Best Marathon Shoes of 2024 to Run Your Next PR

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When people ask how to start running, it’s usually because they think a marathon is in their future. But running a marathon is an athletic achievement, there’s no denying it. It isn’t easy, it isn’t pretty, but humans have been attempting the feat for decades. 

However, there’s never been a better time to gear up and go the distance, with swathes of races around the world, top of the line technical training and racing tech—like running watches, running jackets, and even recovery gear—and a golden era of shoe technology available to runners everywhere. 

Without a doubt, the most important piece of gear to consider when attempting to run 26.2 miles is your choice of shoes. Luckily, we have you covered. Here are the best running shoes for marathons, including our top pick, Asics Metaspeed Edge Paris.

If you’re interested in in-depth reviews of specific brands, check out our best Asics running shoes, best Brooks running shoes, and best Hoka running shoes roundups.

Related: We Tested Dozens of On Running Shoes. These Are the Best

Best Marathon Running Shoes at a Glance

• Overall Best Marathon Shoe: Asics Metaspeed Edge Paris
• Best Trail Marathon Shoe: Hoka Tecton X3
• Best Beginner Marathon Shoe: Saucony Endorphin Pro 4
• Lightest Marathon Shoe: Nike VaporFly 3

Best Marathon Shoes of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Keep in mind that while you can run a marathon in pretty much any decent running shoes, most of the options on this list are designed to give you an extra lift late in the mileage. 

That said, you don’t want to burn up your pricey race-day super shoes during your many training miles. That’s why I listed a “Training Partner” or two, which is a shoe that works for your regular miles that pairs well with its respective racer.

Overall Best Marathon Shoe: Asics Metaspeed Edge Paris

Asics Metaspeed Edge Paris hits the super shoe sweet spot. It’s lightweight and breathable, yet plush, comfortable, and peppy. Its plate geometry smoothly rolls you forward. And regardless of pace, it runs the most naturally for most efforts. It works incredibly well for a huge cross-section of runners, from larger, more powerful runners like me, to lighter, faster folks. But act fast—Asics is low on stock.

Weight: 6.5 oz

Heel-toe drop: 5mm

Training Partner: Asics Magic Speed 4

Next Best Marathon Shoe: HOKA Cielo X1

Hoka Cielo X1 is incredibly comfortable underfoot. It feels just as good running at a fast pace as it does an easy pace. And while the sole geometry and plate are cut quite aggressively, it doesn’t feel as unstable as other shoes like Nike AlphaFly. Whether you’re a heel, midfoot, or forefoot striker, the huge amount of PBA foam will soak up your impact and send you flying into your next stride.

Unfortunately, the laces fit weird, and the upper could be a touch more breathable. Neither of those were dealbreakers, but such issues gave the edge to the Asics Metaspeed Edge for our top pick.

Weight: 9.3 oz

Heel-toe drop: 7mm

Training Partner: Hoka Mach X2

Best Marathon Shoe for Forefoot Strikers: Nike AlphaFly 3

The update to this already legendary super shoe is fantastic. While Nike AlphaFly 3 isn’t a great option for heel strikers (there isn’t much foam back there), if you land midfoot to forefoot, there is no faster, more aggressive shoe out there. The upper and lacing system continues to be among the top performers, too.

Pace matters, though. I won’t lace this up for my marathon pace, which is about average. But if you run a sub-3:00 time, the AlphaFly 3 is awesome.

Weight: 7.6 oz

Heel-toe drop: 8

Training Partner: Nike Pegasus 41

Best Trail Marathon Shoe: Hoka Tecton X3

While I was a huge fan of Hoka Tecton X2, that shoe didn’t feature the latest in foam technology. The updated Hoka Tecton X3 features a PBA midsole with a poised, pliable plate. After about 30 miles in this shoe, I have absolutely no complaints. The midsole is both soft and responsive, the outsole has big, grippy lugs, and the toe box is spacious and flexible. It is made for trails, though, so it might feel clunky on the roads.

Weight: 10 oz

Heel-toe drop: 5mm

Training Partner: Hoka Speedgoat 6

Best Beginner Marathon Shoe: Saucony Endorphin Pro 4

Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 is a much more palatable shoe for most runners than the brand’s main racing shoe,  Endorphin Elite. Endorphin Pro 4 makes an awesome racer for those uninitiated into the world of super shoes.

