If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.
Table of Contents
Marathons are booming around the world, but whether it’s your first or your tenth race, shoes are crucial. The best marathon running shoes are purpose-built for long-distance jaunts, complete with extra cushioning for hours of comfort, springiness for sustained energy, and (most importantly) pretty looks for that unavoidable post-race Instagram carousel.
At a Glance: The Best Marathon Running Shoes
Luckily, running shoes — specifically those for long distances — have evolved significantly in the last decade or so with new “super shoes” featuring technology like carbon plates and specialized midsole cushioning. If you’re looking to pick up some of these fancy new kicks, read on. Below, we’ve created a full guide on picking up a pair of the best marathon running shoes.
For our guide on the best running shoes in every category, check out this roundup.
Marathon Running Shoe Buying Guide
When shopping for the best marathon shoes, there are a few extra things to consider beyond what you’d look for in an everyday running shoe. Here are a few things to think about while shopping:
Traditional vs. Super Shoes: Over the past several years, “super shoes” have become the footwear of choice for marathoners over traditional running shoes. Super shoes feature a carbon fiber plate in the middle of their foam, which creates something of a spring-like effect for better energy return. This is obviously a huge benefit for marathoners seeking maximum speed and energy retention. However, some runners prefer to use traditional running shoes (like the Nike Pegasus) for training because they’re more durable and less expensive than carbon-plated super shoes.
Cushioning vs. Responsiveness: A balance between cushioning and responsiveness becomes all the more important when your mileage starts getting into marathon territory. Some runners find that they do better when they’re comfortable, with plenty of cushioning, while others notice that it eats up their energy too much and would rather have more responsiveness. If you’re all about responsiveness, the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4s might be for you. For more cushioning, check out the Vaporfly 4s or the Brooks Ghost Maxes.
The Best Marathon Running Shoes
Below are some of the best marathon running shoes to buy online right now. Our staff tested dozens of pairs of shoes, sought recommendations from professional and amateur marathon runners, and dug through online reviews to create this list. All picks are currently in stock (as of writing) and come with an average customer rating of at least 3.7/5 stars.
Editor’s Pick
Nike Vaporfly 4
These Vaporfly 4s from Nike are a favorite among elite marathon runners, but they’re a great shoe for anyone looking to tackle long runs. They’re slightly more supportive than the Adios Pros (below), but still very fast thanks to the carbon plate and Nike’s excellent ZoomX foam. The Vaporfly line is largely responsible for marathon shoes’ evolution from flats to carbon-plated, foam midsole shoes, and you can tell why they’ve had such an impact when you use them: You feel energized for miles, and often end up finishing runs faster.
For Pros
Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4
Another pick for the serious marathoners (or anyone who wants to see how a serious shoe feels) is these Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4s. Specifically designed for race day, the AP line has been on the feet of several Boston Marathon winners, including Evans Chebet in 2023 and Peres Jepchirchir in 2022. The core technology in the shoes is carbon rods and Adidas’ balanced Lightstrike Pro foam. We’ve used them for mid-length runs (but not full marathons) and were very impressed by the shoes’ combination of snappiness and support throughout every mile.
Most comfortable
Brooks Ghost Max 2
If you’re new to distance running or just want to be as comfortable as possible, we suggest these Brooks Ghost Max 2s. The shoes feature Brooks’ maximum level of cushioning, including a removable foam footbed and a DNA Loft v3 midsole, and a wide base for stability. Together, these make for one of the most plush rides we’ve encountered, although you won’t get the same springiness that you do with, say, the Vaporfly 4s.
Traditional pick
Nike Pegasus 41
Nike’s Pegasus has been one of its best-sellers for decades, and the most recent iteration — the Pegasus 41 — builds on the shoe’s balanced feel. They’re responsive and springy enough to keep us going for miles, but the neutral cushioning and support are enough to stay fresh throughout all those miles. These are a great shoe for daily training and can deliver on race day if needed.
Trail Marathon shoe
Hoka Tecton X3
Training for an off-road marathon? Pick up these Tecton X3 trail shoes from Hoka. The beefy trail runners feature not one but two carbon-fiber plates for snappiness off the dirt, as well as an impressive midsole and a grippy outsole. In our testing, the shoes did a great job of providing cushioning without sacrificing all-important trail feel. This is no easy feat, but it makes a world of a difference when logging 10 to 15+ miles on the trail.
How We Chose the Best Marathon Running Shoes
We tested all the above shoes (as well as others that didn’t make the cut) on several long runs. During the runs, we paid attention to the shoes’ responsiveness (the “springy” sensation) and tried different gaits to see how the shoes might fare on other runners. We also took note of our comfort level and energy at the end of the run. After testing the shoes, we researched other expert reviews and pored over user reviews to see how their experiences compared to our own. Finally, we listed shoes here that are in stock (as of this writing) at trusted online retailers.
www.rollingstone.com
#Marathon #Running #Shoes #Tested #Reviewed
