10 Best Marathon Running Shoes Ranked: Speed, Cushion, and Support

You know a big part of my philosophy is that you need to rotate your running shoes, which means having shoes for different kinds of runs. Today we’re reviewing the best marathon running shoes. From the long run with tons of cushion to the carbon plate, there are options for every runner.

What’s going to have enough cushion, enough structure and enough life to get you through training.

More than that, there’s something that gives you a mental boost when you find the right shoe. It just feels good to put it on, it carries you through the miles and come race day you’re confident in that running shoe.

Lucky for you I’ve run in all of these models, but more importantly have over 3000 of you participating in weekly Instagram Polls giving me additional feedback on what you love and has helped fellow runners complete 26.2 with happy feet.

Best Marathon Running Shoes of 2026

• Best Marathon Shoes Overall for Neutral Cushion – New Balance 1080 v15
• Best Marathon Shoes Overall for Stability- Saucony Hurricane 25
• Best Moderate Cushion Option –  Brooks Ghost 18
• Best Marathon Shoes For Beginners – Saucony Triumph 24
• Best Marathon Shoes for Cushion + Style – Nike Pegasus 42
• Best Marathon Shoes for Back of the Pack – HOKA Skyward X2
• Best Non Carbon Plated Marathon Shoe – Asics Superblast 3
• Best Carbon Fiber Marathon Running Shoes – Nike Alphafly 3
• Runner Up For Speed – Saucony Endorphin Pro 5
• Best Carbon Plate For Wider Feet – On Cloudboom Strike

10 Best Marathon 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.

Luckily I’ve been able to run in them all to help give you more details. I picked them having tested out a variety of shoes from each brand, along with having coached thousands of runners and talking through their shoes.

Click on any marathon shoe name below to see complete details.

Best Marathon Shoes Overall for Neutral Cushion – New Balance 1080 v15

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 Bondi that you can sink in to, you’ll remain quick off the ground in these shoes. This is not a max cushion shoe, but it’s definitely cushioned and without the big stack height.

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

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!

• Weight: 9.5oz men’s, 7.3 oz women’s
• Stack Height Heel: 40mm
• Heel Drop: 6mm
• Available in 3 colors
• Available in wide sizes
• Available newbalance.com for $170
• Read our full review of the New Balance 1080 v15 here >>

Best Marathon Shoes Overall for Stability- Saucony Hurricane 25

This is a chunky shoe with tons of cushioning courtesy of soft and responsive foam. Built for stability, the fit is secure and supportive without being tight. While we aren’t quick to recommend stability shoes, this has long felt like an exception.

If you’re a heavier runner or need a little help preventing that overpronation, this one does the job without feeling overly corrective. It’s unusual to find a stability shoe that doesn’t feel firm, so we’re pretty excited to have it on the list.

It’s not as heavy as it looks, either, thanks to a combination of PWRRUN PB foam and PWRRUN foam in the midsole.

The Hurricane 25’s run true to size with a toe box that’s roomy without feeling loose. The padded tongue is snug and comfortable, though the thick material may get hot if you’re running on warmer days.

• Heel toe drop: 6mm
• Weight: 10 oz Men’s, 8.8 oz Women’s
• Stack: 38mm
• Available in 8 colors
• 3 colors available in Wide
• Available at Saucony.com for $160
• Check out our full review of the Saucony Hurricane 25 here.

Best Moderate Cushion Option: Brooks Ghost 18

The Brooks Ghost 18 still delivers everything a runner could ask for: just the right amount of cushion in midsole, a durable rubber outsole and a breathable mesh upper to keep your feet feeling comfortable mile after mile.

The Ghost 18 keeps the same DNA LOFT v3 cushioning from the Ghost 17, but Brooks made some real improvements to the upper to include the new soft flat-knit tongue, new sockliner for a softer inside, better breathability, and a slightly roomier toe box. Nothing earth-shattering, but the kind of updates that add up over miles.

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

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.

