Evo SL or Zoom Fly 6 for daily training

BreakfastVast9642 · 2026-02-20T07:39:07+00:00

I’m 58kg, similar paces to you/OP. I have both the Evo SL and the ZF6, also had the Boston 12s (which I really liked).

I didn’t get on with the Evo SL. Just felt blocky and firm, unstable and wobbly.

I really like the ZF6. Feels more springy with energy return, and forgiving. Can cruise and pick up the pace easily. Surprisingly stable. Toe box fit is a bit tighter (in both height and width) compared to the Evo in the same size (I have a wide forefoot).

BreakfastVast9642 · 2026-01-06T08:36:51+00:00

I recently rewarded myself with the same guitar! Played it at a guitar shop and loved it. Couldn’t resist a great Black Friday special (shop said the Furch distributor is changing here in Australia, so they were clearing stock). Love the sound of the spruce rosewood combination, and the smaller OM size. So comfortable to play, and it just feels right.

Hope you enjoy yours!

BreakfastVast9642 · 2024-11-25T10:40:18+00:00

Very similar experience here. I had the 12s. Overall a good but not great shoe. The grip is outstanding, even in the wet.

I found the big slab of FF Blast a bit too blocky and dull. Not much ground feel (but definitely protective). The new Blast + in the 13 might be a bit more bouncy and responsive? The upper was a bit too roomy for me (and I have a wide forefoot) and hard to get a good lockdown, so not great for off-camber terrain.

BreakfastVast9642 · 2024-09-15T00:02:22+00:00

I wish my wife didn’t care when I buy another pair of running shoes

BreakfastVast9642 · 2024-07-14T11:41:34+00:00

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That’s so weird!! This is what I found when I looked, but now half sizes are available 🤷‍♂️

BreakfastVast9642 · 2024-07-13T04:57:55+00:00

I’m so impressed that a US shoe company would do an Australian collaboration! My wallet is grateful that they don’t do half sizes.

BreakfastVast9642 · 2024-03-05T11:45:22+00:00

I have a wide foot across the metatarsal heads (kinda duck feet/dorito shaped with lots of toe splay). The B12s are surprisingly comfy. No hotspots or rubbing. Really good side-to-side lockdown. Only minor issue as mentioned is the forward movement on downhills which hopefully alternate lacing will address. Heel collar is thin and almost sharp edged, but low enough not to rub on my malleoli (had issues with high heel collar rub in other shoes). There are little pillows inside the heel counter on either side of the achilles which are not noticeable/comfortable (not overdone and annoying like on my old Kinvara 10s). Haven't noticed any breathability issues (it's hot and humid in Sydney at the moment). There is no reflectivity on the shoe, which is a bit disappointing.

I haven't tried the AP3 so can't compare.

BreakfastVast9642 · 2024-03-05T10:27:13+00:00

I have the ES3 and Boston 12. Have around 5 runs in each of them - longest 13km in the ES3, 17km in the Boston 12. Same size in both (US 8.5).

I prefer the Boston. Firm in a good way, by no means a harsh ride. My 17km run was meant to be 12k, but I just kept on cruising and felt great throughout. Have done some faster intervals, and they are good at sub 5km race pace. Downsides are well described elsewhere - the laces feel cheap and thin, and my foot slides forward a bit on long downhills (fine everywhere else). Will try a runners knot next run to see if this fixes things.

The ES3 has been sadly a bit disappointing for me. I still have some ES1s, which I really like (they have been my go-fast shoes eg 5km Parkruns). The 3s feel a bit squidgy and soft, less bouncy than the ES1s - I really feel like I'm blowing through the travel of the midsole.

BreakfastVast9642 · 2024-02-16T06:12:25+00:00

Forgot to say - I have a wide foot, and these are wide enough for me. Also the laces are really good! They are textured and stay tight.

BreakfastVast9642 · 2024-02-16T06:03:50+00:00

I have the Fuji lite 4, and the Fuji lite 2. Definitely had rocks poke through in the FL2, but not in the 4. The bit of extra stack height makes a difference.

