The 6 Best Marathon Running Shoes of 2025

The adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 are the best marathon running shoes we've tested, thanks to the outstanding balance of bounce, cushioning, and long-distance efficiency. This shoe's premium midsole and carbon energy rods work together to create a lively, propulsive ride that helps you maintain pace deep into the race. The soft but responsive foam provides enough protection to spare your legs over 42K without feeling sluggish, making it ideal for runners who want to stay fast and efficient without sacrificing protection.

Another top-tier option is the Nike Alphafly 3, which delivers a slightly firmer ride, especially under the forefoot, where its Zoom Air Pods create a distinct mechanical pop that some runners find more engaging. While it doesn't feel quite as cushioned or energetic as the adidas shoe over the full marathon distance, the Nike offers a unique underfoot feel that shines for runners who prefer a more spring-loaded sensation, and it's a bit more stable.

The Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 is an aggressive marathon super shoe for runners prioritizing soft, deeply cushioned protection over a firm ground feel. It delivers one of the plushest rides in the super shoe category, absorbing impact exceptionally well while remaining bouncy at marathon pace. Its PEBA-based midsole still provides a solid level of energy return, though it's slightly less explosive than what you get from the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4.

This shoe leans into plush, leg-saving softness, which makes it a great choice for long-distance racing, particularly for runners who want to stay fresh late into the race. That said, the soft foam and high stack can feel a bit unstable and demanding on the stabilizing muscles, especially for runners with less efficient form.

The adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 2 is the best marathon running shoe if your top priority is reducing weight underfoot. This ultralight super shoe uses a non-compression molded midsole foam to deliver a highly responsive ride at a fraction of the weight. Paired with an early forefoot rocker and low drop, it caters well to efficient forefoot strikers chasing peak performance.

However, this shoe makes no attempt to be universal. Cushioning and energy return from the midsole are excellent but slightly lower than top-tier competitors like the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 and Saucony Endorphin Elite 2, which remain the more protective and energetic options for longer efforts. And with a lifespan explicitly designed for a single marathon, the Evo 2 isn't practical for most runners. But if you run with precision and want to squeeze every possible efficiency gain on race day, it's a lean, mean machine.

The Diadora Gara Carbon 2 is a premium carbon-plated running shoe for runners who want a more stable, controlled ride while still offering good efficiency and overall performance. While not a stability shoe in the traditional sense, it offers surprisingly good lateral stability for a super shoe, thanks to its wider platform and balanced geometry. That extra bit of control becomes especially valuable late in a race when fatigue makes it harder to stay dialed in.

The PEBA-based midsole strikes a nice middle ground, soft enough to smooth out landings but firm enough to keep things stable and predictable as the pace picks up. It's quite squishy, but that's balanced out by a wide platform that keeps the ride both fun and stable. Still, it doesn't sink in as much as the Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 or adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4, making it a great choice for runners who prefer a consistent, protective ride. It may not be the most efficient option on the market, but for those who value smoothness and control over maximal bounce, the Diadora is a reliable, well-balanced pick for marathon day.

The New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 is a marathon-focused super shoe that stands out for its accommodating fit and comfort. While it doesn't quite match the lightness or responsiveness of top-tier options like the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4, its stable platform and wide base offer a less aggressive ride. This isn't too dissimilar to the Diadora Gara Carbon 2, though the Diadora still edges it out in performance and overall refinement.

This New Balance shoe really shines in its accomodating fit. Wide versions are available for both men (2E) and women (D), which is a rarity among carbon-plated super shoes. Even the standard version is roomy in the toe box. That added space becomes a big advantage during a marathon, where foot swelling and pressure can make tight-fitting shoes feel unbearable. If you're a runner who needs extra room or simply values comfort and stability over raw speed, this is a well-cushioned, reliable option for race day.

The ASICS SUPERBLAST 2 is a great choice for runners who want long-distance performance without the stiffness of a carbon plate. Most top-tier racing shoes rely on plates or rods to stabilize the premium, soft foams, but for some runners, that can feel harsh and overly rigid. This shoe, however, takes a different approach: its dual-layer midsole combines softer foam on top with a firmer, more stable base, delivering a smooth, natural-feeling ride without needing a plate.

It's really high-stacked but not ultra-soft, which helps it stay more stable than most super shoes, and it doesn't depend on aggressive geometry to feel responsive. The result is a well-balanced, energetic ride that can pick up the pace without being overly demanding. If you're not chasing podiums anytime soon and find carbon-plated super shoes a bit overkill, this shoe is a versatile, approachable alternative that performs equally well for long runs and race day alike.