• Weight: 10.2 oz Men’s, 9.2 oz Women’s
• Stack Height: 36mm
• Heel Drop: 10mm
• Available in 6 colors
• Available in Narrow, Standard, Wide (2E), and Extra Wide (4E)
• Available at BrooksRunning.com for $150
• Read our full review of the Brooks Ghost 18 here >>

Do you need to buy the most current model of running shoe? What if an older model is cheaper??

Assuming the shoes have been stored correctly (i.e. not a boiling hot warehouse) then I’m a fan of saving $50 whenever possible, knowing that I’ll need to keep buying more shoes.

Just checkout the reviews to see if anything major changed between models. As we all know we may love one version and not so much the next in the very same shoe.

Best Marathon Shoes For Beginners – Saucony Triumph 24

Best Marathon Shoes for Cushion + Style – Nike Pegasus 42

Nike is leaning hard into the idea of “more energy return” with the Pegasus 42, thanks to a full-length Air Zoom unit.

Everyone wants the bounce or cushion right now, but I love that the Pegasus is staying true to this line of shoes. It’s got plenty of tech in it and looks flashy, but really it’s a great basic daily trainer.

Unfortunately, the fit of the 42 is a little different from previous models due to the last.

The last is what the shoe is built on and thus changes the fit of the shoe. By adding more cushion under the forefoot the shoe now felt too small and way too tight through the toebox.

The Pegasus remains a well priced daily trainer that is going to be extremely durable, carry runners through a lot of easy miles without feeling heavy or clunky. It’s not a max cushioned soft trainer, that goes to their Vomero line up, and it’s not a speed workout shoe, but it can pick up the pace.

• Weight: 10.6 oz Men’s, 8.6 oz Women’s
• Stack Height: 37 mm
• Heel Drop: 10 mm
• Colors: 6 colors
• Available in wide: Yes for some colors
• Available at nike.com for $145
• Read our full review of the Nike Pegasus 42 here >>

Best Marathon Shoes for Back of the Pack – HOKA Skyward X2

This super trainer is an ideal mid to back of back running shoe for long training days or marathon race day. It’s got a little bouncy, a little roll and great stability to keep the legs feeling fresh.

They kept the same foam with a PEBA and super critical EVA midsole, just took a little bit of it away to allow for a shift in the plate and to slim down the width of the foam.

The carbon plate sandwiched between that super fast foam and durable foam has been updated to be a bit more aggressive. However, the plate isn’t really what we noticed it was more about the shoe feeling a bit softer and a bit bouncier. Again bouncy is relative! This is not the Cielo X1 elite racer bouncy.

What does that feel like?

It’s a nice soft feeling underfoot without sucking you down in to the cushion. You won’t be losing energy AND that overly soft shoe often results in lower back pain while running because you sink in. One of many reasons we see this as a top contender on our shoes for heavier runners list.

Is it a fast shoe? It’s faster than the original!

“We asked ourselves why every carbon-plated shoe on the market had to be created with an eye on only the elite runner. Everyone deserves to fly and everyone can level up.”

• Weight: 9.1 ounces Women’s/ 11.1 ounces Men’s
• Stack Height: 46mm
• Heel to Toe Drop: 5mm
• Available in 2 colorways at launch
• Available in wide soon
• Available at hoka.com for $225
• Read our full review of the Hoka Skyward X2 here >>

Best Carbon Fiber Marathon Running Shoes – Nike Alphafly 3

Listen it’s a toss up to say the Vaporfly vs Alphafly, but truly for longer distances the Alphafly has a lot more stability. And we are seeing some Achilles issues pop up with these super duper cushioned carbon fiber shoes, so I’d rather take that extra stability.

Additionally, the new Vaporfly 4 has a very thin outsole and may come rubbing off over 26.2.

The Nike Alphafly features a number of updates and improvements over the Nike Vaporfly, including a thicker midsole and an additional carbon fiber plate. The shoe also features Nike’s latest foam technology, Nike ZoomX, which is designed to provide even greater cushioning and energy return than the ZoomX foam used in the Nike Vaporfly.

