still looking for an alternative to the NB Zante

Difficult to find the same combination of cushion, response, and weight of the Zante. New Zante's are available on EBay at a reduced cost.

Brooks Launch may be an option though not as flexible.

Forgot to add, for me the zoom air unit is not as noticeable in the Peg 34 compared to the 33. Still prefer the Zante except for longer runs.

I'm going to bump this old one because LetsRun is preventing me from starting a thread as an anonymous poster.

Similar situation to the OP- I love the Zante and NB Beacon but they're wrecked after a couple hundred miles.

Which other shoes have Zante fans been pleased with in the recent past?

(16:30 5k, 30-something, 60-75 MPW, faster before, maybe faster again)

Thanks.

Epic React Flyknit 2 maybe (or the Odyssey if you want mild stability, but I figure you don't since you are wearing the Zante).

Thanks Creaky Bones. I'll check those out.

Any other suggestions?

Brojos-

If you're reading this, I think your shoe review data could be a lot more useful if you added a feature for "reviewers who liked X also liked Y." I would certainly use your Better Shoes tool if that were available.

You have a wealth of knowledge, but simple numerical ranks don't do much without more context. Someone who does all their training in heavy motion control shoes with a tall stack likely would hate low offset neutral shoes and vice versa.

The tool would be most helpful if you took a few questions about a runner's preferences and used that to inform suggestions. I'd subscribe to updates if you were emailing me when similar runners who've liked the same shoes as me in the past have tried a new shoe and posted a review.

Heck, I would even click right through your email to buy them (and just like that, LRC is monetized without obtrusive ads that everyone blocks anyways).

I don't think you would get good miles/use out of exposed foam soles(EpicReact)

Nike seems to address this and has been making their sizes more accurate. I would start with Zoom Fly Rival there seems to be plenty online. I would ignore the fact it's a $90msrp shoe instead focus on function and fit. ZFR has decent stack cushion like Zante but it's got a heavy amount of carbon rubber on lateral side initially it may seem too stiff in forefoot but eventually the forefoot zoom molds to the foot... For a steady workhorse Pegasus 36 and latest Vomero all do well holding heel and having lateral control via crash rail.

Not saying I'm cured but what's helped my supination is focusing on rolling out both lateral sides(hip to lower calf)

What about the NB 870 (or the neutral version of the same?)

Gave up on the Zante after v1 and went back to Bostons, last freaking forever

get v7 on clearance for $50 - don't buy the v8, they ruined the upper, everyone gets blisters

I am also a big Zante fan and have the same issue with wearing out the sole as you describe.

I also really like the Brooks pure flow, which has a more durable sole for me

I like the Boston boosts for a shoe similar to the zante

saucony kinvara should be in this discussion though wouldn't get the mileage you'd get on a Boston.

OP, can you post pics of your worn out shoes?

Schmoo smoo - can you give us any more insight on your experience with the difference between v7 and v8? (And a pro-tip on where to find v7 for cheap?)

Thanks everyone for the suggestions- this is the discussion I was hoping to incite and I have a few new ones to check out already.

AdiVector wrote:

I don't think you would get good miles/use out of exposed foam soles(EpicReact)

Nike seems to address this and has been making their sizes more accurate. I would start with Zoom Fly Rival there seems to be plenty online. I would ignore the fact it's a $90msrp shoe instead focus on function and fit. ZFR has decent stack cushion like Zante but it's got a heavy amount of carbon rubber on lateral side initially it may seem too stiff in forefoot but eventually the forefoot zoom molds to the foot... For a steady workhorse Pegasus 36 and latest Vomero all do well holding heel and having lateral control via crash rail.

Not saying I'm cured but what's helped my supination is focusing on rolling out both lateral sides(hip to lower calf)

i wore nothing but nike free run for around 3 years, with the exposed foam sole. I ran all of them for 800 to 1000 miles. easy. just no responsiveness to them.

FYI about the Bostons, you will want to order a half size bigger than you normally do.

If you can find version 6 it's got the same midsole and an awesome upper. You might need to check eBay and other sites where products are sold by individuals. I got some lightly used on poshmark for $38

Try the NB Arishi. Essentially the same platform as the Zante 1, but was released as a less expensive big box shoe. It is quite similar.

Try the Peg Turbo 2 or the Peg 36

The Arishi do look just like the original Zante. Not a lot of specs available for the big box store versions, but since new Zantes seem to only be good for 300 miles aways, big box versions can't be that much worse.

Hdjdjfjd wrote:

Try the Peg Turbo 2 or the Peg 36

Earlier I mentioned the Pegasus 36, Vomero (newest version #14?) ZoomFlyRival. All of these share a level of firmness that is complimentary to a supinator. All three by using a lateral firm rubber(crash rail) keep the stride in check.

Where disaster strikes for me is using something too soft (ultra boost, sometimes solarglide, turbos, skechers GRR7). causing my hips to flare out, causing ankle and tendon pain from unnecessary rollover motion. I have briefly run on treadmill with Boston 8s and it's got a good amount of firmness and a refreshing amount of room. Having tried the Boston 6 and not being a fan because of narrowness and running short I could see how fans of Boston 6 are upset especially if they didn't adjust sizing.

I am 6' 175lbs. Going for sub 1:14HM. Ideally with my frame I should like a heavier or max cushioned shoe but so far those(GRR7, Clifton too narrow arch, UltraBoost) have caused tendon, hip and ankle pain. I will say I briefly tried the Hoka Challenger atr5 and those may work as they have a wider arch and firmer midsole. **Of note the "bucket seat" design I could feel preventing me from supinating.

All those things happen from a shoe and cause you to get injured? Sounds like you have weaknesses and imbalances that need to be addressed instead of trying to find the perfect shoe.