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7 Long Distance Running Shoes That Make Marathon Training Bearable

Last Updated on by Amanda Brooks
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What shoes do half marathon runners wear? Are there better shoes for a marathon or even a road ultra? Let’s talk about the best long distance running shoes for your foot. From a whole lot of testing by myself and others we’ve got your recommendations.Best Long Distance Running ShoesAfter 33,000 miles of running I have some opinions and luckily for you I’ve also been able to run in a wide variety of running shoe models, brands and styles. Providing me with extra knowledge to help you find the shoe that’s going to feel great with plenty of cushion, structure and lifespan to make it through training and race day.

Beyond my own experiences, I’m lucky to have worked with thousands of long-distance runners who have shared their opinions with me as well.

More than anything else you need a shoe that FEELS GOOD TO YOU.

Seriously, there’s an actual study that proves this!

In this article we are going to look at what makes a good long distance running shoe from pounding the pavement for a half marathon to a trail race, and then my specific shoe recommendations.

Why It’s Important to Have Good Long Distance Running Shoes

The right running shoe matters so much because over the many, many miles you put in, it’s really easy to have issues like ankle pain while running or knee pain while running.

Not simply from weak hips and glutes, but from shoes that aren’t right for you! In fact, wearing the wrong type of running shoes is the top cause of foot pain when running.

A few of the common things we’re trying to find in a good distance shoe.

  • has enough room in the toe box for your feet to spread and potentially swell over the miles
  • allows you to change the lacing to provide more room or lock in your heel
  • keeps your arch from falling inward which places pressure on knees and ankles

Best Long Distance Running Shoes of 2026

7 Best Long Distance Running Shoes

I’ll be sharing one from each of the major running shoe brands. Each brand has a slightly different fit and feel, so if you’ve tried a shoe from them previously now you’ll know which model will go the distance.

Click on any shoe name below to see complete details.

Best Long Distance Shoes Overall for Daily Training: New Balance 1080 v15

New Balance’s Fresh Foam is every bit as lovely as it sounds. These shoes feel fabulous when you slip them on and yet maintain good responsiveness. Unlike the super plush HOKA Bondi that you can sink in to, you’ll remain quick off the ground in these shoes.

These shoes do not have a padded collar which some runners may dislike, but I didn’t notice any issues with that. I did the normal heel lock lacing as will all my shoes and they felt great.

I’d say these shoes run not wide or narrow, but directly in the middle. However, New Balance is known for offering wide sizes in most models!

NB 1080 v15 review

Best Long Distance Cushioned Trainer: Asics Novablast 5

The Asics Novablast 5 is  a max cushioned daily trainer that doesn’t cause you to sink in and still results in energy return. It will easily be the shoe you reach for on long run days.

Looking at the shoe I expected it to be heavier and a little firm. But it’s actually a great lighter weight cushioned trainer. It’s not quite as plush as the NB FreshFoam, but I think for many runners that’s a plus as it will provide a little more support for running with higher arches.

For me this is one of the best Asics I’ve run in for awhile. A great breathable upper in a shoe that once again doesn’t run narrow, but I wouldn’t call built for wide feet.Novablast 5 Review

We hate to gush about a shoe, but so far it’s really checking a lot of boxes for the middle of the pack runners.

Best Long Distance Running Shoe for Moderate Cushion: Brooks Ghost 18

THe Brooks Ghost is a classic that often appears on our best of lists and for good reason.

The Brooks Ghost’s impressive cushioning, lightweight feel, and support make it a great choice for high-mileage running thanks to the DNA Loft v3 foam cushioning it uses.

These feel like a shoe with a lot more structure and while cushioned, they don’t have the plush feel of some shoes. We really liked the change to the Ghost 16’s, they just feel so much better from previous models.

This is useful to many runners who end up with lower back pain while running in a too cushioned shoe.Brooks Ghost 18 Review

The Ghost 18 is your dependable daily training shoe. If you want something that’s going to hold up run after run without making you think too hard about it, this is it. It’s not your race shoe; it’s not your speed workout shoe. It’s the one you reach for the rest of the time, and it does that job really well.

Best Stability Long Distance Shoe: Asics Gel-Kayano 32

We recently did a full review of the Asics GEL Kayano and here it is again as a long-standing winner. It’s a favorite marathon training shoe and one that will help to provide you with the extra support your foot needs.

The Asics Gel Kayano 32 is known for its supportive, multi-density midsole and firmer foam through the arch. They’re one of the best motion-control shoes with firmer medial (inner) and softer lateral (outer) midsole sidewalls.ASICS Gel Kayano Review

The updated 4D Guidance System helps keep your foot from rolling inward, which can reduce strain on the plantar fascia, while the FlyteFoam Blast+ Eco midsole softens impact with every step. That means less pressure on your heel and more comfort during walking workouts.

The ASICS GEL Kayano was first released in 1993 and due to its popularity is now on the 32nd edition!

The shoe has been designed to be a stability shoe for overpronators, but it’s highly popular for high-mileage neutral runners as well.

Best Neutral Long Distance Running Shoes: Saucony Kinvara 16

The Kinvara is another shoe that I have run in since it was first released. In fact, it’s been my go to half marathon shoe for over a decade. Based on all of my testing, it’s a great running shoe for up to about 17 miles.

