X 3.5 PRO
Laces: Slightly stretchy but kinda thick and old-school. Plenty long—maybe too long (enough for a runner’s loop).
Tongue: Doesn’t shift or bunch up, but a bit too wide—adds unnecessary weight.
Sizing: True to size. Just add 1 cm to your foot length (e.g., foot length 25.5 cm = 26.5 cm or EU 42 / US 9). Good for wide feet too (2E).
Toe box & midfoot: Wide and roomy. Feels made for Asian feet. No need to size up like with some brands.
Weight: Left shoe = 226g, Right = 236g. A 10g difference is more than ideal (should be under 5g), but didn’t feel off during the run.
Drop: 6mm (heel 40mm / forefoot 36mm).
Carbon plate: Spoon-shaped and firm, but not harsh on foot because it’s not directly underfoot.
How it Feels to Run in the XTEP 160X 3.5 PRO
Foam & Cushioning: Soft yet stable. Doesn’t feel mushy or overly firm. Just the right balance.
The bounce? “Insanely bouncy.” Literally adds 1–2 cm to your stride. I compared it to the Adios PRO 4—this shoe feels bouncier. Even more so than the $500 ADIDAS Adios PRO EVO 1. That’s how crazy it is.
Forefoot landings feel explosive. No bottoming out, no lag—just spring. Even if your form breaks and you land midfoot or heel, it still delivers.
Other super shoes only feel good if your form’s perfect—like NIKE Alphafly 1. But the XTEP? Forgiving and fast no matter how you land.
Energy return: Feels more like a powerful roll and smooth ride than direct plate “pop.” The propulsion comes from the foam and the rocker shape, not just the plate.
If you’re used to the pop of something like Vaporfly Next% or Apexbeat SWIFT, this feels more subtle—but just as effective.
Rocker: INSANE. One of the most aggressive rockers I’ve ever felt. Perfect for forefoot strikers. Makes you feel like your foot is rolling forward like a ball.
Breathability: Much better than 3.0. Still not amazing, but definitely acceptable.
Stability: Decent (3/5). The bounce can make you feel wobbly if you’re not careful—like trying to tame a racecar.
Grip: Solid. Good traction even on wet roads. Not perfect, but no major issues.
Upper durability: Too early to tell, but likely very durable like most Chinese shoes.
Outsole durability: Reportedly lasts forever. Runners using the 3.0 say their outsole still looks fresh.
Performance: Great at every pace. From 7:00/km jogs to sub-3:00/km intervals. Works for any distance—5K to 100K. Unlike most modern super shoes that are optimized for either short or marathon pace only.
Who It’s For
- Any runner looking for a fast, race-ready shoe that works across distances (5K–100K).
- Anyone curious about how top-tier performance should really feel—use this as your benchmark to compare other brands. If something else feels even close to this, it’s probably a great shoe.
Who It’s Not For
- Not ideal for uphill running—lots of runners mentioned that.
- Forefoot landings can be calf-heavy. If your calves aren’t strong, it may take some adjustment (or just land midfoot/full foot).
- Heavier than some new super shoes, but in practice it doesn’t feel heavy at all—even compared to the featherlight Vaporfly 4 (169g).
- The durability can spoil you. Training in these might make you underperform in races if you switch to something “less fast.”
- Too cheap for what it offers (around $140). Maybe they should charge $1000 so fewer people wear them 😂 (just kidding… kinda).
Head-to-Head Test Results!
- Vs. Nike Vaporfly 4: XTEP had lower RPE (felt easier) and lower average heart rate. Vaporfly had better running dynamics. Read the full review of the NIKE Vaporfly 4 in this article: NIKE Vaporfly 4 Review
- Vs. Adidas Adios PRO 4: XTEP beat it in every metric, including power (4.6 watts higher on average via Stryd Pod).
- Based on our previous tests, the XTEP 160X 3.5 PRO outperforms: Nike Alphafly 3, Vaporfly 2–3, Apexbeat SWIFT, Adidas Adios PRO 3
Review Notes
- This pair was purchased personally via the Shopee App (4,8xx THB). Our page doesn’t accept shoes directly from brands to ensure unbiased reviews.
- Total test distance: 86 km, covering paces from 6:00 to 3:35 min/km.
- Tester profile: 56 kg, 171 cm, Cadence 188–195, Forefoot striker.
- All opinions are based on personal experience. Results may vary depending on pace, body weight, stride, foot strike, and test method.
- Detailed testing methods are available in our comparison post.