How to pick your marathon shoes | Advice and tips on choosing your next pair of race shoes

Picking the right marathon shoe can be one of the biggest kit decisions you make in the run-up to your 26.2 miles. From comfort and stability to choosing a pair that doesn't break the bank, there's a lot to think about before clicking the purchase button.
In this video, Tom, Gill and Nick talk about their experiences when buying running and answer some of the questions that have cropped up in the channel comments, like do you actually need carbon plate shoes and do marathon shoes need to be expensive?
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Jump right in:
00:00 - Intro
00:48 - What makes a good marathon shoe?
04:20 - What should you look for in a marathon shoe?
09:01 - Do you need carbon plate marathon shoes?
14:50 - Do you need to spend a lot of money?
18:15 - What mistakes should you avoid?
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[@liamli7546]

as 'The Run testers' you should all go out do a marathon race with non carbon shoes and report your findings.

[@vincents.6639]

Perhaps a comparison between New Balance original 990 vs SC Elite 3 to compare how far the marathon shoes have progressed.

[@swenderich]

Agree on doing the long run once in a shoe before racing the marathon in it! I got the Endorphin pro 3 last fall and did a few short, fast sessions and a 5k race in them. They felt great and due to their stability I considered them for my upcoming marathon. Took them out for a long run with marathon paced effort and got pretty bad hotspots on the outside of both feet around 30k… Very disappointing, but glad I found it out this way 🙈

[@Nextman916]

What’s a hotspot?

[@dri1811ya]

​@@Nextman916 basically a blister

[@marcdupont9998]

Appreciate the continued support to us all...

[@dorins3787]

Very good video for me. Gor my first marathon coming this month so it has been spot on. In terms of choices, hard to even test for fit a shoe, due to availability in local stores.

[@waterfallstudios5746]

Very useful and agree with all the points. Ran first marathon at Brighton on Sunday and ran with saucony pro 3s but at sub 4hr pacing, which I think I could have maintained with speed 3s or light non carbon plate shoe, and probably wouldn’t of felt any less fatigued, than I felt after 22 mile runs in speed 3s, which I am not to sure was down to the shoe more consistent training runs. However I do think the carbon plate shoe will play it’s part as I focus in on quicker times in the future, I just don’t think for this first marathon I took the full advantage of wearing them, that said I did hit my target on race day.

[@RyanSmith-hf7gc]

I think there's some comfort in getting a shoe that is designed and marketed for a marathon, the first couple of marathons I did were in daily trainers because carbon plated shoes either didn't exist or were too expensive. Still haven't bought one, used Endorphin Speed 2 for my most recent marathon and it was great

[@chrisvanbuggenum871]

When everyone is wearing a carbon shoe, it's no longer an edge, its just preventing a handicap.

[@Jon-hb6gx]

Exactly what shoe companies want. It's such a shame it's gone this way 😔

[@Zee24585]

So please run in 1970s sketchers if you are so against innovation

[@ruthbrierley1798]

I just ran Paris in Glycerin GTS (slowwww but comfy). I have a pair of Endorphin Pro 3 but would not dare to try such a long distance in them due to stability issues...

[@joshdavila87]

So many freaking options to choose from and so many videos with different opinions. Working towards entering my first half marathon. I love to run but I normally just do it for cardio during my weekly workouts. I run 4 miles with breeze. Time is not a concern, I have back issues so comfortability is my main priority. What would you guys recommend for an enjoyable comfortable long run but maybe also something that will give me an extra edge?

[@gibsonlespaulspecial]

Thank you, that was extremely helpful! I was thinking of carbon plates shoes before London in 3 weeks but I'll stick to my Saucony Endorphin 2's for now which are great shoes 🙂

[@drumrunner72]

Great discussion 👍🏻 I have some Endorphin Pro 3 carbons which I use for short, fast races but I’m not a fast runner over marathon distance and I’m aiming to complete London running around 9:20 min miles. I’ve been considering the Endo’s for this because I’ve read that carbons help with leg fatigue. At my pace, do you think they are really an option?

[@TheHutchRuns]

Carbon plate shoes are a luxury not a necessity, for anyone that just wants to finish a marathon then comfy shoes that will cradle your feet are a must, if you want that extra speed and have the experience then go for it, great advice guys, I'll be running in my Aplphaflys though!

[@user-eq1fs8vy9t]

Can't decide between Adios Pro 2 and Endorphin Elite for my next marathon. Will travel with both and leave it to how I feel in the morning, or anything which will push one way or the other, e.g. Adios Pro 3 if it's wet.

[@grantmckay7014]

Regarding being "track legal", I was surprised at my first Masters Nationals 5000m to find out Vaporfly's are track legal over 800m for Masters. Dragonfly was good on the curves though.

