Carbon plated shoes are here to stay, so i want to in on it too.
However the carbon plated shoes are mostly (all?) made for neutral runners with little/no support, which makes sense as that cuts weight and elite runners more often than recreational have better running form. So as an over pronator used to running in stability shoes (the likes of adrenaline gts from brooks), how do i pick out the most stable carbon shoes? Do we have any data on this or just some first hand experiences from people on here on the topic?
The other detail would be heel drop, i would assume i should try and find something that mimicks what i currently have to lessen the burden of change on my body?
I enjoy the website and youtube videos of Doctors of Running, a group of DPTs who review running shoes. They recently did a video on the best marathon shoes for those with stability needs. You might find it of use as they focus on carbon-plated shoes. (Spoiler alert: shoes they mention are the Adidas Adios Pro 2, the Asics Metaspeed Sky, and the Puma Deviate Nitro Elite as possible options.)
my running action is far from perfect and i run in all round type shoes (stability and cushioning) - Asics Kayano, Saucony Hurricane, Saucony Guide most of the time. i have some Saucony Endorphin speed (1st Gen - only about $100 if you shop around) that i use for fast training runs, track sessions and i would wear if i raced. The energy return is other worldly. You feel like you are bouncing. However, the elevate you high off the ground (i think all of this type of shoe do) and feel quite narrow (not from a fit perspective - from the perspective of footprint). The thick heel and midsole magnifies any lateral movement - which i think would be helped if the sole was wider to provide a more stable base.
For me - increasing pace makes my action a bit better. Maybe it is the shorter contact time, or striking a bit further forward…who knows. So i find the Endorphin Speed fine for fast runs - but wouldn’t want to wear them for most of the miles i run at a slower pace.
i don’t worry too much about changing drop - go from 10 to 8 all of the time, and have some shoes with a 4 - but i think these are 8. Definitely easier using these for fast runs compared to stripped down road racing shoes of old.
I asked this question myself. I race in Saucony Endorphin Pros, though I save them only for races. They’re more stable then the alpha/vapourfly, though if you need stability, I wouldn’t go putting in your base miles in then.
The solution I found is that most of my kms are in Saucony Guides - their stability shoe, while I do my intervals in Kinvaras.
All the Saucony from the Endorphin line are quite stable. I have tried them and the Nike Tempo Next percent the original Nike Carbon plated shoes and the Alphaflys in the store and at higher speeds the Nike’s are ok but at lower speeds they are all over the place. I do my runs mostly in the the Endorphin Shift or Speed. The great thing about the speed (which has Nylon plate rather than carbon) is that you can train and race in them. If you want one shoe to rule them all that might be a good bet and then save the Pro’s for race day. Oh I almost forgot, I got the Asic Metaspeed Sky on a discount and was surprised at how light and stable they are, as well as not fatiguing my feet even though they are a carbon shoe. They get the thumbs up from me for sure too.
Saucony endorphin speed as an all rounder that you can race in. The speed roll technology in the sole is something else for encouraging you to move your feet.
ASICS metaracer next on my list. Lot of people prefer them to the alphafly due to stability and a little bit more stiff. I have the alphafly too, they are interesting to run in to say the least, especially on tired legs and if you don’t pick your feet up properly
Saucony Endorphin Pro’s are the most stable I have run in. A surprisingly stable shoe, for an super racer, is the Nike Alphafly. It’s not as stable as the Endorphin Pro but its more cush and bouncy. The Pro is a firmer feel.
I’ve run a lot in the Vaporfly, Alphafly and Endorphin Pro… the most stable and comfortable by far is the Endorphin Pro. In fact they are my current training shoes that I do the bulk of my miles in.
I have found stability is quite individual. I had chronic medial ankle tendonitis from an injury in 1996. I also pronate. I couldn’t walk across the room without my orthotics or it would flare up. I tried everything but the ankle issues lingered. I tried a pair of the VF Next % from a friends running store feeling bad that I would have to return the shoes but wanted to try the magic. Of course the insole doesn’t come out and the orthotics don’t fit, so no way they would work, right? Wrong! Unbelievably, I now do ALL of my long runs in the VF. My ankle issue that was previously unsolvable is completely gone. I’m not really sure why/how other than those shoes must be just perfect for my feet. NOTE, the forefoot on the VF is very stable (that might be it).
I’ve run a lot in the Vaporfly, Alphafly and Endorphin Pro… the most stable and comfortable by far is the Endorphin Pro. In fact they are my current training shoes that I do the bulk of my miles in.
I second this. Endorphin Pros are very comfortable to walk in too. I’ve seen many people wearing Endorphin Pro at athlete check in, but no one wears Nike carbon shoes and walks around. Plastic/rubber on the bottom soles are strong and durable so they last way longer than Hokas and Nikes. OP definitely should try Endorphin Pro. I have tried most carbon plated shoes.
I’ve run a lot in the Vaporfly, Alphafly and Endorphin Pro… the most stable and comfortable by far is the Endorphin Pro. In fact they are my current training shoes that I do the bulk of my miles in.
I second this. Endorphin Pros are very comfortable to walk in too. I’ve seen many people wearing Endorphin Pro at athlete check in, but no one wears Nike carbon shoes and walks around. Plastic/rubber on the bottom soles are strong and durable so they last way longer than Hokas and Nikes. OP definitely should try Endorphin Pro. I have tried most carbon plated shoes.
Yeah, thanks for all your responses. Seems like endorphin pro is a good try! Does anyone know if that shoe runs wide or narrow? As I also have super narrow feet.
Yeah, thanks for all your responses. Seems like endorphin pro is a good try! Does anyone know if that shoe runs wide or narrow? As I also have super narrow feet.
They run wider compared to Nikes.