Endorphin Pro 4 is one of the most breathable shoes on this list, and while the midsole and plate offer up plenty of pop, the shoe doesn’t feel overly aggressive or unstable underfoot. I have really loved this shoe for tempo days and strides, as it feels natural to run at a variety of paces.

Weight: 7.5 oz

Heel-toe drop: 8mm

Training Partner: Saucony Endorphin Speed 4

Best Ultramarathon Racing Shoe: Speedland GS: PDX

Super shoe almost feels like an understatement for Speedland GS: PDX. This ultramarathon-specific shoe is the total package and then some. With every bit of tech you can stuff into a trail runner, Speedland provides ultrarunners with a perfect shoe to both train and race in.

GS:PDX features a wide toe box that is welcome after long mileage, and the dual BOA lacing system helps you adjust fit on the fly (I had multiple trail runs in Flagstaff in which I found myself quickly loosening or tightening the BOAs depending on ascents or descents and foot swell). 

The GS:PDX also features a PBA midsole and removable Carbitex plate (sold separately) that you can slide into instep to give you that extra bounce on race day. I found the process to be intuitive and useful.

Weight: 10.3 oz

Heel-toe drop: 5mm

Training Partner: This shoe, with plate removed

Best Marathon Shoe for Powerful Runners: New Balance FuelCell SC Elite V4

New Balance FuelCell SC Elite V4 is an incredible shoe. I’m more of a power runner than light on my feet, so the excellent stability and loads of underfoot cushion make this ideally suited to my style. It has loads of stability, and the PBA foam is of the most comfortable and softest of any marathon racers I’ve tried.

However, I did experience some calf pain after eight or nine miles in these shoes, so be aware when you’re testing them out yourself.

Weight: 8.4 oz

Heel-toe drop: 4mm

Training partner: New Balance FuelCell SC Rebel V4

Best Road Ultramarathon Shoe: Mount to Coast R1

Designed for road or tarmac ultramarathons, Mount to Coast R1 includes a ton of useful tech. 

The PBA blend midsole breaks in fast and feels awesome underfoot. The lacing system is split into forefoot and ankle collar, with a cinch cord to tighten or loosen the forefoot, and traditional laces up top. The upper is breathable, and it’s wide in the toe box.

It’s a more traditional running shoe compared to some of the aggressive racers above, which means this also makes a perfect shoe if you’re hesitant to fully abandon what’s familiar. 

Weight: 8.5 oz

Heel-toe drop: 8mm

Training partner: Mount to Coast S1

Best Non-Plated Marathon Shoe: Asics SuperBlast 2

Asics’ first SuperBlast was awesome, but had a couple tiny drawbacks. The old outsole was not very durable or grippy, and it fit a touch long. Luckily, the brand fixed that for SuperBlast 2.

Asics slapped a much tackier, much longer lasting rubber on the latest. And the newest shoe fits true to size. Everything else feels very familiar in the best way possible. The bouncy, comfortable midsole foam is as soft and propulsive as ever. The upper is less race-oriented, but still breathable and a touch more durable. 

The shoe just flies, and despite its lack of a plate, I think you could easily run 26.2 miles in the SuperBlast 2—and maybe even enjoy it. Whenever I don’t have a shoe to test, I throw these on to train on the road.

Weight: 8.8 oz

Heel-toe drop: 8mm

Training Partner: Asics NovaBlast 4

Lightest Marathon Shoe: Nike VaporFly 3

Perhaps the most famous super shoe on the list, the Nike VaporFly 3 has rightfully earned its reputation. Popularized by Eluid Kipchoge’s seemingly endless string of records, the VF3 is yet another upgrade to an already elite racer. At 6.5 ounces, these shoes feel practically weightless on your feet, which empowers runners both fast and slow to pick up their pace. I’m the slowest runner on our testing team, and in these shoes it was easy to smash my typical training times. 

Other testers were surprised at how comfortable these were, and one is planning to wear them for the New York City Marathon this year. The ZoomX foam lends a bit more softness than other racers, which was a welcome comfort especially on long runs. One caveat: The upper material is a little stiff out of the box, but after a couple of runs the shoes loosened up.

Weight: 6.5 oz

Heel-toe drop: 8mm

Training partner: Nike Pegasus 41

Related: We Tested Hoka’s Best-Selling Stability Shoe. It’s Worth the Hype

Are Super Shoes Better for Races?

