The best carbon plate running shoes
The best carbon-plated running shoes for the half marathon, marathon and 10K, and who they suit.
Quick answer
For a carbon-plated shoe at any distance, our top pick is the Mizuno Hyperwarp Elite. Carbon plates pay off most for runners who already run at a quick, steady pace.
Best for the half marathon and marathon
- Top match£235
Hyperwarp Elite
- Balanced cushioning
- 38mm of foam underfoot for the full distance
- Bouncy, propulsive foam
Fit Runs small, so go half a size up
165g 3.5mm drop Carbon plate
- Strong alternative£240
Metaspeed Edge Tokyo
- Balanced cushioning
- Bouncy, propulsive foam
- 39.5mm of foam underfoot for the full distance
Fit True to size, narrow fit
170g 5mm drop Carbon plate
- Also great£147
Deviate NITRO Elite 4
- Plush, high-stack cushioning
- Bouncy, propulsive foam
- 40mm of foam underfoot for the full distance
Fit True to size, narrow fit
170g 8mm drop Carbon plate
Best for 5K and 10K
- Top match£235
Hyperwarp Elite
- Balanced cushioning
- Bouncy, propulsive foam
- Light at 165g
Fit Runs small, so go half a size up
165g 3.5mm drop Carbon plate
- Strong alternative£240
Vaporfly 4
- Bouncy, propulsive foam
- Light at 190g
- Carbon plate for race-day speed
Fit Runs small, so go half a size up, narrow fit
190g 6mm drop Carbon plate
- Also great£240
Metaspeed Sky Tokyo
- Balanced cushioning
- Bouncy, propulsive foam
- Light at 170g
Fit True to size, narrow fit
170g 5mm drop Carbon plate
Best for the half marathon and marathon
- Top match£235
Hyperwarp Elite
- Balanced cushioning
- 38mm of foam underfoot for the full distance
- Bouncy, propulsive foam
Fit Runs small, so go half a size up
165g 3.5mm drop Carbon plate
- Strong alternative£240
Metaspeed Edge Tokyo
- Balanced cushioning
- Bouncy, propulsive foam
- 39.5mm of foam underfoot for the full distance
Fit True to size, narrow fit
170g 5mm drop Carbon plate
- Also great£210
Deviate NITRO Elite 4
- Plush, high-stack cushioning
- Bouncy, propulsive foam
- 40mm of foam underfoot for the full distance
Fit True to size, narrow fit
145g 8mm drop Carbon plate
Best for 5K and 10K
- Top match£235
Hyperwarp Elite
- Balanced cushioning
- Bouncy, propulsive foam
- Light at 165g
Fit Runs small, so go half a size up
165g 3.5mm drop Carbon plate
- Strong alternative£240
Vaporfly 4
- Bouncy, propulsive foam
- Light at 190g
- Carbon plate for race-day speed
Fit Runs small, so go half a size up, narrow fit
190g 6mm drop Carbon plate
- Also great£240
Metaspeed Sky Tokyo
- Balanced cushioning
- Bouncy, propulsive foam
- Light at 170g
Fit True to size, narrow fit
170g 5mm drop Carbon plate
How they compare
| Shoe | Price | Weight (men's / women's) | Drop | Plate | Wide fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mizuno Hyperwarp Elite | £235 | 165g (unisex) | 3.5mm | Carbon | No |
| ASICS Metaspeed Edge Tokyo | £240 | 170g (unisex) | 5mm | Carbon | No |
| PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4 | £210 | 170g / 145g | 8mm | Carbon | No |
| Nike Vaporfly 4 | £240 | 190g (unisex) | 6mm | Carbon | No |
| ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo | £240 | 170g (unisex) | 5mm | Carbon | No |
What a carbon plate does
A stiff carbon plate inside a thick layer of light, bouncy foam makes a shoe feel propulsive. In a lab study, the first shoe of this kind reduced the energy cost of running by about 4% compared with other marathon racers.
Most of that benefit comes from the foam and plate working together, which is why plated shoes with older, firmer foams feel much less special.
Who carbon plates suit
They suit runners who can already run their race distance comfortably and want to go faster. Most testing has been with fast runners, so the benefit at slower paces is less certain.
Tall, soft plated shoes can feel unstable, especially on corners and when you're tired. Under World Athletics rules, road racing shoes can't be more than 40mm thick.
Frequently asked questions
Are carbon plate running shoes worth it?
For racing, if you already run at a steady pace and want a few minutes off your time, usually yes. For everyday running, a cushioned trainer is better value.
Are carbon plates good for beginners?
They're not needed when you're starting out and can feel unstable. A comfortable everyday shoe is a better first buy.
How long do carbon plate shoes last?
The light foams lose their bounce sooner than everyday trainers. Save them for races and key sessions.
How we picked
Every shoe we track is scored on cushioning, stability, responsiveness, weight, drop, plate, width options and price. For this guide we ran that scoring for a typical runner with these needs and show the top three. No brand or retailer can pay to appear. How we rank.
Sources
Header photo by Tom Morbey