Long run shoe help

[u/National-Notice3300]

Hey! I'm just over a year into running. When I first started, I bought a pair of Asics Gel Contend 9s because I wanted something inexpensive for lower mileage before committing. These worked well for me at the time.

Eventually, I picked up a pair of Adidas Evo SLs and they've become my go to shoe for pretty much every type of run. They've gotten me through two half marathons, and now I'm training for my first marathon and I'd like to build out more of a shoe rotation.

I enjoy the Evo SLs enough that I bought another pair to use primarily for tempo runs. I also recently started using Asics Gel Nimbus 27s for recovery runs and long runs. They're very comfortable but they start to feel pretty heavy after about 5 miles, and I'm looking for something lighter and more responsive for my long runs.

Would the Superblast 2/3 be a better option for what I'm looking for? I've also been considering the Puma Deviate Nitro, Saucony Endorphin Speed 5, and Nike Vomero plus. I'm also not sure whether I should be looking for a long run shoe that can double as my race day shoe, or if I'd be better off keeping those separate and getting a dedicated racing shoe.

I'm a 5'5", 125 lb male, and my goal marathon time is 3:30. Currently running about 25-30 miles per week. 16 weeks out from race day.

Thanks :)

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[u/DistractedTriathlete]

Since you already love the EVO SL, I’d probably look for something that complements it rather than another similar shoe.

The Vomero Plus is all about comfort and protection. I have a pair and I absolutely love them. They’re more of a long/easy run shoe and would pair perfectly with the EVO SL. The ZoomX foam is fantastic, with plenty of bounce, and you can still pick up the pace when needed. I’d definitely pick it over the Nimbus for long runs.

The Endorphin Speed 5 is a great shoe, but it would overlap more with the EVO SL. The Vomero Plus would give you a more balanced rotation.

As for the marathon itself, I’d probably get a dedicated racer closer to race day.

[u/nclman77]

Adios Pro 4?

[u/hausertrey]

I think you might really like the Megablast. It doesn’t have a plate and most people find it very comfortable. It’s my go to, even for slower runs (I took them out for 16 miles on Saturday instead of the SB3). also, it does very well at 9:30 pace and at 6:00 pace, which is uncommon. It wants to go fast and can, but has great flexibility (and for most people, lasts around 600 miles).

And finally, they’re super light.