Shoes, Shoes, Shoes (March 2019) - updated (April 2019)

So many shoes, so little time.  Since I started really running in 2017, I have gone through many shoes in hopes of finding just the right one.  I will start with from the beginning in the spring of 2017 to current shoes.  Subsequent opinions are based on my experience and shoe preferences.

Key -

• Retired - made it end-of-life 
• Removed - for some reason, stopped using the shoe prior to end-of-life
• Current - in current rotation

1. Mizuno Wave Prophecy (retired)
2. Brooks Glycerin 14 (retired)
3. Saucony Freedom ISO (removed - both sizes) too firm, sizing issues
4. Hoka Conquest (removed) too much cushion, arch issues
5. On CloudFlyer (retired)
6. On Cloud (removed) too little cushion, and moving away from On
7. On Cloud Cruiser (removed) too stiff
8. On Cloud WP (removed) too stiff
9. Pearl Izumi N3 (removed) too much cushion, too stiff
10. Adidas Supernova (Glide 9) (retired - 2 shoes)
11. Adidas Glide 8 (current, recommended)
12. Adidas Ultraboost ST (removed) poor transition, sizing/fit issues
13. Adidas Energy Boost 4 (removed) too heavy, end of boost for me
14. Adidas Prime Parley (current)
15. Skechers Ride 7 (retired, recommended)
16. Adidas Supernova GTX (removed) very heavy, my goto winter/rain outside casual
17. Nike Epic React (removed) starts good, but tires forefoot at 5 miles
18. Altra Escalante (current) zero drop shoe
19. New Balance Beacon (current, recommended)
20. Skechers MaxRoad 3 Ultra (removed) arch pain, requires currex insole
21. Nike Pegasus Turbo (removed) lost cushion at 150 miles
22. Nike Zoomfly Flyknit (current, recommended)
23. Nike Vaporfly Flyknit (current, recommended)
24. Skechers Razor 3 (current, recommended)
25. Nike Vomero 14 (current, recommended)
26. Altra Escalante Racer (current) zero drop shoe, less cushion than Escalante
27. Reebok Sweet Road 2 (current)
28. Nike Odyssey Shield (current, recommended)
29. Reebok Forever Floatride Energy (current, recommended) 
30. Reebok Floatride Run Fast (current)
31. New Balance 1080 v9 (current)

Currently Recommended for Different Uses, If I had to Pick One Today for Each Use (April 2019):

• Long - Nike Vomero 14
• Tempo, Interval - Nike ZoomFly Flyknit
• Hills - Skechers Razor 3
• Easy - Skechers Ride 7
• All Around - New Balance Beacon

Note that each has a pro/con, so my answer is going to be different if you want only 1 or 2 shoes and the distances you normally train a week.  Given I have committed to over 1800 miles a year, and the shoes are the primary equipment for this sport, it is worth spending just a bit more to get the correct shoe(s) for what you are trying to do.  Another note is that the in the last two years, there has been significant changes in the midsole used by manufactures.  Adidas Boost and Saucony Everun (both TPU based foams) were the rage two years ago.  They gave much more energy return vs. the traditional foams.  With the addition of Nike React and ZoomX, Skechers Hyper, Reebok Energy (TPU), Reebok Floatride Fast Foam (TPE) technologies, and the increased use of carbonfiber plates (Nike Vaporfly, Hoka Evo Carbon Rocket, Skechers Hyper shoe with Carbon Fiber in fall), shoes are evolving every season now.  Though I agree that many/most of us won't notice a significant difference with some of these technologies (in running paces), as a mid-pack runner, I definitely have a preference and can see an impact of the reduction in weight, "bounce"/response from the technologies and overall comfort.  

Another consideration is on shoes is cost.  Shoes are getting very expensive.  A Vaporfly will set you back $250.  But given you are spending over $120 for most marathons, isn't it worth spending this money to make the experience the best it can be (i.e., an extra $42 per marathon for 6 marathons or 160 miles)?  This shoe is still worth the cost for individuals that can run around 10 min/mile in my opinion.  You don't have to be an elite runner to get benefit from the shoe.  If you do want to optimize your cost/benefit, I would suggest the following:

• Buy from a retailer that will allow you to run in the shoe, but still allow an exchange/return.  Shoes need time to break-in.  This varies by shoe upper (knits stretch) and midsole (different foams relax at different rates).  Therefore, the first few runs may not feel good in a shoe.  See the post for favorite stores/sites.  
• Buy last years version of the shoe.  Shoes are on a yearly update cycle, so one will see sales as new versions are released.  This can work to your favor if the changes to the shoe don't bother you (i.e., mostly cosmetic or you didn't have an issue prior to the change with the shoe).  This year has been odd (or maybe Nike always does this) in that that some new versions were immediately discounted within 2-3 months.  Additionally, Reebok put site-wide sales that include new shoes.  Low volume or focused use shoes (VaporFly, Razor 3, Floatride Run Fast Pro) don't seem to go on sale and are often out-of-stock.  www.RunningWarehouse.com has a clearance section that gets updated regularly.  
• Be sure the shoe makes sense for you and your current shoes.  If you run infrequently, look for a more all-around shoe.  If you can afford 2 shoes, Look to balance the 2 against training vs. temp/racing.  
• There is a school of thought (and studies) that say variation in the shoes (i.e., shoe drop, stack height) reduces injuries.  This is similar to cross-training to build up core and vary impact on the same parts of the body.  So I have shoes from 0 mm to 12 mm drops with varying stack heights and cushioning.  I do have a preference (i.e., > 6mm, medium cushion, medium stack heights) but use shoes outside of preferences in my current rotation.  It is also an excuse to buy new shoes (just saying).
• Be aware of they type of shoe you prefer (neutral, support, motion control), shoe drop (0mm, 4mm, 6mm, 10mm, etc....), arch support, stack height.  If you aren't sure, go to shoe store that has knowledgeable sales reps and/or read online.  Some people (like me) need non-oem insoles to adjust arch support or cushioning.  Be aware that the insole might add to the shoe drop and weight.  I found that the www.insolestore.com has the most information on drop/weight.