The best marathon racing shoes
The best marathon racing shoes available in the UK, including carbon-plated super shoes and cheaper options under £150.
Quick answer
For marathon racing, our top pick is the PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4: plush, high-stack cushioning and 40mm of foam underfoot for the full distance. The On Cloudboom Strike 2 and Nike Alphafly 4 are close behind. If you'd rather spend under £150, the Nike Zoom Fly 6 is our pick. Test any race shoe on a long run at marathon pace before race day.
Best overall
- Top match£147
Deviate NITRO Elite 4
- Plush, high-stack cushioning
- 40mm of foam underfoot for the full distance
- Bouncy, propulsive foam
Fit True to size, narrow fit
170g 8mm drop Carbon plate
- Strong alternative£230
Cloudboom Strike 2
- Plush, high-stack cushioning
- 40mm of foam underfoot for the full distance
- Bouncy, propulsive foam
Fit True to size
191g 5mm drop Carbon plate
- Also great£255
Alphafly 4
- Plush, high-stack cushioning
- Bouncy, propulsive foam
- 39mm of foam underfoot for the full distance
Fit True to size, snug fit
New Lighter, new ZoomX LT foam and softer Air pods208g 8mm drop Carbon plate
Best under £150
- Top match£155
Zoom Fly 6
- Plush, high-stack cushioning
- 40mm of foam underfoot for the full distance
- Carbon plate for race-day speed
Fit True to size, narrow fit
265g 8mm drop Carbon plate
- Strong alternative£150
Deviate NITRO 4
- 38mm of foam underfoot for the full distance
- Carbon plate for race-day speed
Fit True to size, snug fit
250g 8mm drop Carbon plate
- Also great
Best overall
- Top match£210
Deviate NITRO Elite 4
- Plush, high-stack cushioning
- 40mm of foam underfoot for the full distance
- Bouncy, propulsive foam
Fit True to size, narrow fit
145g 8mm drop Carbon plate
- Strong alternative£230
Cloudboom Strike 2
- Plush, high-stack cushioning
- 40mm of foam underfoot for the full distance
- Bouncy, propulsive foam
Fit True to size
191g 5mm drop Carbon plate
- Also great£255
Alphafly 4
- Plush, high-stack cushioning
- Bouncy, propulsive foam
- 39mm of foam underfoot for the full distance
Fit True to size, snug fit
New Lighter, new ZoomX LT foam and softer Air pods168g 8mm drop Carbon plate
Best under £150
- Top match£155
Zoom Fly 6
- Plush, high-stack cushioning
- 40mm of foam underfoot for the full distance
- Carbon plate for race-day speed
Fit True to size, narrow fit
214g 8mm drop Carbon plate
- Strong alternative£150
Deviate NITRO 4
- 38mm of foam underfoot for the full distance
- Carbon plate for race-day speed
Fit True to size, snug fit
210g 8mm drop Carbon plate
- Also great£130
Adizero Evo SL
- Light at 199g
- Built for road miles
Fit True to size, snug fit
199g 6mm drop
Editor's note · adidas Adizero Evo SL
The EVO SL strikes the perfect balance between everyday trainer and pace-picker-upper. The Lightstrike Pro foam is a joy to run in, whether you're doing a 1km warm up, or a 21km long session.
How they compare
| Shoe | Price | Weight (men's / women's) | Drop | Plate | Wide fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4 | £210 | 170g / 145g | 8mm | Carbon | No |
| On Cloudboom Strike 2 | £230 | 191g (unisex) | 5mm | Carbon | No |
| Nike Alphafly 4 | £255 | 208g / 168g | 8mm | Carbon | No |
| Nike Zoom Fly 6 | £155 | 265g / 214g | 8mm | Carbon | No |
| PUMA Deviate NITRO 4 | £150 | 250g / 210g | 8mm | Carbon | No |
| adidas Adizero Evo SL | £130 | 224g / 199g | 6mm | None | No |
What makes a good marathon racing shoe
Cushioning that lasts. A marathon shoe needs to protect your legs for 42km, so we favour the most cushioned racers.
A carbon plate. Plates paired with modern foams make most top marathon shoes feel propulsive. We score carbon plates highest for the half and full marathon.
Weight. Lighter is faster, but at marathon distance we weigh it less than for 5K and 10K.
Who shouldn't race in super shoes
If you're new to running, a tall, soft, plated shoe can feel unstable, and the quiz scores plates lower for newer runners. Most testing of super shoes has been with faster runners, so the benefit at slower paces is less certain.
Under World Athletics rules, road racing shoes can't be more than 40mm thick, which matters if you race in sanctioned events.
Frequently asked questions
Are carbon-plated shoes worth it for a marathon?
For most runners who already train in cushioned shoes and run at a steady pace, yes. If you're new or find them unstable, a cushioned trainer is a fine race-day choice.
Should I train in my marathon racing shoes?
Do a few long runs and race-pace sessions in them, but keep most training in an everyday shoe. Racing shoes wear out faster.
How long do marathon racing shoes last?
Many runners find super shoes lose their bounce sooner than everyday trainers, so save them for key sessions and race day.
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.
Header photo by Daniel Guerra