The Best Marathon Shoes of 2026

Spring marathon season is just around the corner. The training blocks are building, start lines are calling, and race-day dreams are starting to feel real. 

The right shoes won’t run the marathon for you, but they can make every mile feel more efficient and controlled. With fresh foams, refined plates, and the latest designs landing in 2026, runners are spoiled for choice!

From first-timers to seasoned marathoners, heel strikers to carbon plates, stability picks to the best value for money. It’s all here. And to make sure you’re fully prepared beyond just your shoes, check out this Marathon Checklist, covering everything you need in the lead-up to race day.

Sorted by experience, running style, and budget, this guide makes it easy to find your perfect marathon race-day shoe and get one step closer to the start line.

Why You Can Trust Runna

The Runna team is made up of experienced runners who pay close attention to how shoes perform in real training and racing. The recommendations here are based on trusted industry insight and feedback from our wider running community. Our goal is simple: help runners train smarter, feel confident, and enjoy the process.

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What Actually Matters in a Marathon Shoe

When choosing marathon shoes, the most important factors to consider are:

• Cushioning
• Stability
• Fit 
• Shoe weight vs comfort
• Surface
• Whether a carbon plated or non-plated shoe suits you
• Tested in training
  
  

The “best” shoe isn’t the most hyped, it’s the one that works best for YOU.

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Best Marathon Shoes for Beginners 

Training for your first marathon is a huge milestone, and the best shoe isn’t always the fastest or most expensive one. It’s the pair that keep you comfortable, confident, and injury-free as the miles add up. For beginners, consistency matters more than marginal gains, and that means choosing a shoe that feels forgiving, stable, and reliable.

Beginner-friendly marathon shoes tend to offer plenty of cushioning and a stable platform. Here are some standout marathon shoe picks for beginners:

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Asics Novablast 5

A favourite for good reason, the Asics Novablast 5 delivers a lively, springy feel that takes the edge off long runs and helps the miles feel lighter as they stack up. It’s cushioned without feeling bulky, versatile enough for everyday training, and comfortable enough to trust right through to race day.

HOKA Clifton 10

If you’re looking for an easy, comfortable ride, the HOKA Clifton 10 is a strong option. It’s designed with a high-stack midsole and rocker geometry to help absorb impact and guide you smoothly from heel to toe. The cushioned, lightweight feel makes it well suited to building mileage and staying comfortable as fatigue starts to set in.

Brooks Glycerin 22

Built with a thick, full-length midsole and a wide base, the Brooks Glycerin 22 is designed to stay comfortable and stable over long distances. The structured heel and snug, well-padded upper help keep your foot secure, making it a reliable option for marathon training miles.

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New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080

The New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 is the kind of shoe you can settle into and forget about while the miles tick by. Its thick Fresh Foam X cushioning softens the impact of long runs, while the broad base helps keep everything feeling stable and predictable when your legs start to tire. It’s a great option for runners who want something comfortable and reliable for high-mileage marathon training.

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Best Marathon Shoe for Heel Strikers

Runners who tend to land on their heels often benefit from shoes that offer extra cushioning at the rear of the foot and a stable, well-balanced ride. 

Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 

The Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 is a strong option, combining responsive foam with a controlled platform that helps absorb impact at heel strike while still feeling quick and efficient over marathon distance. 

ASICS GEL-Kayano 31 

For runners who want more structure and support, the ASICS GEL-Kayano 31 is a reliable choice, with plush rearfoot cushioning and built-in stability that helps guide the foot smoothly from landing through to toe-off. Both shoes work well for heel strikers by reducing harsh impact and maintaining a steady transition as the miles add up.

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Best Marathon Stability Shoes

If you tend to over pronate, meaning your foot rolls inward as you land, a stability shoe may be a better fit for your marathon training and racing. Stability shoes are designed to help manage pronation by providing a more supportive, guided platform without feeling overly restrictive. This is really important especially when running higher milage as tired legs can lead to extra pronation and so having that added support makes all the difference.

ASICS GEL-Kayano 31

Again the ASICS GEL-Kayano 31 is a perfect choice for stability, providing cushioning with built-in support to manage pronation and keep your stride feeling smooth as fatigue sets in. 

