These Marathon Running Shoes Will Carry You Across the Finish Line

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these-marathon-running-shoes-will-carry-you-across-the-finish-line — These Marathon Running Shoes Will Carry You Across the Finish Line

By now, you’ve probably heard that marathons are the new quarter life crisis. And while running 26.2 miles with thousands of strangers may or may not be the fix to whatever is giving you the mid-20s to early-30s blues, I can attest that it’s shockingly fun. There’s plenty that marathoners can do to keep a smile on their face for as many of those grueling miles as possible, like training smart, fueling well—and choosing a pair of shoes that makes the race fly by.

While “marathon shoes” may conjure budget-breaking performance pairs claiming to help you get a PR, the truth is that the best marathon shoe is whatever works for you. That might be a carbon-plated super shoe, a trusted daily trainer, or something in between. We rounded up the best in each of those categories, with the help of running coaches, shoe experts, and podiatrists to help you find the right pair.

Our top picks

Best Overall: Nike Alphafly 3, $275
Best for Wide Feet: New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4, ~~$250~~ $188
Best Budget Plated: Saucony Endorphin Speed 5, $175
Most Durable: Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris, $250
Most Comfortable: Saucony Endorphin Pro 4, $240
Best for Beginners: Hoka Clifton 10, $150
Best Zero-Drop: Altra Vanish Carbon 2, $240
Best for Overpronators: Brooks Glycerin GTS 22, $165
Best for Trail Marathons: Hoka Speedgoat 6, $200

Twenty-six miles has nothing on you and these trusted shoe picks.

Best Overall: Nike Alphafly 3

For runners looking to BQ, PR, or just run fast, the Nike Alphafly—a.k.a. the original super shoe—still reigns supreme, and for good reason. A 2024 Sneaker Award winner for just how speedy it is, the Alphafly boasts a full carbon plate for propulsion, AirZoom pods to absorb impact and add bounce, and a stack of trampoline-level foam.

When SELF’s fitness editor tested them, she loved how they felt speedy and exciting. “These shoes are super light, super cushioned, and super high (the stack height and foam underfoot are legit),” she wrote. “They’re also really, really fast. As soon as I picked up the pace from warm-up to speedwork, I immediately felt the bounce and push forward with each step. The shoes were so fast that it made hard workouts fun.”

Dr. Paras Parekh, DPM, a podiatrist based in Chicago, is also a fan of the Alphafly. “It’s a great shoe, and the feedback from my patients has been that they’re durable, and they really help runners improve their speed because it teaches them to shift their center of gravity onto the ball of their foot,” he says.

Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Material: Engineered upper, carbon plate, foam, rubber | Weight: 6.1 oz | Heel-to-toe drop: 8 mm

Best for Wide Feet: New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4

New Balance

FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4

Unfortunately, runners with wide feet who want a speedy shoe don’t have many options to choose from. While we’ve come a long way in terms of daily trainers being offered in wide (and even extra-wide) sizes, most super shoes still only come in one standard size. One notable exception: The New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4.

It also happens to be a top-tier racing shoe. I wear the normal width, and have run two marathons in it—including my current PR. It’s more comfortable and more stable than nearly any other super shoe I’ve run in, and just as fast. It’s also a good choice for middle-of-the-pack runners looking for some speed, as I’ve found you don’t have to be running six-minute miles to reap its benefits.

Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Materials: Engineered upper, foam, carbon plate, rubber | Weight: 6.6 oz | Heel-to-toe drop: 4 mm

Best Budget Plated: Saucony Endorphin Speed 5

If investing in a carbon-plated shoe isn’t in the budget (or if you find those shoes are just too aggressive for you), consider a shoe like the Saucony Endorphin Speed. It has a more forgiving nylon plate in the midsole, plus a lower price tag and a longer lifespan.

Chris Dickerson, a running coach and the owner of Woodbridge Running Company in Connecticut, tells SELF that he recommends the Endorphin Speed to customers looking for a fast marathon shoe that’s a step down from a super shoe. While I’ve never run a marathon in this shoe, I have logged hundreds of miles in it, and can attest to the fact that it has a snappy, fun ride and is as comfortable as a daily trainer.

Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Material: Engineered mesh, winged nylon plate, foam, rubber | Weight: 7.2 oz | Heel-to-toe drop: 8 mm

Most Durable: Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris

Another Sneaker Award winner and another favorite of Dr. Parekh, the Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris is ultra-lightweight super shoe that’s built to last. “The Metaspeed series is really good; they tend to fit my patients’ feet really well,” says Dr. Parekh. “They’re very breathable, and out of all the shoes I’ve seen my patients come in with, they’re extremely durable.”

