The 6 best racing shoes for marathons, 5Ks, and triathlons

• Best racing shoes overall
• Best racing shoes for 10Ks and half marathons
• Best racing shoes for marathons
• Best racing shoes for wet conditions
• Best racing shoes for training
• Best cushioned racing shoes
• How I test racing shoes

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Ask anyone who trains for an event like a marathon or 10k and they'll likely spend a few minutes going into specific detail about the kinds of shoes they wear on race day. That's because the shoe racers wear as they vie for a personal record is one of the most important decisions they'll make.

In other words, any random pair of runners will not do. And although there's a wide variety of running shoes intended to meet an even larger array of running needs, there are a few things that make a quality racing shoe.

As a lifelong runner, I've laced up just about every kind of racing shoe there is, from brands like Nike, Saucony, and Brooks. I've found along the way what does (and doesn't) make a good runner and have become especially adept at figuring out why one shoe might work better in some races than others.

Below, I've compiled my six favorite racing shoes for everything from 10ks and marathons to training runs. I've also included insight into how I tested each pair of racing shoes at the bottom of this guide.

Here are the best racing shoes

Best overall: Saucony Endorphin Pro - See on Saucony
The Saucony Endorphin Pro is made for elite racers but has such an accessible design and comfortable fit, it should appeal to anyone looking to increase their speed.

Best for 10ks to marathons: Brooks Hyperion Elite 2 - See on Dick's Sporting Goods
The Hyperion Elite 2 from Brooks is a fast and stable racing shoe that's perfect for anyone who enjoys running 10Ks and half marathons.

Best for marathons: Nike Air Zoom Alphafly NEXT% - See on Nike
The Nike Air Zoom Alphafly Next% is built exclusively for marathon runners, delivering a high level of bounce, a supremely supportive foot feel, and a design that limits stress on your legs. 

Best for wet conditions: New Balance FuelCell RC Elite - See on New Balance
If you run in slippery or wet conditions often, the New Balance FuelCell RC Elite is the shoe you need; it offers a high level of grip, is extremely lightweight, and was one of the most responsive shoes I tested.

Best for training: Hoka One One Carbon X 2 - See on Hoka One One
Hoka's Carbon X 2 helps improve your training, no matter if it's for a 10K or a marathon, and is a stable and comfortable shoe with a ton of added cushioning.

Best cushioned: On Cloudstratus - See on On
On's Cloudstratus shoe is the ultimate cushioned racing shoe that excels on outdoor road runs, weighs less than 11 ounces, and is perfect for the half marathon to marathon runner.

Best racing shoes overall

Men's

Women's

The Saucony Endorphin Pro is made for elite racers but has such an accessible design and comfortable fit, it should appeal to anyone looking to increase their speed. 

Pros: Best fitting shoe straight out of the box; bold but lightweight and attractive design; excellent pop from carbon fiber plates, particularly at faster speeds

Cons: Some heel slippage; less responsive at slower paces

Of the shoes I tested, Saucony's Endorphin Pro felt the best right out of the box, almost like a cozy pair of slippers. This is thanks to its soft and breathable mesh FormFit upper with 3D overlays for added support. On roads, the Endorphin Pro was fast, powering me through a virtual half marathon in one of my fastest times.

The colorway of the Saucony Endorphin Pros I tested is dubbed ViZiOrange and it's incredibly visible. I liked the bold look; not only did they turn pedestrians' heads, they made me stand out so passing cars could steer clear.

Where some shoes with carbon fiber plates in the midsoles tend to have a stiff, platform-like feel to them, the Endorphin Pros are more neutral, almost like a daily trainer. Saucony uses an S-curve design for its full-length carbon fiber plates, which follows the shape of the sole of your foot for increased comfort.

The Endorphin Pros are a fine shoe when you're just jogging but really reward when you run faster. When I picked up the pace, I could feel the carbon fiber plates pop, giving me some added spring to push me forward. This comes from Saucony's SpeedRoll design, which gives the Endorphin Pro a curved forefoot extending to the front of the shoe. This helped keep me on my toes during runs for faster leg turnover.

Overall, I liked how Saucony stripped the Endorphin Pros to their essence to keep the weight down while still creating a snazzy, high performance shoe. The stack height is 33mm in the heel and 25mm in the forefoot for an 8mm drop, which is pronounced but not significantly steep. Despite the racing tech, the Endorphin Pros were one of the lightest shoes I tested at 8.7 ounces for size 11.5 (M).

