7 Best Marathon Running Shoes in 2024

Hours of running and extensive lab tests validate that Alphafly 3 dominates marathon running shoes. It has boundless energy, unmatched comfort, and a stable ride uncommon for supershoes. 

We can confidently say that the Alphafly 3 is among the best—if not the best shoe—when it comes to propulsion. The carbon fiber FlyPlate integrated into the midsole makes it 144.7% stiffer than average—the level of stiffness for smashing records. Adding to the responsiveness is the Air Pods in the forefoot. Truly, a heavenly ride to behold.

A massive stack of soft yet responsive ZoomX foam makes the ride forgiving and enjoyable. The cut-in-half shoe reveals two layers of cushion, each with a specific purpose. Our durometer measured the bottom layer at a plush 18.1 HA for comfort, while the top layer is a firm 29.3 HA for stability. This keeps our feet in check, especially towards the end of a marathon where our strides tend to change.

With the upper scoring a perfect 5/5 on our breathability test, the shoe is suitable for any weather—ready for obliterating PBs in the heat. Another surprising element is its light 7.1 oz (201g) build despite its size.

At $285, Alphafly 3 tips the scale in terms of price. Though we believe it’s worth the investment, budget-conscious runners can explore cheaper, high-performance shoes elsewhere.

AP3 exceeds the standards of a super shoe with its extraordinary stability, which is uncommon for racers. It’s a breath of fresh air that releases consistent and limitless energy. Our lab and run testers wholeheartedly agree that AP3 offers the best stability for marathons.

Equipped with a wider midsole and a grippy Continental rubber outsole, our runs felt steady and secure. We measured the forefoot to be 6.3 mm wider than average, promoting stable landings for forefoot and midfoot strikers. This unique feature becomes more noticeable at high speeds when we corner sharp turns without wobbling.

The midsole seamlessly blends a soft mega-stack with a rigid platform that translates into insane responsiveness without sacrificing comfort. AP3 ranks 50.0% stiffer than average on our flex test, confirming the stream of energy we feel with every stride. The underfoot feels delightful even in endurance runs. Pushing our durometer against the foam, it's 13.6% softer than average.

AP3 makes marathons feel like a breeze, literally! At 7.7 oz (218g), it’s 21.0% lighter than the average of long-distance shoes we tested. Adios to hotspots and sweaty feet! The upper is one of the coolest we tried, scoring the highest possible rating on our breathability test in the lab.

Unfortunately, the 84.0 mm heel is 6.1 mm narrower than average. Heel-strikers may feel some tightness or discomfort in this area.

We cut open and ran in marathon running shoes to find the best cushioning — and it’s no other than Fuelcell Supercomp Trainer v2. It perfectly encapsulates the plushest experience, babying our legs through long and hard miles with its beefy cushion. This super shoe allows us to go fast and far with its flexible carbon plate and robust outsole.

This pair combines cloud-like cushioning with the tallest, race-legal stack. It marries softness and height, giving us a zero-pain experience from mile 1 to 13. Its 39.3/30.9 mm stack height ensures a heavenly touch, no matter our footstrike. With a durometer reading of 9.6 HA, it's undoubtedly one of the softest out there.

We’re amazed at how effortless it was to sustain our speed. Thanks to the rocker structure, we roll forward efficiently. Meanwhile, the unique carbon plate features the Energy Arc, a void from the heel to the forefoot, to enhance flexibility.

Lastly, the bottom features a balanced 73.0 HC outsole. This means it’s soft enough for grip and hard enough for durability. Its 2.8-mm rubber is thicker than the usual 2.0-mm outsole of racers, extending the shoe’s life further.

Because this pair remains a high-stacked shoe, it isn't supportive enough for runners who pronate or ankle-roll. We recommend exploring more supportive shoes.

Metaspeed Edge+ is a light, powerhouse pair focusing on speed and support. Its performance and grippy outsole are consistent through the miles, making it our most durable marathon shoe.

Its outsole is 18.8% softer than average. This enhances grip as more rubber clings to the ground upon landing. While this tends to be more vulnerable to abrasions, this shoe showed no signs of wear even after testing it against hard miles. Compared to racers with sub-2.0 mm outsoles (Saucony Endorphin Pro and Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3), its 2.1 mm outsole is very durable.

