Fresh Foam X Vongo v6

Difficult to find in today's sea of max stacked shoes. The ones that come closest to what you're looking for are Saucony Ride 18 or New Balance Vongo v6. Vongo falls under the stability category, but in my experience, it runs like a stable neutral daily trainer. It has a soft cushioned ride yet it's lower to the ground. The ride is buttery smooth. The stability plane (essentially a thin plastic plate in the mid foam) provides some stability and a touch of energy return at toe off. One of my current favorites. Ride 18 is a lighter and more versatile option. I also like Novablast 5, but since you mentioned stability, it may not provide enough.

New Balance Vongo v6. It's a mild stability shoe with a lower stack and a soft ride. One of my favorites. It's not like Kayano at all.

Having run in stability models across major brands, New Balance (860v14, Vongo V6), Saucony (Guide 17, Tempus 2), Asics (Kayano 32, GT 2000 13), and Brooks (Adrenaline GTS 24, Glycerin GTS 22), I can say New Balance's Fresh Foam with embedded stability planes offers a distinctly plush experience.The 860 and Vongo are the plushest stability shoes I've run in, with the Vongo delivering a ride similar to the neutral 1080 v14 but with added stability. Since you're loving the 860, I'd skip the Kayano 32. It's rigid, firm, and clunky by comparison. The GT 2000 series could work as they're lighter, smoother, and softer than the Kayano. Saucony's Guides run smooth and light but feel firm and unresponsive. The Tempus is their stability supershoe It's lightweight with a firm, energetic ride and efficient rocker that makes it ideal for performance running. If you want a stability shoe that can double as a racing shoe, this is it. Brooks' Adrenalines are extremely firm, while the Glycerin GTS offers a solid middle ground with superior comfort, cushioning, and smoothness. For plush stability similar to what you're enjoying, stick with New Balance's Fresh Foam platform or consider the Glycerin GTS for a different but comfortable experience.

Check out the redesigned Asics GT 2000 14 that was just released. Asics upgraded the foam to their softer and bouncier FF Blast Max and added a Novablast style trampoline pod to the forefoot. It's a lighter and nimble stability shoe. I personally am loving my New Balance Vongo v6. It's a plush and soft stability shoe that isn't stacked too high. The EVA stability plane (a plastic film in the midsole) stabilizes the ride and provides some energy return at toe off. What impresses me most is the 6mm drop. You can feel the geometry encouraging a mid foot strike, the heel doesn't get in my way at all. That said, it isn't a highly responsive ride. But it's a good stability trainer that can go the distance.

I have a history of posterior tib tendonitis and rotate many of the stability models mentioned in the comments. If you didn't get along well with Kayano 31, you probably won't like the 32s. I have both pairs and they are generous in the toe box and midfoot. Asics GT 2000 14 and Saucony Tempus 2 (which is being discontinued) are lighter performance models. Both shoes are narrower than Kayano 31. Asics incorporates a forefoot trampoline pod and Flytefoam Blast Max, while Saucony packs some of their Pebax foam and a rocker bottom into the midsole. Their rides are noticeably lighter and more energetic than Kayano. I hit a couple of PRs running in Tempus. It's the most efficient stability shoe I've run in. I also have a pair of Saucony Hurricane 25. It's a great daily max cushion trainer. Brooks Glycerin GTS 22 is similar. I stopped running in Adrenalines because they're stiff clunkers. I've run in New Balance 860 v14 and Vongo v6. Both fit narrow. A stability plane runs through the midsole and works with the geometry to achieve stability. The ride is soft and smooth. Despite a subtle bounce, they feel heavy and bulky. IMO the Goldilocks performance shoe is Saucony Tempus 2, the daily trainer is Saucony Hurricane 25.

There aren't too many 4mm options that fit wide and run similar to Ghost. Altra features wide toe boxes. The Experience Flow 2 and FWD VIA are 4mm drop. New Balance are available in multiple widths. The More v5 features a 4mm drop and a very wide platform, but it's a max stacked and heavy shoe. 1080 v14 and 880 v15 are 6mm. The 1080 is cushy while the 880 has a firmer ride that is similar to Ghost. If you are ok running in a mild stability shoe, the Vongo v6 is lower stacked like Ghost. I personally love New Balance and each shoe I mentioned helps me to achieve a midfoot strike, especially the Vongo.