Shoes designed for marathon racing are lighter and more propulsive with the trade-off of higher cost and less durability.

They’re nicknamed super shoes for a reason. Shoes at higher price points typically come with more advanced materials and regularly updated engineering, which lead to improved athletic performance. Research published in the Human Kinetics Journal discovered that super shoes provide physiological benefits even when running at slower speeds. While some running shoes can serve dual purposes, many on this list excel at one aspect of your marathon plan.

In general, most of the modern super shoes feature both a PBA foam midsole and a stiff carbon plate in the midsole. While the original Nike VaporFly 4% brought the setup to broader awareness, now most running shoe companies feature a version of this tech combo in their marathon racing shoes.

One other thing to note about super shoes: they usually have a high stack, or a lot of that PBA foam underfoot. While World Athletics limits legal racing shoes to 40mm of sole thickness, you’ll find most companies stick pretty close to that number, and some even seem to cleverly work around it with sophisticated geometry. Used to be, even distance runners used pretty low-stack shoes due to the weight savings, but with PBA foam and increasingly light uppers, modern marathon racing shoes can boast both incredibly low weight and large amounts of underfoot cushion.

Preparing for a Marathon

Running a marathon takes preparation. A lot of it. Few, if any of us, could walk out the door without training and run 26.2 miles. Indeed, legend has it that the first man who ran this distance dropped dead upon completion.

As I’m preparing for my own marathon this December, I’m fortunate enough to be a part of a virtual run club led by a coach who has set forth a specific training plan. Whatever resources you are using, I highly recommend following a marathon guide. I’ll share what has worked for me, as well as other tips I’ve picked up.

1. Start Early

It goes without saying, but developing a training plan makes it far easier to stay on track for race day. It’s easiest to start around 6 months out from your desired race date, especially if you’ve never run one. The shortest training plans are about 12 weeks and we recommend that even experienced runners begin focused training at least 16 weeks out.

2. Build Up Your Race Distance

Almost any training plan for a marathon recommends running at least one if not a few shorter races before the full shebang. Sign up for a local half or two. Nothing in training can quite compare to the feeling of running on race day, and these events are an opportunity to practice your day-of preparations: what to eat, what to pack, what to wear.

3. Embrace the Unexpected

Believe me, it’s much easier not to run a marathon. Not just that it’s a difficult physical feat, but marathons are time consuming endeavors. Training and recovery takes a toll on most everything, and life comes up. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself your first time around. Occasional missed and rescheduled workouts are part of the process. Consistency, not any one training run, is what delivers you to the finish.

4. Listen to Your Body

The prior tip leads into this one. If something hurts or doesn’t feel right, slow down or take a break. Understand that a week or two lost in training is far less detrimental than a major strain, sprain, or other injury.

5: Buy Good Shoes

And, finally, the matter at hand (or foot). Good running shoes make all the difference. Ideally, you’ll have at least two pairs—one for training and one for racing. Trainers should be comfortable and durable, racers should be light and fast. And research shows that runners who rotate through multiple shoes have lower injury rates.

How We Tested the Best Marathon Shoes

Our team of runners tested 26 pairs of shoes before choosing the 10 on our best-of list. Each of us is training for a marathon, but we’ll be completing them at vastly different speeds. Some of us are elite runners, and some (me) are not. We tested each in a variety of conditions and made sure to run both speed workouts and distance in all of our top picks to get a sense of versatility. And despite our differing abilities, this was a super easy list to create because there was so much consensus.

I broke the best marathon shoes into two categories: racing and training. In each, our team of testers found a pick for every type of runner looking to tackle running’s most famous distance. The best part about selecting two or three pairs off this list is that each should last you at least a couple seasons of consistent use. My go-to trio right now includes the New Balance SuperComp Trainer 2 for general training, the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 for racing, and the Brooks Glycerin 20 for recovery runs.

Why You Should Trust Us

I run not for glory but for love of the game. I’m out most every day logging mileage, even in the brutal Southern Arizona summers. I’ve tested nearly 100 shoes this year alone, and about two dozen of those have been some sort of racing shoe. And while I love to run all distances, I have a soft spot for the long stuff. 

Because I’m snugly in the category of “average runner,” longer distances like the Marathon fit my pace much better. With that in mind, I tried to include options for all varieties of runners, from smaller, lighter, and speedier guys, to heavier, more powerful runners. 

Related: Adidas Ultraboost Light Review 2024