Our tester was impressed too. “These sneakers are super bouncy and fast,” she said. “They feel light, comfortable, and definitely like they’re powering me forward—like an extension of my foot, but one that makes me springier and speedier. They were equally fun on the pavement and on the track.”

If the Metaspeed Sky Paris isn’t quite the right fit for you, consider the Metaspeed Edge Paris, which has all the same benefits in a slightly different shape.

Sizes: US 5 to 14.5 | Material: Mesh, foam, carbon plate, rubber | Weight: 6.5 oz | Heel-to-toe drop: 5 mm

Most Comfortable: Saucony Endorphin Pro 4

Comfort isn’t always a given with fast marathon shoes, and some runners choose to sacrifice feeling good for feeling fast. With the Saucony Endorphin Pro 4, there’s no need to choose. I ran my first marathon in an earlier version of this shoe, and couldn’t understand why everyone else was complaining about blisters and lost toenails afterwards. It’s also so fast that I often opt for it for shorter races, when I’m logging quicker miles.

Certified running coach Laura Norris previously told SELF that it’s a great option for slower runners looking for a super shoe, or runners who could use a touch of stability. “It’s one of the top favorites for people I coach—it’s very accessible,” she says. “It’s got a very responsive foam, but it still feels like there’s an element of control.”

Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Materials: Mesh, foam, carbon plate, rubber | Weight: 6.5 oz | Heel-to-toe drop: 8 mm

Best for Beginners: Hoka Clifton 10

You know it, you love it—the Hoka Clifton is one of the most beloved daily trainers out there, and for newbie runners just trying to finish their first marathon, you can’t ask for a more reliable pair. With plenty of cushioning; a comfortable, locked-in fit; and a stable ride, the Clifton has everything that beginner marathons need—and nothing they don’t.

Dr. Parekh, for one, is a fan of all the shock absorption the Cliftons offer. His fellow podiatrists agree: The Clifton 10 was awarded the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) seal of acceptance, meaning a group of podiatrists reviewed the shoe and concluded that it promotes good foot health.

A word of warning to anyone shopping for this shoe in a men’s size: The men’s Clifton 10 is technically illegal to race in, with 42 millimeters of foam in the heel, but the women’s version is safe for racing, with only 38 millimeters.

Sizes: US 4 to 12 | Material: Jacquard knit upper, foam, rubber | Weight: 8.8 oz | Heel-to-toe drop: 8 mm

Best Zero-Drop: Altra Vanish Carbon 2

Another rule of choosing a marathon shoe: It’s usually a good idea to opt for a pair that has similar features to whatever works well for you on the daily. In other words: If you typically train in zero-drop shoes, you’ll probably want to race in zero-drop shoes too.

If you’re looking for a zero-drop super shoe, your choice is easy, as there’s really only one of them—the Altra Vanish Carbon 2. Dr. Parekh agrees that the Vanish Carbon is the best choice for zero-drop fans looking for a super shoe, and says that it has worked well for his patients.

Plus, Altras have another major benefit: Unlike most super shoes, which have an unforgiving narrow fit, Altras have a wide, accommodating toe box, which can be more comfortable for those with wider feet, or those with toe injuries or complications, he says.

Sizes: US 5.5 to 12 | Material: Mesh, foam, carbon plate, rubber | Weight: 5.8 oz | Heel-to-toe drop: 0 mm

Best for Overpronators: Brooks Glycerin GTS 22

If you’re an overpronator who wears a stability shoe in your daily training, you may want to stick with the same style of shoe for your marathon. One option that offers plenty of stability, plus loads of comfortable cushioning to pad your 26-plus miles: The Brooks Glycerin GTS 22, the stability version of the brand’s beloved Glycerin. It has additional features that encourage a normal foot strike and keep your shoes from wearing out unevenly.

Dickerson says the Glycerin GTS is one he’d pick out for customers looking for a stability shoe for a marathon, adding that it has just the right amount of foam underfoot to protect the body over those long miles.

Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Material: Engineered jacquard upper, foam, rubber | Weight: 9.5 oz | Heel-to-toe drop: 10 mm

Best for Trail Marathons: Hoka Speedgoat 6

While marathons are usually run on roads, there are plenty of trail marathons out there (not to mention all the ultramarathons that go far beyond 26.2 miles). If the trails are calling you, you’ll want to be sure you have a shoe that can go the distance and can protect you from everything you could encounter on technical terrain, from slippery mud to sharp rocks.

