The Best Marathon Shoes of 2023 to Run Your Next PR

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Running a marathon is an athletic achievement, there's no denying it. It isn’t easy, it isn’t pretty, but humans have been attempting the feat for millennia. However, there's never been a better time to gear up and go the distance, with swathes of races around the world, top of the line technical training and racing gear, and a golden era of shoe technology available to runners everywhere. 

Without a doubt, the most important piece of gear to consider when attempting to run 26.2 miles is your choice of shoes. Luckily, we have you covered. Here are the best running shoes for marathons, including our top pick, the Adidas Adios Pro 3.

Related: The Best Running Shoes of 2023

What Makes the Best Marathon Shoes

Are marathon running shoes really all that different from the rest? Short answer: yes.  Shoes designed for marathon racing are lighter and more propulsive with the trade-off of higher cost and less durability.

However, the fastest ones are nicknamed "super shoes" for a reason. Shoes at higher price points typically come with more advanced materials and regularly updated engineering, which lead to improved athletic performance. Researchers published in the Human Kinetics Journal recently discovered that super shoes provide physiological benefits even when running at slower speeds. While some running shoes can serve dual purposes, many on this list excel at one aspect of your marathon plan.

Marathon Training Shoes

Everyday running shoes generally feature more built up midsoles and outsoles, and are therefore usually heavier and more durable. That’s important because in the course of training for a marathon you will likely log a several hundred miles. Occasionally, but not always, training shoes will feature a thin sheet of plastic or carbon in the midsole for rigidity and propulsion. Find shoes that fit your foot shape and offer a blend of comfort and performance that feels appropriate for your training. That’s to say: If you’re just starting out, opt for comfort over performance.

Marathon Racing Shoes

Shoes designed for marathon racing all follow the same recipe: Minimal uppers, considerable stack height (with some heel to toe drop), a carbon or similarly stiff midsole shank, and a slim, tacky outsole. How companies like Nike, Adidas, and Saucony employ these features vary, but the results are undeniable. All of our top picks are super fast, very light, and comfortable from mile one through 26.2.

How We Tested the Best Marathon Running Shoes

Our team of runners tested 26 pairs of shoes before choosing the 10 on our best-of list. Each of us is training for a marathon, but we’ll be completing them at vastly different speeds. Some of us are elite runners, and some (me) are not. We tested each in a variety of conditions and made sure to run both speed workouts and distance in all of our top picks to get a sense of versatility. And despite our differing abilities, this was a super easy list to create because there was so much consensus.

I broke the best marathon shoes into two categories: racing and training. In each, our team of testers found a pick for every type of runner looking to tackle running’s most famous distance. The best part about selecting two or three pairs off this list is that each should last you at least a couple seasons of consistent use. My go-to trio right now includes the New Balance SuperComp Trainer 2 for general training, the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 for racing, and the Brooks Glycerin 20 for recovery runs.

The Best Marathon Shoes of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Best Marathon Racing Shoes

Best Overall Racer: Adidas Adios Pro 3

This was the Men’s Journal team’s top pick for racing in our 2023 roundup of best running shoes, and it remains our favorite for the marathon distance. The Adios Pro 3 strikes a brilliant balance between speed, weight and comfort. At 7.7 ounces, it is ever-so-slightly heavier than the Nike and Saucony below (6.5 ounces and 7.2 ounces respectively), but we felt that weight lent to a slightly better outsole and an excellent midsole. The EnergyRods 2.0 midsole shank is actually a sort of multi-fingered setup that creates a really subtle blend of stiffness and flex, creating propulsion that doesn’t feel overly rigid. The only real drawback our team experienced with this shoe is its “wobbliness” due to the unique forefoot void in the outer part of your toe box. Oh, and it runs narrow, so either size up or look at the Saucony below.

Pros:

• Super fast, testers described them as “snappy” and “propulsive.”
• Performed well in rain.
• Comfortable with right foot shape.

Cons:

• Outer forefoot cutout creates some wobbliness/instability
• May not fit wider feet well.
• Not our favorite lacing system.

[$250; amazon.com]

Lightest Shoe: Nike VaporFly 3

Perhaps the most famous super shoe on the list, the Nike VaporFly 3 has rightfully earned its reputation. Popularized by Eluid Kipchoge’s seemingly endless string of records, the VF3 is yet another upgrade to an already elite racer. At 6.5 ounces, these shoes feel practically weightless on your feet, which empowers runners both fast and slow to pick up their pace. I’m the slowest runner on our testing team, and in these shoes it was easy to smash my typical training times. Other testers were surprised at how comfortable these were, and one is planning to wear them for the New York City Marathon this year. The ZoomX foam lends a bit more softness than other racers, which was a welcome comfort especially on long runs. One caveat: The upper material is a little stiff out of the box, but after a couple of runs the shoes loosened up.

