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 more than 200 models; below are our top five 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.
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Best Marathon Running Shoe
Marathon Racing8.75K/10K Racing8.3Energy Return8.4Cushioning8.3Lateral Stability6.6True To Size7.0Weight:165.5 g (5.84 oz)Heel-To-Toe Drop:4.7 mmSee all our test resultsPlate:Carbon FiberThe ASICS METASPEED EDGE TOKYO is the best marathon racing shoe we've tested. With its 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 160 g 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 130 g per shoe in men's U.S. size 9, it's almost featherweight, but still packs 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 Racing8.75K/10K Racing8.6Responsiveness8.4Cushioning8.0Lateral Stability7.4True To Size8.8Weight: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's still very lightweight, although it's 30 g 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 Racing8.75K/10K Racing7.9Responsiveness8.5Cushioning9.0Lateral Stability7.3True To Size8.8Weight:205.1 g (7.23 oz)Heel-To-Toe Drop:5.4 mmSee all our test resultsPlate:Carbon FiberThe Li-Ning Feidian 6 Elite is a carbon-plated marathon racer for runners who want serious race-day performance at a more accessible price point. It's not quite as light as the higher-end picks above, so it doesn't offer the same running economy advantage over a full marathon. However, its midsole delivers exceptional cushioning and amazing energy return, giving it the protection and responsiveness needed for long-distance racing. It also feels more forgiving and stable than more aggressive marathon shoes like the ASICS METASPEED EDGE TOKYO, making it a strong option if you want a fast ride that still stays comfortable deep into a marathon.
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Best Lower Mid-Range Marathon Running Shoe
Marathon Racing8.35K/10K Racing8.2Responsiveness8.0Cushioning7.3Lateral Stability7.6True To Size9.7Weight: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 lower mid-range shoe for running a marathon that we've tested. It's not specifically optimized 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 a carbon plate, 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 at a discount.
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Best Budget Marathon Running Shoe
Marathon Racing7.65K/10K Racing6.8Energy Return7.2Cushioning8.4Lateral Stability7.3True To Size9.3Weight: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 doesn't feature a carbon plate and it can't compete with the energy return of the Saucony Endorphin Pro 4, 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, since Mizuno is marking down their inventory with the release of the Mizuno Neo Zen 2.
Notable Mentions
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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, lightweight super shoe that pushes a lot of boundaries. With its decoupled midsole and a carbon plate that extends beyond the toe; it's much more aggressive than the ASICS METASPEED EDGE TOKYO, 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, an even more streamlined, stripped-down version of the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4. 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, this is the best shoe for running a marathon (but only one).
See our review
Recent Updates
May 28, 2026:
We've changed our mid-range pick to the recently tested Li-Ning Feidian 6 Elite and moved the Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 to the lower mid-range pick, as its price has dropped.
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.