Best racing shoe options for masters-age hobby jogger?

No experience with Puma.

Mach X feels a little too blocky for racing or even faster speedwork.

Endo Speed 4 is highly versatile and smooth.

No to the Brooks.

Strong recommendation: Find a pair of Endorphin Speed 2 on sale. The best uptempo, versatile trainer/racer on the market.

If you want more of a racing feel, the Asics Magic Speed 3 is excellent. Not quite as bouncy, but for for tempo, speed and racing.

Whats wrong with the Brooks Hyperion? The Hyperion Tempo is on sale for $65. Worth a try?

I'd look for top tier shoes on sale. Some sales I've gotten are:

Alphafly 1 $150

Vaporfly 2 $150

Adios Pro 3 $135

Reebok RFP $79

Hyperion are fine if you like a firm sort of old school ride.

The foam Brooks uses is just not as competitive as others.

I really like the OG Brooks Hyperion Tempo as a racing shoe. They are on good sale now, but certainly not a “super shoe”, if that’s what you’re looking for.

I have a pair of the OG Hyperions, and I like them. I'm looking to try something different, though.

No experience with Puma.

Agree with ruling out the Mach X; it’s not nearly as good as the Speeds, not as smooth.

Haven’t tried the Brooks. But contrary to someone else’s comment, I think the newest version of their foam is pretty nice if you’re looking for a firmer ride. I really like it in the Ghost Max, and I did as well in the Caldera. You may find the Hyperion Elite (Brooks’s carbon shoe) under $200, since certain colors are $180 on the Brooks website.

Asics Magic series is on my radar, but haven’t tried them yet.

I ADORE the Endorphin Speed series; I’m on my fourth or fifth pair of the Speed 3. I know some people really love the Speed 2 (I didn’t like it as much as the 3), but I’ve heard lots of lukewarm comments about the 4. Highly recommend getting your hands on a pair of version 2 or 3, which you should find good deals on now that the 4 is out.

For a true carbon racer, I’m on my second pair of the adidas Adios Pro 3. Really like that shoe for my fastest running (in the 6:30 to 7:00 pace range), but don’t feel confident that it’s the right shoe for my longer racing (half marathons and up), where I’m at slower paces and tempted to use the Speeds (nylon plate, not carbon). Note that you can often get these in the $150-$160 range online, despite list price well north of $200; I think that’s a total bargain.

I run in the Saucony Endorphin Speed (nylon plate) recommended to me by a 3:20 67 year old marathon runner. I am on my third pair and rant my last 2 marathons in them. PR in the half as a 60 year old

Hello humblebraggers. When giving opinions on shoes is it necessary to drop in your pace or times?

I am about your same level -- have loved the Takumi Sen 8. It should be relatively inexpensive since the release of the 9. Check it out.

I see a couple of recommendations for the Speed/Speed 2.

I have a pair of Speed 2, and have had three pairs of Endorphin Pro 2. Even though the fit/feel is very similar, I’ve preferred the Pro.

The Speed is fine for me for maybe an hour or so of total running time, and quickly I stopped using them for anything with more than 30 min. workout volume. For a longer workout like an AT or MP run, I like the Pro. I’ve also liked racing a half and full in the Pro, but didn’t try either in the Speed (for reasons noted).

Yes. Times, age, and sex provide context.

As an older runner who wants to avoid injury is it even necessary to race 10K and above in racing shoes?

Is racing even necessary? I don't see this class of shoes as a significant contributor to injury risk.

For the other guy in the peanut gallery, LOL my paces are hardly a humble brag. I included them because some shoes respond differently to certain paces.

I am curious if pace is more important than distance? Kipchoge is off running marathoners faster than my mile pace these days. But if I want to run some fast 400s does that mean an alpha fly is ok or because I am going all out , do I want something designed more for md?