The Nike Alphafly Next% 2 has been making headlines ever since it helped Eliud Kipchoge set the World Marathon Record in Berlin in 2022. But of course it started with the Eliud Kipchoge unofficial 1:59:40 in 2019, which was run in the Nike Air Zoom Alphafly NEXT%.

Now we are on to the Alphafly 3 also setting world marathon records!

• Weight: 8.4 oz men’s, 7.1 oz women’s
• Heel drop: 8mm
• Neutral Carbon Fiber Shoe, but for front of the pack
• Not available in wide
• Find it here on Nike.com for $285, so you can enjoy their 30 day trial policy!
• Read our full Nike Alphafly 3 review here >>

Honestly picking 1 carbon plate is really hard, which is why you’re going to see a couple more listed here. But for marathon runners doing 3:30 and faster the Alphafly is a great option.

Best Carbon Plate for Middle of the Pack – Saucony Endorphin Pro 5

Those looking for speed are often drawn to the carbon fiber shoes for that extra boost. I certainly was for the Chicago marathon! It’s important however that you not run in them too much to breakdown the shoe, so just enough to break them in!

For those really looking to hit faster times (anything Sub 4) the Saucony Endorphin Pro can be a good option.

Underfoot, the Pro 5 is like a layered performance stack. You’ve got a PWRRUN PB base, topped with supercritical PWRRUN HG, paired with the new aggressive slotted carbon fiber plate, and finished off with a more durable PWRTRAC rubber outsole.

• Weight: 7.3 oz men’s, 6.3 oz women’s
• Heel Drop: 8 mm
• Stack: 39.5 mm
• Not available in wide
• Available in 6 colorways
• Available from Saucony.com for $225
• Read our full review of the Saucony Endorphin Pro 5 here >>

Best Carbon Plate For Wider Feet – Puma Deviate Nitro 4

Having tested a lot of Puma running shoes recently, we’d say that aside from their max cushioned shoes they tend to run a bit more narrow. So if you’re looking for those speed shoes or carbon plated race day shoes, definitely checkout all our reviews.

This shoe is lightweight and feels great for daily training runs and tempo runs, at a price point that’s pretty fantastic for a plated trainer.

It’s a little bit of a stiffer shoe because of the carbon composite PWRPLATE that runs along the sole of the shoe.

These shoes are considered a max cushioned shoe, yet they did not feel bulky or heavy underfoot. 

The NITROFOAM™ (nitrogen-infused foam technology) is lightweight and responsive. It felt cushioned, yet still able to pick up speed! A nice combo for a shoe that can serve many purposes.

• Weight: 10.5 oz men’s/ 8.8oz women’s
• Stack Height: 38mm
• Heel drop: 8mm
• Available in 4 colors
• Available in wide
• Available at us.puma.com for $170.00
• Read our full review of the Puma Deviate Nitro 4 here >>

Best Non Carbon Plated Marathon Shoe – Asics Superblast 3

Superblast 3 is giving you that enjoyable feeling, but in a much more stable package to go for many many miles. I still believe this is a middle of the pack race day shoe. It’s lightweight and because of the foam you sort of naturally find yourself picking up  the pace.

There’s no plate and no magic, but there is my absolute favorite super shoe foam, the FF Leap which is used the Asics Metaspeed and Metaspeed Ray racing shoes. That’s right, their absolutely top tier foam makes up the majority of this every day run shoe and as a result means 15.4% increase in energy return from the previous Turbo Plus foam.

The Superblast 3 is a super trainer that falls easily into the daily trainer category. It can be worn daily to enjoy a shoe that is both highly cushioned and lightweight, no plate needed to help you feel like going faster.

• Weight: 8.4 oz (Unisex sizing)
• Stack Height: 46.5mm
• Heel Drop: 8 mm
• Not available in wide
• Available in 2 colors
• Available on asics.com for $210
• Read our full review of the Asics Superblast 3 here >>

How Long Before the Marathon To Buy New 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.

Remember the NOTHING NEW on race day mantra. You want to take your race day shoes out for a few runs just to make sure there are absolutely no issues with blisters or the shoe fitting slightly different.