Best racing shoes for 10Ks and half marathons

The Hyperion Elite 2 from Brooks is a fast and stable racing shoe that's perfect for anyone who enjoys running 10Ks and half marathons.

Pros: One of the fastest shoes I tested with a propulsive, rocker-style design; excellent stability thanks to wide outsole in the forefoot area; great cushioning from springy nitrogen-infused foam

Cons: Inconsistent fit with loose heel collar and tight upper across the forefoot; finicky lacing system with short laces that are hard to double knot

The Brooks Hyperion Elite 2s were among the fastest shoes I tested but didn't feel particularly fast when I was running in them. That's a good thing since hitting my top speed felt effortless in these carbon-plated racers. But while the Brooks Hyperion Elite 2s are designed for marathons — and are certainly well-suited for that distance — I found the sweet spot for them to be half marathons and even races down to 10Ks.

The Brooks Hyperion Elite 2 features a slab of nitrogen-infused foam called DNA Flash in the midsole with a stack height of 35mm in the heel and 27mm in the forefoot for an 8mm drop. They're actually much easier to run in than walk, with a rocker-style midsole encouraging you to toe off and break into a full stride. They're also gorgeous, with a patterned suede-like gray mesh upper that complements a bright yellow foam underfoot with Brooks logos on the sides.

I wasn't crazy about the fit of the upper, and that's probably the only area where the Hyperion Elite 2 missed the mark. The stretch woven mesh felt tight in places I wasn't expecting — like across the forefoot — and a bit loose in other areas including around the heel collar, where I couldn't get a full lockdown. It was also difficult to double knot the short laces to prevent them from becoming untied.

Once I started actually running in them, those quibbles were forgotten. Weighing 8.6 ounces in 11.5 (M), the shoes felt light but well cushioned thanks to a high stack height. The carbon fiber plates made the shoes a bit stiff but that's common for this design. I was pleasantly surprised with how stable they were to run in since some race shoes are so narrow across the bottom they feel like ice skates.

My virtual 10-mile race I tested them with was on a rainy day on a foot path that mixed soft gravel areas with harder asphalt, but I had no problems with grip from the Hyperion Elite 2s. Overall it was one of the most stable of all the race shoes I tested and among the fastest.

Best racing shoes for marathons

Men's

Women's

The Nike Air Zoom Alphafly Next% is built exclusively for marathon runners, delivering a high level of bounce, a supremely supportive foot feel, and a design that limits stress on your legs. 

Pros: Incredibly bouncy shoe that reduces stress on your legs while propelling you forward; encourages efficient strides even after many miles; contoured, supportive fit

Cons: Expensive; heavier than competing racing shoes 

Yes, the Nike Air Zoom Alphafly Next% is the shoe that Kenyan sensation, Eliud Kipchoge, used (in a protype version) to smash the once deemed impossible-to-break two-hour barrier in the marathon; but that's not why I recommend it as the best marathon shoe. In short, the Nike Alphafly is all about the bounce.

These were the bounciest shoes I've ever run in, and they gave me some much-needed spring during long runs. I also noticed some incredible energy return, thanks to its full-length carbon fiber plate that produced the snappiest response of the shoes I tested. Nike calls it the Flyplate and it's partially exposed in the forefoot area of the outsole to give it space to flex. The thickness of the plate is scaled to the size of the shoe, so it's more flexible in smaller sizes and stiffer in larger shoes to produce the same propulsive effect.

At 8.89 ounces, the Nike Alphaflys was one of the heavier racing shoes I tested and that's likely because they feature Zoom Air pods in the forefoot under the plates. Another piece of Nike shoe tech that dates back to the 1990s, the pods are loaded with pressurized air surrounding stretched tensile fibers that snap back every time your feet hit the ground.

Along with extra cushioning, the Zoom Air pods contribute to the bounciness of the Alphaflys while reducing stress on your legs. I felt this effect at mile 20 during a virtual marathon, a spot where I normally start dragging my feet. With the Alphaflys, I could maintain an efficient, steady stride with the combination of Air pods and carbon fiber plates bouncing me along.

