Hoka Mach X3. Excellent for under $200. Slightly heavy but not too heavy. Great rocker geometry, great foam and plate. Very durable shoe! You can train and race the marathon in it.
Surprised no shouts for Hoka Mach X 3. Not super wide, but as someone who wears a ton of Altras they definitely are not too tight, much better than the Adios Pro 3 or Bostons (at least the 12) for sure.
Amazing long run shoe, good pop, cushion, comfort.
Here are my data points. I try to do my long runs at approximately 70% max hr. These are all roughly the same effort and temperature.
Carbon Plate - Super Shoe - Asics Metaspeed Edge 9:33 per mile
Nylon Plate - Super Trainer - Hoka Mach X 3 9:29 per mile
Daily Recovery Shoe - Hoka Skyflow - 10:15 per mile
I do notice the Metaspeeds beat out the Mach X 3s at faster paces. It all depends what you compare it too. If you are currently running in the Skyflow, there may be an opportunity to shave 20 minutes.
I have a similar pace to you. I do all my long runs in the Mach x3. They kept all the good bits of the x2 and fixed all the issues. It's my cinderella shoe. I absolutely love it. It would work well for faster long runs and races.
3 is super hard. I really want 4- tempo, easy/daily, long, race
Trinity 1- Nike ZF6, NB 1080v15, Hoka Mach x3Trinity 2- NB elite v5, Hoka Mach x3, Mizuno sky 9
However, I just got the new puma deviate pure and I think it’s going to take a key position in my rotation
For what it’s worth, I’m very similar to you. I own the Mach X3, Mach 6, Rincon 3 and used to run in Clifton 8’s. Also a couple of pairs of ASICS but I decided I like the Hoka rocker more. I have recently bought the Bondi 9’s and absolutely love them. I think they pair very well with the Mach X3 and Mach 6’s and actually feel a lot more comfortable than the Mach 6’s on my aging legs. I’ve been thinking that a Bondi 9/Mach X3 pairing would be a great two-shoe running rotation. Except my Mach X3’s are just a tiny bit snug for real comfort so I have been using the Mach 6 more for tempo work.
TL:DR - Endorphin Pro 4 or Sonicblast if they fit you right and you're happy with a plate in the shoe. I love the Sonicblast. Great energy return and shock absorption. High stack but relatively stable for its stack. Fits quite narrow. Not as light as the Endorphins but so much protection underfoot as a result and an upper I find comfy. Might find it a bit heavy for really quick sessions like 5km threshold or multiple 1km intervals for example.
Some more info:
\-I have the Speed 4 and don't like it near as much as the Speed 2 so personally wouldn't recommend it, but many like it. The wider bottom of the outsole and the shape gives a little stability on the v4's given the energy return (both the Speed 4 and Pro 4).
\-New Balance typically fits a bit wider, matter of preference. I liked the SC Elite when I tried them recently but they weren't quite the right shape for my foot (though I love the 1080 v14 for my easy days).
\-Boston 13 didn't feel right on me, and and Hoka's shape doesn't fit my feet in current models I tried (like the Mach X3 or Mach 6 or Rocket X 3). If it fits you right the Mach X3 could be worth a look though, it's another high stack shoe with energy return.
\-Or leftfield idea, the Brooks Hyperion Elite PB which is relatively stable for a race shoe and relatively comfortable - again fits narrow, again can be found on clearance. I tried them on at 60% off and had to buy them for fast training sessions when I want something quicker and lighter than the Sonicblast!
Top Road Running Shoes on Reddit
1
ASICS
SUPERBLAST 2
71% positive of 805 users
Marathon workhorse, but loud and clunky at slow paces.
5kUltraMarathoner
