The correct answer is the shoe which you find the most comfortable, over your most recent long runs, OP. I personally prefer the plate in my AF to the rods in my AP’s, due to a metatarsalgia issue.
Ok so you have chosen wisely so far. The Clifton’s are your cruiser and Evo for your tempo. Here’s what I can tell you from the ones I’ve tried.
The vapourfly 4s not enough cushion for marathon.
Adios Pro 4 are very squishy/unstable. Weird rocker
Alphafly expensive and lockdown quite difficult but super once that issue is sorted.
Advice Sauconny endorphin pro 4 would be my suggestion. Stable propulsive and durable.
I had a pair of Nike Alphafly NEXT% that lasted 880 miles. That version of ZoomX was fantastic. I actually wore through the outsole and the air pod in one of them burst (right in the middle of a 14 miler), but the foam still felt great.
For shoes that are actually available now, I’ve had a good experience with several iterations of the Saucony Endorphin Speed. The foam feels good through 500+ miles and the upper and outsole hold up well. They are also good for any distance or pace.
I rotate between 6-8 pairs, so I suggest getting at least two pairs. As far as what to suggest; running shoes are extremely personal. Everyone is different. I’ve been loving Adidas Adizero EVO SLs, ASICs Superblast 2s, Hoka Skyward X for those middle distance easy runs, Adidas Boston 13s for threshold work, Saucony Endorphin Speeds for threshold, and I also have a stable of race shoes (Nike Vaporflys, Alphaflys) for intervals and racing.
Don't blast them until you try them. I love my big stack shoes. My favorite long runs shoes are the ASICs Megablasts and Hoka Skyward X. I also love Adidas EVO SLs. Race shoes are Nike Vapor Flys, Alpha FLys, and Adidas Pro 4s.
Running Shoes... I'm actually wearing my Pegasus Plus right now. It's great for walking around all day. I keep my Alphafly, VaporFly, Streakfly and Zoomfly for training and racing.
Glittering-Back5147
