To choose your marathon running shoes, think in two parts: a comfortable pair to absorb the miles of your training block, and a lighter, more responsive pair for marathon-pace sessions and race day. Here is our pick of the best marathon running shoes for 2026, sorted by runner profile and goal time.
The short answer
- For racing: Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 5 or Nike Alphafly 4 if you are chasing a time; Saucony Endorphin Pro 5 or HOKA Rocket X 3 if you want a more forgiving carbon shoe.
- For training: ASICS Superblast 3 if you only want one versatile pair; New Balance 1080 v15, ASICS Gel-Nimbus 28 or HOKA Bondi 9 if comfort comes first.
- For a first marathon: a comfortable shoe you know beats a super shoe you have never tested. Carbon is not mandatory.
- In every case: try your race pair on at least one long run and one marathon-pace session before race day.
Contents
Our advice: don’t pick a shoe on weight or technology alone. Over a marathon, comfort and the ability to keep an efficient stride after 30 km (18.6 miles) matter at least as much as responsiveness.
How to choose marathon running shoes
There is no single “best marathon shoe”. The right pair depends on your goal time, your marathon experience, your stride, your build, your budget and, above all, how the shoe feels on your feet.
A very light carbon-plated shoe can be a weapon for a personal best, but it is not necessarily ideal if you are preparing your first marathon and running several dozen kilometres a week. On the other hand, a heavily cushioned shoe is perfect for long runs but may lack pop on race day.
A few criteria help you decide:
- Cushioning: the longer your race, the more it matters. Beyond 4 hours, it is often the number one criterion.
- Stability: very tall, very soft foams can feel unstable when fatigue breaks down your stride late in the race.
- Drop: the height difference between heel and forefoot. If you change a lot from your usual shoes, do it gradually. Read our guide to choosing the drop of your running shoe.
- Weight: it matters mostly for racing and ambitious time goals.
- How it feels: this is the deciding factor. A shoe that rubs or tires your calves at 15 km won’t get better at 35 km.
Our top 9 marathon running shoes
You don’t have to do every session in the same pair. Rotating two pairs often makes sense: a comfortable, protective training shoe to pile up the miles, and a lighter shoe for marathon-pace sessions and the race. That is how we built this list: five racing shoes and four training shoes.
| Shoe | Use | Profile | Drop | Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 5 | Racing | Performance | 4 mm | Lightness, responsiveness, energy return |
| Nike Alphafly 4 | Racing | Performance | 8 mm | Propulsion, cushioning, smooth ride over the distance |
| Saucony Endorphin Pro 5 | Racing | Performance and versatility | 8 mm | Balance of comfort and pop |
| HOKA Rocket X 3 | Racing | Marathon | 7 mm | Cushioning, stability, propulsion |
| PUMA Deviate Nitro Elite 4 | Racing | Performance | 8 mm | Lightness, responsiveness |
| ASICS Superblast 3 | Training | Versatility | 8 mm | Cushioning, pop, long runs |
| New Balance 1080 v15 | Training | Comfort | 6 mm | Cushioning, comfort, endurance |
| ASICS Gel-Nimbus 28 | Training | Maximum comfort | 8 mm | Protection, cushioning |
| HOKA Bondi 9 | Training | Maximum cushioning | 5 mm | Comfort, protection, stability |
Drops taken from Ekosport product pages and brand announcements, checked in October 2026.
You don’t need two premium shoes. A good training shoe for 70 to 80% of your mileage, plus a faster pair for key sessions and the race, makes an excellent rotation.
Why use two pairs for marathon training?
A marathon build easily adds up to several hundred kilometres. It would be a shame to think only about the shoe you will wear on race day.
Your training shoe covers most of the mileage: easy runs, long runs, recovery runs and sometimes marathon-pace work. It must above all be comfortable, well cushioned and suited to your stride. Your racing shoe, lighter and more responsive, is used more sparingly: key sessions and races. Carbon-plated models usually fall into this category.
This rotation saves your race pair, matches the shoe to the session and lets you start the marathon in a pair you know perfectly.
Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 5: our pick for performance
Racing
Released on 22 September 2026, the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 5 replaces the Adios Pro 4. Adidas quotes an average weight of about 177 g, 23 g less than the previous version, and a drop lowered to 4 mm. The EnergyRods give way to a carbon ring, the EnergyRim, which leaves room for more Lightstrike Pro foam.
