Ultrafly 4

Your gait is fine. U less you have a running related injury that is exacerbated by your pronation extent or velocity, or which is demonstrably improved by limiting one or both, use whatever shoe feels good to you. I use stability shoes quite a bit, only because I’ve had recurrent tibialis posterior tendinopathy, and they are essentially, for me, almost like a medicine. But I prefer how pleasant my other, non stability shoes are to the prescriptive and less exciting feeling of stability shoes. Except the Ultrafly 4, i love those shoes.

I'm a larger (93kg/205lbs) runner, averaging 10-12 miles a week and building, getting back into it after a long time. Neutral, midfoot striker, 8-12 minute sustained pace depending on intensity, nothing interesting. The problem is, I kill the midsoles of my shoes fast. Like most of them go completely dead after 110-130 miles and feel like shin-pounding cardboard boxes on my feet. So far I've tried: Salomon Sense Ride 3 (trail): 150 miles, dead Hoka Arahi 6: 120 miles and well dead Topo Ultrafly 4: 120 miles, dead Salomon Spectur: 116 miles, dead Craft Pacers: 150 miles, alive but definitely on their way out Mount to Coast S1: 95 miles, alive but losing bounce At this rate, the only shoe that's beaten one mile per dollar is the Crafts. Any recs on shoes that are reasonably fun (not like the Arahi), and have long-lasting midsoles for heavy runners? (I've already got a pair of Evo SLs waiting to be rotated in.) If I could find two or even three miles per dollar I'd be thrilled

You probably need big shoes.  Topo.  Ultrafly is their stability but you should try the other models. They have some arch support which is very common. Also consider Altra. They don't really provide anything special in the arch.  Toeboxes are wide.  These shoes are not too soft.  Some will suggest New balance for the fit around the toeboxes.  I think that you could end up "needing" stability shoes after running in those.  You will be convinced of the need due to the soft front of the NB giving away. 

Which of those styles do you like best with the bunion issue? I have them on both feet and I’m currently running in Topos ultrafly and they’re almost too roomy (lots of rubbing). I’d love to try another pair out

For Achilles and plantar issues you usually want a combination of moderate heel drop, a stable midsole, and a roomy toe box. Super soft high stack shoes can sometimes feel good short term but they often increase strain on the Achilles if the heel drop is low or the foam is too unstable. Since you want lightweight, wide toe box, and low arch pressure, I would look at shoes like Topo Phantom or Ultrafly, Altra Rivera or Torin, or New Balance 880 in wide. Those have flatter arch profiles and more natural midfoot shaping. If high arches cause pressure, avoid aggressive arch contouring in the insole and consider swapping in a flatter aftermarket insole. For Achilles specifically a slightly higher heel drop usually reduces tendon load, so something in the 8 to 10 mm drop range is a safe starting point. Also make sure the heel counter is not too stiff or high since that can irritate the tendon during daily wear. Shoes help but rehab matters more. Calf strengthening and slow eccentric heel drops are usually key for long term improvement. Lightweight, wide, neutral, moderate drop, and a flat arch platform is the combination I would aim for.

You’ll find that every brand’s wide sizes are wide in different places. Stores typically don’t carry a lot of wide sizes, so be prepared to order a bunch of shoes to try on and return most of them. I have a duck-shaped foot (normal heel and midfoot, very wide forefoot), so I’ll give you what’s worked and not for me. My rotation: - Mizuno Wave Rider 2E - higher drop but specifically made with a normal heel and wide forefoot (I’ve been told I have a Mizuno-shaped foot). - Topo Athletic Ultrafly Wide - I’m on my second pair. Love this shoe. Had to get it in a wide size since the midfoot runs a little narrow, but their regular width shoes are plenty wide in the toebox. - Hoka Speedgoat 4 2E (half-size up) - My trail runners. Love them so much I bought 3 pairs. They got way narrower with subsequent generations so I don’t know what I’ll do in another 300 miles. Saucony Peregrine wide - My other trail runners. Saucony used to make wide shoes for brick-shaped feet, but their newer shoes fit my duckfoot way better. Shoes I returned: - Altra everything - I am used to zero-drop shoes, so that didn’t bother me. But their rubber just goes dead two miles into my runs, and it felt like running barefoot. If you want wide toebox, Topo is a better run IMO - Hoka Clifton - Not wide enough. Hoka has wide sizes, but the shoes run narrow so a 2E is more like a generous D. I occasionally run in 4E Bondis, but they’re a little too max-cushioned for me. - On Cloud something - they have one 2E shoe but they run really narrow. Returned them instantly. - Brooks Ghost - They got really narrow, even in a wide, which is a shame, because I wore out some Ghosts back in the day. One more note: - ASICS and New Balance make several models in wide sizes. Haven’t ran in them, but I appreciate having options.

I used to wear only Lone Peaks and yeah, they wear out fast. I cannot handle zero drop anymore, so i moved to Topo for the 5mm drop. Anyway, my point being... if you order them directly from Topo, you can try them and return them within 30 days, so you should go for it. I find the Topos last longer.