The 7 Best Marathon Running Shoes (2026 Guide)

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Taking on a marathon is always an ambitious goal for a runner. Beginner or experienced, it is the result of long weeks of work and preparation.

In this guide we focus on the shoe, a fundamental piece for this mythical distance.

It is hard to find your way among the hundreds of running shoe models released every year. And with so many different configurations, it is easy to lose your bearings.

So we have put together this selection of the seven best marathon running shoes of 2026 (so far), with a variety of models that runners love.

Torn between two models? Use our comparison tool to decide easily.

Our Method

Since 2017, the Runner’s Lab team has been putting the different models through the wringer, testing them meticulously and analyzing the opinions of experts and amateurs to validate our verdict and reach a consensus and an overall score. A single person’s test says a lot, but only a systematic review lets us draw conclusions that apply to as many runners as possible.

We also check the claims made by brands and testers against scientific evidence, to clarify complex questions such as the influence of pronation type, body weight, drop, and many others.

Our 2026 Selection

1. Mizuno Wave Rider 30: The Best All-Rounder

A special moment for the Japanese brand: the thirtieth anniversary of its iconic model. The Wave Rider is without question one of the most popular running shoes around, and it proves it year after year. This thirtieth edition is almost a redesign rather than a simple update, and the spirit of the Rider has been kept.

The stack rises to 42.5 mm, and the shoe joins the maximalist trend of the moment. The top of the midsole uses nitrogen-infused Mizuno Enerzy NXT foam, the bottom the same foam without nitrogen, and between the two the Mizuno Wave plate runs the full length of the shoe for the first time. That stiffness, combined with a platform widened by 14 mm, gives very good natural stability.

At 258 g / 9.1 oz, the weight is unchanged, which is remarkable given the changes. The responsiveness is very good and lets you pick up the pace in training, with a well-present rocker for smooth transitions. Some testers still find the feel fairly firm, and the taller stack moves you further from the ground.

For use, one word sums it up: versatility. You can do almost everything with this shoe, whatever the pace, from an easy run to a tempo workout. There are faster models for racing, but it is a very solid option for the marathon, among the best, especially if you do not want the stiffness of a carbon plate and put comfort and stability first. Probably the best Rider in the series.

Read our Mizuno Wave Rider 30 review

2. Adidas Adios Pro 4: The Most Complete and Accessible Carbon Racer

If the Nike Alphafly 3 is the world-record shoe, Adidas remains its main challenger. The Adizero Adios Pro 4 continues the lineage of one of the models most often worn by elite athletes, with adjustments that make it less demanding and more versatile.

The line’s DNA is all there: an ultra-responsive Lightstrike Pro foam, five EnergyRods 2.0 carbon rods and formidable propulsion. But the big change is a second layer of foam under the rods, which improves the transition and softens the stride.

The result: a shoe that is as fast as ever, and also one of the most accessible in the carbon-plate category. It is still demanding, but its balanced cushioning, wide platform and precise lockdown make it a more planted option for less experienced runners.

The Adios Pro 4 manages to combine pure performance and accessibility. A rare combination, which makes it an excellent choice if you are looking for your first carbon model to take your marathon up a level.

Read the full Adidas Adios Pro 4 review

3. Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris: For Fans of Firmer Cushioning

Where most carbon-plate racing shoes bet on soft cushioning, the Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris stands out with a firmer setup. So much so that we generally recommend it more for the half marathon.

But if you like a more structured feel underfoot, paired with explosive cushioning, the Metaspeed is for you!

Under 180 g on the scale for a stack of almost 40 mm: this is close to a technological miracle. Comfort is there, and the new, very responsive FF Turbo+ foam delivers excellent propulsion.

This mix of lightness, firmness and snap can surprise. But if you are aiming for a fast pace and have some experience, this shoe can take you a long way.

Read the Metaspeed Sky Paris review

4. Saucony Endorphin Speed 5: The Most Versatile

The Endorphin series has changed a lot since it began, but it remains one of the most popular lines today, and the Speed is by far its most popular model, having largely eclipsed the Pro and the discontinued Shift. This fifth version was a major release, and a lot of runners were waiting for it.

It brings few changes: it stays very close to the v4, which makes sense given how well that one was executed. The midsole keeps the two layers of PWRRUN PB foam, which sandwich a new version of the nylon plate, still paired with the SPEEDROLL geometry for a better rocker. The feel at impact is very close to the v4, very well balanced between soft and firm. Shock absorption is very good, and the cushioning lets you run longer, except for heavier runners, who will keep it for intermediate distances.

