My favorite shoe over the past couple of years has been the Mizuno Elixir. Saddly it has been discontinued. I have purchased several pairs of the most recent version to get me through the next year while I look for a suitable replacement. I have tried the Mizuno Sayonara which I don’t care for and the Mizuno Hitogami which is promising but would not use for long runs or IM. What shoes should I consider for long runs or IM that have more cushioning but with a similar fit and drop (10+ mm) to the Elixir?
Hoka Conquest. Much more padding and ready to race.
I tried Hoka Conquests. It took me about 5 seconds to realize that they are not for me.
Same boat as you but didn’t like the 8s. on 13th pair of Elixirs from the 3rd iteration until the 7th. My favorite were the 6s. I don’t think the Sayonaras have enough support or structure. I know “lab” tests show they are as supportive, but not my experience.
Since I like the Mizuno fit, my solution was to go with the Inspires. Finishing up my 3rd pair of the 9s and will break into the 10s soon. They have more cushioning than the elixirs, but you do lose that racey lightness of the elixir. Bear in mind I haven’t tried the current 10s.
Good luck, let me know what you end up with. If the Inspires had not worked, I was going to give the Saucony Rides (or was it tue Guides?) a shot but the 4mm drop scares me.
I’ve run in the Wave Riders for years and really liked the feel. They changed the style with the new 17’s but they still have good cushioning. I picked up a pair of Sayonaras and have used then in a few sprint tri’s I like the feel and am actually thinking of using them this weekend in a HIM. Might be wotrh a shot to look at the Riders if your stuck on Muzino as I am. Only shoe that doesn’t seem to give me problems with my feet.
How many times did you use the Sayonara? I’ve been using Wave Riders since WR6…now it’s up to 17. Only because they were out of stock, my go-to store suggested I try the Sayonara’s. First three runs: “These just don’t feel like Riders” (my feet seemed programmed to the Riders). Now, two months later: love 'em! Perhaps if you just give them a little time? You may be “programmed” to the Elixirs. I am sold on them now, and will buy a pair of Riders AND Sayonaras next time just to get some variety in these old programmed legs.
Mizuno Rider - a little more cushioning
Asics DS Trainer - about the same shoe
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Adidas Adios Boost - prob the best lightweight shoe I’ve ever owned. I’ve run in Ronins, Exilers and about 10 pairs of Wave Riders so I’m a fan of Mizuno, but the boost technology is IMO the best around.
I really liked the Elixir’s too. I’m a huge fan of the 6’s and I’m just sort of so so with the 7’s. I wish I would have stocked up on the 6’s because it was probably my favorite shoe but I don’t like the 7’s enough to stock up on them. To me the Asics DS trainer is pretty similar to the 6’s.
Good suggestion on the Inspires. Do you find they have more cushioning than the Elixirs?
I’d suggest trying the Pearl Izumi EM Road M2.
Like you, I was a big fan of the Elixir and not so much the Sayonara. The PI and the Adidas Adizero Tempo have been the closest comparisons I have found (the PI is my favorite so far). Firm, but comfortable. A bit more responsive than the Mizuno in my opinion.
I will also check out the Riders. I like a shoe with some support, although I do not need it. The Riders seem to be the neutral equivalent to the Inspires. Would that be a reasonable generalization?
Inspires have more cushioning than the Elixirs. The thing I don’t like about Inspires is they just don’t last very long for me. I ran in about 4 pairs and I would only get about 300-350 miles out of them.
I used to use the DS Trainers a lot, however, they made significant changes to the shoe a couple of generations back at which point I moved onto the Elixirs.
The PI sounds like a good choice for short faster runs or shorter distance tri. Not sure I would want to use it for long runs or IM.
They also have the Road M3, which is more cushioned but the same “light midfoot stability” style.
I’ve done 2+ hours in the M2s, up to ~20-21 miles.
Oh well, it was a shot 
I used to use the DS Trainers many moons ago and moved to the Elixir mainly cuz of the price. Then the Elixer got to be expensive so I moved to the Saucony Fastwitch. I think that shoe is a little lighter though.
Since then I just use the Rider and the Asics DS Racer for running on the road
Let’s get down to business here.
I found the Elixir, in its actual performance, to wind up offering very little in support as compared to the Precision. During the Sayonara’s development, it was originally slatted as the 14th edition of the Precision. But because they determined that it overlapped with the Elixir…might as well take it down to the same shoe. It is the same reason why the Alchemy and Nirvana are dead, in its place sits the Paradox. And the Ronin/Musha giving way to the Hitogami.
I digress…
I suppose what do you mean in terms of not feeling like the shoe is offering enough in terms of support? Is it a physical malady showing up? Is it simply a feel thing? That would help guide the conversation (pardon the pun).
In terms of shoes with a little more cushioning than say your old Elixir:
As mentioned, the Inspire would definitely hit that category. Part of the reason why the Elixir became expendable was that when Inspire 9 launched, it was sitting on top of the Elixir in terms of weight with a far more cushioned ride.
The Saucony Guide is an 8 mm offset, not the 4 mm as someone mentioned above. It shouldn’t have any sort of impact on mechanics or your running. Of course, your results can and will vary.
I’ve also seen some success out of former Elixir customers in the new Adios Boost; the plastic shank on the medial side offers just a touch of correction. It’s also got a good amount of cushioning for a shoe with that little material. Definitely less flexible in the forefoot than your older shoe, though.
So, clue us in on the Sayonara, and we can go from there!
Sayonara’s are on theclymb.com right now for $69.
I noticed the PIs have a 4 mm offset. Based upon my experience with the Kinveras and the Hokas I don’t think that will work for me.