A carbon plate combined with a light, springy foam saves energy with every step, which adds up over 42 km. These shoes are fastest for runners with a steady stride from about 5:00 per kilometre. If you run slower, or land heavily on your heel, a cushioned trainer is often the better marathon shoe.
Energy return values come from independent RunRepeat lab tests. Our shoe finder narrows the list down to your pace, feel and foot width, and you can try every model in store at Niederdorfstrasse 20 in Zürich.
Nike Alphafly 3
218 g (men's), drop 8 mm, energy return 74 %
Nike's marathon specialist with Air Zoom pods up front. Kelvin Kiptum set the marathon world record of 2:00:35 in Chicago 2023 in a prototype, and Jacob Kiplimo won Chicago 2025.
Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4
201 g (men's), drop 6 mm, energy return 80 %, the highest in our range
Sheila Chepkirui won the New York City Marathon 2026 in it, and Rosemary Wanjiru won Berlin 2025. Energy rods instead of a full plate give a smooth, rolling ride.
Nike Vaporfly 4
190 g (men's), drop 6 mm, energy return 75 %
Lighter and lower than the Alphafly, the all rounder from 5 km to the marathon. Runs narrow.
On Cloudboom Strike 2
191 g, drop 5 mm, energy return 76 %
On's newest marathon super shoe. Its predecessor carried Hellen Obiri to wins in Boston 2024 and New York 2025.
Hoka Cielo X1 3.0
Stack 44 mm, drop 7 mm, energy return 70 %
The most cushioned shoe in this list, with a strong rocker. Alex Masai ran 2:04:37 for third in Chicago 2025 in a prototype.
On Cloudboom Volt
210 g, drop 5 mm
Made for fast 10 km, half marathon and marathon races.
Salomon S/LAB Phantasm 2
210 g, drop 9 mm, made in France
A firmer, more direct racer for runners who like to feel the road.
Nike Zoom Fly 6
265 g, drop 8 mm, carbon plate
The carbon trainer: heavier and more durable, for long runs with marathon pace parts.
Try them in Zürich
Run Store Zurich, Niederdorfstrasse 20, 8001 Zürich. Monday to Friday 11:00 to 19:00, Saturday 10:00 to 18:00. Bring your old shoes: their wear tells us a lot about your stride.