Best marathon shoes – the quick list

1. New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v13

Now on its 13th iteration, the Fresh Foam x 1080 remains a shoe that caters for most runners’ training needs, with some key updates turning what was already a great shoe into something even better.

Straightaway, it’s noticeably softer, bouncier and lighter than the v12, thanks to the new Fresh Foam X midsole. Underfoot, this feels incredibly cushioned and protective, lending itself well to those longer, easy miles. An updated rocker profile also creates a smoother ride and adds a newfound versatility. The brand has also increased stiffness in the forefoot to help with toe-off.

There’s additional padding around the heel collar and on the gusseted tongue, with the tongue wrapping nicely around the midfoot. The knitted mesh upper from the v12 has been replaced with a more structured upper that holds the midfoot more securely in place, too.

Let’s be clear, though: the 1080 is by no means a performance shoe. There’s no real ‘pop’ or liveliness to it. That being said, if you want a marathon shoe you can sink your feet into and forget about, it’s a top pick.

2. Nike Invincible 3

If your aim is to finish rather than race for the line with your heart jumping out of your chest, the Invincible 3 is a top option.

Compared to other highly cushioned shoes, which can feel very soft and comfy but lack energy return, there is an abundance of responsiveness that offers runners a feeling of ‘pop’ when running in this shoe. ZoomX is a very progressive foam and, as it compacts under load, there is a real sense that it’s just waiting to expand back and propel you forward.

The previously thicker, less breathable Flyknit upper has been replaced with a more breathable and less sketchy Flyknit upper that helps lock the foot into place and gives the shoe a more secure feeling.

3. Asics Superblast

Cushioned to the max (45.5mm in the heel and 37mm in the forefoot), the Superblast features a combination of two of Asics’ midsole foams – FF Blast Plus cushioning from the Novablast and FF Blast Turbo cushioning from the Metaspeeds – to create what Asics’ hopes is the perfect balance of comfort, softness, responsiveness and efficiency. Crucially, this is all without a carbon plate.

Despite the shoe’s humongous stack height (which is over World Athletic’s 40mm limit – so, if you’re an elite athlete, look away), it’s surprisingly stable. This is largely thanks to the slightly wider midsole and outsole, which also eliminates that ‘cloppy’ feeling you get with traditional high-stack carbon plate shoes.

Despite the lack of carbon plate, there’s some rigidity through the forefoot, which helps to propel you forward at toe-off.

The con is that these shoes still come with a premium price tag. At £195, the Superblasts aren’t much cheaper than Asics’ dedicated racing models (the Metaspeed Edge and Sky both retail for £220). If you can justify it, though, you won’t be disappointed. The Superblast is a max-cushioned dream – springy, smooth and stable.

4. New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4

This plate-free performance offering feels like a more cushioned version of a traditional racing shoe. The midsole bounce, full-foot flexibility and gentle forefoot rocker combine to make it feel very peppy, with testers feeling that it was particularly suited to tempo efforts but also quick enough to race in.

It’s plateless and much lower to the ground than max-stack super shoes (30mm heel, 24mm forefoot), offering a more natural ground feel. This will appeal to purists and more mindful runners.

In the latest version, the midsole foam is a PEBA blend (known for being lightweight while providing high energy return). This creates a ride that is both smooth and fast. There’s plenty of rubber on the outsole, too, so durability is fantastic.

5. Adidas Adizero Adios 8

If you’re looking for a responsive shoe that clings more to the traditional racing flat template, you’ll love running in the Adidas Adios 8. It’s essentially a lower-to-the-ground, lighter-on-the-wallet alternative to a carbon plate racing shoe.

The eighth iteration is lighter and softer than its predecessor, with a slightly wider forefoot to provide more room for your toes. It doesn’t have a carbon plate, but it does have ‘energy torsion rods’ which provide some of the same propulsion. The Lightstrike midsole is fairly soft, without feeling overly pillowy, and the shoe felt comfortable over a variety of speeds and distances.

If you’re looking for a shoe that can work for training and race day, the Adios 8 is a decent bet.

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