The weight is stable too at 235 g / 8.3 oz, which puts the shoe in the light category. Some find it heavy for a speed shoe, but the sub-200 g carbon racers skew that judgment: they make concessions to get there, and the Speed 5 is built for training as much as for racing. The responsiveness is excellent, even if you do not get the powerful bounce of a carbon-plate shoe. That makes it all the more forgiving, and it responds well enough to cover every pace you want, with very smooth, quick transitions thanks to the SpeedRoll geometry.

It is hard to find a limit to its use, apart from long distances for heavier runners. Beyond that, the shoe is certainly one of the best to date thanks to its unique combination of comfort, responsiveness and durability.

Read our Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 review

5. Hoka Cielo X1 3.0: The Race-Day Rocket

The Cielo X1 is Hoka’s most technically advanced model, and this third version competes for the title of best carbon-plate shoe against the Adios Pro 4, the Metaspeed Ray Tokyo and the Endorphin Elite 2. The formula is the standard one, a carbon plate sandwiched between two layers of PEBA foam, but the heel cutout is far less pronounced than on the 2.0, which softens the rocker and gives better stability, the point many runners had asked for.

For the marathon, two things matter most. Shock absorption is excellent, and the feel at impact is well balanced, plush enough for real enjoyment without losing energy return, which is why our review points the shoe first at half marathon and marathon racing. And at 190 g / 6.7 oz it is now as light as its rivals: the bounce is there, the transitions are very smooth, and the MetaRocker profile drives a powerful roll forward.

The new Leno-weave upper is one of the best we have seen on a racing shoe: very breathable, comfortable, and stretchy enough to suit a wide range of feet, even if some testers still felt cramped. The polyurethane outsole grips well on every urban surface, wet roads included.

Like every racer, it is a shoe for the big occasions: race day, and the targeted workouts that prepare it, a 4 x 6,000 m session for a marathon for instance, rather than daily mileage. It is demanding, with a strong rocker that suits midfoot and forefoot strikers best, and a few testers still report an unstable ride. But its plush feel, strong propulsion and excellent energy efficiency make it the shoe to pick when you are chasing a PR.

Read our Hoka Cielo X1 3.0 review

6. Asics Superblast 3: The Best Super Trainer

Asics no longer lives on the glory of its Gel. The Blast range has become the brand’s most convincing showcase, and few releases were as awaited as the Superblast 3. With the excellent Megablast arriving just before it, one question was fair: does the Superblast 3 still have a reason to exist? The answer is yes, without a shadow of a doubt.

The stack rises to 46.5 mm at the heel and 38.5 mm under the forefoot, one of the tallest on the market today, yet the ride feels very close to lower shoes. Two new foams do the work: FF Leap in A-TPU on top (the brand’s best foam, found on the Metaspeed) and FF Blast+ underneath for firmness and stability. The feel is well balanced at impact, leaning toward plush, with a really enjoyable ride, and the shock absorption lets any runner comfortably run longer.

At 227 g / 8.0 oz it is lighter than the v2 and edges toward the 200 g mark reserved for carbon racers. The Blast range’s asymmetric, curved geometry with two Trampoline Pods gives a higher bounce at toe-off (without reaching the elite models), very good responsiveness and smooth heel-to-toe transitions, even if some would have liked a more pronounced rocker.

Some consider it too demanding for beginners; we do not share that view. It remains far more accessible than the carbon racers, and the price will hold a beginner back more than the shoe itself. In our view the most accomplished shoe of the Blast range: one of the best for training, and an excellent marathon choice for runners who do not want a carbon plate.

Read our Asics Superblast 3 review

7. Puma Deviate Pure Nitro: The Best Value

The running market is so competitive that Puma has to offer higher-quality models at affordable prices to exist against the giants. And the brand hits very hard with the Deviate Pure Nitro, a shoe with a very high level of performance for excellent value for money, competing with references like the Adidas Adizero Evo SL or the Asics Novablast 6.

The midsole is made entirely of NITROFOAM, a nitrogen-infused, 100% PEBA foam. The main difference from the Deviate Nitro 4 is the absence of a carbon plate, for a more flexible ride and a plusher feel, with a very enjoyable ride. A bit too much for some runners used to firmer rides, who found it a little soft.

At 210 g / 7.4 oz it is among the lightest in its category, and the responsiveness surprises for a shoe without a plate: the bounce is pronounced and gives very good propulsion, less sharp than on carbon models, which makes it more accessible. The rocker is subtle, for a more natural ride, but the transitions stay smooth.