Our runs feel effortlessly faster in this racer. Its rocker design encourages efficient turnover and strong momentum. With every stride forward, the stiff carbon plate springs back up with energy. Our lab results speak for this, emerging 109.3% stiffer than average.

The rigid platform keeps us supported for long miles, providing stable foot placements that pronators and tired legs appreciate. This prevents ankle twists and other injuries. Our torsional rigidity test validates this scoring 4/5, meaning it’s tougher to twist.

This shoe is meant to race with its feathery 7.3 oz (208g) weight and its breezy upper. It scored the highest 5/5 on our breathability test, meaning hotspots and blisters won’t be a problem.

Its foam is 25.7% firmer than average. We recommend other pairs for marathoners who want a more cushioned experience.

After lab and run trials, we’re in awe of how much power and cushion the Metaspeed Sky+ holds. It delivers consistent energy and oozes comfort from miles 1 to 26, all in an airy package. It’s a great companion for chasing PRs, making it our top lightweight marathon running shoe.

At a mere 7.2 oz (205g), it’s much lighter than the average of long-distance shoes we tested (276g) and even other racers (215g)! Together with its well-ventilated upper, scoring 5/5 on our lab breathability test, the marathon feels like a breeze.

With soaring 33.5 / 30.8 mm stack heights in the heel and forefoot, respectively, this pair provides a significant amount of cushion that mutes the impact of landing. This provides immense relief, especially in later miles when the legs feel more fatigued.

Delightful comfort is matched by insane responsiveness thanks to the rigid carbon plate and rocker design. Our toe-offs feel smooth and springy as we launch forward with every stride. Our flex test proves its unwavering resilience with a result that’s 121.1% stiffer than average.

With an outsole that’s only 2.0 mm thin (vs. 3.4 mm average), there’s not a lot of rubber to last many marathons. We recommend saving this pair for priority races.

During our test runs, Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 delivers a forgiving yet stable and responsive ride—making it our ultimate marathon shoe for heel-strikers. It has supreme cushioning, a vibrant midsole, and an airy sensation that makes miles 1 to 26 fast, comfy, and more importantly, enjoyable.

In our lab, EP4's heel stack measures 38.1 mm, offering generous cushioning for impact absorption. With a 9.5 mm drop, it facilitates smooth forward rolls, particularly for heel-strikers. Despite its height, the shoe maintains stability due to its dual-density midsole configuration: a soft and bouncy 18.5 HA top layer, paired with a balanced 22.0 HA bottom layer for added support.

Embedded within the foams is a rigid S-shaped carbon plate, exhibiting 137.5% greater stiffness than average, as revealed by our bend test. This heightened stiffness yields a springboard effect, propelling us forward with massive energy return. Additionally, its high torsional rigidity effectively minimizes lateral shifts.

In long-distance running, a light and well-ventilated shoe is crucial to avoid additional weight and hotspots. Our lab confirms EP4 is a light 7.8 oz (220g) with a super light feel thanks to its breathable upper that scored a flawless 5/5 in our smoke and light tests.

Those with narrow feet may not achieve the preferred race-ready fit in the forefoot area. Our caliper reveals it’s 5.5 mm wider than average.

A great marathon shoe doesn't have to be expensive, and the PUMA Deviate Nitro 2 proves just that. As an amazing do-it-all-shoe, it shines even more in the marathon distance. Insane responsiveness, heavenly in terms of comfort, and a tough outsole—this package is definitely worth more than its price tag, earning it the crown for best value marathon running shoe.

At $160, it undercuts most carbon-plated shoes that average at around $205. Considering the level at which it is able to perform, this deal is one in a million. 

The Deviate Nitro 2 is equipped with a carbon plate, making it stiff, yet also forgiving. At 43.7N reading on our flexibility test, it is 77.6% stiffer than the average road running shoe. We turned to our durometer and found that the midsole was 33.3% softer than average. This superior combination of both stiffness and softness gives it more than enough pop and comfort to finish the marathon distance strong.

The Deviate Nitro 2’s PumaGrip outsole is outstanding. It provides excellent grip, even in wet conditions, while showing little to no signs of wear even after a series of runs. At the lab, we found it to be 3.5% less dense and 0.3 mm thicker—a small difference, but it all stacks up to a durable and grippy outsole that gave us confidence even in wet conditions.

Unfortunately, at 257g (9.1 oz), it is 11g more than the average of carbon-plated shoes. Weight-weenie runners will find more lightweight options elsewhere.