assistant: You've got a solid foundation with the Evo SL — that's a sharp uptempo/daily trainer, and it makes sense to keep it for recovery and easy work. For marathon build-up, you want a super-trainer: more cushion and stability than the Evo SL's aggressive rocker, but still lively enough for tempo and long-run pacing. The **Kiprun Kipstorm Tempo** is the standout here. It's a genuine super-trainer with a firmer, rockered midsole (SCF + CMEVA) that rivals the Megablast at a much lower price point. The Run Testers praise it specifically for marathon-paced long runs and tempo work — exactly what you need for fall build-up. It runs long, so size down half a size from your Evo SL fit. Stack is 43/35mm (only 1mm more drop than your Evo SL at 8.0mm), so the transition won't feel jarring, and the ride is snappy enough that you won't lose the speed-work feel. The **Nike Alphafly v3** is the premium race-day option if you're thinking beyond marathon training — it's a full carbon-plated super-shoe built for 5K through marathon racing, with excellent lockdown and balanced cushioning. But at $285 and ~100-mile durability, it's a race-day tool, not a trainer. Save it for goal-race prep if you go that route. The **Nike Vomero Plus** and **Brooks Hyperion Max v3** are both long-run shoes, but they lean recovery/protection rather than the tempo-work versatility you're after. The Vomero Plus is softer and heavier (281g); the Hyperion Max has mixed expert reception. **My pick: Kiprun Kipstorm Tempo.** It's built for exactly what you described — marathon-paced long runs and tempo work — and the value is hard to beat at $170. <details> <summary>Why this shoe</summary> The Kipstorm Tempo is a super-trainer (high-stack PEBA-adjacent foam + subtle rocker) that sits between your Evo SL and a true race shoe. The Run Testers called it a "genuine rival to the Megablast" with a firmer, crisper ride and pronounced rocker — meaning it'll accelerate your cadence on tempo work without the aggressive forefoot bias of the Evo SL. At 43/35mm stack with an 8.0mm drop, you're getting +6mm of heel cushion over the Evo SL (37/30mm) while keeping the drop nearly identical, so your body won't need to re-learn its landing pattern. The fit caveat: it runs long and has a race-fit forefoot, so you'll want to size down half a size from your Evo SL sizing. Since the Evo SL already runs short and you're likely sizing up, the Kipstorm should land in your true size. The neoprene tongue and padded midfoot lockdown are solid for longer efforts. Durability is rated at 500 miles, which is trainer-grade (not race-shoe short), so you can rotate it into 40 mi/wk work without guilt. </details> One clarifying question: are you planning a marathon goal race this fall, or is this more general build-up training? If you're targeting a specific race, the Alphafly might make sense as a race-day shoe alongside the Kipstorm for training.

assistant: You're right — I apologize for the mismatch. Looking at the data I actually have, the **Kiprun Kipstorm Tempo** is the only true super-trainer (plated, high-stack, marathon-paced work) in my current set. The other plated shoes are either race-day shoes (Nike Alphafly v3, New Balance SC Elite v5, Saucony Endorphin Pro v5, Mizuno Hyperwarp Elite) built for 100-150 mile durability, or daily trainers without the carbon plate you're after (On Cloudmonster v3 has a nylon plate but it's a daily trainer, not a super-trainer). The Kipstorm Tempo is genuinely what you described — a carbon-plated (well, ATPU + rocker) super-trainer with 500-mile durability, built for marathon-paced long runs and tempo work. But I hear you: if you're looking for a different plated-trainer profile (lighter, more race-oriented, different stack/drop geometry), my catalog gap here is real. Before I dig deeper: are you looking for something closer to a race-day shoe you can also train in (like the Alphafly v3), or a heavier, more cushioned super-trainer than the Kipstorm? And is there a specific stack height, drop, or weight target you have in mind?

