Fresh Foam X Vongo v6

I would give it a shot, I also have flat feet and overpronate and the kayano work very well. I’ve also had luck with new balance vongo v6.

Wow. Thats a relic and a half. 8-12mm is a fairly negligible difference. 12 to 6 is much more noticeable and Fresh foam from 15 years ago was a virtual brick compared to most foams on the market now. So the softer foam, the lower drop and really, shoes have a whole new engineering with rockers and things. I don’t think you need to stay with a 12mm drop. But maybe cutting it in half in one go, while changing to modern foam and shoe geometry may have been a little more than you were ready for after 15 years of 1225. The 1225 was the stability version of the 1080 (I think). The current stability version of the 1080 is the Vongo. So you may want to give that a shot. I think they are on version 6? Maybe 7? Unless it’s been discontinued. If that is too soft, you may want to try the 860. That’s also a stability option, but has less cushion. Heading outside of New Balance, ASICS Kayano and GT2000 are their tried and true stability options (GT 2000 will be more firm, Kayano more plush). Saucony has the Hurricane, Guide and the Tempus. The Guide is the regular stability daily trainer. The Hurricane is a higher cushion stability shoe with some super foam. The Tempus is a stability shoe with only super foam. It’s really a nice shoe. I’m not positive on the drop, but Adidas Supernova Solution would likely work as well. Any Brooks shoe that has “GTS” in the name is a stability shoe. If you can find a Launch GTS, that may be a very close match to the 1225 (it’s pretty firm with a high drop). The Adrenaline is their every day daily trainer stability shoe. And the Glycerin GTS is the higher cushion option. If you want something a little more fun, a little faster or more racy, the Hyperion 2 GTS could work. It’s not as firm as some, but it’s super foam (or at least some). Puma Forever Run Nitro is yet another option that could work. I’m not sure the drop again, but it’s a good shoe and a good ride (and it’s got stability). I would start with those and see what you can find and if any of those even feel agreeable to your feet (in terms of firmness, fit, etc.). You really should be able to go down to an 8-10 drop without a huge issue (again-barring all of the other enormous changes in shoes since you stockpiled your 1225’s).

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 the Vongo V6. I need stability and the Vongo gives me shin splints and other issues, retired it after 20 miles. That doesn’t have to mean it won’t work for you, but the 1080v14 is highly recommended. Would suggest you try them and see what feels comfortable in the store!

I have the Vongo V6. I need stability and the Vongo gives me shin splints and other issues, retired it after 20 miles. That doesn’t have to mean it won’t work for you, but the 1080v14 is highly recommended. Would suggest you try them and see what feels comfortable in the store!

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.