No marathon shoe will guarantee a specific finish time, but having the right shoes on race day goes a long way, whether your goal is to smash your current record or just to finish in one piece. Here are the factors we consider most important when choosing a shoe to run a marathon:
Weight: A heavier shoe takes more effort to turn over with every step. If you're chasing every second, under 220 grams is a good weight for a racer. The weight savings often come from thinner cushioning or a narrower, less stable platform, though. If comfort matters more than speed, up to 260 grams is still fine.
Long Run Cushioning: Some midsoles start soft but compress over the course of a marathon, so your legs absorb more of each impact. The forefoot is the thinnest part of the midsole, so it's often the first part to wear down. We run each shoe through a simulated 50K test and measure how much impact it absorbs at 10K intervals. Hover over the '?' next to 'Forefoot Long Run Cushioning' to see the score at each distance. A score of 8 or more is great.
Stability: Your form can break down as you tire. A secure platform wobbles less, so you spend your energy moving forward instead of controlling side-to-side motion.
Energy Return: An efficient midsole returns more of the energy it absorbs, making it easier to hold your race pace and conserve energy. A score of 8 or higher is impressive, and 8.5 or better is amazing.
We've tested just around 300 running shoes, and below are our top five picks for running a marathon, depending on your budget. For more options for long runs during your marathon build-up, check out our picks for the best long-distance running shoes. If you're doing shorter races, check out our recommendations for the best half-marathon running shoes and the best shoes for 5K and 10K racing.
We've bought and tested more than 300 running shoes. Every pair purchased with our own money, never supplied or sponsored by brands. Our data-driven tests are designed to go beyond marketing claims, and since every shoe goes through the exact same methodology, you can directly compare results to find the right pair for your needs.
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Best Marathon Running Shoe
Half/Full Marathon Racing8.4Energy Return8.9Stability4.3Cushioning8.4See all our test resultsForefoot Long Run Cushioning:The PUMA Fast-R NITRO Elite 3 is the best marathon running shoe we've tested in terms of raw performance efficiency. It returns the energy you put into each stride with amazing efficiency, making it easier to sustain faster paces, and it's very lightweight, thanks to one of the most aggressively streamlined designs we've seen. The shoe feels a bit awkward when you first put it on, but it comes to life once you start running faster.
It's optimized for forefoot strikers by design, and it'll feel very odd if you land on your heel or midfoot. Its extreme pursuit of efficiency comes at the cost of stability, and likely won't be worth it if your target time is over 2 hours and 40 minutes. The ASICS METASPEED EDGE TOKYO is a better alternative for midfoot and heel strikers who aren't necessarily looking for such a low target time. This shoe can work for a broader range of runners, from elites to amateurs, aiming for a sub-3-hour finish.
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Best Upper Mid-Range Marathon Running Shoe
Half/Full Marathon Racing8.1Energy Return8.3Stability6.7Cushioning9.3See all our test resultsForefoot Long Run Cushioning:If you're not looking to spend top dollar for a cutting-edge racer, but still want a PR-capable shoe that feels great, we recommend the ASICS MEGABLAST. Compared to the ultra-streamlined PUMA Fast-R NITRO Elite 3, this one is heavier and less efficient at rewarding harder efforts. Still, it's also more stable and better cushioned, which matters more if you're going to be pounding the pavement for at least three hours. This shoe is also more comfortable and durable than many specialized racing shoes, meaning you can use it in training and on race day.
Runners who want even more cushioning and a smoother ride might prefer the ASICS SUPERBLAST 3. It has the bounciness of the other ASICS shoe, although it's not quite as efficient at returning the energy you put into each stride. Instead, it relies on a more pronounced rocker to keep your foot rolling forward.
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Best Mid-Range Marathon Running Shoe
Half/Full Marathon Racing7.9Energy Return8.2Stability7.4Cushioning8.4See all our test resultsForefoot Long Run Cushioning:If the ASICS MEGABLAST is still too expensive and you're willing to give up some more bounce, the Saucony Endorphin Azura is a good deal for its price point. It's heavier than the ASICS shoe, and the cushioning isn't as shock-absorbent over long distances, but it's still a very good shoe for running a marathon. The firmer midsole of the Endorphin Azura makes it more stable, which is helpful if you're going to be running for three to four (or more) hours. Even though the Azura is not a dedicated racer, it still does an impressive job returning the energy you put into each stride, making it easier to sustain your marathon pace.
