Cyclone 2

Similar here. 175 lb midfoot. Easy pace 11 min mile. They feel good at tempo pace or better. Already have Topo Cyclone 2 for zone 3 efforts. And just went to Nike to check out some shoes. Peg plus and premium didn’t get along with my feet. Vomero 17 felt better than 18. Zoom fly 6 felt best, but think I’d take cyclone 2 and evo sl over them.

Hoka Clifton 9 - The shoe that got me back to injury-free running. My everything and trails too shoe. 355mi, retiring soon Topo Cyclone 2 - Light and fun, these shoes are a joy to run in. Originally short run shoes, my feet are happy with 10mi runs. 296mi Hoka Mach 6 - My “fast” shoes. A bit tight, so mot my favorites. The carbon plate gives a solid platform for (relative) speed and longer distances. 218mi Topo Specter 2 - These should be a great longer run shoes, but it’s too soon to tell. So far my feet are happy and the shoes seem to work better at a faster pace. 31mi With the Cliftons cycling out of this rotation, I’ll need to add a shoe with lugs for mud & snow.

My vote is Topo Cyclone. It’s light and low, and a delight to run in.

Two of these shoes are quite heavy - over 10oz, and all have 8mm or more heel to toe drop. I want my shoes to be well below 9oz and around 5mm heel to toe drop. Examples are Topo Specter or Cyclone, Mount to Coast H1. I am sure there are more, but these are the ones in my rotation, plus Hoka Mach 6 and just retired Clifton 9 (RIP!).

It can be tough starting out. If you have something you love shop similar shoes. If not, go to a store and try on a bunch. Never buy the latest model and search for discounts and 5+ websites. Even then it can be expensive with the starting price of shoes these days. Personally, I start with the drop because I like a low drop (3-5mm) shoe, but not zero drop. This excludes a lot of brands and models. E: my go to is Topo for low drop, currently on my second pair of Cyclones. Not the most cushioned, if you can find the Specter discounted it might be what you're looking for. Unfortunately Topo rarely goes on sale.

Saucony Elite wouid be way aggressive for newer or even intermediate runners. Saucony Azura, due out in a few weeks, would be a better pick. Sort of a more stable alternative to the popular Adidas Evo SL. If you want slightly more agressive, Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 has a nylon plate, but is not very stiff or harsh. Asics Novablast 5 is a bit more cushioned, but a very good all around shoe. Not known to last the longest, however. Someone suggested Nike Vomero Plus. More cushioned yet, not as much of a speed shoe, but a very good option. Topo Cyclone.....has a lower 5mm heel to toe drop. You might feel it in your calves and Achilles area if not used to lower drop running shoes. Really a good idea to go to a running store that can assess your gait, where your feet land, any pains or injuries, scan your foot shape, assess your personal preferences and goals. The fewer running shoes you have, the more you need a pair that is versatile enough for different paces, distances, and types of runs.

I loved the Topo Cyclone as a Kinvara replacement (I didn’t like the 14s). However they were too narrow or too fragile for me. Sounds like they may work for your foot however.

Or the Topo Spectre / Cyclone for real Pebax foam. Both comfortable while still having great energy return and some ground feel.

Topo Athletic. Specter or Cyclone. Love them.