By now, you’ve in all probability heard that marathons are the brand new quarter life disaster. And whereas operating 26.2 miles with hundreds of strangers might or might not be the repair to no matter is providing you with the mid-20s to early-30s blues, I can attest that it’s shockingly enjoyable. There’s loads that marathoners can do to maintain a smile on their face for as lots of these grueling miles as doable, like coaching sensible, fueling nicely—and selecting a pair of sneakers that makes the race fly by.
Whereas “marathon sneakers” might conjure budget-breaking efficiency pairs claiming that can assist you get a PR, the reality is that the very best marathon shoe is no matter works for you. That may be a carbon-plated tremendous shoe, a trusted each day coach, or one thing in between. We rounded up the very best in every of these classes, with the assistance of operating coaches, shoe consultants, and podiatrists that can assist you discover the best pair.
Our high picks
- Finest General: Nike Alphafly 3, $275
- Finest for Large Toes: New Steadiness FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4,
$250$188 - Finest Funds Plated: Saucony Endorphin Velocity 5, $175
- Most Sturdy: Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris, $250
- Most Snug: Saucony Endorphin Professional 4, $240
- Finest for Newcomers: Hoka Clifton 10, $150
- Finest Zero-Drop: Altra Vanish Carbon 2, $240
- Finest for Overpronators: Brooks Glycerin GTS 22, $165
- Finest for Path Marathons: Hoka Speedgoat 6, $200
On this article
Store the very best marathon trainers
Twenty-six miles has nothing on you and these trusted shoe picks.
Finest General: Nike Alphafly 3
For runners trying to BQ, PR, or simply run quick, the Nike Alphafly—a.ok.a. the unique tremendous shoe—nonetheless reigns supreme, and for good purpose. A 2024 Sneaker Award winner for simply how speedy it’s, the Alphafly boasts a full carbon plate for propulsion, AirZoom pods to soak up affect and add bounce, and a stack of trampoline-level foam.
When SELF’s health editor examined them, she beloved how they felt speedy and thrilling. “These sneakers are tremendous mild, tremendous cushioned, and tremendous excessive (the stack peak and foam underfoot are legit),” she wrote. “They’re additionally actually, actually quick. As quickly as I picked up the tempo from warm-up to speedwork, I instantly felt the bounce and push ahead with every step. The sneakers have been so quick that it made onerous exercises enjoyable.”
Dr. Paras Parekh, DPM, a podiatrist based mostly in Chicago, can also be a fan of the Alphafly. “It’s an ideal shoe, and the suggestions from my sufferers has been that they’re sturdy, and so they actually assist runners enhance their velocity as a result of it teaches them to shift their heart of gravity onto the ball of their foot,” he says.
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Materials: Engineered higher, carbon plate, foam, rubber | Weight: 6.1 oz | Heel-to-toe drop: 8 mm
Finest for Large Toes: New Steadiness FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4
Sadly, runners with vast ft who need a speedy shoe don’t have many choices to select from. Whereas we’ve come a great distance by way of each day trainers being provided in vast (and even extra-wide) sizes, most tremendous sneakers nonetheless solely are available one commonplace dimension. One notable exception: the New Steadiness FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4.
It additionally occurs to be a top-tier racing shoe. I put on the traditional width, and have run two marathons in it—together with my present PR. It’s extra snug and extra secure than practically another tremendous shoe I’ve run in, and simply as quick. It’s additionally a good selection for middle-of-the-pack runners in search of some velocity, as I’ve discovered you don’t should be operating six-minute miles to reap its advantages.
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Supplies: Engineered higher, foam, carbon plate, rubber | Weight: 6.6 oz | Heel-to-toe drop: 4 mm
Finest Funds Plated: Saucony Endorphin Velocity 5
If investing in a carbon-plated shoe isn’t within the price range (or for those who discover these sneakers are simply too aggressive for you), think about a shoe just like the Saucony Endorphin Velocity. It has a extra forgiving nylon plate within the midsole, plus a lower cost tag and an extended lifespan.