However, if you’re not feeling good about the model you’ve been using then two months before the race I’d be on the hunt for something that feels good. This gives you a chance to take it on multiple long runs and the shoe will still have plenty of life left in it for race day.

How Many Running Shoes Should You have?

I cover in depth why you need to rotate running shoes, but for the sake of time say a minimum of two pairs of shoes for marathon training.

And yes, that’s two different styles for during training and then a new pair coming up on race day.

If you’ve only done a 12 week training plan, then maybe you won’t need a new pair for race day. But most of us start training in an older pair and pile on the miles.

Those fresh shoes will have better structure and cushion, which we absolutely want when running 26.2 miles.

Why It’s Important to Have Marathon Running Shoes

The right running shoe matters so much because over the miles 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.

At the base level, you’ll want to find a shoe that:

• 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 dropping in which places pressure on knees and ankles

There are, still, other things to consider when picking the right marathon shoe for yourself. Let’s look at what these are in more detail.

What To Look For In Marathon Running Shoes?

When considering a pair of running shoes to cover all the training miles to over 26.2 there are a few key areas that you want to examine. The goal is to find a shoe that can take you through most of training, so then you can grab a new pair and flow easily in to race day.

Comfort

Your marathon running shoes should be, first and foremost, comfortable. A study actually showed that our BEST running shoe is the one we find most comfortable!!

Running for 26.2 miles is no joke, and it’s important to prioritize comfort. This is where a lot of personal preferences may come into play.

An uncomfortable shoe is often a sign that it’s forcing your body to move in ways it doesn’t like or that are going to create issues like blisters.

Cushioning Levels

How cushioned your marathon shoes play a big part in not only how comfortable they’ll be, but also how good your form is while running.

Remember that more is not always better. A super plush shoe like the Hoka Bondi could lead you to sink in a little bit as the run goes on and lead to lower back pain while running. Surprising, but not uncommon. Which is why I now recommend the Skyflow for running and the Bondi only for walking.

The flipside is going with minimal cushion can be really hard on the feet and joints with endurance events.

In general, I recommend moderate cushioning for everyone. Heavier runners or those with a larger frame (hello my very tall male friends) may want a more cushioned shoe.

**And remember that you want to have a couple different shoes of different types in your rotation for training! The HOKA Mach didn’t make my list below, but it’s a fabulous speed work trainer and the Altra Provision is a good daily for those looking for zero drop.

Bigger Sizing

You’ll want to look for a shoe with ample space in the toe box and overall a bigger size. Remember what happens to your body when you run a marathon??? Your feet swell!

In general, the longest toe should have a thumb’s distance from the shoe box. This prevents the toe from repeatedly striking the toe box, which can cause problems like runner’s toes.

We also want to ensure there is plenty of room for our toes to move as our foot swells during the race. If you’re getting numb feet while running, then your shoe is too small.

However, a shoe that is too wide may also cause your foot to move about inside it and your toes to rub against the toe box, which could result in blisters or other issues.

How Do You Tell When Your Running Shoes Are Worn Out?

If you train over longer distances, your shoes will likely wear out sooner.

If your running shoes are worn out, the upper may be worn or torn, the outsole may be smoothing out, the midsole foam may appear compressed, and you may be getting foot or knee pain when you run if you weren’t before.

These are the classic signs that your shoes are worn out, so head on over to get a new pair to be ready before the race!

If this is your first marathon, don’t forget to check out these beginner marathon training tips and my new Couch to Marathon Training Plan.

Looking for more reviews to find the best things for your run?

Checkout our full page of my must have running gear reviews and guides to save you time searching and money! I share what’s worked for me and fellow runners, along with what wasn’t worth the price tag.

A few common requests:

• Brooks vs ASICS  – which brand is better for you
• How to tell if running shoes fit properly
• Best running socks (lightweight to compression)
• Zero Drop Running Shoes
• Hoka vs On Cloud
• Checkout some ideas on the best gifts for runners  (treat yourself during marathon training)

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