assistant: You're absolutely right — I do have those shoes. I apologize for the confusion. Let me clarify what you've got in your rotation and what makes sense for marathon build-up. You're currently training in the **Nike Zoom Fly v6** (I'm reading "Nike Zoom Fly" as the v6; let me know if you meant a different version). That's a carbon-plated speed trainer — 40/32mm stack, 8.0mm drop, ZoomX PEBA over EVA. It's excellent for tempo and intervals, but it's not a super-trainer; it's built for uptempo work, not the long-run cushioning and durability you need for 40 mi/wk marathon build-up. For a true plated trainer that sits above the Zoom Fly v6 in cushion and durability, you have two solid options: **Mizuno Hyperwarp Pro** — This is the super-trainer you're looking for. 46/40.5mm stack (significantly more cushion than the Zoom Fly v6's 40/32mm), full carbon plate, 250–300+ mile durability. The Run Testers rate it highly for marathon-paced long runs and tempo work. It's a genuine step up in protection while keeping the plate responsiveness. Drop is 5.5mm vs your Zoom Fly v6's 8.0mm, so it's a 2.5mm lower drop — noticeable for calf loading but not a deal-breaker if you're already comfortable with the Zoom Fly v6's geometry. **Kiprun Kipstorm Tempo** — The other plated trainer option, and the value pick. 43/35mm stack, ATPU + rocker (not carbon), 500-mile durability, $170. The Run Testers call it a "genuine rival to the Megablast" for marathon-paced work. Drop is 8.0mm (identical to your Zoom Fly v6), so the transition is seamless. It's firmer and snappier than the Hyperwarp Pro but still cushioned enough for long runs. If you're also curious about race-day shoes for your goal race, the **New Balance SC Elite v5** and **Mizuno Hyperwarp Elite** are both solid carbon-plated racers (100+ mile durability), but those are for race day, not training rotation. Which direction appeals more — the extra cushion of the Hyperwarp Pro, or the value + identical drop of the Kipstorm Tempo?

assistant: You've got three solid plated trainers here, and they're all meaningful upgrades from the Evo SL for what you're after — more cushion, better durability, and enough snap for tempo work without the aggressive rocker that can fatigue your midfoot on easy days. **Nike Zoom Fly v6** — This is the safest pick for your transition. You already know the 8.0mm drop (identical to your Evo SL), and the dual-density ZoomX/EVA midsole with carbon plate gives you responsive turnover without harshness. At 244g, it's only 9g heavier than the Evo SL but with 40/32mm stack (vs 37/30mm), so you're gaining cushion without losing the snappy feel. Doctors of Running praises it for easy-day comfort and tempo versatility — exactly what you need at 40 mi/wk. The wider anatomic toe box is a bonus if the Evo SL's narrow forefoot ever bothered you. Durability is 100+ miles, so it'll hold up well in rotation. **Saucony Endorphin Speed v5** — Lighter (238g) and slightly lower stack (37/29mm) than the Zoom Fly v6, with a nylon plate instead of carbon. The PWRRUN PB foam is snappier and more responsive, so if you want maximum turnover and ground feel, this edges the Zoom Fly v6. Same 8.0mm drop. The caveat: durability is ~100 miles (shorter than the Zoom Fly v6's 100+), and the nylon plate is less forgiving on tired legs. For 40 mi/wk easy-focused running, the Zoom Fly v6's extra cushion is probably the smarter long-term choice. **HOKA Mach X v3** — The most cushioned of the three (46/41mm stack, 5.0mm drop). The dual-density PEBA/EVA with Pebax plate is bouncy and versatile, and The Run Testers note it's excellent for long runs and tempo work. The trade-off: 5.0mm drop is 3.0mm lower than your Evo SL, which means slightly more forefoot loading. As a midfoot striker, you'll adapt fine, but it's a noticeable change. At 266g, it's also the heaviest — not a deal-breaker, but you'll feel the weight difference on easy days compared to the Zoom Fly v6. **My pick: Nike Zoom Fly v6.** It's the path of least resistance — same drop geometry, proven versatility, and enough cushion to keep your legs fresh at 40 mi/wk without sacrificing the snappy feel you like. The Endorphin Speed v5 is the lighter, racier alternative if turnover is your priority, but the Zoom Fly v6 is the more durable, all-around trainer. <details> <summary>Why the Zoom Fly v6</summary> The Zoom Fly v6 is built for exactly what you described: turnover without impact. The ZoomX PEBA top layer over an EVA carrier gives you the responsive pop of the Evo SL's rocker without the aggressive forefoot bias that can load your midfoot on high-mileage weeks. At 40 mi/wk mostly easy, you want a shoe that doesn't require constant calf/foot tension to feel fast — the Zoom Fly v6 does that naturally. The 8.0mm drop is your biggest advantage here: zero re-learning curve. Your body already knows this geometry. The 40/32mm stack (vs your Evo SL's 37/30mm) adds 3mm of heel cushion and 2mm forefoot, so you're getting protection without a rocker that forces a particular landing pattern. Durability at 100+ miles means you can rotate it into your 40 mi/wk load without guilt — it'll last 2–3 months before needing retirement. The wider anatomic toe box is also a subtle win for long runs; the Evo SL's narrow forefoot can feel restrictive on 10+ mile efforts. Ben Is Running and Doctors of Running both highlight its versatility across easy, tempo, and marathon-pace work — you won't outgrow it as your training evolves. </details> One follow-up: are you planning to keep the Evo SL in rotation for speed work (intervals, track), or retire it? That'll help me gauge whether the Endorphin Speed v5's lighter, snappier profile might be worth the shorter durability if you want a dedicated speed shoe.