The 20 best marathon running shoes

Running a marathon is a big deal, even for an experienced runner. And it's even more complicated if you don't have the right trainers. So, here's a list of the 20 best running shoes for a marathon. Whether you're looking to improve your personal best, or just participate, there is a running shoe that will help you do your absolute best. 

At RUNNEA, we understand that selecting the right pair of running shoes is crucial for success in any race, potentially making the difference between triumphantly crossing the finish line or facing the disappointment of having to quit early. We believe that alongside your physical and mental preparation, as well as your race strategy, the running shoes you choose become key allies. These selections can empower you to showcase your best performance on the track, underlining the importance of aligning them with your specific goals for the marathon. Consequently, we emphasize understanding the time goals and pacing strategies suitable for each runner profile, ensuring our recommendations—curated by the RUNNEA team and regularly updated with the latest market releases—match your individual needs

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Best running shoes for a marathon 

1. New Balance Supercomp Elite v4
2. Nike Alphafly 3
3. Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3
4. Nike Vaporfly 3
5. Adidas Ultraboost Light 23
6. Brooks Glycerin 21
7. New Balance Fresh FoamX 1080 v13
8. Adidas Adizero Boston 12
9. Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 2
10. Joma R3000
11. ASICS Nimbus 26
12. ASICS METASPEED Sky+
13. HOKA Clifton 9
14. HOKA Cielo X1
15. Mizuno Wave Rider 27
16. On Cloudeclipse
17. Under Armour Infinite Elite
18. Saucony Endorphin Pro 4
19. Saucony Triumph 21
20. Brooks Hyperion Elite 4

New Balance Supercomp Elite v4

The New Balance FuelCell Supercomp Elite v4 is the best rated racing shoe from the American brand, and this mew version is better able adapt to the needs of the most demanding and fast athletes. Its improvements are significant in areas as important as cushioning and design. But it is not only about improving performance: this new model also offers an enhanced running experience, adding greater comfort and safety.

• Surface: Road
• Technology: Carbon plate
• Cushion: Neutral
• Running gait: Neutral
• Drop: 4 mm
• Pace: High

Nike Alphafly 3

The Nike Alphafly 3 are a fantastic pair of shoes for a marathon and are often found in the Best Of lists- although it has to be said, they are pricey. Kelvin Kiptum had a pair of Alphafly on his feet when he became the fastest marathon runner on the planet. Sadly Kiptum passed away in a traffic accident in February 2024, though he will be remembered for his 2.00:35 marathon. The third version of Alphafly are the lightest ever. They feature a wider carbon fibre plate for increased stability, ZoomX foam for smoother and faster transitions, and the Atomknit upper, redesigned to improve breathability and multi-directional movement.

• Surface: Road
• Technology: Carbon plate
• Use: Racing
• Cushion: High
• Running gait: Neutral
• Drop: 8 mm
• Pace: High

Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3

The adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3.0, the new edition of the most successful running shoes of the German company, lands in the market with the same essence but with some improvements in its structure, such as the incorporation of two layers of foam in its midsole and the optimization of the carbon plate in order to achieve a greater energy return in each stride. The drop reduction is another note worthy aspect, giving more height to the forefoot area.

• Surface: Road
• Technology: Carbon plate
• Use: Racing
• Cushion: High
• Running gait: Neutral
• Drop: 6,5
• Pace: High
• Weight: 215 gr

Nike Vaporfly 3

The Nike Vaporfly Next% 3 is Nike Running  marathon racing shoe par excellence, featuring a new update with a revamped upper and midsole that includes the brand's lightest and most reactive foam , ZoomX, but with a completely new layout to be fast and efficient. You'll run sub 4:30 min/km and distances between 10k and marathon.

• Surface: Road
• Technology: Carbon plate
• Use: Racing
• Cushion: Neutral, High
• Running gait: Neutral
• Drop: 8 mm
• Pace: High
• Weight: 200 gr

Adidas Ultraboost Light 23

It comes back with renewed airs, and ready to reverse all the criticisms about its previous version. The new midsole with BOOST Light foam, a new innovation in adidas' BOOST technology, focuses on a molecular design to make this version the lightest to date. Up to 30% less compared to previous versions. A perfect balance between cushioning and comfort, which is able to propel you, more efficiently, in every stride.

• Surface: Road
• Use: Training
• Cushion: High
• Running gait: Neutral, Supination
• Drop: 10 mm
• Pace: Low, Medium

Brooks Glycerin 21

The new version of the Brooks Glycerin 21 come out in 2024. The new model will incorporate significant modifications with respect to previous versions, without losing the essence of the shoe that have become so popular for so many seasons, offering maximum comfort and cushioning in each of our strides.

• Surface: Road
• Use: Training
• Cushion: High
• Running gait: Neutral, Supination
• Drop: 10 mm
• Pace: Low, Medium
• Weight: 277,8

New Balance Fresh FoamX 1080 v13

The New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v13 is one of the reference running shoes, not only from New Balance, but from the entire running universe. The new version comes with a major renovation with respect to the previous version. It aims to maximize our running experience on the asphalt with very noticeable improvements.

• Surface: Road
• Use: Training
• Cushion: High
• Running gait: Neutral
• Drop: 6 mm
• Pace: Low
• Weight: 262 gr

Adidas Adizero Boston 12

The new adidas Adizero Boston 12 is a mixed running shoe, ideal for fast paces in a marathon since it incorporates some of the most outstanding technologies of the brand to offer great dynamism, speed and cushioning throughout the race.

