Las 7 Mejores Half Marathon Running Shoes del 2024

The Nike Alphafly 3 is the cream of the crop among half-marathon running shoes we tested on foot and in the lab because of its exceptionally responsive ride and weightlessness. With top-notch features like the FlyPlate, Air Pods, and the ZoomX cushioning, it ensures a comfortable ride even at high speeds.

Made for competitive paces, Alphafly 3 helped us fly to the finish line. Our scales confirm the airiness we felt as it weighs 7.1 oz (201g), 24.2% below average. Its massive energy return adds to its effortless feel. Our lab analysis reveals the stiff FlyPlate and Air Pods that make it consistently responsive. As proved by our bend test, it’s 150.7% more rigid than average.

The ZoomX cushioning is also a star, exhibiting both a soothing and electrifying aura. It measures a tall 38.1/33.7 mm for impact protection and is made of two foam densities for specific reasons: the top is a firmer 29.3 HA for support while the bottom is a plush 18.1 HA. Altogether, the ride feels very bouncy and aggressive.

This shoe is made for runners seeking peak performance and we think its €320 price tag is worth it. However, those on a budget can find more affordable options.

The lab reflected what our feet experienced: ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris is the ultimate half-marathon running shoe for midfoot and forefoot strikers. Running with this racer made the mile markers melt away through its delightful lightness, impact protection, and energetic responsiveness.

Metaspeed Sky Paris is a force to be reckoned with and it truly comes alive for non-heel strikers. We sliced the midsole in half and uncovered why: the carbon plate has a flat shape and launches us best when landing in the mid-to-front areas of the base.

The carbon plate is sandwiched between two FF Turbo+ layers, creating powerful strides when compressed altogether. The cushioning feels so comfortable because of the generous amount of foam beneath our feet, confirmed by our caliper with a 39.1/32.6 mm measurement. Our muscles felt protected even until mile 13 and we felt like we could still run some more!

Despite its height, we find it amazing that the shoe feels weightless. Our scales verified this with a 6.5 oz (183g) racer, 30.9% below average.

However, the shoe lacks the supportive elements that some people need. We recommend runners who need extra guidance to check stability shoes.

The Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 proves a competitive shoe can be comfortable and durable. It exhibited pure speed in our runs through its vibrant midsole, complemented by the Speedroll technology. Analyzing our cut-in-half shoe in the lab further proves it’s the best half-marathon shoe for heel strikers.

EP4 is undeniably a powerhouse thanks to its rigid S-shaped carbon plate that promotes silky smooth turnover and strong momentum. Our bend test verifies the midsole is 141.6% stiffer than average, translating to massive energy output.

The carbon plate lies between two distinct foams: a plush and bouncy 18.5 HA top layer and a balanced 22.0 HA base layer for enhanced stability, both features we truly appreciated in the latter miles of our Half Mary. Additionally, the 38.1 mm heel cushioning erases any ground impact. Paired with a modest forefoot, the 9.5 mm drop feels more natural for rear strikers.

Underfoot, the XT-900 rubber surprised us with its robust nature. At 85.3 HC, it’s tougher than most racers and even our 80.1 HC lab average! We tested its strength further in our abrasion test and it emerged victorious with a minimal scuff, making it highly resistant to wear.

The shoe feels light at 7.8 oz (220g), yet in this era of weightless shoes, other elite racers will feel even faster.

It’s tough to find a supershoe that matches the exceptional support the Adidas Adizero Pro 3 brought in our runs. Numbers checked, it’s our best stability half-marathon shoe because it delivers solid energy return while ensuring controlled strides. Not only is it fast, but it’s extra grippy too!

Most racers have a streamlined build yet what sets AP3 apart is its massive forefoot, verified by our caliper with a 119.4 mm measurement vs. the 114.0 mm average. This gives us enough room to find our footing despite the tall 37.8/33.7 mm stack. 

Additionally, the Continental outsole delivers the extra bite needed to speed through fast corners or wet roads confidently. Our durometer confirms this with a reading 30.7% softer than average.

The AP3 has a rigid build and a balanced foam that makes the midsole highly responsive. Every stride we made is infused with power and our bend test confirms it’s 59.4% stiffer than average—a result that clearly backs up the propulsion we experienced.

Unfortunately, AP3 won’t be stable enough for rear strikers because of its narrow heel. These types of runners need a wider landing base in the rear.

The New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 marries speed and cushioning in our runs, making it ideal for long-distance racing. Our lab verifies its soothing yet explosive nature through its plush midsole and responsive Energy ARC carbon plate without too much rigidity. Therefore, it’s our most comfortable running shoe for half marathons.

We had so much foam beneath our feet that we didn’t feel the ground even as we approached mile 13. Our caliper shows a massive 38.2/28.9 mm, proving its impact protection for any footstrike and runner. The cushioning made the miles melt away with its bouncy and plush personality, confirmed by our 15.0 HA durometer reading.

The shoe features the highly responsive Energy ARC carbon plate, complemented by the midsole’s rocker that creates smooth forward strides. What we found amazing is how the shoe didn’t feel overly stiff, adding to its comfort. Our bend test shows it’s only 34.3% more rigid than average, while supershoes tend to score much higher.

At 8.2 oz (232g), the shoe unfortunately feels bottom-heavy, which may disappoint runners prioritizing weight savings. Those who prefer lighter shoes should explore alternatives.

The ASICS Metaspeed Edge+ honors its name by delivering speed through its carbon plate that pushes us to our best pace. The energy return is out of this world, complemented by its light build offering smooth strides. The robust outsole displays one-of-a-kind wear resistance in our lab, making it our top durable half-marathon running shoe.

Starting from the bottom, we pushed our durometer against the outsole and got a 65.0 HC reading, 18.9% softer than average. This figure translated to enhanced grip during testing, but what surprised us was its like-new appearance after testing despite its softer rubber. It also has a thickness of 2.1 mm, enough to last long compared to sub-2.0 mm racers.

Our lab results speak for the responsiveness we experienced. Metaspeed Edge+ stood its ground on our bend test until our force gauge showed a whopping 63.0N, 120.3% stiffer than average!

This racer is all about agility, carrying a moderate stack and a streamlined build. It weighed light as a feather at 7.3 oz (208 g) while other running shoes averaged 21.5% heavier. 

We couldn’t help but notice the shoe’s firm ride, verified by our durometer with a rating 45.0% firmer than average. Runners seeking impact protection and plush cushioning are better off with other pairs.

The PUMA Deviate Nitro Elite 3 proves through runs and lab tests that it’s the best value shoe for half-marathon running, priced at €260. It offers lightning-fast strides and extra sticky traction for better control at a more accessible price point vs. other supershoes. Its outsole can handle occasional speed training sessions too!

Weighing only 7.2 oz (240g), lifting each stride feels easy since it’s 23.0% lighter than the average running shoe. The stiff carbon plate launches us back with every landing with the rocker creating smooth turnovers, all enhancing the feeling of weightlessness. Our bend test verifies DNE 3 is 79.7% stiffer than average.

The Nitro Elite foam offers undeniable responsiveness, complemented by a soft 15.1 HA foam for impact protection and another balanced 18.3 HA base layer for stability. It ensures our muscles are protected and supported, especially as we approach the 13-mile mark.

The PumaGrip displays exceptional adhesion to the ground with its soft 72.6 HC nature. While this may make it more prone to wear, DNE 3 measures a thick 2.6 mm to prolong its lifespan. This is much thicker than typical sub-2 mm outsoles of racers.

With its focus on agility, the shoe’s narrow build demands good form. Those who need more guided strides should find more supportive shoes.