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It feels like everyone is eager to jump on the marathon bandwagon these daysand we love to see it. Whether you were talked into signing up for your hometown race by your running club bestie or you’ve been chasing a Boston qualifier for yearsthere’s no way to run a comfortableinjury-free marathon without the right pair of running shoes.
Our team of marathon runners with different shoe requirements — some are overpronatorsothers have wide feet — test out hundreds of incredible sneakers every year. Seriously. You should see our closets. After the miles we put in and the races we've runwe determined which models make the best marathon shoes. We also spoke with professional marathon runnersfoot expertsand wellness academics to ensure our selects are up to par (spoiler: they are).
Read on below for the best marathon shoesaccording to professional runnerseditorsand shoe experts:
Top Picks
Best Marathon Shoes Overall
Brooks Hyperion Max 2
Bouncyspeedy feel
High cushioning accommodates most foot shapes
Minimal toe drop supports joints
Pro runner approved
No wide or narrow width options
Sizes: 5–11.5 | Width: Standard | Drop: 6 mm | Weight: 8.3 oz
These shoes are designed for road runners of all paces who want to speed things up a bit on race day. They’re well-cushioned and a solid option for people with bad knees and creaky ankle joints but have a great amount of spring and propulsion to keep you light and bouncy on your feet. The Hyperion Maxes have a fairly high stack and are on the lighter sidewhich makes them feel sleek and aerodynamic. The sloped sole encourages a natural rocking stride that helps you move quickly without pounding your joints too muchas well. These shoes also have a highly breathable and light mesh upper that makes them ideal for warm weather.
Take it from a sub-3 marathon runner (me)these are incredible. If that's not good enoughBoston Marathon winner Des Linden has been rocking these for her most recent races. Casual.
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Best Marathon Shoes for Slow Runners
Asics Gel Kayano 30
Gel cushioning is easy on your joints
Breathablelight upper
Not the most nimble or flexible option
Sizes: 5–12 | Width: Standard | Stack Height: 40 mm | Drop: 10 mm | Weight: 9.2 oz
Gel Kayanos are among our favorite genres of Asics running shoes. This classic model fits a variety of foot shapes and sizes. It has a high degree of cushioningwhich our testers found eased some pressure and impact on their knees. They’re moderately bouncy — not as speedy as carbon-plated running shoesbut highly reliabledurableand comfortable for hours on your feet. These also have a stacked heel with a high 10mm dropwhich eases stress on your lower legs and ankles.
Credit: Shape
Credit: Shape
Credit: Shape
Credit: Shape
Best Marathon Shoes for Wide Feet
Hoka Cielo X1
Fastpropulsive feel
Structured sole prevents sliding and blisters
All-gender design may not fit all feet
Sizes: 6–15 | Width: Standard | Stack Height: 39 mm | Drop: 7 mm | Weight: 9.3 oz
The Hoka Cielo X1 is an all-gender racing shoe built for speed. They’re on the lower end of stability and cushioning for Hoka running shoesknown for cloud-like solesbut they still have a thick stack and a 7mm drop. The Cielos have a winged carbon fiber plate in the midsole that propels you forward using less energy for every stepmaking these a great choice for racing and workouts. These shoes are fastbouncyand simply fun to run in.
"I tried these out for the first time on a 14-mile run (I knownot a great idea) and didn't experience any blistering," says Summer CartwrightShape's senior commerce editor and 3-time marathon runner. "They've got a wide toe box which is great for people with flat or wide feetor for those who are prone to losing toe nails post-race. They're not the lightest carbon-plated shoe out therebut for people going longer than 3:30 for a marathonthey have enough support to get you to the finish without your paws aching."
Credit: Shape Credit: Shape
Credit: Shape Credit: Shape
Credit: Shape
Best Marathon Shoes for Flat Feet
Asics Running Shoes
Supportive sole grips your heel and foot
No wide or narrow width options
Sizes: 5–12 | Width: Standard | Stack Height: Unlisted | Drop: 9mm | Weight: 8.3 oz
This is a classic model from Asics that’s time-tested and has an avid fan base of runners and non-runners. These shoes are uber comfortable and supportive without so much soft cushioning that they almost feel flimsy. The midsole foam is light but firm and great at absorbing shock. These are lighter than other trainers and have excellent support for lower arches to help prevent injury and improve your running form.
They've got enough wiggle room for runners with flat feet to let their toes naturally splayand have stood the test of timeholding up in structure and support past lots and lots of long runs.
