Our team has logged lots of miles and has rounded up the best marathon shoes for beginners that are comfortable, reliable, and built to carry you across that finish line. And the best news, we aren’t looking at $300!

best marathon shoes for beginners

Running your first marathon comes with a lot of uncertainties. But there are some things that you can control, like your running shoes.

As someone who has run a 5:30 marathon, I can tell you firsthand that the right pair of shoes made all the difference.

When you’re out on your feet for hours at a time, comfort and support are non-negotiable.

Once your feet start to get sore, swell, or blister, that discomfort can be pretty tough to fight through.

The wrong pair of shoes can also potentially cause issues like ankle pain while running or knee pain while running.

At the base level, you’ll want to find a shoe that:

  • has enough room in the toe box for your feet to spread and potentially swell over the miles
  • allows you to change the lacing to provide more room or lock in your heel
  • keeps your arch from dropping in which places pressure on knees and ankles
  • made with cushioning that isn’t too plush, so you’re not  sinking into the ground and getting lower back pain

A lot of brands are using different types of foam to give that bouncy feel without the use of a carbon plate. This is why you may notice some of the shoes on our lists have a higher stack height.

But don’t let that scare you from giving these shoes a try!

Best Marathon Running Shoes for Beginners of 2025

9 Best Marathon Shoes for Beginners

Like we said earlier, race day doesn’t mean you have to wear a pair of super shoes. What matters most is finding the pair that works best for you.

That’s why we pulled together a mix of options, lightweight trainers, max-cushion favorites, and carbon-plated shoes that aren’t as intimidating as an Alphafly. And of course, we couldn’t leave out the stability shoe that always earns a spot on our best-of lists.

These are our team’s go-to recommendations for beginner marathon runners. Whether you’re middle or back of the pack, these shoes will give you the comfort and support you need to get to the finish line smiling.

Marathon Shoes for 5-6 Hour Marathon

As always any given listed shoe could work for a variety of finish times! Here we’re focusing on the ones that are going to provide enough cushion and support to help you feel your best.

Lightweight, Bouncy, Great Price- Adidas EVO SL

This may look like a super fancy shoe, but don’t let that fool you. The EVO SL is going to be perfect to carry you through long runs and even 26.2 miles.

It’s not as bouncy as a carbon-plated shoe and not as soft as a daily trainer. It’s a blend right in the middle that allows for that energy return, while still feeling really good underfoot.

Want to throw in a little bit of speed or a few strides?  The Lighstrike Pro is their top-of-the-line foam and will support you as things may get a little spicy. Adidas Evo SL Review

While running a marathon, a lightweight shoe with energy return is a fabulous thing for the legs, no matter the pace.

Super Shoe Foam, Super Light – Asics Megablast

Reviews of the Megablast are in the works, but the shoes won’t be released until Sept 1, so we mainly wanted to give you a heads up and sneak peek as you start to hear about it.

If your goal is within the 5-hour marathon range, you may want to mark your calendar to check these out once they go live!

Before we finish testing these out, we can share with you that this is going to feature Asics’ newest foam, the FF Turbo Squared, which promises comfort and bounce.

This isn’t going to be a plated shoe; it’s a max cushioned shoe that’ll add a little extra springiness to your stride. Asics Megablast Overview

Daily Trainer that Goes the Distance- Hoka Clifton

Another shoe that you see popping up on a lot of our best of lists because it’s that good. And with the recent updates that Hoka made to this 10th model, it’s going to help get you through a 5-6 hour marathon!

The foam is now that perfect blend of not being too soft that you sink in or too firm that it feels like you’re walking on cement blocks.

It’s also the first Hoka shoe to have an 8mm heel drop, which we were happy to see. This change is going to increase the foam to help with overall stability. Hoka Clifton 10 Fit

This daily trainer is a neutral running shoe that’s going to be durable and handle lots and lots of miles.

Whether you run the 5-6 hours or opt for run/walk intervals your feet will feel supported every step of the way in the Clifton’s.

Made for Bounce and Speed for the Long Day- On Cloudboom Max

On set the goal to create a shoe that was meant for middle and back of the pack runners.

The Cloudboom Max is going to combine speed, bounce, and the comfort that we all search for, especially when spending lots of hours on our feet.

The glassfiber-infused nylon speedboard is going to be more flexible than a carbon plate and waaaaay better for the landing of the average runner.

On has even said they re-engineered their fastest shoe for the everyday runner and after our testing, totally agree.

You’ll be able to keep your easy pace and pick it up if you want to throw in some marathon pace miles into your run. On Cloudboom Max Cushion

The pricetag is pretty high for this shoe, so it’s not one that we’d recommend as a daily trainer. Keep it specifically for your long runs and race day to avoid the foam from wearing down too quickly.

If Coach Amanda added this immediately to her regular shoe rotation closet, you know it’s a good one!

Best Marathon Shoes for 4-5 Hour Marathon

Again we’re focused not on front of the pack super shoes, but on what the everyday runner will feel best in through training and race day. Remember that those super shoes are designed for the gait and foot strike of front of the pack runners, meaning not only will you get less out of them, but they just won’t feel as good.