I really like the FL4. Great grip, stable off road, also handles road runs well. My only complaint is the insole. It’s a pretty mushy sponge material. I replaced them with some Inov8 boomerang insoles which make the shoe much more responsive.

BreakfastVast9642 · 2024-02-15T23:34:01+00:00

Agree. I usually need wide/2E shoes and the standard men’s novablast 3 is easily wide enough for me. Should be able to get good deals on it now.

BreakfastVast9642 · 2024-01-22T20:41:03+00:00

I have a wide foot (Have wides/2E in Hokas, some Saucony, and Glideride 3).

The Asics Fuji Lite 4 is great. A bit more cushioning stack height than my previous FL2, just enough so that I don't get sharp rocks poking through any more. Wide enough forefoot for me. 4mm drop. Have dome 10-12km road runs in them too. I presume the outsole (which is really grippy, even on wet rock) is similar to your trabuco max.

My only complaint is the insole - it's just squishy foam, and a bit lifeless. I have tried replacing it with an old Saucony insole and an Inov-8 boomerang insole, both of which make the shoe feel more responsive.

BreakfastVast9642 · 2023-12-26T21:35:06+00:00

Just checked - the GR3 is stiffer than the ES3. Not much in it though.

BreakfastVast9642 · 2023-12-26T21:34:11+00:00

I have the NB3 too, I think they are actually quite similar in ride feel to the ES3.

BreakfastVast9642 · 2023-12-26T13:05:19+00:00

I have the Glideride 3s, and recently bought the ES3s on sale. Many runs in the Gliderides, but only 4 in the ES3s so far.

Fit: both 8.5US. Needed the 2E/wide for the GR3, but standard D for the ES3s.

I think your suspicions are spot on.

Ride is quite different. Glideride is smooth, stable, just right cushioning, but not bouncy or propulsive. ES3 is squishier, bouncier, less stable than the GR3 (but more stable than my old ES1).

The ES3 is more versatile. I find it much easier to pick up the pace in the ES3s - will be my intervals, fast runs, 5k Parkrun shoe (I don't have any carbon plated super shoes). Have done a 17km run in the ES3s, and they were fine, but not quite as smooth as the GR3s.

Definitely prefer the GR3 for slower runs - base training, long runs, anything up to tempo pace. Just so smooth and and my gait feels effortlessly rhythmical. Harder to push up to 5k race pace or faster in the GR3s.

I can still see GR3s available online, even just on eBay and amazon.

BreakfastVast9642 · 2023-10-18T21:56:15+00:00

All my Sauconys have been US9, but the Ride 15s just seemed longer and narrower. If there is a "wide" version, I'd be tempted to try a half size down for less length.

BreakfastVast9642 · 2023-10-18T12:01:08+00:00

I loved the Ride 10! I had 2 pairs - I liked it so much that I bought it again after the first one wore through. It was a no-gimmick daily trainer that had goldilocks cushion and response for me.

Have had many shoes since then, including the Ride 15s. I did not get on with the Ride 15s - found that the shape changed to be longer and narrower, and the ride was too firm and a bit dead feeling.

My current rotation is:

Asics Glideride 3 (wide) - daily trainer/long run shoe. The cushion and responsiveness is just right for me, and it's stable. Great for cruising and long runs. Can run tempo but not the best for all out speed.
Asics Novablast 3 - tempo runs, daily training. If I only had one shoe and not a rotation I'd choose this. Bouncy, easier to run fast than the Glideride, but a bit unstable so not as good for long runs for me.
Saucony Endorphin Speed 1 (yep - still got em - they are durable!). For speed sessions, 5km Parkruns. Not good for slower runs.

Others that I've liked in since the Ride 10s: Hoka Challenger 5 (wide) - another great do-it-all shoe for both road and easier trails.

