assistant: Got it — you're a midfoot striker logging solid mileage (60–70 km/week), and the Zoom Fly 6 isn't working for you despite being a solid shoe on paper. Before I recommend a replacement tempo trainer, I need one clarification: **what specifically hasn't been fitting well about the Zoom Fly 6?** Is it the fit geometry (too narrow, too roomy, heel counter issues), the ride feel (too stiff, not enough pop), or something else? That'll help me steer you toward a shoe that fixes the actual problem rather than just swapping for another option. Once I know what to avoid, I can give you a tempo trainer that'll handle your marathon training better.

assistant: That makes sense — the Zoom Fly 6 is genuinely versatile (it's built to handle easy days through tempos), which can feel like a compromise when you want a shoe that *really* shines at tempo pace. You're a midfoot striker at 70 kg doing solid mileage, so you can handle a snappier, more aggressive tempo trainer without needing the all-rounder cushioning buffer. Here are two strong tempo-focused alternatives: **Adidas Adizero Takumi Sen v11** — This is the pure tempo/5K racer in the mix. At 184g with a 32/25mm stack and a fiberglass plate, it's significantly lighter and snappier than the Zoom Fly 6. Doctors of Running calls it "a massive upgrade over v10" that lands in true moderate-stack super-shoe territory with softer, bouncier Lightstrike Pro foam. The 7.0mm drop is just 1mm lower than the Zoom Fly 6, so no shock to your midfoot strike. It's built for 10K racing and speed work, but runners use it for marathon tempo runs too — you'll feel the pop at pace. **Saucony Endorphin Azura v1** — A different angle: this is a versatile trainer (like the Zoom Fly) but with a late-stage rocker and a more neutral-stable character. Doctors of Running just named it his #1 shoe of 2026 so far, calling it "stable-neutral" that "handles both easy miles and faster efforts." At $150, it's also $20 cheaper than the Zoom Fly 6. It's plate-less, so it won't have the snappy carbon-plate feel of the Takumi Sen, but the rocker geometry gives it a more purposeful tempo feel than the Zoom Fly's all-rounder design. **Quick question:** Are you looking for a dedicated tempo shoe with that snappy, aggressive plate feel (Takumi Sen territory), or would you prefer something that's still versatile but *feels* more tempo-focused without the full racing shoe commitment?

assistant: You want the pure tempo/speed focus without compromise — got it. The Takumi Sen v11 is the right direction, but here are two fresh peers that sit in that same aggressive-tempo lane: **Saucony Endorphin Speed v5** — A nylon-plated speed trainer at 175g with a high-cushion, energizing ride. EDDBUD calls it "versatile, lighter, more energizing, softer" than competing options, and it works across the full pace range — but it's built for exactly what you're after: tempo and speed work. At $175, it's $5 cheaper than the Takumi Sen and lighter on the wallet than the Zoom Fly 6. The nylon plate is less aggressive than carbon, so you'll feel more ground contact and responsiveness rather than the locked-in propulsion of the Takumi, but that's often what tempo runners prefer — you want feedback, not isolation. **Kiprun Kipstorm Tempo v1** — This is the value outlier. The Run Testers calls it "runner-up super trainer and top value pick" at just $170 (sub-£100 in UK pricing). It's a maximal-cushion speed shoe with a bouncy but snappy midsole that "rivals the M-series" (likely Nike Alphafly/Vaporfly territory in feel). Neoprene booty tongue for lockdown, and it's explicitly designed for tempo work. It's a fresher brand option if you want to step outside Nike/Adidas/Saucony. **The trade-off:** Takumi Sen v11 is the lightest and most race-focused (184g, fiberglass plate, 32/25mm stack). Endorphin Speed v5 is the most versatile of the three — it'll handle easy days too if you need rotation. Kipstorm Tempo is the best value and has the most cushion if you want that maximal feel at tempo pace. Which appeals more — the lean, snappy race-shoe feel of the Takumi, or something with a bit more cushion and ground feedback?