Ride 8 GTX

I mostly road run and have a pair of Goretex shoes (Saucony Ride GTX, several years old now but it looks like they still do GTX in some models) that I use only if I'm gonna be running in a lot of snow or puddles. They do keep the water out and I haven't had an issue with water getting in (but tbf I don't wear them often while it's actually raining). My complaint about them is that foot sweat seems to get trapped *in* so they're gross and clammy at the end of the run. So I typically only use them for a handful of runs each winter where the sloshy melted snow is bad enough to be worth the foot sauna.

How close are you to your goal now? Your goal time is certainly generally achievable without a carbon plated racer - people did run that fast before 2017 after all; my first HM under 1:50 was with a Saucony Ride 8 with its 26mm heel stack of EVA - and the Superblast is a perfect non-plated option for a HM. If you would like some extra oomph to get to your goal, want to try the plated experience, and are ok to spend the $$, then go for it.

Really you should buy at least 2 and alternate at that much weekly distance. It will actually help your shoes last longer, so you’ll save more $$ in the end, because you’ll give the midsole time to fully recover/decompress. Superblast 2 is a great versatile shoe to eat tons of miles that you can get on sale right now. Saucony Ride will as well though not as nice.

I feel like if you can run 25K in a pair of Gel Excite without injury, you are probably OK without a stability shoe. Maybe stay in the stable neutral realm like a Brooks Ghost / Glycerin, Saucony Ride / Triumph, etc.

The best shoes are the ones that feel right for you. I find it difficult to make general suggestions for shoes, as everyone's feet are shaped differently. Even a tiny difference such as 1-2mm in toebox width could make a certain shoe feel twice as comfortable (or uncomfortable) as other shoes. It's impossible to know without trying them on. I randomly tried on the Saucony Rides a couple years ago and I haven't worn a non-Saucony since then. Comparing their specs to other brands, they seem to be quite "middle of the road" -- toebox/heel, heel-to-toe drop. I use the Rides for every day stuff, and I have a pair of Endorphin Speeds (nylon plated, not as dramatic an effect as carbon) for 1 speed workout a week and races. And the occasional long run leading up to a race. Saucony also makes a cushioned version of the Ride, which I vehemently disliked when trying them on a couple months ago. I love being able to feel the road especially during more intense runs. I think that is another selling point of Saucony in general.

The best shoes are the ones that feel right for you. I find it difficult to make general suggestions for shoes, as everyone's feet are shaped differently. Even a tiny difference such as 1-2mm in toebox width could make a certain shoe feel twice as comfortable (or uncomfortable) as other shoes. It's impossible to know without trying them on. I randomly tried on the Saucony Rides a couple years ago and I haven't worn a non-Saucony since then. Comparing their specs to other brands, they seem to be quite "middle of the road" -- toebox/heel, heel-to-toe drop. I use the Rides for every day stuff, and I have a pair of Endorphin Speeds (nylon plated, not as dramatic an effect as carbon) for 1 speed workout a week and races. And the occasional long run leading up to a race. Saucony also makes a cushioned version of the Ride, which I vehemently disliked when trying them on a couple months ago. I love being able to feel the road especially during more intense runs. I think that is another selling point of Saucony in general.

i've been running in the Saucony Rides for like 2 years. Great durable shoes. Personally I don't think you need any special form or plate for marathon training. And I like to feel the ground beneath me. Rides meet all these requirements. I do all my speedwork with the Saucony Endorphin Speeds (nylon plate with the speedroll foam or w/e it's called).

How about Brooks Ghost or Saucony Ride? Both are about 7mm more than the Kinvara, so that probably qualifies as "a bit more" that you are looking for. These classics are going strong and are on their 17th and 18th iteration for a reason. I think this subreddit is so focused on the latest trends that commenters forget that these classics continue to exist and sell in huge numbers for a reason. Also, I'm not sure if you want low stack or firm - it's not necessarily the same thing! For example, On Cloudmonster 2 is higher stack but much more firm than the aforementioned Ghost and Ride.

If you want something that lasts and is worth the money, look at the Saucony Ride or Guide series. Most "hyped" Running shoes use soft foams that bottom out after 200 miles, but Saucony tends to use slightly firmer, more resilient materials that hold their shape for a long time. Don't buy into the expensive carbon-plated trends yet; just get a solid daily trainer.