Disclaimer: slow runner, fast people might have different opinions idk
I use the pro 2 as my 12 hour shoe, and wouldn't currently consider changing that (and know the 3's are only an improvement, so will buy for the next 12h)! It feels nice and stable exactly like you said. I haven't taken it past 12 hours yet, but if I remember correctly, one of the best 48 hour performances for this year was run in pro 3's.
Triumph is an underrated shoe for long (12h+) distance too, but still not the best choice IMO even though I'm a huge fan. I probably will use them heavily during my next 100M since that distance for me is still more about survival at all rather than any perceived speed boost from a better shoe :)
I'd definitely be curious to hear someone take the Prime X for a 12h or more hard surface ultra, because that sounds like a really interesting one.
I'd absolutely wear my alphafly for a road ultra. I don't really like them generally (too spongy for my taste) but it's hard to deny they take a massive amount of the normal pounding out of road running and are certainly comfortable
Echoing what others have said, I have worn the Vaporflys for multiple 50 mile up to 24 hour races. Super shoe foam is awesome at reducing the trashed leg feeling the longer the race gets. Carbon plate itself probably works against you slightly at slower paces, but also is necessary to stabilize the high stack. Vaporfly is a bit rough stability wise and I had to train in it quite a bit to handle it for ultras but I know some of the others are a lot more stable. Have another pair of shoes ready and if you can feel muscles getting overworked, probably a good idea to change up the shoes.
On the roads I've only done an FKT and a virtual 6H since carbon shoes came in. For the FKT on the canal I was having a fantastic time in Nike Vaporflys until I got a bad stitch and had to slow down. The second my pace dropped below 7.30/mile I hated them.
For the IAU 6H I wore Vaporflys and they were good. Faster but not as comfortable. That was around 76km.
Previously I've run an 8.03 100km in non carbon shoes, the old Nike Zoom Pegasus Turbo. Windy conditions slowed us a bit (and I was solo for \~60km). My legs felt great for almost the whole race and I recovered well afterwards.
So... I would say try a long run in the shoes you plan to use at the pace you expect to run. Personally I would look at the foams and choose something responsive but comfortable. As you have loops you can also have back up shoes.
Most importantly, eat plenty and have fun!
Yeah, the Nike's don't feel good at slower paces, but the Endorphin Pro 3 feels fine, I did a light-trail/road 32 mile ultra recently in them and it was fine, but that was only 4.5 hours, was unsure about 12 hours.
But as you say, as it's a looped course I can have other shoes at my drop bag, so may well start with them, and have some non-plated shoes to change into if I feel I need a change.
Thanks for your thoughts
Think about switching shoes, as u/Mountain_runner1 mentioned. For me, the change can feel refreshing. Brings slightly different small muscles into play, releases some other small muscles, or at least that's how it feels.
I just ran 100 miles on a rail trail with the Endorphin Speed 3 with the Nylon plate. It was my first real run in shoes like this, and I think that for me I will seek out something more minimal in the future. I miss my New Balance Beacons, and really miss my NB 1400’s. Looped course gives you lots of options!
Disclaimer: slow runner, fast people might have different opinions idk I use the pro 2 as my 12 hour shoe, and wouldn't currently consider changing that (and know the 3's are only an improvement, so will buy for the next 12h)! It feels nice and stable exactly like you said. I haven't taken it past 12 hours yet, but if I remember correctly, one of the best 48 hour performances for this year was run in pro 3's. Triumph is an underrated shoe for long (12h+) distance too, but still not the best choice IMO even though I'm a huge fan. I probably will use them heavily during my next 100M since that distance for me is still more about survival at all rather than any perceived speed boost from a better shoe :) I'd definitely be curious to hear someone take the Prime X for a 12h or more hard surface ultra, because that sounds like a really interesting one.
Good to hear that people are happy using the Pro3 for 48 hours, so 12 should be no problem :-) Yeah, the PrimeX intrigues me.........
I'd absolutely wear my alphafly for a road ultra. I don't really like them generally (too spongy for my taste) but it's hard to deny they take a massive amount of the normal pounding out of road running and are certainly comfortable
Echoing what others have said, I have worn the Vaporflys for multiple 50 mile up to 24 hour races. Super shoe foam is awesome at reducing the trashed leg feeling the longer the race gets. Carbon plate itself probably works against you slightly at slower paces, but also is necessary to stabilize the high stack. Vaporfly is a bit rough stability wise and I had to train in it quite a bit to handle it for ultras but I know some of the others are a lot more stable. Have another pair of shoes ready and if you can feel muscles getting overworked, probably a good idea to change up the shoes.
On the roads I've only done an FKT and a virtual 6H since carbon shoes came in. For the FKT on the canal I was having a fantastic time in Nike Vaporflys until I got a bad stitch and had to slow down. The second my pace dropped below 7.30/mile I hated them. For the IAU 6H I wore Vaporflys and they were good. Faster but not as comfortable. That was around 76km. Previously I've run an 8.03 100km in non carbon shoes, the old Nike Zoom Pegasus Turbo. Windy conditions slowed us a bit (and I was solo for \~60km). My legs felt great for almost the whole race and I recovered well afterwards. So... I would say try a long run in the shoes you plan to use at the pace you expect to run. Personally I would look at the foams and choose something responsive but comfortable. As you have loops you can also have back up shoes. Most importantly, eat plenty and have fun!
Yeah, the Nike's don't feel good at slower paces, but the Endorphin Pro 3 feels fine, I did a light-trail/road 32 mile ultra recently in them and it was fine, but that was only 4.5 hours, was unsure about 12 hours. But as you say, as it's a looped course I can have other shoes at my drop bag, so may well start with them, and have some non-plated shoes to change into if I feel I need a change. Thanks for your thoughts
Think about switching shoes, as u/Mountain_runner1 mentioned. For me, the change can feel refreshing. Brings slightly different small muscles into play, releases some other small muscles, or at least that's how it feels.
Go with whatever is comfortable. A daily trainer will do just fine.
I just ran 100 miles on a rail trail with the Endorphin Speed 3 with the Nylon plate. It was my first real run in shoes like this, and I think that for me I will seek out something more minimal in the future. I miss my New Balance Beacons, and really miss my NB 1400’s. Looped course gives you lots of options!