"Energy return" upgrade shoe from Brooks Ravenna for Half/Full marathon? Nike/Saucony

MiketheMechanic wrote: »

Hi all.
I normally train in Brooks Transcend and GTS for long and medium training runs, and Brooks Ravenna for marathon day (lighter).
I need a degree of support in my shoes (pronator), and the cushioning and support of the Ravenna is sufficient for race days.

If I want to try an upgrade to a pair of "energy return" race shoes, what would people recommend?

I'm considering the Nike Next%, Saucony Endorphin Pro, New Balance Fuel Cell RC Elite, Hoka Carbon X or Arahi 4.
Though I'm generally a Brooks fan, I've read that the Hyperion Elite is not as good as some of the others mentioned.

Perhaps this has come up before - I'd be interested in your views. TIA.

MtM

There's a few discussions re the shoes knocking around the forum. If you search the 'What shoes are you wearing now/next?' thread, you should find a good bit of debate in there. I've always found solereview.com fairly reliable, but not sure how many of the carbon plated shoes he's reviewed.

Depending on your own personal viewpoint as regards Nike or indeed carbon plated shoes in general, then the Next% are the most popular and widely worn shoe at the moment. I've raced in the 4% and Next% and they are as advertised. I've also been doing my quicker long runs in the New Balance TC and they're a really nice shoe too, a lot more durable than the aforementioned Nike models. I'd be interested in picking up a pair of the RC Elite at some stage. Don't know anyone whose ran in the Adios Pro or the Hyperion.