It is the shoe to consider if you already have several marathons behind you and want to improve your time. At around €260, it is best kept for racing and key sessions. On a tighter budget, the Adios Pro 4 is still available and remains a great choice.
Why we like it: lighter than the Adios Pro 4, very efficient at marathon pace, strong propulsion, lots of foam for its weight.
Who is it for: the runner chasing a time who wants a high-performance shoe for race day.
Nike Alphafly 4: Nike’s marathon benchmark
Racing
The Nike Alphafly 4 is Nike’s new marathon shoe, released in limited quantities on 17 September 2026 and more widely from 29 October. It combines a carbon Flyplate, two Air Zoom units in the forefoot and a new, lighter ZoomX LT foam paired with ZoomX. Its drop is 8 mm.
Nike highlights a smoother feel over the whole distance, not just propulsion. It is aimed at marathoners chasing a personal best. As with any super shoe, test it over several marathon-pace sessions before racing in it.
Why we like it: strong propulsion, generous cushioning for a racing shoe, designed specifically for the marathon.
Who is it for: the experienced runner chasing a time who likes the feel of Nike shoes.
Saucony Endorphin Pro 5: the balance of performance and comfort
Racing
The Saucony Endorphin Pro 5 is a great option if you want the benefits of a carbon shoe without going for the most aggressive model on the market. It pairs a carbon plate with a very lively foam and stays approachable. Its marathon strength is balance: enough pop to run fast, and comfort that holds up as the miles add up.
Why we like it: good balance of comfort and pop, suited to long distances, versatile, ideal first carbon shoe.
Who is it for: the marathoner looking for a fast racing shoe that isn’t too demanding.
HOKA Rocket X 3: run fast and stay comfortable
Racing
The HOKA Rocket X 3 combines pop, cushioning and stability. It suits you if some carbon shoes feel too aggressive or unstable, especially in the final miles when your stride breaks down.
Why we like it: smooth ride, good cushioning, reassuring stability, carbon plate.
Who is it for: the runner who wants a comfortable, reassuring carbon shoe for 42.195 km.
PUMA Deviate Nitro Elite 4: light and lively
Racing
The PUMA Deviate Nitro Elite 4 is a carbon-plated shoe built around lightness and responsiveness. It appeals to runners who like a strong sense of propulsion without going for the most radical super shoes. You can also use it for half marathons or faster sessions.
Why we like it: very light, responsive foam, good propulsion, versatile on the road.
Who is it for: the runner who wants a fast, light shoe for races.
ASICS Superblast 3: the ideal marathon training shoe?
Training
Carbon shoes get the headlines, but they are not the most useful for piling up miles. For marathon training, the ASICS Superblast 3, released on 1 March 2026, is an excellent choice. It swaps the FF Turbo Plus foam of version 2 for the new, livelier FF Leap, and keeps an 8 mm drop with no carbon plate.
Its generous cushioning, pop and versatility let you use it for easy runs, long runs and some faster sessions. It can become your main training shoe. If you want a better price, the Superblast 2 is still on sale, often discounted, and remains a very good shoe.
Why we like it: very versatile, generous cushioning, lively without a carbon plate, perfect for long runs.
Who is it for: the marathoner looking for one shoe that can handle almost every session of the build.
New Balance 1080 v15: comfort first
Training
The New Balance 1080 v15 is a safe bet if comfort is your priority. It won’t replace a racing super shoe, but it does the job perfectly through the long weeks of training: easy runs, recovery runs and relaxed long runs.
Why we like it: comfortable, generous cushioning, pleasant on long runs, suits many runners.
Who is it for: the runner who mainly wants to log miles in a comfortable shoe.
ASICS Gel-Nimbus 28: maximum comfort
Training
The ASICS Gel-Nimbus 28 is for runners who want protection and comfort above all. Its generous cushioning softens the feeling of impact over the miles, which helps when training fatigue starts to build.
Why we like it: excellent comfort, plenty of cushioning, pleasant on long runs, reassuring for beginners.
Who is it for: the runner preparing a first marathon who puts comfort ahead of pure performance.
HOKA Bondi 9: the maximum-cushioning choice
Training
With its very generous cushioning, the HOKA Bondi 9 is made for runners who value protection over long distances. It isn’t built to break records, and that isn’t its job: if your goal is to finish your marathon in the best possible shape, a very comfortable shoe is an excellent choice.