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Best Marathon Shoes for Pronation
Saucony Women's Guide 17 Running Shoes
Three width options
Highly responsive cushioning
Tall stack height may not work for some people
Sizes: 5–12 | Width: Standard | Stack Height: 35 mm | Drop: 6 mm | Weight: 8.1 oz
Wearing the right pair of highly supportivewell-structured shoes that hug your heel in place can help minimize overpronation (when your ankles roll toward or away from each other with each step) and reduce your risk of injuring your ankles and feet. The Guides from Saucony are a highly structured and well-cushioned shoe with a tall stack that absorbs the impact of each foot strikesparing your joints. Our team of runners love these stability shoes and attest that they remain comfortable and supportive no matter how long the run.
Credit: Shape
Credit: Shape
Credit: Shape
Credit: Shape
Best Marathon Shoes for Heel Strikers
Nike Vaporfly 3
Incredibly light
Carbon fiber plate makes for a highly efficient run
Bouncy and propulsive
Rocks easily get stuck in the ridges on the bottoms of the shoes
Sizes: 5–12 | Width: Standard | Stack Height: Unlisted | Drop: 8 mm | Weight: 5.8 oz
Pro marathon runner Roberta Groner swears by the Nike Vaporfly 3s for races. “I like the lightness of them and they are a more narrow shoe,” she says. “For methe shoe has to be a nice fitsnug at the heel and light.” These fit the bill and are some of the lightest marathon shoes you’ll find. They have a taut carbon plate for maximum speed and softresponsive foam to cushion your heel from injury. This model has Nike’s signature tapered toe box that doesn't just look speedy — it’s physically designed for forward momentum with each step.
Our team loves to wear these when we want to do everything possible to get a PR on race day. They propel like no otherand give an incredibly energy to your feet with each step.
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Best Marathon Shoes for Beginners
Hoka Mach 6
Sizes: 5–11 | Width: Standard and Wide | Stack Height: | Drop: 5 mm | Weight: 6.7 oz
“Beginner runners should choose lightweightbreathable shoes with responsive cushioning to enhance race performance," says Matthew GaworsLecturer of Health and Wellness Studies at Binghamton University. "The shoes should fit snuglyoffering both comfort and stability for the marathon distance.”
We were impressed by how instantly comfortable these shoes were. Our tester wore them for a 5k race straight out of the boxand though she’s blister-proneshe had no issues settling right into the Hoka Machs. They feel sturdyreliableand stable. They have a low-profile responsive cushion that’s on the firmer sideoffering more support for higher arches or pronators. These running shoes for beginners are perfect for working up to their first 26.2.
These versatile running shoes offer stability and help prevent overpronation and supination. Credit: Shape
Credit: Shape
Hoka Women's Mach 6 Running Shoes have a harder cushioningallowing you to feel the pavement. Credit: Shape
Credit: Shape
Best Marathon Shoes with Carbon Plating
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4
Impressive rocker
Light but supportive construction
Wide sole helps with balance
Lower stack height is easier on joints
On the heavier end of carbon-plated shoes
Sizes: 5–12 | Width: Standardwide | Stack Height: 40 mm | Drop: 4 mm | Weight: 6.6 oz
The FuelCell SuperComp Elites from New Balance are a great choice for race day. The thin carbon plate keeps these shoes super light while providing excellent energy return with each step. They’re designed with a curved sole that encourages a gentle rocking motion for added forward momentum. The upper is bondednot stitchedwhich makes it stretchy and sleek-looking without added weight.
Notablythe Supercomp Elite V4s from New Balance don’t have the sky-high stack of foam that many other carbon-plated shoes do. The lower 4 mm drop can feel more comfortable if you have ankle stability or balance issues. And stillthese are some seriously fast race shoes.
"I wore these for two marathons within weeks of each other and they held up perfectlysays Cartwright. "They're easier to feel balanced withas opposed to other carbon-plated kicks with thinner construction and sky-high stacks. While the drop isn't bigthe rocker still keeps you going in forward motion."
