Take the Lead With the Best Marathon Running Shoes

• Weight: 7.2 oz.
• Heel-to-Toe Drop: 8mm

Fun, fast and plenty comfortable. What’s not to love about these all-new racers from Saucony? I enjoyed the underfoot sensation of the Speedroll technology, which gave each stride a nice roll forward which promoted more competitive pacing. And when you do get up to speed in the Endorphin Elites, the fork-shaped carbon plate shines with an abundance of energy return. The PWRRUN HG foam is also a great companion to all that responsiveness, giving every session a nice sense of cushioning that’s plenty capable of supporting you through the finish line.

As is the case with other marathon shoes, however, there is less of a structured heel counter in this profile, which can lead to some heel slippage at times. I particularly noticed this endeavor when turning on the track or up local side streets. A heel lock easily combats this dilemma, though, so as long as you know how to lace your shoes beyond those traditional bunny ears, there shouldn’t be an issue.

For an in-depth look, be sure to read our full review of the Saucony Endorphin Elites.

• Weight: 8.30 oz.
• Heel-to-Toe Drop: 5mm

Seriously, this all-new silhouette from Hoka could easily be in the top spot of this roundup if you ask me on another day. This long-awaited marathon profile has been great for the brand’s faithful followers, providing a premium mix of cushioning and responsiveness that rivals other brands that have owned the category for years now. I also appreciate how the Rocket X 2 utilizes a coupled midsole without any breaks between the heel and forefoot, as this (along with the wider outsole) creates a stable ride throughout that’s much more approachable for beginners just getting used to the super shoe aesthetic.

I also found the spoon-shaped carbon plate to pack enough springiness for forward momentum once I reached my racing pace. Getting to that speed, however, took a little more doing, as it can be hard to get everything out of the Profly X midsole geometry and PEBA foam underfoot at slower tempos. Still, though, once you hit that cruising altitude, this latest offering from the “Take Flight” brand can be perfect for launching into the leader position.

For an in-depth look, be sure to read our full review of the Hoka Rocket X 2s.

• Weight: 11.3 oz.
• Heel-to-Toe Drop: 8mm

Okay, so technically this silhouette is illegal for runners sanctioned by World Athletics, but for the average Joe looking to expand their competitive spirit beyond the yearly turkey trot, these max-cushioned kicks from New Balance should be on your list. The flat knit upper is ultra cozy across the foot, and there’s enough stretch to keep things comfortable without sacrificing lockdown. Plus, the Energy Arc technology makes channeling all that responsiveness through the sky-high stack height of 47mm a much easier endeavor than you’d think.

Of course, though, the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trainers are a heftier shoe than most silhouettes destined for the starting line, and that added weight could begin to clunk up your form along those final stretches. For less than $200, though, this surprisingly stable ride could be worth pacing in, whether on race day or through lengthier training sessions.

• Weight: 8.1 oz.
• Heel-to-Toe Drop: 6.5mm

Serving as the super shoe currently holding the crown from this year’s Boston Marathon, it’s clear that the Adios Pro 3s are one heck of a racing silhouette. In my laps and paces, I really appreciated the super-responsive Lightstrike Pro cushioning foam and rigid yet springy Energyrod technology. This one-two punch shined brightest at the tail end of long training days, providing exceptional cushioning and responsiveness to finish off my routes.

The Continental rubber outsole was also a more than welcome perk. Despite its smooth structure, I was easily able to find grip on multiple running surfaces — there’s a reason Continental’s tires are some of the most versatile and trusted on the market, after all. The only caveat to this otherwise impressive sneaker is its lacing system. Finding that locked-down feel takes some finagling, but once you solve the Rubik’s cube, the fit is pristine and secure.

• Weight: 7.7 oz.
• Heel-to-Toe Drop: 4mm

It takes one look at this unique silhouette to know there’s something funky going on when riding this wave, and that’s definitely the case when you get up to cruising paces. There’s essentially no heel across the Smooth Speed Assist design, which persuades you to run more forward and launch off the toe much like you would in a track spike? The result is surprisingly fun and energetic, unless you typically heel strike.

There’s also another caveat to the Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro’s unique geometry in that pushing past your normal marathon speed can be a bit of an awkward experience. The shape itself can begin to feel somewhat unnatural during sprints where you’re more focused about pushing off with intensity than rolling through your normal gaits. Still, though, I’m happy to pace at race speeds in this trippy kick. After all, at just 7.7 ounces, there’s no questioning whether I’ll have any juice left in the tank to cross the finish line.

• Weight: 8.4 oz.
• Heel-to-Toe Drop: 8mm

When Eliud Kipchoge gave the world its first sub-two hour marathon, he did so in the predecessors of this sleek, snappy racer (he also set the official marathon world record in these puppies, too). While I’m definitely not eyeing up a blistering pace of that status, I still found these Alphafly 2s to provide excellent pop and quickness, highlighted by the two Zoom Air pods and easy-to-engage Flyplate technology. Getting up to racing speeds was an easy task, and the energy return was exceptional down the stretch when my body began to tire and form began to falter.