[@toddboucher3302]

Funny my fastest marathon is still in a early Kinvara now I was younger than

[@MickHilton]

Vaporfly 1 with 230 miles on or Saucony Pro 3 with 70 miles on ? Have trained in both. 🤷‍♂️

[@sheva_sd]

Thanks so much guys, very helpful video. I’ve been doing my first full marathon training for 5 months now , running boston in 15 days and most of 500+ miles were done in endorphin speed and pro 3’s, as they were wearing out I got a boston special from adidas two weeks ago for adios prime x and adios pro 3. And I really enjoy long runs in prime x (not strung), do you think i should go for prime x for boston? I can’t decide and it drives me crazy

[@thomasmueller77911]

I'm looking for a shoe for my first marathon. Estimated time is 4:30. weight, stability and cushioning is important. so far, glideride 3, cumulus 25, evoride speed or endorphin speed have come into question...

[@davidgunther1282]

Look at the Asics Superblast. If you can find a pair in your size. Tons of cushion and stability.

[@doubled1509]

Copenhagen marathon in mid may. Would really appreciate some advice on a race day shoe for someone with a wide foot. Speed 2 and 3 were too narrow. Just want something comfortable and light. Aiming for a 3.40 so I'm not speedy. Just love running. Thank you👍 I also have to wear orthotics 🙄🫣

[@richardantrobus7186]

re. cheap marathon shoe - adizero 6 reckon I could get round a marathon happily in that shoe and can find a pair discounted to £55. would possibly add 5 minutes to my total time but as a beginner I think just finishing it is the target. As to testing the shoe I find 1 mile warm up, 5k all out, than 10 miles easier works to test how the shoe feels over a longer run/on tired legs

[@mr.h.9103]

Thoughts on the RC Elite 2 as my shoe for my first marathon? Got a brand new pair I bought in late 2021, never got to run in them, got injured, in a completely different shoe, and now The RC Elite 2’s are just sitting there staring at me every time I think about buying the Saucony Pro 3. 😬😂🙄. I have run in the RC 2’s now that I am back and healthy and really like them. While I don’t think they are the best shoes out there, do I really want to spend another $200 plus???

[@Cellularsurfer]

I ran my first marathon in them, and they are very soft and forgiving over the full Distance. I also set a PR. There are more explosive and firmer shoes on the market but If you have the RC Elite 2 already, it’s nearly as good as any of the newer shoes that just landed.

[@DuncanEpping]

It is a great shoe, ran my second marathon in them, very forgiving shoe, I was so happy with these, especially after the 30k mark

[@chrisvanbuggenum871]

EVERYONE can relate to that temptation, but try and hold out.

[@mr.h.9103]

@@Cellularsurfer I love the way they feel and wanted them for their comfort and protection. Thanks!

[@MarkSmith_Best-Athletics]

Great shoes and probably still the best and most comfortable carbon plated shoe for runners who are running their first. Those who are looking for a bit of help in the pace department but ultimately want a shoe that's going to get them around in comfort. Hard to beat for that and a good price these days. I still wear mine for the odd training run with 400+ miles on them.

[@i.p2088]

I bought the Alphafly V1 and I feel it has negative drop and I don't run in them 😢

[@runnin3216]

I love them, but my heels barely touch the ground when I run. I'm up on the air pods the whole time.

[@briansmyth1502]

Very timely vid. I've had Endorphin Pro for 3 weeks with the plan to run London, my first Marathon in them. But I have had Endorphin Speed 2s for alot of my training. No comfort issues with the Pros. Which should I use?

[@Fozzee.1970]

Have you ran in the Pro 3? I would be surprised if you had otherwise I would expect you to find that an easy question.

[@briansmyth1502]

@John Foster Yes, 30 odd miles in Pros, feel great, technically better shoe. I guess just paranoid, do I stick to what I know best, 200 miles in Speed 2s.

[@ericperramond3463]

@@briansmyth1502 Pro 3, hands down. Your feet and brain will thank you after mile 20.

[@deadnavin]

If I feel most comfortable in nimbus 25 , which trail shoes would you recommend for me. I'm new to trail running. And would prefer trail shoes similar to nimbus 25.

[@felixmilot990]

From ASICS : trabuco 11 or trabuco max 2, they have the same foam as the nimbus.

[@josiahmatson4457]

trabuco max 2 would be perfect! i work at a running shoe store and have run in the Nimbus and tried on the trabuco max 2, and it feels bassically like a nimbus just with a bit more of a rocker in the midsole

[@markoljustina]

Yes, Boston 11 is painful

[@emert7403]

Planning to use this on my half marathon 😅

[@markoljustina]

@@emert7403 it will be fine; i run 20km in them and i think that’s max (they are my training shoes) write after the race 😀

[@andressalgado3066]

Everything they recommended not doing is what they are actually doing lol Incredible disappointed in this video