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 are springy and light for a fit that is great for bad knees. Credit: Shape
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 are feather-lightmaking them ideal for race training. Credit: Shape
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 are carbon plated for a spring-loaded feel when running. Credit: Shape
These built-for-marathons shoes have a rocker design that keeps your feet in forward motion. Credit: Shape
What to Know About the Best Marathon Shoes
- Shoe materials: “Mesh uppers are a great option for wider feet,” says Jerick Sobiea board-certified pedorthist and co-owner of Lucky Feet Shoes. “They offer flexibility and breathabilitywhich allows the foot to expand without feeling restricted.” He recommends cushioned midsoles made from EVA foam or a similarly flexibleresponsive material that absorbs shock. For the outer part of the shoecalled the outsoleyou’ll want a hardermore durable rubber for traction and longevity.
- Heel-to-toe drop: This refers to the difference in height between the heel of the shoe and the toe. “A higher droplike 8 to 12 mmtends to work better for those needing extra support in the heel,” says Sobie. If you heel strikehit the ground with your heel firstor you need more structure for pronation or high archesa higher drop may suit you better.
- Carbon plating: A carbon plate is a thinlightand moderately flexible layer in the midsole of a shoe. It’s highly efficientwhich means it returns more energy from each downward foot strike back into your body. This propels you forward with less effort on your partleading to a faster stride and potentially a new PR.
- Support: Whether you have highlowor neutral archesrunning shoes with firmcomfortable arch support and enough cushioning to absorb shock will keep your feet feeling their best and prevent injuryespecially over the long mileage of marathon training. Arch support can also help keep your running form in checkreducing pressure on your joints and the potential for injury.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What shoes do pro marathon runners wear?
Most professional runners are supported by a major shoe brandso they’ll wear the newest or fastest model from their sponsor. During racesthe elite field is outfitted in sky-high carbon-plated super shoes–sometimes models that aren’t even available to the public yet. For training runsthe pros often cycle through a few different models depending on their training du jour–they might lace up carbon-plated shoes for speed intervals and more supportiveheavier trainers for long and easy runs.
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What are the best marathon shoes for a PR?
You’ll run your fastest in a pair of shoes that you feel most comfortable and confident in. It’s important to wear your shoes for several runs before you toe the starting line to ensure they fit snugly and won’t cause blisters or other irritation. Ideallyyou won’t have to think about your shoes at all during the race.
For the greatest edgecarbon-plated shoes have a taut layer of carbon in the sole that provides more efficient energy return with each step. This can help propel you forward and make each stride feel easier and faster. Over 26.2 milesthis can add up to a major PR. -
What are the best marathon shoes for slow runners?
Sobie recommends shoes with extra cushioning and support for slower marathon runners. “Something like a Hoka or New Balance can provide the comfort needed for extended time on your feet,” he says. For trainingopt for a cushionedhighly stable shoe to withstand the impact of long-distance runs. And for racingchoose a lightermore responsive shoe for speed.
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What are the best carbon-plated marathon shoes?
When it comes to shoes“best” is highly subjective. Major shoe brands are constantly releasing new models with updated technology that are lighter and presumably faster. The best carbon-plated shoes for your race will accommodate any foot concerns you havesuch as pronationhigh or low archesor heel striking. They’ll have a snug heel that keeps your foot in place to avoid chafing or blistersand a breathablestretchy upper that keeps your foot cool.
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What makes a good marathon shoe?
A good marathon shoe is structured enough to provide the support your archeskneesand ankles need for long-distance running. “It should fit wellwith room in the toe box and a secure heelpreventing discomfort over long distances,” says Gawors. It should have a snugbreathable mesh upper that stretches with your foot and helps hold it in place and a shock-absorbingcushioned midsole.
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Should you wear different shoes for training and racing?
Gawors recommends that marathon runners rotate between two to three different models of shoes during training and racing. “Research shows that injury rates drop by 40% by rotating through different models of running footwear,” he says.
Why Trust Shape
Lizzy Briskin is a six-time marathon runner who’s always trying new shoes for training and racing. She's a New York City-based healthfitnessfoodand travel writer for outlets including PEOPLEReal SimpleWomen's Healthand SELF. A former collegiate runner for Amherst Collegeshe caught the marathon bug post-grad. She's also competed in triathlons and is an avid swimmerhikercyclistand reader. She has a culinary degree from Cambridge School of Culinary Arts and was formally the food editor at Food Network Magazineand before thatat Real Simple Magazine.
We selected the best marathon running shoes based on in-depth fit and run testing by experts and editors. We interviewed experts:
- Jerick Sobieboard-certified pedorthist and co-owner of Lucky Feet Shoes.
- Roberta Gronera professional runner.
- Matthew Gaworsa wellness expert and physical education lecturer at BYU.