• Surface: Road
• Use: Training, Racing
• Cushion: Neutral
• Running gait: Neutral
• Drop: 7 mm
• Pace: High

Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 2

The Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 2, featuring a carbon plate and a unique floating heel, is designed to maximize speed and performance for runners focusing on middle to long distances. This model surpasses its predecessor in terms of lightness, thanks to the softer yet more responsive Enerzy Lite+ foam. Its forefoot geometry is enhanced for improved stride efficiency. Additionally, the upper part of the shoe has been strengthened to offer better fit and stability with every step.

• Surface: Road
• Technology: Carbon plate
• Use: Racing
• Cushion: Neutral
• Running gait: Neutral
• Pace: High

Joma R3000

Joma R3000 is one of the best and fastest mixed shoes on the market. It is a model that includes carbon fiber plate to improve your propulsion in each stride and run at higher speeds. Another of the plus points of this option from Joma is that it has a very well cushioned base, which will allow you to accumulate kilometers at livelier paces, but also adding safety and comfort. That's why this R3000 is the premium competition shoe from the Todelo brand.

• Surface: Road
• Technology: Carbon plate
• Use: Racing
• Cushion: High
• Running gait: Neutral
• Drop: 8 mm
• Pace: High

ASICS Nimbus 26

The ASICS Gel Nimbus 26 is an ideal daily training shoe for heavyweight runners because of its maximalist approach and great cushioning. The new version maintains the essence of the series, characterised by icomfort and protection.

• Surface: Road
• Use: Training
• Cushion: High
• Running gait: Neutral
• Drop: 8 mm
• Pace: Low, Medium

ASICS METASPEED Sky+

To date, the fastest road running shoe from the Japanese brand. Designed for fast long-distance running, the ASICS METASPEED SKY + has three main features: responsive cushioning, carbon propulsion plate and rocker geometry.

• Surface: Road
• Technology: Carbon plate
• Use: Racing
• Cushion: High
• Running gait: Neutral
• Drop: 5 mm
• Pace: High
• Weight: 205 gr

HOKA Clifton 9

The HOKA Clifton 9 is a daily training shoe that combines cushioning, lightness and softness. We are talking about a model of medium build and neutral stride with 5 millimeters of drop and around 250 grams of weight that will provide a fluid and comfortable run. A perfect model for runners weighing up to 85 kilos looking for a model to complete all kinds of distances at a pace of up to 4:30 min/km.

• Surface: Road
• Use: Training
• Cushion: Neutral, High
• Running gait: Neutral, Supination
• Drop: 5 mm
• Pace: Medium, High
• Weight: 250 gr

HOKA Cielo X1

The HOKA Cielo X1 is a redefinition of the concept of speed in long-distance running. Innovative and fast, but also comfortable and safe. Its dual density midsole, great lightness, its dynamic cuts and its propulsion level make it ready for record-breaking performance.

• Surface: Road
• Technology: Carbon plate
• Use: Training, Racing
• Cushion: Neutral
• Running gait: Neutral
• Drop: 7 mm
• Pace: High
• Weight: 210 gr

Mizuno Wave Rider 27

If there is an emblematic and iconic shoe of the Japanese brand, this is undoubtedly the Mizuno Wave Rider, now in its 27th edition. It is a shoe with a high drop, 12mm, ideal for those runners who prioritize comfort and cushioning over fast paces and long distances.

• Surface: Road
• Use: Training
• Cushion: Neutral, High
• Running gait: Neutral, Supination
• Drop: 12 mm
• Pace: Low, Medium

On Cloudeclipse

The new On Cloudeclipse is one of the most outstanding running shoes from the Swiss brand, featuring the latest innovations and technologies developed by On Running to allow us to run with excellent comfort and performance.

• Surface: Road
• Use: Training
• Cushion: High
• Running gait: Neutral
• Drop: 6 mm
• Pace: Medium

Under Armour Infinite Elite

The Under Armour Infinite Elite are running shoes for your most intense workouts thanks to their great reactivity and comfort.

• Surface: Road
• Use: Training
• Cushion: Neutral
• Running gait: Neutral
• Drop: 8 mm
• Pace: Medium, High
• Weight: 358 gr

Saucony Endorphin Pro 4

The Saucony Endorphin Pro 4, together with the Endorphin Elite, are the fastest shoes from the brand that incorporate a carbon fibre plate. This new version includes significant improvements to solidify its position as a top-tier training shoe. 

• Surface: Road
• Technology: Carbon plate
• Use: Racing
• Cushion: Neutral
• Drop: 8 mm
• Pace: High
• Weight: 212 gr

Saucony Triumph 21

The Saucony Triumph 21 is an example of what a company can achieve by reinventing and improving a popular model year after year. We are talking about running shoes designed to offer great cushioning and stability in all your workouts and competitions. A model created for running that you can demand great performance, so we are talking about a model of maximum versatility of the brand that combines cutting-edge materials and technologies, such as its PWRRUN + midsole. A model that will maintain the weights of its predecessor (280 grams) and that will not change the drop, which remains at 10mm, which is familiar to us for some seasons now.

• Surface: Road
• Use: Training
• Cushion: Neutral
• Running gait: Neutral
• Drop: 10 mm
• Pace: Low, Medium
• Weight: 280 gr

Brooks Hyperion Elite 4

The Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 stands out from other fast shoes thanks to the combination of its midsole, with an evolved DNA Flash v2 foam, and its corresponding carbon plate. It brings a new fit, but perhaps more importantly, this model is able to offer 10% more energy return than the previous version.

• Surface: Road
• Technology: Carbon plate
• Use: Racing
• Cushion: High
• Running gait: Neutral
• Drop: 8 mm
• Pace: High
• Weight: 221 gr

You might be interested in:

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• The fastest adidas shoes that will take you to the next level and help you beat your personal best in marathons
• World marathon icon Kelvin Kiptum dies in car accident