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•Nike Vaporfly 4% (VP4) and Saucony Endorphin lightweight racing flats improved running economy in male recreational runners vs.their habitual running footwear.•The 3-km time-trial times were faster in VP4 than Saucony Endorphin lightweight racing flats and habitual running footwear.•The VP4 meaningfully improved economy and time-trial times in recreational runners.•However, individual responses were evident and did not appear driven by perceptions.•This study adds to VP4 research, which had involved high-caliber runners only to date.