Step 02 — The lineup
6 shoes scored across eleven metrics · Any purpose
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Nothing further afield worth the detour from this lineup.
Sizing note
Golden Spike run snug — go up half a size, especially for long runs.
Durability
Plated models here average ~200 mi; non-plated land closer to ~310 mi.
Step 03 — Every metric
| Metric | Altra Vanish R | Altra Golden Spike | Altra Vanish Carbon 3 | Hoka Solimar | Saucony Freedom 4 | Saucony Kinvara 16 | On Cloud Waterproof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 165 g / 5.8 oz | 155 g / 5.5 oz | 200 g / 7.1 oz | 232 g / 8.2 oz | 227 g / 8.0 oz | 207 g / 7.3 oz | 272 g / 9.6 oz |
| Drop | 0 mm | 0 mm | 0 mm | 6 mm | 4 mm | 4 mm | 6 mm |
| Stack (heel) | 18 mm | 15 mm | 36 mm | 26 mm | 28 mm | 29 mm | 24 mm |
| Cushioning | |||||||
| Flexibility | |||||||
| Stability | |||||||
| Rocker geometry | |||||||
| Energy return | |||||||
| Responsiveness | |||||||
| Toe-box | Standard | Wide | Wide | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Plate | — | — | Carbon | — | — | — | — |
| Intended pace | 4:45–7:00 /mi | 4:30–6:30 /mi | 5:15–7:15 /mi | 7:30–10:00 /mi | 7:30–10:00 /mi | 6:30–8:30 /mi | 7:30–10:00 /mi |
| Purpose | Race day | Race day | Race day | Daily, Long run | Daily, Long run | Tempo, Daily | Daily, Long run |
| Sizing | Size up ½ | Size up ½ | True to size | True to size | True to size | True to size | True to size |
| Durability | ~200 mi | ~150 mi | ~200 mi | ~300 mi | ~400 mi | ~400 mi | ~300 mi |
| Price | $120 | $100 | $260 | $130 | $180 | $140 | $180 |
Your reference shoe is shown first for context. Cushioning, flexibility and stability are rated 1–5.