Best marathon running shoes 2026
Shoes reviewers rate for marathon racing and marathon training: enough cushion to last 26.2 miles, with the energy return to keep you on pace.
19 current models, newest first. Updated October 2026. Want a personal pick? Try the shoe finder.
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Brooks
Hyperion Elite 6
Brooks' latest carbon racer, tuned for stability and efficiency over the marathon.
210 g8 mm dropCarbon platepropulsivestable -
On
Cloudboom Strike 2
Outside's best marathon racing shoe for autumn 2026: On's super shoe, finely tuned.
210 g4 mm dropCarbon platepropulsivebouncy -
New Balance
FuelCell SuperComp Elite v6
NB's biggest racing leap yet, with reviewers calling it the best Elite to date.
210 g4 mm dropCarbon platebouncypropulsive -
PUMA
Deviate Nitro Elite 4
PUMA's finely tuned race shoe for 5K to marathon.
190 g8 mm dropCarbon platepropulsivelight -
adidas
Adizero Adios Pro 4
Runner's World's marathon pick: softer Lightstrike Pro and a rocker that rolls you to the finish.
220 g6 mm dropCarbon platebouncypropulsive -
adidas
Adizero Adios Pro Evo 2
An astonishingly light elite racer. Sky-high price, sky-high performance.
140 g6 mm dropCarbon platelightbouncy -
adidas
Adizero Boston 13
Glass-fibre EnergyRods and Lightstrike Pro make this a versatile, durable trainer for long runs with pace.
260 g6 mm dropPlate / rodspropulsiveresponsive -
Altra
Vanish Carbon 3
A rare super shoe with an anatomic toe box: room to splay at race pace.
215 g0 mm dropCarbon platepropulsivenatural -
ASICS
Metaspeed Edge Tokyo
The Sky's sister shoe, tuned for runners who quicken their cadence rather than their stride. Snappy and fast.
185 g8 mm dropCarbon platepropulsivelight -
ASICS
Metaspeed Sky Tokyo
A featherweight carbon racer tuned for runners who lengthen their stride as they speed up.
185 g5 mm dropCarbon platepropulsivelight -
HOKA
Cielo X1 3.0
HOKA's lightest super shoe yet, with dual PEBA layers, a fluted carbon plate and aggressive rocker. Big, bouncy and fast.
210 g7 mm dropCarbon platebouncypropulsive -
HOKA
Rocket X 3
HOKA's stable, approachable carbon racer: forgiving enough for mid-pack marathoners.
215 g7 mm dropCarbon platepropulsivelight -
Kiprun
Kipstorm Challenger
A carbon-plated racer at a daily trainer's price, with lively A-TPU foam. One of the cheapest ways into a plated shoe.
200 g9 mm dropCarbon platebouncysoft -
Kiprun
Kipstorm Elite
Kiprun's carbon-plated racer puts a PEBA core on an unusually wide, stable base. Bouncy and propulsive for well under super-shoe money.
215 g5 mm dropCarbon platebouncystable -
Mizuno
Neo Vista 2
Running Warehouse's best super trainer for long distances: designed to take strain off the legs.
260 g8 mm dropPlate / rodsbouncypropulsive -
Nike
Alphafly 3
The outgoing Alphafly remains a marathon monster, often heavily discounted as the 4 lands.
200 g8 mm dropCarbon platebouncypropulsive -
Nike
Vaporfly 4
The super shoe that started it all, now lighter and lower-drop. Lively, efficient and happiest at 10K-to-marathon race pace.
185 g6 mm dropCarbon platebouncypropulsive -
Saucony
Endorphin Elite 3
Saucony's no-compromise racer. Feather-light and seriously bouncy, built for PBs.
180 g8 mm dropCarbon platebouncypropulsive -
Saucony
Endorphin Pro 5
A premium carbon racer that's lighter and more fun at speed than its predecessor.
205 g8 mm dropCarbon platepropulsivelight
Not sure which one is right for you?
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