S4+ YOGIRI

Try Asics S4+ Yogiri, if you can find them. Carbon plated and apparently meant specially for running the marathon in 4 hours. I wear a lot of stability shoes and I like them a lot. Also really recommend Saucony Tempus. Great shoes.

I agree with the S4+ Yogiri. I have it and it’s a great shoe. Other considerations are Boston 13 Neo Vista 1 and 2 Salomon Aeroglide 3 /Aeroglide 3 GRVL

A few good suggestions already that if you like the Clifton you’ll enjoy the Mach 6 as a lighter, poppier option. I’d like to add as someone who likes both those shoes, that I got a pair of the ASICS S4+ Yogiri and I love these. I’m almost tempted to wear these instead of Mach’s as my daily trainer now, but I’m going to see how many miles I can get out of them. I usually get around 700-800kms (500 miles max) out of my Mach 6’s. So if you can get the ASICS S4+ Yogiri where you are (I know it’s not available as other ASICS models) definitely check them out.

If you’re unsure about plated shoes because you think they’re too ‘aggressive’, try the ASICS S4+ Yogiri, it’s great. Another good option is the NB Fuel Cell Supercomp Elite, or the Trainer version. All of these I highly recommend for a good marathon shoe that’s more stable and less aggressive.

ASICS Yogiri NB Super Comp Elite V4 NB Super Comp Trainer V3 I'm a 3:46 marathoner and have really bad hypermobility, so even though I work hard in the strength department, I can't take any risks with my shoes, and have found all three of these to be good. These also fit orthotics in them, which I couldn't do with the Hoka Rocket. The NB Elite is the most 'poppy' fastest feeling of them, with the Yogiri a lovely shoe for tempo runs and the NB Trainer a great long run shoe.

I have both the Superblast 2 and S4+ Yogiri from Asics. Ran most of my Long runs in the Superblast. It went great and then thought I should buy the S4 for the marathon. Didn't work out well. The S4+ Yogiri felt too stiff, and after some time, the discomfort settled in during the marathon I ran. Never felt the same discomfort during my long runs with the SB2

Try S4+ Yogiri. Most stable Long distance racer AFAIK. It has a 40mm stack height so you feel more protected. Not as fast as other race shoes but it It is fast enough for your current pace, it's marketed to 5:00 to 5:40 min/km runners.

stiff in what way? as in the foam is too firm? or there's no flex to it? Haven't noticed anything like that. I mentioned it was marketed to 5:00 to 5:40 paces, my tempo pace is around that and I don't like the yogiri for that pace. I use faster shoes like the evo sl, ap3, ap4. I do enjoy the s4+ on easy runs 7:00+. It feels protective and it has the highest stack height among all my shoes so my perception might be skewed. I don't like super squishy shoes so I like it a bit firm. Mid to forefoot strikers might also enjoy the shoes better due to the highend race foam on the forefoot/midfoot. as always it would be better to try it on in person. Good luck!

ASICS S4 is specifically designed for runners working on a sub-4 marathon. It is sublime at a 9 min pace. It’s not my favorite for any other pace. But it’s a solid choice for his pace. Endorphin Pro 4. It’s less harsh than the 3, so it’s a more agreeable ride. SC Elite v4. Not the fastest, but is likely the most agreeable plated race shoe around. Adios Pro 3 if you can find them. I wouldn’t use the 4. 3 is much more firm/stable. Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3. Also a very agreeable plated shoe-but also fast. V2 is less smooth and has less oomph. These are shoes that will work with a variety of foot strikes and are reasonably forgiving for poor form and less speedy paces. None will force a very fast turnover that your friend will likely struggle to keep up with (which will ultimately make him run a slower time). Good luck. I’m curious what the bet is.

The ASICS S4 is designed specifically for people shooting for a <4. It’s a supershoe, but it’s got a bit more stability than some-which makes it a “better” choice for those who may be out longer and get a bit more fatigued and have some form faltering in the later miles. I have a pair. They excel at 9min/mile. They are…meh at anything faster or slower (for me). You can tell they have been built to go exactly that pace. And only that pace. I am also working on a sub 4 and I’m not going to wear them for my race. There are tons of Super shoes out there and I enjoy a number of them. I have worn the Adios Pro 3 for years and liked those a lot. I’ve got a pair of Metaspeed edge+ that I like. I just fell into a cheap pair of Metaspeed Sky Paris and those are amazing. For stability over the long haul though, the Adios Pro 3, Deviate Nitro Elite 3, SC Elite v3/4 (4 is “faster”) and Endorphin Pro 4 have been my preference. There are so many factors at play. Your gait, your size, your foot strike, and general preferences and fit and all kinds of other things affect how you’ll respond to a shoe. If you can go to a store and try some on, give them a little test and you’ll get an idea. There are shoes that I wouldn’t want to wear for a full because they are not stable enough for me. There are excellent shoes out there that aren’t for me because I can’t keep up with them (yet). There are shoes that maybe aren’t “super” shoes but are going to be a better racer than a regular daily trainer. All that for: is there something better? Maybe. Maybe not. It really depends on how you feel/respond to the shoes in question. Some shoes may be worse for you even if they make Kipchoge fly. If you can find a way to try them, it will be the best. I am 51F, 4’11” and 97lbs (which is probably proportionally about the same as you-just half a foot shorter LOL).

Because they aren’t “fun” LOL. I like supershoes (or lots of assorted shoes) because they feel fast; they are fun (bouncy/propulsive/whatever). When I go to a race, I dress in clothes that make me feel strong and fast. I want my shoes to also make me feel strong and fast. And I’m short AF. A marathon is 70k+ steps for me. I want them to be fun LOL. S4 is great for running 9 min miles. Which is obviously the goal. But it’s…sterile. There’s no fun, no bounce, no pop. It just feels smooth as butter at 9 min, and not so great at anything else. Plus they only come in white, which is my very least favorite shoe color. I feel as confident as someone can be that my own training and abilities will get me to that sub 4. So I’m going to wear something that is brightly colored, fun, and feels fast AF. The S4 is none of those for me. It’s is a virtual metronome for a 9 min mile. So it’s going to get the job done. But I want some fun too.

Another option I don’t see mentioned yet is the asics s4. It’s a carbon plated super shoe designed for people targeting a sub4 marathon (roughly equivalent to your target 1/2 time). It’s got some snap, but is far more comfortable and stable than most super shoes because it’s built specifically for people that are going to be out on their feet for longer (and not running at elite runner paces). It’s not a “stability” shoe as in overpronating, but as supershoes go, it is built specifically to provide additional stability to runners who are going to be out on the course for longer and more fatigued where some additional stability underfoot, and a little more comfort are going to be more of a benefit than shaving off 1/10th oz in weight. Although I can nearly guarantee that there will be people in your target time running in both the Metaspeed and the Vaporfly (and likely many other supershoes). So if you want something that’s more aggressive, you won’t be alone in that (at least not at any race I’ve done). I also think you’ll be fine in the SB. But if you’re dying for a new pair of shoes to celebrate, then you have plenty of options depending on whether you’re looking for something specifically for this race or a shoe you can use for shorter races and top speed workouts as well.

Alphaflys are more than $100 more but not all carbon plated shoes are $100 more. I have a pair of ASICS Yogiri 4+ that were less than $200 total. Got them in Japan but think they’re available in the U.S. now. They are a fast shoe but don’t have same cushion as more expensive shoes. The price is the plate plus the foam. I do also have a pair of Alphaflys for races but use the ASICS Yogiri for workouts. Daily trainer is ASICS Novablast 5.