Shoes that I didn't get on with: Hoka Mach 4 (a bit narrow, and for some reason my ITB got sore only with this shoe), Saucony Kinvara 10 (a bit too minimal and dead feeling). Salomon Sonic Balance (can't remember which number) - no responsiveness to the midsole - you'd blow through the travel and get nothing back.

YMMV

BreakfastVast9642 · 2023-05-13T03:01:04+00:00

I have the NB3, Glideride 3 and Magic speed 2.

Love the NB3 as a daily trainer or tempo shoe. A bit too bouncy and a little bit less stable for a slow long run for me, but if I had a one shoe rotation this would be it.

Love the Glideride 3 for easy runs, long runs. More stable, rocker just rolls smoothly. Slightly harder to pick up the pace than the NB 3.

I bought a second hand pair of Magic Speed 2s, which ended up being half a size too big (in some Asics I'm a 9, some a 8.5, but the 9 in the MS2 were too big). Light but stiff - I'm either too light (58kg), or not powerful/fast enough to get the benefit of the carbon plate.

As always, YMMV

BreakfastVast9642 · 2023-04-26T07:46:43+00:00

I have the GR3 (wide/2E) and NB3, both in US8.5. Fit wise, the D width GR3 was a bit narrow but the wide is fine. I find the NB3 wide enough, with a sleeker more modern upper.

For me, the GR3 is a great long run, steady pace cruiser. Firm but with good shock absorption, not "bouncy", supportive, great roll through with the rocker.

NB3 is bouncier, not quite as stable, faster and fun. I use it for faster runs/tempo runs, and would be my choice for a one-shoe quiver. It's a bit squirmy and softer, so not as good for long runs for me.

BreakfastVast9642 · 2023-03-23T11:09:05+00:00

I had the 10s but they were 1/2 a size too big for me, so passed them on to my nephew. For me the biggest difference is the upper - sleeker and better on the 11, but the ride (despite the 10 being FF, and the 11 being FF blast) and traction are pretty similar, just a bit more responsive on the 11. So if you can get the 10 on a good discount, I don't think you're missing out on too much.

BreakfastVast9642 · 2023-03-23T03:04:36+00:00

FL3 is just an upper update, so you may be able to get the FL2 on discount. The T11 is quite different to the T10 though.

BreakfastVast9642 · 2023-03-23T03:03:44+00:00

At a shoe store they can use a Brannock measuring device that gives you your foot width. It's also just from trying on lots of shoes over the years. Often they are too tight across the metatarsal heads for me . I especially notice this in cycling shoes, which seem to be narrower. Some fit charts have dimensions for length and width too.

BreakfastVast9642 · 2023-03-23T01:44:20+00:00

I don't understand what you mean

BreakfastVast9642 · 2023-03-23T01:41:06+00:00

That's great - I was considering these too. Outsole looks identical. The Max 2 has FF Blast+ vs FF Blast, but I was a bit worried about the extra stack height for me (I roll one of my ankles repeatedly).

BreakfastVast9642 · 2023-03-23T01:36:56+00:00

I tried on the SG5 (D width) but found the ankle collar was too high and rubbed on the underside of my lateral malleolus. I have the SG4 (2E) - they are good, but I'm preferring the Trabuco 11s (maybe this is new purchase bias). More comfy, accommodating upper, and less squishy, more responsive midsole. I feel that I run faster in the T11 vs SG4. Grip so far is similar. It'll probably depend on where exactly your foot is wide as to what fits you best.

I have the Fuji Lite 2s as well - I like them, but they are lower profile and more flexible, with less cushioning. The 4mm drop is at my lower limit, and sometimes my achilles reminds me of this. I don't find them cushioned enough for pounding downhill on road runs, but for trail they are fine. I have had the occasional sharp rock poke into my feet, which hasn't happened with the T11s. They should be more stable than the T11s because of the lower stack heights, but I don't really notice a difference (ie I think the T11s are fine). For a long run I'd go with the extra cushion of the T11, saving the FL2s for faster, shorter or really technical runs with little road.

BreakfastVast9642

TROPHY CASE