I have several stability shoes in my rotation. Asics GT 2000 13, Kayano 32 (do not recommend the concrete ride at all, I'm returning them as I type this), Brooks (all GTS models), Saucony Guide and Tempus, and just picked up a closeout pair of New Balance Vongo v6. Brooks are high drop, unfortunately. The NB has a 6 mm drop (lower than any above), a lower stack, encourages a midfoot strike, and gets me up on my toes. Guides are lower drop shoes, also, but the stack is higher and they have zero energy return. Tempus is actually a good shoe for the kind of running you're doing, but it's a higher stack with an 8 mm drop. I suggest giving the Vongo a try. So far I'm loving them and they were a steal for $99.

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24/25 is a max stability shoe that is available in narrow. Having run in this model and the Glycerin GTS for many years, Brooks has narrowed the fit over the past year or two. Brooks has a good return policy in case they aren't for you. This year I've run in New Balance 860 v14 and Vongo v6. Both are stability shoes with a narrower fit. Despite Altra's reputation for being roomy, the Altra Experience Form was actually too tight for me in the midfoot, even though I sized up. Asics GT 2000 is a staple in my rotation. I recently picked up a pair of Asics Gel Excite 11. Although it's not a stability shoe, it has wide sole flaring, a straight last, sidewall support, and a rocker. The heel is actually wider than most stability models. I was pleasantly surprised by the support, stability, and versatility. Smokes the GT.

33F, 205lb 5’7”. MCL injury 6 years ago and multiple fractures in my toe 1.5 years ago, both on right leg (plus a big toe bunion), mean I’m balancing getting stronger (weight lifting and PT) without being too aggressive. I’m a beginner runner who just started about a year ago. Typically run \~20 miles per week (relatively slow pace between 12-15minute miles with walking intervals), working on training for a HM and I’m interested in trying shoes that will work for wide feet and be fun without being too unstable. Flatter foot on my right (probably due to aforementioned injuries) and medium arch on left. Size 10 wide in women, 8.5 standard in men. Don’t ask if I’m a midfoot or heel striker because I have no idea. Current rotation: \* NB 520v9 - I had the 520v2 and looooved them. v9 has a much higher drop (10mm), and in the past has made my MCL pain worse. Though now that I’ve gotten stronger, I still throw them into my rotation when I want a lighter shoe with good ground feel (probably because I’ve worn them into the ground). This is technically a stability shoe, but it’s not as aggressive. I actually wear these in a men’s 8, and while they are more snug on my toes, the mesh upper doesn’t make my feet feel cramped. \* NB Vongo v6 - these were great until they weren’t after about 200 mi. Runs very narrow for NB. I’ll admit that I got them in a standard width (men’s 8) when I should have gotten them in a 2E. Made my metatarsals pop on my right foot on a run and left me limping. I can’t run further than 3 miles on them now, and don’t even like using them as a walking shoe. Makes my toes go numb, feet hurt. These are also a “stability” shoe, so it probably was just too much for me. Did fine with the moderate drop. Low energy return, but still felt comfortable (at first). \* NB Hierro v9 - I use these as my trail runners (read: gravel paths) and when the weather is bad (rain/snow). They’re a pretty fun shoe, but can feel heavy despite good energy return. Wouldn’t be my first pick for using in a HM unless the course was partially unpaved. Neutral with relatively low drop. Shoes I’ve tried: \* NB FuelCell Rebel v5 - tried these early on in my running journey (about a year ago) and felt like my foot was collapsing on the right side. wasn’t stable enough for me at the time, but I haven’t tried it again recently. \* Brooks Glycerin 23 GTS - thought I needed a stability shoe, but this tore my calves up after a mile and left me limping home. Briefly tried the standard Glycerin 23 in-store, but they weren’t for me. Felt really heavy, too. (Also ordered the GTS 22 from Amazon to try at home and found it too narrow, even in a larger size and wider width). \* Topo Phantom 4 - I have about 5 miles on these (causing me some shin and PF pain, but I’m chalking that up to them being new shoes). Not sure how I feel about the arch, but they’re comfortable enough. They’re comfortable, but they feel soooooo slow and for $150 I thought I’d be having more fun. I also don’t love how sweaty my feet get in them. I also tried a few other shoes in-store recently, but I can’t remember which ones (Brooks, Altra, Topo Aura, and maybe a Saucony or ASICS shoe). I have ADHD so any minor foot annoyance becomes the only thing I can think about, and I’m sure I was driving my local run store up a wall. Given this, what would be a good shoe for me to try for longer race distances? ETA: shoe version ETA2: I have also experimented with Currex insoles (nothing special and no major gains for $50 price tag) and Nazaroo (too stiff and too tall—turned low drop shoes into high drop and made my heels slip even with an ankle lock).

A good shoe store will give you good advice. And stability shoes are not a trap if you actually need them. For me, they made all the difference. I love the new balance vongo V6 and the Puma foreverrun nitro.