Why we like it: maximum cushioning, strong sense of protection, comfortable on long runs, suited to moderate paces.
Who is it for: the finisher who puts comfort and protection ahead of the clock.
Do you need a carbon shoe to run a marathon?
Carbon plates have taken over at elite level and spread widely among amateurs. Combined with modern foam and the right geometry, they make a very responsive shoe that helps the foot roll through. But a carbon shoe is not automatically better for everyone.
It makes the most sense for marathon-pace sessions, races and ambitious time goals. Wearing it on every run brings little benefit: keep it for the sessions where it really helps, and use your training shoe for the rest.
To compare every model on the market, read our guide to the best carbon-plated running shoes of 2026.
Which shoes for your first marathon?
For a first marathon, there is no need to start with the most aggressive carbon shoe on the market. Look for a comfortable, well-cushioned, stable pair you feel good in for several hours. Depending on your profile, the ASICS Superblast 3, New Balance 1080 v15 or ASICS Gel-Nimbus 28 are very good options.
If you are already used to carbon shoes and have a time goal, a Saucony Endorphin Pro 5 or HOKA Rocket X 3 can also work. Find more tips for your first marathon.
Which shoes for your goal time?
Your goal time sets the pace you will hold and how long you will spend in your shoes. If you are not sure what goal is realistic, you can predict your marathon time from your 10K or half marathon results.
Sub-3-hour marathon
Under 3 hours, you run at an average of 4′16″/km (6′52″/mile) or faster. Shoe weight, energy return and the ability to keep an efficient stride become decisive. Our picks: the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 5 or Nike Alphafly 4 for pure performance, the Saucony Endorphin Pro 5 if you want a bit more versatility. Very experienced runners can also look at the PUMA Fast-R Nitro Elite 3, a more radical shoe covered in our carbon guide.
3 to 4-hour marathon
Between 3 and 4 hours, you run between 4′16″/km and 5′41″/km (6′52″ to 9′09″/mile) for several hours: the trade-off between pop and comfort becomes central, as an overly demanding shoe can make you pay in the final miles. Our picks: the Adios Pro 5 for performance, the Endorphin Pro 5 for balance, the Rocket X 3 for more comfort, and the Superblast 3 if you prefer to race without a carbon plate.
Marathon over 4 hours
Beyond 4 hours, comfort matters even more. The goal is no longer to save a few seconds per kilometre but to spend several hours in your shoes without pain or rubbing. Our picks: Gel-Nimbus 28, 1080 v15, Bondi 9, or Superblast 3 if you like a livelier shoe.
A carbon shoe is still a fine option beyond 4 hours if you enjoy it and are used to it: your goal time alone should never decide for you.
How to test your shoes before race day
The golden rule: nothing new on race day. Buy your racing pair several weeks before the marathon and introduce it gradually: first on a short session, then on a marathon-pace session, finally on a long run. That way you check comfort, fit and the absence of rubbing or blisters, with the socks you will race in.
Keep an eye on the wear of your training pair too: a worn-out shoe cushions less well. For the rest of your race-day kit, see our marathon gear checklist.
FAQ: marathon running shoes
Do you need two pairs of shoes for marathon training?
No, it isn’t mandatory: one versatile pair like the Superblast 3 can be enough for a whole build. Two pairs do let you match the shoe to each session and save your race pair.
Can you run a marathon in training shoes?
Yes. A comfortable training shoe that suits your stride works perfectly well, especially if your priority is to finish in good shape rather than chase maximum performance.
When should you buy your marathon shoes?
Early enough to test them over several sessions, including a long run and a marathon-pace session. Avoid racing your marathon in a new pair you have never worn over a long distance.
Does a carbon shoe make everyone faster?
Not necessarily. Its benefit depends on your pace, your stride and how used you are to this type of shoe. For a first marathon or a finishing goal, comfort often matters more.
Which drop should you choose for a marathon?
There is no universal ideal drop. The key is to stay close to what your body is used to, and to change gradually if you move to a very different drop.
In short
For your marathon, think in pairs: a comfortable shoe for most of the mileage, and a faster pair for key sessions and the race if your goal justifies it. The longer your marathon, the more comfort should win over lightness. And whatever pair you choose, test it before race day.
Shoes don’t run the marathon for you: consistent training matters most. To structure your weeks until race day, follow a personalised marathon training plan.
Updated on 27 October 2026.