I also like how light and breathable the Alphafly 2’s Atomknit upper is when pacing through clear conditions, but admittedly, the lack of thicker textiles here can lead to some soaked socks if running through any less-than-ideal weather. Thankfully, though the outsole grip didn’t seem to give me any issues in these wetter conditions, so at least you have that to rely on as you put down quite possibly your quickest runs to date.

• Weight: 10.4 oz.
• Heel-to-Toe Drop: 4mm

26.2 miles is a hefty trip to put your feet through, so to keep your digits as comfortable as possible, it helps to have plenty of plush underfoot. The massive 34mm stack height of the Fresh Foam X More v4s from New Balance definitely bring the cushioning, creating a welcome experience that can keep you cozy well into the double digit mileage.

I enjoyed the cloud-like feel of these runners, but also appreciated the data-driven outsole. This technology from New Balance promotes a more natural footstrike, giving this silhouette some stabilizing factors as well. This can also help you cross the finish line without added aches or pains, as your form is bound to be compromised after pounding the pavement for so long. As with all New Balance sneakers, though, be sure to pay attention to sizing — some athletes may need to size down to achieve a proper fit on race day.

• Weight: 7.3 oz
• Heel-to-Toe Drop: 0m

If you prefer the more natural feel of zero-drop shoes, the Vanish Carbon from Altra should definitely be on your radar. While I felt that the rockered geometry didn’t offer a true zero drop aesthetic, I still enjoyed the strides in this carbon-plated racer. The sleek silhouette gives it that fast-paced look, and I felt exceptional support, especially in the midfoot. There’s also plenty of room in the toe box to splay, which can be viewed as a positive to some (I, for one, prefer a tighter toe box in my racing shoes).

As Altra’s first “super shoe,” I think this definitely hits the mark, but there are a few things to consider. For one, the laces are waxy, and it can be difficult to find that truly secure fit. Also, don’t expect these to be your go-to race day sneakers for multiple marathons. I noticed some outsole wear and tear after just 20 logged miles.

For an in-depth look, be sure to read our full review of the Altra Vanish Carbons.

• Weight: 7.76 oz.
• Heel-to-Toe Drop: 9mm

While some (okay, a lot) of the silhouettes in this marathon running shoe roundup boast high stack heights and large profiles, this offering from On is more of the sleek roadster variety. I appreciated this quick and nimble outline across the Cloudbloom Echo as it fully supported this shoe’s main intention — fast-paced racing. The 9mm drop places the heel in the ideal position for an energetic transitions, and I found toe-offs to be a breeze thanks to the synergetic Speedboard, Helion Superfoam and Cloudtech midsole.

The On Cloudbloom Echo performed best during short bursts and sprints, but naturally, you can’t keep that pace for the entirety of a marathon. Plus, despite the brand’s “Run on Clouds'' mantra, I found this profile to be less forgiving than others in the On stable and definitely less plush than other shoes tested. That pounding could take a toll on your feet and legs if you’re taking on 26.2, but for anyone that mixes in quick 10ks or halves as part of their running season, this can be an excellent option.

• Weight: 7.2 oz.
• Heel-to-Toe Drop: 5mm

Knowing your specific stride can help you tailor your tangibles when it comes to marathon racing. For example, stride runners tend to lengthen their stride when quickening the pace, and the Metaspeed Sky+ from Asics is specifically designed to cater to this action. The lightweight, vibrant upper works well with the energetic midsole foam for an efficient run that’s sure to impress. Plus, the Sky+ model packs in more FF Turbo foam across the build than its predecessor for added cushioning and performance.

The Metaspeed Sky+ also features a higher carbon plate within the midsole stack to allow for greater compression of the aforementioned FF Turbo foam during toe-offs. This is definitely present, as I felt an impressive bounce when pushing off down the stretch. I did feel more of a pronounced outward role — which would be great for pronators — but all in all, this is a great upgrade to an already impressive racing family from Asics.

• Weight: 9 oz.
• Heel-to-Toe Drop: 8.5mm

Remember those moon shoe toys we had as kids that essentially turned your feet into their own trampolines? While that technology looked way cooler on the commercial than it performed in reality, these Prime X Strung running shoes from Adidas are, in my opinion, your next best option that actually put spring into your step. The massive (and World Athletics-illegal) stack height of 49.5mm in the heel and 41mm in the forefoot places your footprint on a platform unlike any other, and the Lightstrike Pro cushioning and carbon-infused EnergyRods give this sneaker impeccable bounce and energy return. The result is a fun, interesting ride that’s sure to leave you smiling.

