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 ~290 mi.
Step 03 — Every metric
| Metric | Altra Vanish R | Altra Golden Spike | Topo Athletic ST-6 | Altra Vanish Carbon 3 | On Cloud Waterproof | Saucony Kinvara 16 | Hoka Solimar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 165 g / 5.8 oz | 155 g / 5.5 oz | 190 g / 6.7 oz | 200 g / 7.1 oz | 250 g / 8.8 oz | 198 g / 7.0 oz | 241 g / 8.5 oz |
| Drop | 0 mm | 0 mm | 0 mm | 0 mm | 6 mm | 4 mm | 6 mm |
| Stack (heel) | 18 mm | 15 mm | 18 mm | 36 mm | 24 mm | 29 mm | 26 mm |
| Cushioning | |||||||
| Flexibility | |||||||
| Stability (5 = most guidance) | |||||||
| Rocker geometry | |||||||
| Energy return | |||||||
| Responsiveness | |||||||
| Toe-box | Standard | Wide | Very wide | Wide | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Plate | — | — | — | Carbon | — | — | — |
| Intended pace | 4:45–7:00 /mi | 4:30–6:30 /mi | 7:00–9:30 /mi | 5:15–7:15 /mi | 7:30–10:00 /mi | 6:30–8:30 /mi | 7:30–10:00 /mi |
| Purpose | Race day | Race day | Tempo, Daily | Race day | 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 | ~300 mi | ~200 mi | ~300 mi | ~400 mi | ~300 mi |
| Price | $120 | $100 | $125 | $260 | $180 | $140 | $130 |
Your reference shoe is shown first for context. Cushioning, flexibility and stability are rated 1–5, where 5 stability means the most guidance and 1 means fully neutral.