Pros:

• Extremely comfortable sole design.
• Feather light.
• Approachable super shoe.

Cons:

• Outsole not particularly durable.
• Upper materials need a break in period.

[$270; nike.com]

Best for Wide Feet: Saucony Endorphin Elite

Here’s the tricky thing about racing shoes: They often fit more snugly than other shoes of the same size by the same brands. Indeed, many times I order a half size up in racers. But not so with the Saucony Endorphin Elite. These fit our testers with wider feet super well, and those runners were grateful for a super shoe that felt designed more for their feet. Testers also noted a satisfying “pop” when running in this thanks to the PWRRUN HG foam and divided carbon plate, which felt decidedly less squishy than other racers like the Nikes. If you prefer a stiffer ride or have a wider foot, this is very likely the racer for you. One drawback was limited stability in tight corners due to a thick stack height.

Pros:

• A perfect racer for wider feet.
• Sharp and speedy looks.

Cons:

• Testers with narrow feet found lacing difficult.
• Not very stable when cornering.

[$275; amazon.com]

Best Trail Racer: Hoka Tecton X 2

I’ve been running and hiking in the Tecton X 2 all summer and it has served me beautifully in every endeavor. This shoe, designed for trail racing, features a carbon shank like many of the road racers. This lends to a stiff feeling sole, but I found it to have plenty of flex and tread to help grip unstable terrain. One tester noted that this shoe felt pretty narrow on his feet. If I had to order again, I’d likely size up half a size for a more versatile fit. The only other hesitation I have, is that over very long distances, the lack of stack height could start to become tiresome on your feet.

Pros:

• Super nimble and fast.
• Very grippy tread pattern.
• Durable upper.

Cons:

• Narrow.
• Not a ton of stack, so longer ultras or rocky trail marathons might take a toll on feet.

[$225; hoka.com]

Pure Speed: Nike AlphaFly 2

If speed is your only need, then the AlphaFly 2 is the best of the bunch. None of our testers chose this as their overall favorite in the end, but every single one of us noted how fast these were. Because of that speed, I had a blast training in these, especially on shorter, faster workouts where I could let loose a bit. The trade off is versatility. On one recovery run, I tried these out and found them actually preventing me from keeping my pace (and subsequently heart rate) in the zone I was aiming for. I, along with another tester, also experienced some rubbing in the inner arch and forefoot areas. These aren’t for every foot, but they’re undeniably fast.

Pros:

• Fast.
• Excellent midsole design for comfort and pace.

Cons:

• Some testers experienced rubbing and discomfort near the arch and in the toe box.
• Expensive.

[$285; nike.com]

Best Marathon Training Shoes

Best Training Shoe: Adidas Adizero Boston 12

I’ve been testing the Adidas Adizero Boston 12 for a few months now and am psyched that our testing team shares my enthusiasm. If budget is a concern—let’s face it, marathons aren’t cheap—and you can only buy one pair of shoes, I’d strongly suggest this one. It’s lightweight and peppy enough for racing thanks to EnergyRods 2.0 and Lightstrike Pro foam, yet it’s comfortable and versatile enough to train in for both speed and distance. Testers loved the tacky and durable outsole, and we found the fit to be more forgiving than the similarly designed Adios Pro 3 racer above. Our only real qualms came with dialing in the fit. The lacing system isn’t our favorite, and the heel counter is somewhat thin for a dedicated trainer. However, if you're racing in the Adios Pro 3 and want an excellent trainer to pair with it, or if you want to go with one shoe for both, the Boston 12 is an excellent choice.

Pros:

• Best performing non-super shoe.
• Versatile enough to race and train in.
• Stable and grippy on multiple surfaces.

Cons:

• Not enough heel support for some testers.
• The lacing and tongue arrangement take getting used to.

[$160; amazon.com]

Best Distance Trainer: New Balance SuperComp Trainer v2

The New Balance SuperComp Trainer v2 was right behind the Boston 12 as an extremely versatile and effective trainer that can even serve as a racer. I particularly enjoyed the blend of a soft, squishy midsole with the firm Energy Arc midfoot shank. The combination provides both energy return and comfort on your runs, especially over longer distances. For example, I felt really strong in these at the end of a brutal two hour workout during which I alternated fast and slow paces. Multiple testers also noted how good these shoes look. The upper is flexible and easy to dial in with regard to fit. My only annoyance was how often I had to clear small rocks from getting stuck in the outsole void which crunch against the shank.

