Endorphin Pro 4

Sounds like you might just need a bigger shoe size tbh. The Evo SL is actually pretty good in the toe box for me, and I have wider, flat feet. Asics tend to be a little more narrow in the toe box so maybe no asics for you. New Balance tends to be very roomie. I would try the Rebel V4 or V5 for training, though I found the v4 to be slightly unstable, though not as bad as the Evo SL. I use the Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 as a race day shoe and have no issues with them. It’s very stable for a race shoe and comfortable in the toe box. Just have to try a bunch of different pairs on to find the right fit.

My experience with carbon plated shoes has been they make multiple paces feel easier than non plated shoes. My race day shoe is the Saucony Endorphin Pro 4. I find that a 9 minute pace feels easier in them than my Asics Cumulus or my New Balance Rebel. They also make a 6:30 pace feel easier. I can’t quantify the benefit, but I can feel the plate working as I hit the ground and toe off. And that doesn’t change if I increase or decrease the pace. Everyone is different, of course and whether or not YOU find them worth it will ultimately come down to how you feel in them. But at the end of the day they’re just shoes. They aren’t some magical thing to be placed on a pedestal. They are just a tool.

I’m curious about these. How is the underfoot feel and energy return? I have the endorphin pro 4 and I love energy return/snappy toe off but they are a little firm and I can feel that at the end of a race.