Chris Dickerson, a operating coach and the proprietor of Woodbridge Operating Firm in Connecticut, tells SELF that he recommends the Endorphin Velocity to prospects in search of a quick marathon shoe that’s a step down from a brilliant shoe. Whereas I’ve by no means run a marathon on this shoe, I’ve logged a whole bunch of miles in it, and may attest to the truth that it has a quick, enjoyable journey and is as snug as a each day coach.
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Materials: Engineered mesh, winged nylon plate, foam, rubber | Weight: 7.2 oz | Heel-to-toe drop: 8 mm
Most Sturdy: Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris
One other Sneaker Award winner and one other favourite of Dr. Parekh, the Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris is ultra-lightweight tremendous shoe that is constructed to final. “The Metaspeed sequence is actually good; they have a tendency to suit my sufferers’ ft very well,” says Dr. Parekh. “They’re very breathable, and out of all of the sneakers I’ve seen my sufferers are available with, they’re extraordinarily sturdy.”
Our tester was impressed too. “These sneakers are tremendous bouncy and quick,” she stated. “They really feel mild, snug, and positively like they’re powering me ahead—like an extension of my foot, however one which makes me springier and speedier. They have been equally enjoyable on the pavement and on the monitor.”
If the Metaspeed Sky Paris isn’t fairly the best match for you, think about the Metaspeed Edge Paris, which has all the identical advantages in a barely totally different form.
Sizes: US 5 to 14.5 | Materials: Mesh, foam, carbon plate, rubber | Weight: 6.5 oz | Heel-to-toe drop: 5 mm
Most Snug: Saucony Endorphin Professional 4
Consolation isn’t all the time a given with quick marathon sneakers, and a few runners select to sacrifice feeling good for feeling quick. With the Saucony Endorphin Professional 4, there’s no want to decide on. I ran my first marathon in an earlier model of this shoe, and couldn’t perceive why everybody else was complaining about blisters and misplaced toenails afterwards. It’s additionally so quick that I usually go for it for shorter races, once I’m logging faster miles.
Licensed operating coach Laura Norris beforehand instructed SELF that it’s an ideal possibility for slower runners in search of a brilliant shoe, or runners who might use a contact of stability. “It’s one of many high favorites for individuals I coach—it’s very accessible,” she says. “It’s received a really responsive foam, but it surely nonetheless appears like there’s a component of management.”
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Supplies: Mesh, foam, carbon plate, rubber | Weight: 6.5 oz | Heel-to-toe drop: 8 mm
Finest for Newcomers: Hoka Clifton 10
it, you adore it—the Hoka Clifton is among the most beloved each day trainers on the market, and for amateur runners simply making an attempt to complete their first marathon, you possibly can’t ask for a extra dependable pair. With loads of cushioning; a snug, locked-in match; and a secure journey, the Clifton has all the pieces that newbie marathons want—and nothing they don’t.
Dr. Parekh, for one, is a fan of all of the shock absorption the Cliftons provide. His fellow podiatrists agree: The Clifton 10 was awarded the American Podiatric Medical Affiliation (APMA) seal of acceptance, that means a bunch of podiatrists reviewed the shoe and concluded that it promotes good foot well being.
A phrase of warning to anybody searching for this shoe in a males’s dimension: The lads’s Clifton 10 is technically unlawful to race in, with 42 millimeters of froth within the heel, however the ladies’s model is secure for racing, with solely 38 millimeters.
Sizes: US 4 to 12 | Materials: Jacquard knit higher, foam, rubber | Weight: 8.8 oz | Heel-to-toe drop: 8 mm
Finest Zero-Drop: Altra Vanish Carbon 2
One other rule of selecting a marathon shoe: It’s often a good suggestion to go for a pair that has related options to no matter works nicely for you on the each day. In different phrases: If you happen to usually prepare in zero-drop sneakers, you’ll in all probability need to race in zero-drop sneakers too.
If you happen to’re in search of a zero-drop tremendous shoe, your selection is simple, as there’s actually solely considered one of them—the Altra Vanish Carbon 2. Dr. Parekh agrees that the Vanish Carbon is your best option for zero-drop followers in search of a brilliant shoe, and says that it has labored nicely for his sufferers.