The stack height of the Alphaflys is a tall 40mm, which makes it just legal for official races, but the drop is only 4mm, so it's not a very sloped shoe. I enjoyed the design, which felt natural to run in while protective thanks to the pronounced stack height.

Because the forefoot area of the Alphafly's outsole is so large to accommodate the Zoom Air Pods, it provided ample space to toe-off while running. And these are shoes you want to lean forward in to enjoy the full effect of their spring. If you do, they just might bounce you to your best marathon time.

Best racing shoes for wet conditions

Men's

Women's

If you run in slippery or wet conditions often, the New Balance FuelCell RC Elite is the shoe you need; it offers a high level of grip, is extremely lightweight, and was one of the most responsive shoes I tested.

Pros: Impressive grip thanks to triangular studded Dynaride outsole; lightest of all shoes I tested; sleek, fast-feeling fit

Cons: Not suited for wide feet; better for shorter races, legs start to feel tired at longer distances; shoes run hot

The New Balance FuelCell RC Elite is a light and fast carbon fiber-plated shoe for race day that's suited for everything from 5Ks to marathons. But where the FuelCell RC Elite's real superpower lies is in its excellent traction that makes it one of the best road shoes I tested for sloppy race conditions including rainy downpours, slick surfaces, and mud.

The key to the FuelCell RC Elite's grip is what New Balance calls its "Dynaride" outsole. In layman's terms, the shoe has small, triangular nubs of lightweight but durable rubber that are similar to the lugged outsoles you see on trail running shoes. On the FuelCell RC Elite, these triangle lugs are only in the mid and forefoot sections of the outsole running all the way up to a toe bumper on the front. This provides a grippy area to toe-off from without weighing down the rest of the shoe.

Teeth-like bits of rubber also reminded me of tiny track spikes and they even worked quite well on the track. I tested them on a sunny day and during a rainstorm while doing speedwork on an ancient, cinder track at a local high school and never lost my footing. The shoes also performed well during a long training run on a gravely rail trail.

During a 10K time trial on the roads during a wet and rainy spring day, my feet hugged the ground while the FuelCell RC Elite's engineered mesh upper did a decent job of keeping them dry. The fit was skin-like and locked in, which also reminded me of the stripped-down design of track shoes. The New Balance FuelCell RC Elites were the lightest carbon plated racers I tested, tipping the scales at just 8.47 for men's, size 11.5. They didn't feel flimsy though, and the flared "wings" on the lateral sides of the shoe provided added stability. I wouldn't recommend them to runners with wide feet though; my average width feet felt a bit snug but not uncomfortable.

The FuelCell RC Elite doesn't have as stacked a midsole as some of the competition but what's there, foam-wise, is soft, bouncy and protective. The shoes layer FuelCell foam with a stack height of 34mm in the heel and 24 inches in the forefoot (10mm offset) over a stiff full-length carbon fiber plate to create a smooth but responsive ride.

Best racing shoes for training

Men's

Women's

Hoka's Carbon X 2 helps improve your training, no matter if it's for a 10K or a marathon, and is a stable and comfortable shoe with a ton of added cushioning. 

Pros: Excellent cushioning for long races and intensive training; very comfortable for a carbon fiber-plated race shoe; protruding heel foam provides stability on downhills

Cons: Heaviest race shoe I tested; foam midsole wears down quickly

I logged the most miles during my tests in the Hoka One One Carbon X 2s. These carbon fiber plated shoes with their generous wedges of light foam underneath were made to go the distance at both fast and moderate paces and are a great option for racing and training.

Hoka built its reputation on making max cushioned shoes that are surprisingly light, but it hasn't been known for racing shoes. That changes with the Carbon X 2. These shoes have a few familiar elements from its training shoes including a hefty 39mm heel stack height with 34 in the forefoot to create a 5mm drop. There's also the slightly curved Meta-Rocker design to help propel you forward, as well as the brand's comfortable bucket seat fit with padding in the flared heel collar.

But the Carbon X 2s aren't built for comfort alone; they're really built for speed. Their carbon fiber plate is positioned lower in the midsole than some competing shoes, so you don't feel it pop until further into your stride. Once you settle into a running rhythm though, it pushes you along steadily.