This is not a plush shoe or a stability shoe. It really is a super light, slight cushion, responsive trainer. Some of you may prefer to use this shoe on tempo runs or days where you’re aiming to hit goal pace miles, and stay with the more cushioned shoes on easy days.

They have gone back to the original Kinvara stack height of 29mm and we’re so here for it!!! They feel fantastic with this change. It’s still plenty of cushion, it’s just not squishy or bouncy like an Endorphin Pro. It’s sleek and streamlined and does the work.Saucony Kinvara 16 Review

Due the lower heel drop, this has been a shoe I found really helped with my IT Band issues and have heard this from many others since I first discovered it.

Best Long-Distance Trail Running Shoes: HOKA Speedgoat 7

The Speedgoat is often on many of our best of lists because it’s such a great shoe.

This shoe is best for trail runners who are looking for moderate cushion, plenty of protection and grip to cover a variety of terrain and distances. Great trail race day option as well.

It’s not a stability shoe. Instead, the heel base seems wider and they’ve refined the heel collar to hold you better in place. Each time my foot rolled through a rocky section I could tell there was less dipping of my heel than in the 6. It was a glorious feeling and I already know my ankles are going to be much happier. I’d say anyone with Achilles issues will also appreciate it.Hoka speedgoat 7 Overview

The new foam is a little softer, it feels like there’s a bit more in the forefoot which is really comfortable. The shoe remains light, able to pick up the pace, but with even more energy return from this superior foam. It’s not bouncy like a super foam, it’s not crazy plush, it’s just a really perfect amount of foam for a trail shoe!

  • Weight: 8.3 oz women’s, 9.7 oz men’s
  • Stack Height: 38mm women’s, 40m men’s
  • Heel Drop: 5mm
  • Available in GTX
  • Available in 3 colors to start
  • Available in wide in some colors
  • Available at: Hoka.com for $165
  • Read our review of the Hoka Speedgoat 7 here >>

Best Long Distance Running Shoes for Speed: Nike Alphafly 3

If you’re looking for a carbon plate running shoe, then the Alphafly is the king of the hill.

The Alphafly is a much more comfortable long run shoe than the Vaporfly and it’s easy to see why it’s the choice shoe for marathon runners. There’s a beautiful bounciness to the shoe, while still feeling stable. If you’ve not yet tried any of the Alphafly models, it’s a significant difference from your daily trainer.

As noted, there is a bounciness to the ZoomX, an insanely thin Atomknit mesh upper, a feeling of support in the arch and the pop of that full carbon plate.

Somehow they managed to carve out just a bit more of the shoe to drop 15% weight and yet maintain the level of cushion that’s necessary for the speed. With a shoe at this level, even minor adjustments are big and those two things alone are huge.

Nike Alphafly 3 Review

The combination of the longer wider carbon fiber plate and ZoomX foam and the Zoom Air units make the Nike Alphafly 3 one of the most technologically advanced running shoes on the market.

When to Replace Marathon Training Shoes?

If you’ve found a pair of shoes that you love during training, then get a new pair about a month before the race.

This gives you a chance to wear them on a few shorter runs and one long run.

Assume that most shoes have a lifespan of about 500 miles. So if you’ve already put 350 miles on them they are starting to breakdown and you’re losing some of that energy return they love to tout in the cushion.

While one pair could get you through all of training, it might be run down enough that you don’t want to wear it for race day.

If you’ve found a pair that you love during training, then grab a new pair about a month before the race.

And of course, it’s important to know when to replace your running shoes!

Other questions to ask yourself when considering the best running shoes to buy are:

  • Do you have pronation issues that you can’t correct with strengthening exercises?
  • Do you want a pair specifically for race day that is lighter? (consider them your race shoes)
  • Have wide feet? (feet swell the farther we run and in heat, so know your foot)

A major factor is understanding how running shoes should fit.

Go through those key pieces before selecting any shoe from the list of ideas that follow.

What to read next?

Category: Buyer's Guides, Marathon, Running Shoe Reviews
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Amanda Brooks Avatar

Author

Amanda Brooks
I am a running coach with over a decade of experience helping thousands of runners to achieve their goals from running injury free to crossing that marathon finish line with a PR. I’ve run over 28,000 miles in my own running journey since 2002. Run To The Finish is my place to share that love and my deep dive in to researching all things running. I hold multiple run coaching certifications, as well as a personal training certification. But it’s my ongoing desire to learn and progress as a coach that has allowed me to help runners from their 20’s through their 70’s! More ways to connect with me:

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Comments

  1. Karin Kramer Baldwin

    I have run many of my marathons in Vibram 5 fingers and more recently in Nike supershoes. The Nikes did not hold up for me and pitched me too far forward. A few months ago I bought a pair of Tracksmith after reading a review. Hands down, the best shoes I have ever run in. I am a 73 year old woman and started running when I turned 50. I have run 15 marathons (and probably another 10 if you count training runs at marathon length). The Tracksmith are wonderfully cushiony and keep my feet fresher longer. I can run further before I begin to tire.