Best Marathon Running Shoes 2024: Our top picks for racing, comfort, value and beginners

We’ve racked up a lot of marathons between us at The Run Testers, and we’ve tested a whole lot of shoes, so we’re confident than in this round-up of the best marathon running shoes that we’ve picked out some great options for a wide variety of runners.

Along with highlighting the best carbon shoes for smashing your PB, we’ve also picked out some of the best value and most comfortable marathon running shoes, as well as some top picks for beginners, plus great non-plated and versatile options.

Hopefully there’s something for everyone, and you’ll find the perfect shoe for your next marathon.

JUMP STRAIGHT IN:
00:00​​​​ - Intro
01:29 - Best Carbon Racing Shoes For The Marathon
04:59 - Best Marathon Shoes For Beginners
09:40 - Best Value Marathon Shoes
13:36 - Most Comfortable Marathon Shoes
19:34 - Best Non-Plated Marathon Shoes
22:46 - Best For Training And Racing

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Some other videos you might find useful:

[chinitopogi]

Nice Asics (Novablas 4, Magic Speed 3, Superblast), Saucony (Ride 17, Endorphin Speed 3 & 4, Pro 3, Triumph 21), Adidas (Boston 12), and Puma (Velocity Nitro 3)

[timtrenholm]

The AlphaFly is my racer of choice...but if I was forced to run a marathon in the Novablast, I could do it without issue and still run a good race for me. I'd caution first time marathoners from looking at shoes with lower level drops (6mm and lower), since you will feel that drop in the last 10km. So if you don't have strong calves...it can turn into a sufferfest.

[YuennyLam]

I'm training for my very first Marathon in Manchester so this video has been really helpful with lots of useful information. Thanks for sharing and good luck for everyone who's also training for a Spring Marathon 😊

[Lllkkkll]

I’ve had the saucony triumph20 and ran 2 half marathons in them. Very comfy, protects your legs and feet throughout the run. Not the best shoe for speed though, but it’s fine. I say it’s the best shoe so far, in terms of comfort. Been testing out in running stores for other shoes that offer the same comfort. Saucony may be on the pricy, but it’s worth it, plus they go on sale too. 😊
Now, I am thinking of running a full marathon… unemployed now so just want to make my time productive, plus running makes me happy! 😊

[Dinobirdbim]

Much appreciated video. Plenty of options to choose from for a soon to be first time marathon finisher.

[TheHutchRuns]

Alphafly 3 for me as the race shoe, just discovered the Asics Superblast and that would be the shoe I would use for the vast majority of my training. They are, in my opinion, the best two shoes for marathon racing and training that you can buy today, along with the Hoka Rocket X2 for the shorter stuff!

[eagle-]

Route/sentier : Hoka challenger 7 + Brooks Caldera (plus cool, amorti) + Craft endurance trail (rapides) - Vitesse, carbone : 1: Puma fast R nitro elite - 2: saucony endorphin pro 3 - Puma deviate nitro FM. Trail : Brooks Caldera - Craft endurance trail (mais moins accrocheuses que les Caldera, mais + rapides malgré leur poids)

[blueaoki]

So many good options. It comes down to personale preferencer in the end. I have run marathons in Alphafly, Vaporfly and Saucony Pro 3, but my favourite at the moment is good old Adios Pro 3. The upper is tricky but i love the natural ride that still offers a lot of bounce

[chred]

I used the more v4 for my first marathon. So glad I did they felt great all the way. I ran a 3:34:33 not the fastest but great for my first.
Super satisfying passing people with vaperfly and alphaflys 😂

[scottburrell]

Quality video. I do hope this is the start of a mini series doing the same thing for HM/10k/5k!

[gregbrown]

23:17 “it’s not overly squishy and unstable.” Might be unpopular, but that was exactly my opposite experience with the Endorphin Speed 4. Very mushy, and wobbly.

I bounced around after between Metaspeed Edge Paris, and NB MoreV4. Currently maining the MoreV4 for most of my training.

[Akasuki]

This video has been super helpful as I’m running my first ever marathon in April. I’m training in Saucony ride 16 and looking at the 17 especially with the 8mm drop

[romanisrael]

Just bought Asics Nimbus 26 for preparation to marathon, it's a bit pricey but the comfort is superb. I can run for straight 1 hour without hurting my feet and brisk walk for 15 mins the comfort is so relaxing and another 1 hour straight running.❤

[Gary]

A little surprised there was no mention of the Adidas Adios Pro 3. A very popular marathon racer, tried and tested and of course it's obtainable at very reasonable prices if you search around.

[DrFaroon]

I ran the Cambridge HM on Sunday. I had time to look at shoes as I went round. I would estimate that 90% of people who finished around me (1:22) were in vaporfly 2s and 3s.

[jeffamg]

For those who have a larger type feet and like me, don't feel good in Saucony and Nike, I ran my last marathon in the new balance super comp elite 3 for a PB, they felt amazing. They have a new generation now that might even be better.

[timtrenholm]

The other CRITICAL thing that runners need to consider for their marathon shoe is lockdown. If the shoe makes you slide and move around or heel lifts at all, you are in for a BAD day. Doing a long run effort where you run similar elevation changes as your race course and doing some pace changes from long run pace to goal race pace should make any potential lockdown issues known and give you time to try and resolve it, or pick a better shoe (for you!).

[rossalbert]

Had to laugh when Tom started with the 1080 as his pick!! I was imagining him dying a bit inside, not talking about the MoreV4 first instead (my favorite too!). I’m glad you got to still call it out a bit later!! (Thanks for the great content!!)

[jordanmiller]

Great video! Getting my Hoka Cielo X1s this weekend

[amydepaul]

Great reviews. Exactly what I was looking for. Thank you!