The Carbon X 2's massive midsole is soft yet responsive while eliminating almost all ground feel. This is good if you like a floating feel to your shoes but not for those who prefer contact with the ground. The rear of the midsole features foam that juts out behind the heel, almost like a hoof. This design is native to some of Hoka's recent shoes and provides excellent stability on downhills and added protection for heel strikers. Runners who are forefoot strikers won't see as much benefit though and I found it a slight hindrance on uphills.

At nearly 10 ounces in a men's size 11.5, the Carbon X 2 was the heaviest racing shoe I tested but that only bothered me during short, fast races. For longer races, like ultra-marathons, you'll appreciate the extra cushioning.

Best cushioned racing shoes

Men's

Women's

On's Cloudstratus shoe is the ultimate cushioned racing shoe that excels on outdoor road runs, weighs less than 11 ounces, and is perfect for the half marathon to marathon runner.

Pros: Tons of vertical and horizontal cushioning, great for longer runs, be it training or racing, works well on treadmills but is built for outdoor running

Cons: This much cushioning may not be ideal for some runners 

The debate around cushioned running shoes can be a polarizing one (some studies point to highly cushioned shoes as one of the culprits for weakened foot muscles). Despite those studies, highly cushioned shoes are still incredibly popular as brands like Hoka (above) and On have offered their own unique take on the design for years. 

Although it admittedly took me several years to join Team Cushioned Shoe, I've quickly become a convert in recent years — and my favorite pair to both race and race train in is the Cloudstratus from On. Designed specifically for outdoor road running, the Cloudstratus leans heavily into the brand's unique cushioning system, offering both horizontal and vertical cushioning.

This helps with the shoe's energy return and just overall durability (which is welcome for a shoe intended to be used on road runs). That energy return is apparent, too, as I noticed from even the first run in these how much they contribute to driving me forward on each step. 

On outfit the Cloudstratus outsole with a solid rubber grip that (I assume) did its job because I never felt any sort of slippage, even on wet pavement. I didn't try them on anything super slick like ice or sleet but they've done well when running in the rain. 

I often ran in the range of 5 to 10 miles in these and found them to perform quite well across both distances. This plants it firmly in the training/racing window for half marathoners, though the design and build of the shoe show that it should be good for marathon runners as well. 

Highly cushioned shoes won't be every runner's cup of tea but if you do enjoy a little bit of cushion in your runners and want a durable, springy outdoor shoe, the Cloudstratus is a solid choice. 

How I test racing shoes

Throughout my extensive testing of these shoes, I kept coming back to the same question: What makes a racing shoe different than a training shoe?

The number one priority is speed. These shoes are designed to help you crush personal records, but they're also built to help elite runners break world records. One of our favorites in this guide is the same shoe running legend, Eliud Kipchoge, wore while breaking the two-hour barrier in the marathon in 2019.

One common denominator in the shoes I tested is that they all have carbon fiber plates embedded in the midsole. A relatively recent development in running shoe tech, springy carbon fiber plates give racing shoes added bounce, allowing you to optimize your stride and increase cadence without burning extra energy.

Carbon fiber plates proved to be so effective in increasing energy return, there was debate about whether they should be banned in professional races. An outright ban never happened but now there are restrictions on the size and number of carbon fiber plates permitted in shoes used in professional races. Similarly, the stack height of shoes was restricted to 40mm to prevent manufacturers from jacking up the midsole foam to ridiculous proportions.

In short, every shoe tested for this guide meets the same guidelines as those used by professional athletes in the New York, Boston, or Olympic marathons.

Other design choices I considered while testing these racing shoes were more obvious. For instance, they are all, typically, extremely lightweight, allowing you to fly through the miles without feeling weighed down. Shoe materials, such as stretchy uppers, are designed to contour to your feet to decrease wind resistance. Lacing is basic and minimal as are the reduced ankle collars and sparse rubber on the outsoles of most racing shoes.

While doing all this just to shave a few ounces off the weight of a shoe might seem like overkill, if it can help you shave a few seconds off your personal best in a race, it's worth it.

The other major factor to consider is a shoe's price. Several of the shoes I tested are $200 or more, which might be surprising considering they're designed with a modicum of material. And considering that all the shoes I picked as my favorites (aside from one) are made solely for racing, you won't get nearly as much use out of them as your everyday trainers. But if your main goal is to go faster on race day, these shoes will get you there in a hurry.

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Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@businessinsider.com.

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