FAST-R NITRO™ Elite 2

I use a Stryd pod to capture my runs metrics such as: cadence, leg spring stiffness, ground contact time, vertical oscillation, and others. When comparing the numbers from the Endorphin Elite 2 to the Puma Fast R NE3, On Cloudboom Strike, or the Mizuno Wave Rebellion on similar workouts, these numbers are worse than the other three for my biomechanics. I land midfoot and am a cadence runner. For the marathon distance, the Puma Fast R had the best numbers.

What’s your PR and what shoes are you wearing OP? That’s important to the suggestions you will get. There’s years of research now that still shows a good benefit all the way to 8min/mile. From there to 9min its still close to 1% benefit (so, way less than the 4+% for 5min pace) but specifically research has shown either an insignificant benefit or sometimes a negative effect at 9:40 pace and slower. There are more firm and stable super shoes out there you could try if you’re in the range where you’re still going to see a good benefit. Honestly a good option is just ordering old model super shoes off StockX, the OG pairs are way more stable and firm than the pillows of today. FWIW, the two fastest shoes I have, Puma R3 and Saucony EE2 cause me separate issues. Pumas make my calf and Achilles really, really tight and sore after, without fail, and Saucony makes the balls of my foot start to go numb 20min in. But, I run very fast in them and it’s just a trade off I accept. I think as they get faster and faster it’s similar to road cycling where bikes have gotten insanely light and serious crashes have increased. There’s ultimately a trade off between high end speed and injury risk. Have to determine how worth it those extra seconds to minutes are for you!

Absolutely agree on the review. They disappear on the feet while feeling fantastic at the same time - if that makes sense! I've had all three version of the DNE and each has been very different. I've just take a pair of the DNE2s past 750k and picked up my third pair of them in a sale recently have have 300k on them already. They are a brilliant training show. But the DNE3 is a proper race shoe - I'm at 140k with my pair and hope to get a good bit more but do sense that the outsole won't quite last as long as the previous version.

They have a super line-up. I had a couple of pairs of DN2 too as well.

When I first started running, my Endorphin Speed 3 felt like strapping on jet packs, I really liked 'em for for tempo runs and intervals. As I progressed a bit, I liked them for easy long runs too. Ran my first marathon in 'em, I damn near shed a tear when I had to retire them lol. So yeah, the ES5 is pretty high on my list right now, and I'd think they might work great for you too, if they're similar enough to the ES3. Super shoes have their use, and I won't be one of the people who'll tell you "you're not fast enough for super shoes",...but imo they always compromise on comfort and stability to some extend, so depending on your form/gait, there might only be a psychological effect to wearing carbon plated shoes. Having said that though, some of the super shoes mentioned here tend to be easier to get along with than others, and are maybe less stiff/agressive than some of the the top tier racing shoes. The Endorphin Pro 3 comes to mind. The Puma DNE2 is another one, though I never tried the DNE3, which is supposedly a great upgrade. Out of my current rotation, for a 20ish minute 5K race or a 40ish 10 km race, I'd probably grab my Vaporfly 3. For 10 miles or HM/FM races: Adios Pro 3. The AP4 felt wobbly and akward to me, must me something about my gait/pace/cadence not working with the shoe's geometry, and/or the overly spongy midsole, dunno.

I have the magic speed 4 and the puma nitro deviate elite 2. Im not sure I run fast enough or if I just haven’t broken them in but the MS4 doesn’t have much pop. The pumas had me flying straight out of the box

\^ Fast R-3 is my go to 5k shoe at the moment, not currently in peak shape unfortunately but ran a low 16s for 5k a month ago @ OP

I'd get the Puma Fast R-3. I don't think I'd use them for a marathon, but for a 10k/5k they would probably be the fastest shoe for me (ran 16:59 5k this year).