While even the best marathon running shoes won't carry you to the finish line on their own, they can make the journey far more enjoyable and, in many cases, help you run faster and more efficiently. The best marathon shoes strike the right balance between cushioning, stability, and efficiency, often through lightweight construction, responsive foams, and carbon plates.
We've tested almost 200 models; below are our top six picks for running a marathon, from elite, race-optimized super shoes to versatile trainers that have enough range to cover the marathon distance with confidence. If you're looking for shoes better suited to everyday use, check out our recommendations for the best running shoes. If you're after shoes suited for your long-distance training in the build-up to the marathon, look at our recommendations for the best long-distance running shoes.
We buy and test running shoes with a very data-oriented approach. While we're just getting started, our methodology already has dozens of tests to help you make the right purchasing decision for your needs. Not only do we use high-end equipment to gather objective data, but we also order multiple sizes of the same shoes so team members can log in miles. This real-world testing is conducted at various paces and conditions, across different types of workouts, to cover all the bases. This allows us to verify our results and ensure they align with what you might feel with a specific pair.
-
Best Marathon Running Shoe
Marathon Racing5K/10K RacingEnergy ReturnCushioningLateral StabilityTrue To SizeWeight:165.5 g (5.84 oz)Heel-To-Toe Drop:4.7 mmSee all our test resultsPlate:Carbon FiberThe ASICS METASPEED EDGE TOKYO are the best marathon racing shoes we've tested. With their full-length carbon plate and a dual-density midsole that combines two of the brand's premier foams, the EDGE TOKYO strikes an impressive balance between cushioning and energy return, all while weighing barely 160g per shoe in U.S. men's size 9. The geometry of the EDGE TOKYO can accommodate varying strike patterns, making this a surprisingly approachable super shoe. It's not the most aggressively streamlined super shoe on the market, but it can get most runners who've put in the work to a new PR.
If you are a forefoot striker who wants to push the envelope even further, consider the ASICS METASPEED RAY. Weighing only 130g per shoe in men's U.S. size 9, they are almost featherweight, but still pack a remarkable level of cushioning underfoot. The RAY has only a partial carbon plate under the forefoot, and the soft foam can feel very unstable. If there is any chance that you will be landing on your heel, the RAY is not the shoe for you. -
Best Upper Mid-Range Marathon Running Shoe
Marathon Racing5K/10K RacingEnergy ReturnCushioningLateral StabilityTrue To SizeWeight:197.5 g (6.97 oz)Heel-To-Toe Drop:7.0 mmSee all our test resultsPlate:Carbon Fiber RodsThe adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 is the best upper mid-range marathon racing shoe that we've tested. It is still very lightweight, although it is 30g heavier than the ASICS METASPEED EDGE TOKYO. Instead of a carbon plate, it has carbon fiber rods, which add some structure to the soft Lightstrike Pro foam. The cushioning, while still impressive, isn't as soft as the ASICS shoe. But the firmer midsole of the adidas, combined with its wider base, makes the Adios Pro 4 more stable, which is helpful if you can't maintain perfect running form for the entire marathon distance.
If you want cushioning that will hold up better over the marathon distance and are willing to sacrifice some energy return, the Nike Alphafly 3 is a great alternative. The Zoom Air pods in the forefoot of the Alphafly 3 help strike a balance between cushioning and firmness, and heavier runners will find that this actually absorbs impact better than the forefoot of the Adios Pro 4. -
Best Mid-Range Marathon Running Shoe
Marathon Racing5K/10K RacingEnergy ReturnCushioningLateral StabilityWeight:214.9 g (7.58 oz)Heel-To-Toe Drop:8.8 mmSee all our test resultsPlate:Carbon FiberThe Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 is the best mid-range shoe for running a marathon that we've tested. It's not specifically optimised for racing like the picks above, so it won't feel as lean or streamlined. However, it still has the necessary ingredients to get most runners through the marathon distance: it has impressive energy return and decent cushioning that holds up reasonably well over long distances. Saucony has already released the Saucony Endorphin Pro 5, but the 4th version is still widely available.
-
Best Lower Mid-Range Marathon Running Shoe
Marathon Racing5K/10K RacingEnergy ReturnCushioningLateral StabilityTrue To SizeWeight:220.0 g (7.76 oz)Heel-To-Toe Drop:6.7 mmSee all our test resultsPlate:Plastic ShankIf you want a non-plated shoe that also has versatility beyond race day, the adidas Adizero Evo SL is a solid option. Its cushioning is actually more protective over long distances than the Saucony Endorphin Pro 4's, but its construction is not as stable, which could be problematic if your form breaks down late in the race. Nevertheless, the EVO SL features the same Lightstrike Pro foam as the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4, offering an impressive rebound that will help keep you bouncing along over many miles.
-
Best Budget Marathon Running Shoe
Marathon Racing5K/10K RacingEnergy ReturnCushioningLateral StabilityTrue To SizeWeight:226.3 g (7.98 oz)Heel-To-Toe Drop:4.9 mmSee all our test resultsPlate:NoneThe Mizuno Neo Zen is a great deal for runners looking for a shoe that can serve as a companion both through marathon training and the race itself. While it can't compete with the energy return of the adidas Adizero Evo SL, its soft midsole absorbs impact better over the marathon distance. The Neo Zen's comfort-oriented design features a sock-like upper that accommodates the inevitable foot swelling that occurs after several hours of running. If a fast time is not your priority, and you just want a soft and protective shoe for your marathon, you can score a pair of Neo Zens at a discount, as Mizuno marks down their inventory to make room for the new Mizuno Neo Zen 2.
Notable Mentions
-
Saucony Endorphin Elite 2:
The Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 delivers one of the plushest rides in the super shoe category, absorbing impact exceptionally well while remaining bouncy. The rebound is less explosive than that of the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4, and the soft foam and high stack can feel a bit unstable and demanding on the stabilizing muscles, especially for runners with less efficient form.
See our review -
PUMA Fast-R NITRO Elite 3:
The PUMA Fast-R NITRO Elite 3 is a boldly designed, ultra-lightweight super shoe that pushes a lot of boundaries. It has a decoupled midsole and a carbon plate that extends beyond the toe; it's designed for pure speed, but is arguably too aggressive for anyone besides forefoot strikers aiming for a sub-2:30 marathon.
See our review -
adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 2:
The adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 2 is a marathon shoe made for the elites. Adidas explicitly markets this shoe as having a lifespan of one marathon, and with its featherweight construction, it feels both nimble and fragile. If price and durability are of no concern to you, this is the best shoe for running a marathon (but only one marathon).
See our review
Recent Updates
Mar 11, 2026:
We've updated our top pick to the ASICS METASPEED EDGE TOKYO based on feedback that the ASICS METASPEED RAY was too unstable for many runners. We've also updated our 'Best Budget' pick to the Mizuno Neo Zen after its price dropped.
Feb 13, 2026:
We've revamped the structure of this article and updated our picks to include shoes that we've tested through the beginning of 2026.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best shoes for running a marathon across a variety of needs, depending on your 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, objectives, and personal preferences will always play the biggest role in finding the right pair for marathon day.