10 of the

Best Marathon Shoes

We scoured the Web for 10 of the best marathon running shoes – find the right shoe for your next race!
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Pulse 9.42/10
Reebok Floatride Energy 3 Shoe
It’s hard to find anything wrong with this versatile and reasonably priced running shoe. The Floatride Energy 3 has great traction, the right amount of spring, and can handle a wide range of distances.
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Pulse 9.39/10
Hoka One One Mach 4 Shoe
A Hoka road running shoe which looks great and runs sleeker without compromising performance and comfort!
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Pulse 9.34/10
Saucony Kinvara 12 Shoe
The Kinvara 12 is built to fly with a 4mm drop and the most comfortable tongue in history on a lightweight and smooth platform.
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Pulse 9.34/10
Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Shoe
A bouncy and fun running shoe for those seeking comfort and spring on the long run. If max speed isn’t crucial, these shoes are a blast.
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Pulse 9.33/10
Adidas Ultraboost 5.0 DNA Shoe
Popular with shoe collectors, the Ultraboost 5.0 DNA is so much more than a fashionable running shoe.
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Pulse 9.32/10
Asics Gel-Noosa Tri 13 Shoe Review
A shoe as bold as the marathon itself! The Noosa Tri 13 can run short or long and was designed with triathlons in mind.
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Pulse 9.27/10
Under Armour HOVR Sonic 4 Shoe
Sporting a cutting edge midsole technology and stylish appearance, the HOVR Sonic is loved by runners and walkers alike.
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Pulse 9.22/10
Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 Shoe
Perhaps Saucony’s most beloved road shoe the last couple of years, try out a nylon plate, rockered design and lightweight midsoles to see what the hype is all about.
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Pulse 9.0/10
brooks glycerin gts 21 review
A highly cushioned daily running shoe featuring Brook’s infamous GuideRails® support technology and DNA Loft cushioning to deliver a comfortable and supportive ride for everyday runners.
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Pulse 8.9/10
hoka clifton 9 review
A max-cushioned, lightweight running shoe designed for everyday use. It features an updated midsole foam for a softer and more energetic ride with a streamlined upper for enhanced comfort, making it a great choice for casual wear, daily training, and extended runs.

Choosing the Best Marathon Shoes

A road marathon is 26.2 miles (42 kilometers) on hard running surfaces requiring a repetitive running motion for multiple hours.  While many of us might be able to fake or tough out a shorter race in a wide variety of shoes, the marathon is an event where choosing the best shoe really counts!

Depending on running experience, fitness, and philosophy the type of marathon running shoe a runner chooses can vary significantly from one runner to the next. This is good as modern shoes are designed for a variety of preferences and needs.

The 10Shoe Pulse Score should give an excellent idea of the online consensus around some of the best marathon shoes and the shoe which works best for a runner may not necessarily be the top-rated by Pulse Score.

Woman finishing marathon with daughter
Finishing a marathon is a huge accomplishment!

How to Choose the Right Marathon Running Shoe

The right shoe will depend upon a number of factors for each runner:

  • Is this person a beginning or experienced runner?
  • Is the runner dealing with an pain conditions such as plantar fasciitis or knee pain?
  • What training surfaces are expected
  • How fast a runner is planning to run

A Great Shoe Meets the Runner’s Need

A beginning runner dealing with a learning curve may not be well-suited for a minimalist and firm speed shoe when much more forgiving and cushioned options exist just as an experienced runner may find the beginner’s shoe overbuilt. So, it’s important to compare shoes and choose one which speaks to the individual runner’s profile.

In the end, the right shoe will be:

  • Comfortable to the point where the runner doesn’t think about the shoe, there are not hotspots or pain points
  • “Locked down” – there shouldn’t be movement where the foot or heel is able to slide around
  • Helpful. A runner with pain should find relief. A runner desiring speed should find a shoe which is responsive and peppy.
  • Fun! A runner should enjoy their shoes and look forward to wearing them — it should be sad to part ways when the shoe finally wears out.

We hope the above list of 10 of the best marathon shoes is helpful on your marathon journey. Good luck and good health!