This shoe won't feel as bouncy as either of our top two picks, since both of those shoes' midsoles compress more deeply before rebounding. Its construction gives it more snap than bounce, which isn't necessarily less efficient, but can feel less fun for some runners.
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Best Cheap Marathon Running Shoes
Half/Full Marathon Racing6.6Energy Return6.8Stability8.4Cushioning7.3See all our test resultsForefoot Long Run Cushioning:If you're simply trying to finish the marathon and don't want to invest much in your shoes, check out the Nike Winflo 12. Shoes in this price range make a lot of compromises on design and performance to cut costs, but if you're determined to spend as little as possible on shoes for your marathon, this one can get the job done. It's heavier, less efficient, and neither as bouncy nor as well-cushioned as any of the picks above. It doesn't have the kind of smooth, rolling ride that helps you sustain momentum either, so it makes the most sense if you're planning on doing a mix of walking and running during the marathon.
While there are many downsides to this shoe, it still may be worth a glance if price is your top concern. Despite not feeling as soft and cushy underfoot as any of the more expensive picks on this list, its firmer midsole helps keep it stable and controlled even after more than four hours on your feet. The standard version of this shoe fits a bit narrow through the arch, but it's available in a wide version.
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Best Marathon Running Shoes For Wide Feet
Half/Full Marathon Racing8.1Energy Return8.8Stability5.7Cushioning7.4See all our test resultsForefoot Long Run Cushioning:Having wide feet limits your choice of shoes, but it doesn't have to limit your marathon ambitions, and the New Balance SuperComp Elite v6 is a great racing shoe for runners whose feet need some more space. Although the New Balance shoe is not as lightweight as the PUMA Fast-R NITRO Elite 3, it's still a serious racer, and one of the only super shoes that's available in a Wide version. The SuperComp Elite v6 has amazingly efficient foam that puts it in the same league as our top pick in terms of energy return, so the shoe happily obliges if you want to go for a fast time.
The main drawback of this shoe is the cushioning, which is satisfactory for everyday runs, but becomes increasingly compressed over the course of the marathon distance, forcing your legs to absorb more of the impact of so much pounding.
Notable Mentions
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Li-Ning Feidian 6 Elite:
The Li-Ning Feidian 6 Elite is a more affordable carbon-plated shoe with a responsive yet super forgiving ride. That said, it's heavier than our top pick, the PUMA Fast-R NITRO Elite 3, and delivery can take a while in Western markets.
See our review -
Dynafish Xiaonian:
The Dynafish Xiaonian is a great unplated marathon option with a stable, approachable ride that feels less aggressive than a carbon-plated racer yet remains performance-focused and highly capable. It's also much lighter than the ASICS MEGABLAST, but it's difficult to find in Western markets.
See our review -
Brooks Hyperion Elite 6:
As of the time of writing, the Brooks Hyperion Elite 6 has the best energy return of any shoe we've tested in our lab, and its design will work better for heel strikers than the PUMA Fast-R NITRO Elite 3. However, while the Brooks shoe has one of the best midsoles of any marathon racing model, its upper has some issues, namely the heel collar, which can rub and cause chafing.
See our review
Recent Updates
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Oct 16, 2026 at 04:06 pm:
We've added the New Balance SuperComp Elite v6 as the best option for wide feet, as it's one of the very few supershoes available in Wide sizes.
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Sep 16, 2026 at 11:59 am:
We've changed the article's structure to present our top recommendations for each price category.
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Aug 28, 2026 at 01:20 pm:
We've updated our picks and organized them by expected marathon finish time to better reflect changing priorities such as speed, comfort, and stability.
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Aug 07, 2026 at 08:31 am:
We reworked the article with new picks for different marathon goals, including racing, finishing comfortably, and using one shoe for training and race day.
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May 28, 2026 at 12:22 pm:
We've changed our mid-range pick to the recently tested Li-Ning Feidian 6 Elite and moved the Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 to the lower mid-range pick, as its price has dropped.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we currently think are the best shoes for running a marathon, tailored to a variety of needs and priorities. We factor in performance, comfort, price (a less expensive shoe may win out if the difference isn't worth it), and availability; we don't include models that are super hard to find or nearly sold out.
If you'd prefer to explore on your own, check out our full list of running shoe reviews. Remember, no shoe is perfect for everyone; your running style, goals, and personal preferences will always play the biggest role in finding the right pair for marathon day.