One word sums it up: versatility. With a 38 mm stack, the cushioning is high enough to run longer without restriction, and it suits every profile, from beginner to seasoned runner. From an easy recovery jog to the long run, it rides very well at moderate paces, and it answers when you need to accelerate. There are faster or more cushioned models, but for runners who only want to own one pair, it will certainly be among the best.

Read our Puma Deviate Pure Nitro review

Our Tips for Choosing the Right Marathon Shoes

Do Not Get the Goal Wrong

First, look at your goal. If it is your first marathon, approach the race with humility. Beginner or experienced, it is rare to perform well at the first attempt.

So favor comfort and stability, along with good shock absorption. And if you plan to run at a moderate pace, there is no need to go for carbon-plate models, most of which are demanding.

Comfort, Always Comfort!

Do not neglect comfort. Science says so: a study showed that shoe comfort improves running economy [1]. In other words, the more comfortable you are, the faster you go!

It is a fundamental parameter that must not be sacrificed. With the old racing flats, which were very tight, you did not really have a choice. That is no longer the case today, and you really need to try the shoe to check that it fits. Ideally over at least one run, since slipping it on is not enough.

Validate the Size and the Fit Over About 60 Miles

Comfort can be validated in one outing, but not the size and the fit. A break-in period of at least 100 km, about 60 miles, is needed to avoid unpleasant surprises.

Even if you like a snug shoe, choose a roomy one that lets the foot move a little. And test the shoe on a long run.

I have lost count of the shoes that gave me blisters only after 30 km, about 19 miles. That is why you need to test them beforehand. To limit the risk of blisters, do not hesitate to use an anti-chafing cream and anti-blister socks.

Do Not Neglect Durability

Following on from the previous point, do not overlook the shoe’s lifespan. If it is to be used on a number of long runs, it has to hold up over a certain number of miles.

Nike’s carbon models come to mind, as they are not known for their longevity. That is not a problem for sponsored athletes, but the investment raises questions for the average runner. Especially since competing brands now offer a high level of performance and, sometimes, better durability.

Cushioning or Not?

Cushioning remains a recurring debate with no clear answer. Minimalists may disagree, but the one thing to remember (tell your friends) is that you should avoid minimalist shoes (very thin midsoles, under 15 mm) if you weigh more than 71 kg, about 157 lb.

That is the only conclusion based on a scientific study (a randomized controlled trial).

Beyond that, it is common to hear that you need a lot of cushioning if you are a heavier runner, but that is more a question of durability than of injury risk. So if you weigh more than 80 kg, about 176 lb, your shoes will simply last longer with good cushioning.

Look not only at the stack height but also at the density of the midsole and the foam used: the denser the foam (think TPU, Pebax), the better the durability. Conversely, a low-density (soft) midsole, EVA for example, will generally be more fragile.

Do Not Worry (Too Much) About Your Stride

You will have noticed that we spared you the usual talk about stride type and arch type (flat feet and pronation, high arches and supination).

Why? Simply because there is little scientific evidence that stability shoes reduce the risk of injury.

That said, overpronation is associated with a slightly higher risk of injury [2, 3]. So some caution is warranted. But for that, we recommend the advice of a healthcare professional specialized in running rather than a shop assistant.

When in doubt, we recommend shoes for a neutral stride.

For more tips, see our article: How to Choose Running Shoes

With or Without a Carbon Plate?

Carbon-plate shoes have completely reshaped the running landscape. For now there are few randomized studies on the subject and, as a result, few conclusive findings on which type of runner should use this type of shoe.

Either way, we still think that a novice runner is better off with more stable models, like the three carbon-free pairs in our top (Wave Rider 30, Superblast 3, Deviate Pure Nitro). To benefit from the propulsion, you need to be running at a certain speed. On the other hand, the energy saving is real whatever your pace. If only for the feat of producing shoes this thick (40 mm) that still weigh under 200 g.

Where to Buy

We trust the following partner store: REI.

References

Improved footwear comfort reduces oxygen consumption during running
Luo et al. (2009)
Footwear Science
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/19424280902993001

A Study on the relation between height of medial longitudinal arch and sport injuries in lower limb of professional runners using navicular drop and arch index clinical tests
Divandari and Vakili (2014)
Journal of American Science
https://www.jofamericanscience.org/journals/am-sci/am1003s/007_24004am1003s14_50_61.pdf

Foot posture as a risk factor for lower limb overuse injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Neal et al. (2014)
Journal of Foot and Ankle Research
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4282737/