HOKA Arahi 8 

For a lighter, more agile take on stability, the HOKA Arahi 8 delivers support without sacrificing flow, helping guide your foot while still feeling natural underfoot. However, it should be noted this shoes is not the best choice for runners training in hot climates.

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Best Value Marathon Shoes

You don’t need to break the bank to get a great marathon shoe. There are plenty of options that balance performance, comfort, and durability without the premium price tag. 

Adidas Adizero Evo SL

If you want a shoe that feels quick and lightweight without paying top-end race-shoe prices, the Adidas Adizero Evo SL is a strong choice. It delivers a lively, responsive ride that works well for marathon training and racing, while staying accessible on price.

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trainer v3

That said, the Adizero Evo SL doesn’t offer the same level of cushioning or stability as some higher-end options. Runners looking for a bit more support at a similar cost might also want to check out the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trainer v3 which offers added stability and comfort over longer distances.

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Best Carbon Plate Marathon Shoes

Carbon-plated racing shoes, often referred to as “super shoes,” continue to be some of the most talked-about performance gear for marathon runners. Designed with a carbon-fiber plate in the midsole to increase rigidity and produce a spring-like effect, efficiency is improved, allowing runners to use less energy at the same pace. Here are our current favorites on the market:

ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo

The ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo is one of the standout racers heading into 2026. It’s impressively lightweight, feels snappy through toe-off, and delivers a smooth, fast ride that works especially well for runners who naturally lengthen their stride as they speed up. It’s a shoe that feels purpose-built for race day.

Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3

Then there’s the Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3. Bold, aggressive, and unapologetically race-focused. With its stiff plate and energetic Nitro Elite foam, it’s designed to keep you pushing forward when fatigue sets in. That said, it’s not the softest or most natural-feeling option out there, and some runners may find it a bit demanding over the full marathon distance.

Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4

The Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 strikes a nice middle ground. It still delivers that propulsive, forward-moving feel you expect from a carbon shoe, but with a more stable, planted ride that helps you stay in control as your form starts to fade. It’s the kind of shoe that feels reassuring late in the race.

Nike Alphafly 3

Then there’s the Nike Alphafly 3, which really comes into its own when comfort starts to matter more than anything else. It’s noticeably cushioned and bouncy underfoot, helping take some of the sting out of long, hard miles while still feeling efficient enough to keep you moving. For runners who want a softer ride on race day without giving up the benefits of a super shoe, it remains a favourite.

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Best Non-Plated Marathon Running Shoes

Plated shoes aren't the right choice for every runner. While carbon plates can enhance performance, they can shift workload away from the ankle and knee, potentially reducing muscle engagement and increasing injury risk for some athletes. They also tend to come with a premium price tag and typically have a shorter lifespan than everyday training shoes. For runners seeking longevity and a more natural ride on race day, non-plated marathon shoes offer a reliable and effective alternative.

ASICS Superblast or  ASICS Megablast

Plenty of runners prefer shoes that feel smooth and forgiving underfoot without that extra rigidity. That’s where models like the ASICS Superblast and ASICS Megablast really shine. Both shoes lean into big, plush foam that keeps your legs feeling protected mile after mile. 

The ASICS Megablast focuses on reliable, no-nonsense cushioning, using a thick layer of slightly firmer foam for a stable and controlled ride. It prioritises comfort and protection over responsiveness, making it better suited for higher milage.

The ASICS Superblast pairs a high stack of lightweight, responsive foam with a wide, stable platform to deliver strong cushioning without feeling sluggish. It’s designed to absorb impact over long distances while still offering enough energy return to keep your stride feeling efficient on long runs.

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When to Buy New Shoes Before Race Day?

If you’re planning to race in a new pair, aim to buy them around a month before your marathon.

This gives you time to:

• Run a few shorter sessions
• Test them on a longer run
• Make sure there are no fit or comfort issues

The golden rule applies: nothing new on race day.

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Final Thoughts

There’s no single “best” marathon shoe, only the one that works best for you. Your experience level, running style, and personal preferences all play a role in what will feel right over 26.2 miles. Focus on comfort, test your shoes in training, and choose the pair that supports your running style, not just the latest hype!

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