This year's best marathon running shoes

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At a glance: The best marathon running shoes

Whether you're training for your first marathon or your tenth, shoe choice is crucial. Like trail running shoes and speed running shoes, the best marathon running shoes are purpose-built for long-distance races, providing a balance of cushioning and responsiveness to keep you comfortable and energized at the finish line.

Fortunately, running shoes—especially long-distance running shoes—have evolved significantly over the past decade or so with new “super shoes” features technology like carbon plates and specialized midsole cushioning. If you want to get your hands on some of these fancy new kicks, read on. Below, we've created a complete guide to choosing a pair of the best marathon running shoes.

For our guide to the best running shoes in each category, check out this roundup.

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The best marathon running shoes

Below are some of the best marathon running shoes to buy online right now. We created this list by testing all featured shoes on long runs and thoroughly researching feedback from both professional runners and average users. As of this writing, all of the options below are in stock at reputable retailers and have an average customer rating of at least 3.7/5 stars.

1. Nike Vaporfly 3

These Vaporfly 3s by Nike are a favorite among elite marathoners, but are a great shoe for anyone looking to tackle long runs. We found shoes slightly more supportive than the Adios Pro 3s (below), but still very quick thanks to the carbon plate and Nike's excellent ZoomX foam. The Vaporfly line is largely responsible for the evolution of marathon shoes from flats to carbon-coated midsole shoes, and you can see why they made such a big impact when you use them: You feel energized for miles and often end up running longer quickly.

2. Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3

Another option for serious marathon runners (or anyone who wants to see what a serious shoe feels like) are these Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3s. Specially designed for race day, AP3s have been on the feet of the last two Boston Marathon winners. Evans Chebert in 2023 and Peres Jepchirchir in 2022. The key technology in the shoes are carbon rods and balanced Adidas Lightstrike Pro foam. We used them for mid-length runs (but not full marathons) and were very impressed with the shoe's combination of flexibility and support every mile.

3. Brooks Ghost Max

If you're new to distance running or just want to be as comfortable as possible, we recommend these Brooks Ghost Maxes. The shoes feature Brooks' maximum level of cushioning, including a removable foam footbed and a DNA Loft v2 midsole. Together, these make for one of the plushest rides we've come across, although you won't get the same bounce you get with, say, the Vaporfly 3.

4. Nike Pegasus 40

Nike's Pegasus has been one of its best-sellers for decades, and the latest iteration—the Pegasus 40 — is based on the balanced feel of the shoe. They are durable and flexible enough to last us many miles, but the neutral cushioning and support is enough to stay fresh through all those miles. These are a great everyday training shoe and can be delivered on race day if needed.

5. Hoka Tecton X2 Trail-Running Shoes

Training for an off-road marathon? Collect these Tecton X2 trail shoes from Hoka. The beefy trail runners feature not one but two carbon fiber plates to shed dirt, as well as an impressive midsole and grippy sole. In our testing, the shoes did a great job of providing cushioning without sacrificing all-important trail feel. This is no easy feat, but it makes all the difference when you're logging 10-15+ miles on the trail.

Marathon Running Shoes Buying Guide

When shopping for the best marathon shoes, there are a few extra things to consider beyond what you would look for in an everyday running shoe. Here are some things to consider when shopping:

Traditional vs. Super Shoes: In recent years, “super shoes” have become the footwear of choice for marathon runners over traditional running shoes. The Super shoes feature a carbon fiber plate in the middle of their foam, which creates something of a spring for better energy return. This is obviously a huge benefit to marathon runners looking for maximum speed and energy conservation. However, some runners prefer to use traditional running shoes (like Nike Pegasus) for training because they are more durable and less expensive than carbon-coated super shoes.

Absorption versus response: The balance between cushioning and responsiveness becomes even more important when your mileage starts to reach marathon terrain. Some runners find they do best when they're comfortable, with plenty of cushioning, while others find it drains too much of their energy and prefer more responsiveness. If you are always about the response, the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3small it might be for you. For more cushioning, check out the Vaporfly 3s or the Brooks Ghost Maxes.

How we picked the best Marathon running shoes

We tested all of the shoes above (as well as others that didn't make the cut) on several long runs. During the runs, we paid attention to the shoe's responsiveness (the “spring” feel) and tried different strides to see how the shoes would fare on other runners. We also noted our comfort level and energy at the end of the run. After testing the shoes, we researched other expert reviews and threw in user reviews to see how their experiences compared to ours. Finally, we've listed here the shoes that are in stock (as of this writing) at reputable online retailers.