A 2022 SELF Sneaker Award winner, the Hoka Speedgoat has all the features you’d expect in a fan-favorite trail shoe—like a grippy outsole, a protective toe cap, and a durable upper—plus a generous stack of cushioning to keep you comfortable over all those miles. James McCormack, a physical therapist and running shoe expert based in France, previously told SELF that the latest version of the Speedgoat is the best yet, with a refined, locked-in fit and super-smooth heel-to-toe transitions.

Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Material: Woven upper, foam, rubber | Weight: 8.2 oz | Heel-to-toe drop: 5 mm

What to look for when choosing a marathon running shoe

You may be able to get away with running in a shoe that’s not a perfect fit in a 5K, or a 10K. “But over longer distances, the shoe fit becomes that much more important,” says Dr. Parekh. “I always tell my runners that it’s not about what appears to be the fastest shoe or the lightest shoe or the most cushioned shoe—it’s really based on your foot type, your running style, and any previous injuries.”

After all, while there are plenty of fancy features that could help you run faster, “no tech features matter if you shoe doesn’t fit your foot well, because you’re never going to be able to make the most of those features if the shoe is sloppy on your foot, or too tight, or not tall enough,” Laura Henry, a running coach and personal trainer, tells SELF.

To ensure you get that perfect fit, Henry recommends visiting a specialty running store, where an expert can help you determine what might work for you based on your gait and foot shape. No matter what kind of shoe you end up opting for, make sure there’s a half thumbnail’s distance between the end of your big toe and the front of the shoe (for when your feet inevitably swell), and that you’ve tested the shoe on long runs to make sure it holds up.

Many runners will want to opt for a shoe on the more cushioned side for a marathon. “That extra cushioning really pays dividends—your body doesn’t feel as beat up,” Dickerson says. That’s because running a marathon requires so much repetitive strain on the body, so having enough foam in a shoe can help absorb some of that impact, says Henry.

That said, the right level of cushioning also depends on your personal preference, your foot and gait type, and your body size, so go with what feels best for you.

If you’re looking to not just finish a marathon, but race it, you may want to consider a shoe that offers a speedy boost. The fastest shoes on the market have a propulsive carbon plate, which acts as a spring to help you turn over your feet more efficiently. You’ll also find shoes with plates made of other materials, like nylon or pebax, which tend to be more affordable and more durable.

Other features that can make a shoe fast include a soft, bouncy stack of foam or a light footprint. Keep in mind that fast shoes—especially carbon-plated “super shoes”—can be very expensive and don’t last nearly as long as a daily trainer. But if you’re an experienced runner looking to make the most of your marathon, they could be well worth the investment.

How we picked these shoes

As a four-time marathoner and avid runner, I’ve spent lots of time testing shoes over 20-plus miles. This list includes some personal favorites that have stood up to the test—plus recommendations from running coaches, shoe experts, and podiatrists.

Frequently asked questions

Can the right shoe actually make you run faster?

You’ve probably seen advertising for carbon-plated super shoes boasting that they can improve running efficiency by, say, three or four percent. But it’s important to remember that just because they can, doesn’t mean they will, says Henry.

Those shoes are often tested on the most elite athletes, who will see the biggest boost. The average runner will likely get less of an efficiency benefit, if any. So while throwing on a pair of Alphaflys isn’t a one-way ticket to a 10-minute personal record, a lightweight shoe that’s built for speed has the potential to help you run more efficiently, conserve energy and finish faster—but only if it’s the right shoe for you.

What are the “shoe rules” for a marathon?

Per World Athletics, the governing body for all road running events, a race shoe may not contain more than one rigid plate or have a maximum thickness exceeding 40 millimeters. While a shoe with more than one plate is unusual, there’s a surprising number of shoes that are “illegal” due to having a stack height over 40 millimeters. And while an elite or competitive athlete would face disqualification for wearing such a shoe, it’s unlikely—but not impossible—that casual marathoners just trying to finish would face any consequences for wearing an illegal shoe.

Still, Henry requires her athletes to race in “legal” shoes, both to eliminate any possibility of being disqualified and for integrity’s sake. “At the end of the day, do you want to be an athlete who races with integrity, or an athlete who breaks the rules because you can?” she says. “If we aren’t collectively trying to do the right thing, the integrity of the sport is lost.”