Unfortunately, having a stack height as tall as some compact cars can be a detriment when it comes to ground feel — there’s simply no way to fight through all that material to connect with the pavement. Also, $300 is quite a lot of coin to drop on a shoe that doesn’t meet World Athletics requirements…but in the words of John Bender, “Being bad feels pretty good, huh?”

• Weight: 8.04 oz.
• Heel-to-Toe Drop: 9mm

I’ll admit, seeing the Salomon brand in a list of marathon running shoes seemed odd at first. After all, Salomon is mostly known for its dominance in the trail running and outdoor category. The S/Lab Phantasms squash all hesitancies, though, thanks to a composite — not carbon — footplate that’s plenty energetic.

The race-ready red aesthetic also gives a notion of speed, and the Phantasms accentuate that with the springy Energy Surge foam and Reverse Camber sole geometry for smooth transitions. While some athletes have noted a lengthier profile that can run longer than your normal sneakers, the fact that Salomon has created such a unique silhouette is great for racers everywhere. After all, carbon plates aren’t for everyone, so it’s nice to see the brand catering to this audience — depending on your definition of carbon plates.

• Weight: 7.5 oz.
• Heel-to-Toe Drop: 8mm

Of course, marathons can be an intimidating event for beginner athletes, but halves can be just as enjoyable without the extended mileage. For these shorter yet still rewarding races, I recommend the new Flow Velociti Elites from Under Armour. Serving as the brand’s first super shoe, these sneakers boast an impressively lightweight frame, and the less aggressive geometry across the midsole and outsole give each stride a heightened sense of stability. I had no issues navigating corners or tackling multi-mile runs with the Flow Velociti Elites and would happily toe the starting line of a course with ample twists and turns while donning them.

I do list these as the best running shoe for half marathons instead of full marathons, though, because the full-length carbon plate is not as propulsive as other silhouettes tested. There’s a lack of pop that limits how much you’d be able to reap from this profile along those final stretches of your event, which limits its running range. Still, however, for shorter distance races, I think Under Armour has a winner on their hands (err, feet).

For an in-depth look, be sure to read our full review of the Under Armour UA Flow Velociti Elites.

• Weight: 8.1 oz.
• Heel-to-Toe Drop: 8mm

As stated before, when it comes to training for a marathon, you don’t want to log your sessions atop your dedicated racers due to their race-specific designs. Well, for those miles leading up to the starting line, I really enjoy the Endorphin Speed 3s from Saucony. The updated S-curve winged nylon plate helps improve energy return and support without that rigid carbon-plate feel, and the wider midfoot and heel help keep things stable as you fine-tune your strides for longer distances.

I also admire this Saucony silhouette for marathon training because of the soft PWRRUN PB foam that’s perfect for working out, and the sub-$200 price tag helps ease some of the pain associated with gearing up for a marathon. The one complaint I have about this profile, though, is the tongue. While this component is gusseted for better security, I still experienced some sliding from time to time, which called for some readjustments to eliminate any bunching. Oh well, I guess when the stakes aren’t as high as they would be on race day, I can afford to stop along the course to help improve my comfort.

• Weight: 10.5 oz.
• Heel-to-Toe Drop: 8mm

Getting used to the 26.2-mile race course ahead can be a daunting task, and for newcomers, you want to ensure you’re capable of tackling that distance without feeling any fatigue. While heavier than other shoes in this guide, the new Gel-Nimbus 25 silhouette from Asics has quickly become one of my favorite trainers for these lengthier sessions. There’s a ton of plush underfoot thanks to the FF Blast Plus Eco cushioning and PureGEL technology, and the soft knit upper helps keep your feet locked into performance while remaining ultra cozy.

I did notice, though, that the blanket-like aesthetic of the soft knit upper was not the best pairing to hotter weather, and some unwanted sweat easily developed during some of my initial routes. Plus, due to the added weight, I wouldn’t recommend this profile for tempo days. For those that just want to ensure they can tackle the lengthier routes, though, this kick is plenty comfortable for keeping you in stride.

• Weight: 9.1 oz.
• Heel-to-Toe Drop: 6mm

Marathon running isn’t always about just completing the 26.2-mile course, naturally. Because of the competition aspect, you’re bound to push your pace a little more on race day, so it helps to train for this notion from time to time. In testing, I really enjoyed the feel of the Deviate Nitro 2s from Puma, as the upgraded midsole construction provided excellent plush and bounce that catered to this uptempo training style.

The combination of Nitro and Nitro Elite foams across the sole create a nice mix of cushioning and energy return, which is ideal for trying to lay down faster times in your workouts. With that said, though, I don’t think this silhouette deserves the “max cushion” label Puma has bestowed upon this silhouette. This is definitely an excellent tempo trainer, but for those really wanting that pillow-like vibe for marathon training, I’d suggest opting for the aforementioned Gel Nimbus 25s.