By now, you’ve probably heard that marathons are the new quarter life crisis. And while running 26.2 miles with thousands of strangers may or may not be the fix to whatever is giving you the mid-20s to early-30s blues, I can attest that it’s shockingly fun. There’s plenty that marathoners can do to keep a smile on their face for as many of those grueling miles as possible, like training smart, fueling well—and choosing a pair of shoes that makes the race fly by.
While “marathon shoes” may conjure budget-breaking performance pairs claiming to help you get a PR, the truth is that the best marathon shoe is whatever works for you. That might be a carbon-plated super shoe, a trusted daily trainer, or something in between. We rounded up the best in each of those categories, with the help of running coaches, shoe experts, and podiatrists to help you find the right pair.
Our top picks
- Best Overall: Nike Alphafly 3, $275
- Best for Wide Feet: New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4,
$250$188 - Best Budget Plated: Saucony Endorphin Speed 5, $175
- Most Durable: Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris, $250
- Most Comfortable: Saucony Endorphin Pro 4, $240
- Best for Beginners: Hoka Clifton 10, $150
- Best Zero-Drop: Altra Vanish Carbon 2, $240
- Best for Overpronators: Brooks Glycerin GTS 22, $165
- Best for Trail Marathons: Hoka Speedgoat 6, $200
In this article
Shop the best marathon running shoes
Twenty-six miles has nothing on you and these trusted shoe picks.
Best Overall: Nike Alphafly 3
For runners looking to BQ, PR, or just run fast, the Nike Alphafly—a.k.a. the original super shoe—still reigns supreme, and for good reason. A 2024 Sneaker Award winner for just how speedy it is, the Alphafly boasts a full carbon plate for propulsion, AirZoom pods to absorb impact and add bounce, and a stack of trampoline-level foam.
When SELF’s fitness editor tested them, she loved how they felt speedy and exciting. “These shoes are super light, super cushioned, and super high (the stack height and foam underfoot are legit),” she wrote. “They’re also really, really fast. As soon as I picked up the pace from warm-up to speedwork, I immediately felt the bounce and push forward with each step. The shoes were so fast that it made hard workouts fun.”
Dr. Paras Parekh, DPM, a podiatrist based in Chicago, is also a fan of the Alphafly. “It’s a great shoe, and the feedback from my patients has been that they’re durable, and they really help runners improve their speed because it teaches them to shift their center of gravity onto the ball of their foot,” he says.
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Material: Engineered upper, carbon plate, foam, rubber | Weight: 6.1 oz | Heel-to-toe drop: 8 mm
Best for Wide Feet: New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4
Unfortunately, runners with wide feet who want a speedy shoe don’t have many options to choose from. While we’ve come a long way in terms of daily trainers being offered in wide (and even extra-wide) sizes, most super shoes still only come in one standard size. One notable exception: The New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4.
It also happens to be a top-tier racing shoe. I wear the normal width, and have run two marathons in it—including my current PR. It’s more comfortable and more stable than nearly any other super shoe I’ve run in, and just as fast. It’s also a good choice for middle-of-the-pack runners looking for some speed, as I’ve found you don’t have to be running six-minute miles to reap its benefits.
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Materials: Engineered upper, foam, carbon plate, rubber | Weight: 6.6 oz | Heel-to-toe drop: 4 mm
Best Budget Plated: Saucony Endorphin Speed 5
If investing in a carbon-plated shoe isn’t in the budget (or if you find those shoes are just too aggressive for you), consider a shoe like the Saucony Endorphin Speed. It has a more forgiving nylon plate in the midsole, plus a lower price tag and a longer lifespan.
Chris Dickerson, a running coach and the owner of Woodbridge Running Company in Connecticut, tells SELF that he recommends the Endorphin Speed to customers looking for a fast marathon shoe that’s a step down from a super shoe. While I’ve never run a marathon in this shoe, I have logged hundreds of miles in it, and can attest to the fact that it has a snappy, fun ride and is as comfortable as a daily trainer.
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Material: Engineered mesh, winged nylon plate, foam, rubber | Weight: 7.2 oz | Heel-to-toe drop: 8 mm
Most Durable: Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris
Another Sneaker Award winner and another favorite of Dr. Parekh, the Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris is ultra-lightweight super shoe that’s built to last. “The Metaspeed series is really good; they tend to fit my patients’ feet really well,” says Dr. Parekh. “They’re very breathable, and out of all the shoes I’ve seen my patients come in with, they’re extremely durable.”
Our tester was impressed too. “These sneakers are super bouncy and fast,” she said. “They feel light, comfortable, and definitely like they’re powering me forward—like an extension of my foot, but one that makes me springier and speedier. They were equally fun on the pavement and on the track.”
If the Metaspeed Sky Paris isn’t quite the right fit for you, consider the Metaspeed Edge Paris, which has all the same benefits in a slightly different shape.
Sizes: US 5 to 14.5 | Material: Mesh, foam, carbon plate, rubber | Weight: 6.5 oz | Heel-to-toe drop: 5 mm
Most Comfortable: Saucony Endorphin Pro 4
Comfort isn’t always a given with fast marathon shoes, and some runners choose to sacrifice feeling good for feeling fast. With the Saucony Endorphin Pro 4, there’s no need to choose. I ran my first marathon in an earlier version of this shoe, and couldn’t understand why everyone else was complaining about blisters and lost toenails afterwards. It’s also so fast that I often opt for it for shorter races, when I’m logging quicker miles.
Certified running coach Laura Norris previously told SELF that it’s a great option for slower runners looking for a super shoe, or runners who could use a touch of stability. “It’s one of the top favorites for people I coach—it’s very accessible,” she says. “It’s got a very responsive foam, but it still feels like there’s an element of control.”
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Materials: Mesh, foam, carbon plate, rubber | Weight: 6.5 oz | Heel-to-toe drop: 8 mm
Best for Beginners: Hoka Clifton 10
You know it, you love it—the Hoka Clifton is one of the most beloved daily trainers out there, and for newbie runners just trying to finish their first marathon, you can’t ask for a more reliable pair. With plenty of cushioning; a comfortable, locked-in fit; and a stable ride, the Clifton has everything that beginner marathons need—and nothing they don’t.
Dr. Parekh, for one, is a fan of all the shock absorption the Cliftons offer. His fellow podiatrists agree: The Clifton 10 was awarded the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) seal of acceptance, meaning a group of podiatrists reviewed the shoe and concluded that it promotes good foot health.
A word of warning to anyone shopping for this shoe in a men’s size: The men’s Clifton 10 is technically illegal to race in, with 42 millimeters of foam in the heel, but the women’s version is safe for racing, with only 38 millimeters.
Sizes: US 4 to 12 | Material: Jacquard knit upper, foam, rubber | Weight: 8.8 oz | Heel-to-toe drop: 8 mm
Best Zero-Drop: Altra Vanish Carbon 2
Another rule of choosing a marathon shoe: It’s usually a good idea to opt for a pair that has similar features to whatever works well for you on the daily. In other words: If you typically train in zero-drop shoes, you’ll probably want to race in zero-drop shoes too.
If you’re looking for a zero-drop super shoe, your choice is easy, as there’s really only one of them—the Altra Vanish Carbon 2. Dr. Parekh agrees that the Vanish Carbon is the best choice for zero-drop fans looking for a super shoe, and says that it has worked well for his patients.
