Top 10 Running Shoes That Runners Actually Race In

Adidas answered Nike's carbon plate supremacy with five carbon-infused EnergyRods embedded in Lightstrike Pro foam. The Adios Pro 3 was on the feet of athletes who broke the women's marathon world record. Its wider forefoot platform gives runners more stability than the narrow Vaporfly, making it the preferred choice for athletes who pronate or want a more forgiving ride over 26.2 miles.

New Balance quietly built one of the fastest marathon shoes on the market. The SC Elite v4 uses FuelCell foam with a carbon fiber plate and a razor-thin outsole that shaves grams without sacrificing grip. It was on the feet of multiple Boston Marathon top finishers and has developed a cult following among elite runners who want an alternative to the Nike-Adidas duopoly. The fit is wider and more accommodating than both competitors.

Saucony's PWRRUN PB foam and a full-length carbon plate deliver a ride that elite testers consistently describe as "bouncy but controlled." The Endorphin Pro 4 weighs just 7.2 oz in a men's size 9 and offers a lower stack height than the Vaporfly, which some runners prefer for better ground feel. At $50 less than Nike's offering, it's also the best value in the super shoe category.

Hoka built its brand on maximal cushioning, and the Rocket X 2 proves that plush and fast aren't mutually exclusive. The PEBA-based foam and carbon fiber plate deliver energy return that rivals the Vaporfly, while the signature Hoka rocker geometry propels runners forward with less ankle effort. For runners who find Nike's ride too harsh over the final miles, the Rocket X 2 is the cushioned cannon they've been waiting for.

Asics designed the Metaspeed Sky+ specifically for stride-type runners — athletes who get faster by lengthening their stride rather than increasing cadence. The FF Turbo foam and carbon plate are tuned for maximum energy return at toe-off, and the trampoline-like forefoot is noticeably bouncier than competitors. Japanese engineering obsession shows in every detail, from the aerodynamic heel shape to the grip pattern optimized for wet roads.

Brooks entered the super shoe wars late but came correct. The Hyperion Elite 3 uses DNA Flash foam with a carbon fiber plate and weighs a feathery 6.6 oz. It's the lightest carbon-plated marathon shoe on the market, and Brooks' SpeedVault technology creates a snappy, propulsive transition that shorter-distance racers particularly love. It's become the go-to for half marathon PRs.

The Swiss brand that runners loved to hate for being "lifestyle first" silenced critics with the Cloudboom Echo 3. A Pebax-based foam called CloudTec Phase and a carbon speedboard deliver a ride that's competitive with anything Nike or Adidas makes. On's distinctive hollow-pod sole isn't just aesthetic — it creates a unique channeling effect that some biomechanics researchers argue reduces energy loss at impact.

Puma's NITRO foam infused with nitrogen gas provides cushioning that doesn't break down over 26.2 miles — a problem that plagues cheaper carbon shoes. The Deviate Nitro Elite 2 includes an Innoplate carbon fiber plate and a propulsion-focused outsole design. At roughly $200, it undercuts every competitor in the super shoe market while delivering 90% of the performance. It's the shoe that budget-conscious elites secretly love.

The Alphafly 3 is Nike's maximalist marathon weapon — taller stack, more foam, more aggressive carbon plate, and Air Zoom pods in the forefoot that create a sensation like running on trampolines. At 8.6 oz it's heavier than the Vaporfly, but the additional cushioning pays dividends after mile 20 when legs are destroyed. Kipchoge wore the original to break the two-hour barrier. The Alphafly 3 is for runners chasing times they never thought possible.

Adidas answered Nike's carbon plate supremacy with five carbon-infused EnergyRods embedded in Lightstrike Pro foam. The Adios Pro 3 was on the feet of athletes who broke the women's marathon world record. Its wider forefoot platform gives runners more stability than the narrow Vaporfly, making it the preferred choice for athletes who pronate or want a more forgiving ride over 26.2 miles.

New Balance quietly built one of the fastest marathon shoes on the market. The SC Elite v4 uses FuelCell foam with a carbon fiber plate and a razor-thin outsole that shaves grams without sacrificing grip. It was on the feet of multiple Boston Marathon top finishers and has developed a cult following among elite runners who want an alternative to the Nike-Adidas duopoly. The fit is wider and more accommodating than both competitors.

Saucony's PWRRUN PB foam and a full-length carbon plate deliver a ride that elite testers consistently describe as "bouncy but controlled." The Endorphin Pro 4 weighs just 7.2 oz in a men's size 9 and offers a lower stack height than the Vaporfly, which some runners prefer for better ground feel. At $50 less than Nike's offering, it's also the best value in the super shoe category.

Hoka built its brand on maximal cushioning, and the Rocket X 2 proves that plush and fast aren't mutually exclusive. The PEBA-based foam and carbon fiber plate deliver energy return that rivals the Vaporfly, while the signature Hoka rocker geometry propels runners forward with less ankle effort. For runners who find Nike's ride too harsh over the final miles, the Rocket X 2 is the cushioned cannon they've been waiting for.

Asics designed the Metaspeed Sky+ specifically for stride-type runners — athletes who get faster by lengthening their stride rather than increasing cadence. The FF Turbo foam and carbon plate are tuned for maximum energy return at toe-off, and the trampoline-like forefoot is noticeably bouncier than competitors. Japanese engineering obsession shows in every detail, from the aerodynamic heel shape to the grip pattern optimized for wet roads.

Brooks entered the super shoe wars late but came correct. The Hyperion Elite 3 uses DNA Flash foam with a carbon fiber plate and weighs a feathery 6.6 oz. It's the lightest carbon-plated marathon shoe on the market, and Brooks' SpeedVault technology creates a snappy, propulsive transition that shorter-distance racers particularly love. It's become the go-to for half marathon PRs.

The Swiss brand that runners loved to hate for being "lifestyle first" silenced critics with the Cloudboom Echo 3. A Pebax-based foam called CloudTec Phase and a carbon speedboard deliver a ride that's competitive with anything Nike or Adidas makes. On's distinctive hollow-pod sole isn't just aesthetic — it creates a unique channeling effect that some biomechanics researchers argue reduces energy loss at impact.

Puma's NITRO foam infused with nitrogen gas provides cushioning that doesn't break down over 26.2 miles — a problem that plagues cheaper carbon shoes. The Deviate Nitro Elite 2 includes an Innoplate carbon fiber plate and a propulsion-focused outsole design. At roughly $200, it undercuts every competitor in the super shoe market while delivering 90% of the performance. It's the shoe that budget-conscious elites secretly love.

The Alphafly 3 is Nike's maximalist marathon weapon — taller stack, more foam, more aggressive carbon plate, and Air Zoom pods in the forefoot that create a sensation like running on trampolines. At 8.6 oz it's heavier than the Vaporfly, but the additional cushioning pays dividends after mile 20 when legs are destroyed. Kipchoge wore the original to break the two-hour barrier. The Alphafly 3 is for runners chasing times they never thought possible.