Pros:

• Stylish.
• Midsole shank lends a peppy snap.
• Comfortable.

Cons:

• Void in the outsole frequently picks up rocks.
• Somewhat excessive stack height.

[$180; amazon.com]

Best Recovery Shoe: Brooks Glycerin 20

I was recommended the Brooks Glycerin 20 by a friend who experiences a lot of knee pain when training. I’m so glad we tested them for this list, because each tester rated them highly for recovery runs, which are an important aspect of marathon training. The DNA LOFT v3 foam is luscious and soft underfoot, but it doesn’t suck all your energy away like other well-cushioned shoes. These really excel on your slow days, but when the pace increased they weren’t our favorite. Bonus: my pair featured the White/Khaki colorway, which looked really fresh around town.

Pros:

• Incredibly comfortable.
• Good for variety of foot shapes.

Cons:

• Not very peppy.
• The squishy midsole isn’t for everyone.

[$160; amazon.com]

Best All-Purpose: New Balance 1080 v13

As far as New Balance training shoes go, our testers were split between the SC Trainer (above) and the Fresh Foam X 1080 v13. The good news? Both are excellent. While the SC Trainer feels more race ready, the Fresh Foam 1080 v13 is an everyday trainer through and through. The latest Fresh Foam X technology provides an incredibly comfy ride, but it’s not at the cost of bounce. One tester called it the most comfortable shoe he has in the closet, and as a do-it-all trainer, the latest iteration is an excellent choice.

Pros:

• Great styling.
• Unmatched comfort.
• Versatile.

Cons:

• Jack of all trades, but master of none.
• Not as peppy or race-ready as the SC Trainer 2.

[$165; amazon.com]

Best Speedy High Cushion Shoe: Asics SuperBlast

The Asics SuperBlast is one of my go-to trainers right now. The NovaBlast took the best “Max Cushion” category in our 2023 running shoe guide, but the SuperBlast has considerably more speed potential due to Asics’ FF Blast Turbo foam. Some testers found this shoe to have too much stack height and squish for a true speed trainer, but in the depths of a training routine some of us appreciated the extra cushion even when turning up the speed. It serves a similar purpose as the New Balance Fresh Foam above, as I found it to be particularly suited to long tempo efforts. One quick note: the fit and shape of this shoe is somewhat long and narrow.

Pros:

• Great blend of speed and comfort.
• Breathable upper.

Cons:

• Long and narrow.
• Stack height is overkill for some.

[$200; amazon.com]

Preparing for a Marathon

Running a marathon takes preparation. A lot of it. Few, if any of us, could walk out the door without training and run 26.2 miles. Indeed, legend has it that the first man who ran this distance dropped dead upon completion.

As I’m preparing for my own marathon this December, I’m fortunate enough to be a part of a virtual run club led by a coach who has set forth a specific training plan. Whatever resources you are using, I highly recommend following a marathon guide. I’ll share what has worked for me, as well as other tips I’ve picked up.

1. Start Early

It goes without saying, but developing a training plan makes it far easier to stay on track for race day. It’s easiest to start around 6 months out from your desired race date, especially if you’ve never run one. The shortest training plans are about 12 weeks and we recommend that even experienced runners begin focused training at least 16 weeks out.

2. Build Up Your Race Distance

Almost any training plan for a marathon recommends running at least one if not a few shorter races before the full shebang. Sign up for a local half or two. Nothing in training can quite compare to the feeling of running on race day, and these events are an opportunity to practice your day-of preparations: what to eat, what to pack, what to wear.

3. Embrace the Unexpected

Believe me, it’s much easier not to run a marathon. Not just that it’s a difficult physical feat, but marathons are time consuming endeavors. Training and recovery takes a toll on most everything, and life comes up. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself your first time around. Occasional missed and rescheduled workouts are part of the process. Consistency, not any one training run, is what delivers you to the finish.

4. Listen to Your Body

The prior tip leads into this one. If something hurts or doesn’t feel right, slow down or take a break. Understand that a week or two lost in training is far less detrimental than a major strain, sprain, or other injury.

5: Buy Good Shoes

And, finally, the matter at hand (or foot). Good running shoes make all the difference. Ideally, you’ll have at least two pairs—one for training and one for racing. Trainers should be comfortable and durable, racers should be light and fast. And research shows that runners who rotate through multiple shoes have lower injury rates.