That doesn’t mean you can’t have a carbon plated option just for you!

Lightweight, non-plated, durable- Asics Superblast 2

The Asics Superblast 2 is a non-plated super trainer that’s incredibly light for the max cushion and for sure to be a great race day option for many runners.

While labeled a “super trainer”, the reality is these shoes are fantastic for long runs and race day for the middle to back of the pack runner.

Asics designed this shoe using 2 types of foam in the midsole, Flytefoam Turbo Plus on the top later and Flytefoam Blast Plus Eco bottom layer. This combo is going to provide a soft yet responsive feel, helping to absorb impact.

Not only will this be a great 4-5 hour marathon shoe, it’s a great shoe for our heavier and taller running friends! asics superblast 2 cushionOne of our big questions at 45mm stack height is always does it feel stable and the answer is absolutely. This is due to the flare you see along the midsole and the extended heel.

The entire shoe is just wider, which controls that lateral movement without a rigid guide. That makes this really good for long runs and marathon runs.

Cushion All Day – Nike Vomero

While it looks like a beast of a shoe, I can promise that it does not feel heavy or clunky underfoot.

The top layer ZoomX foam is a PEBA foam, meaning that it’s lighter and has more energy return. Traditionally, PEBAX is not as durable, meaning less mileage before a shoe wears out, but they’re layering it over top of their ReactX foam.

The pods around the outsole are there to help with stability and a smoother heel to transition. If your goal is between 4-5 hours for the marathon, the Vomero is going to keep your feet happy…well as happy as they can be running a marathon! The Nike Vomero 18 is a max cushioned trainer for the middle of the pack and back to truly enjoy your long runs and even 26.2 miles.

Reliable Daily Trainer- Brooks Ghost

The Brooks Ghost has been around for a long time, and while some models weren’t super loved, the 17th is one to brag about.

It’s a versatile trainer that you can grab to use at a variety of paces. Keep things easy or throw in some marathon paces and still feel great thanks to the extra nitrogen Brooks added to it’s foam.

The change our team is most excited about is in the heel to toe drop. It’s a neutral running shoe now with a 10mm heel to toe drop.

While it’s not a huge difference, but if the 12 mm felt too high, you’ll really appreciate this. Plus, the lower drop will make a difference in potentially reducing knee pain or IT Band issues that often pop up with newer runners.Ghost 17 LacesThe Ghost 17 still delivers everything a runner could ask for: just the right amount of cushion in midsole, a durable rubber outsole and a breathable mesh upper to keep your feet feeling comfortable mile after mile.

Ready to Pick Up The Pace – Saucony Endorphin Pro

Those looking for speed are often drawn to the carbon fiber shoes for that extra boost. It’s important, however, that you don’t run in them too much to break down the shoe, so just enough to break them in!

For those with the goal of finishing a 4-hour+ marathon, the Saucony Endorphin Pro can be a good option.

If you want a carbon-plated shoe that feels a bit more stable and like your daily running shoes, this is the winner. Some of the really bouncy plated shoes seem to be causing achilles and foot issues, so this shoe is unlikely to have that result.

If I were to give the marathon distance another try, I would 100% grab the Endorphin Pro.Saucony Endorphin pro 4 reviewThe Endorphin Pro 4  is an excellent choice for runners who are looking for a lightweight cushioned carbon plate shoe for training and racing. It will easily carry you from the 5K to the marathon.

Best Stability and Support for Beginner Marathoners- Asics Gel Kayano

This is a shoe that you will always find on our best of lists, and it makes sense because it is on the 32nd version!

It’s one of our favorite marathon training shoes for the middle and back of the pack because it will provide you with the extra support without being overly cushiony underfoot.

The  Kayano is known for its supportive, multi-density midsole and firmer foam through the arch. They’re one of the best motion-control shoes with firmer medial (inner) and softer lateral (outer) midsole sidewalls.ASICS Gel Kayano ReviewThe updated 4D Guidance System helps keep your foot from rolling inward, which can reduce strain on the plantar fascia, while the FlyteFoam Blast+ Eco midsole softens impact with every step. That means less pressure on your heel and more comfort during walking workouts.

The shoe has been designed to be a stability shoe for overpronators, but it’s highly popular for high-mileage neutral runners as well.

What To Look For In Beginner Marathon Running Shoes?

When considering a pair of running shoes to cover all the training miles to over 26.2, there are a few key areas that you want to think about. The goal is to find a shoe that can take you through most of training, so then you can grab a new pair and flow easily into race day.

The Best Shoe, Is Best For You

Your marathon running shoes should be, first and foremost, comfortable. A study actually showed that our BEST running shoe is the one we find most comfortable!!

Running for 26.2 miles is no joke, and it’s important to prioritize comfort. This is where a lot of personal preferences may come into play.

An uncomfortable shoe is often a sign that it’s forcing your body to move in ways it doesn’t like or that are going to create issues like blisters.

Cushioning Levels

How cushioned your marathon shoes play a big part in not only how comfortable they’ll be, but also how good your form is while running.

Remember that more is not always better. More is often heavier and often more expensive. There is also some evidence that we land a little harder with tons of cushion, probably because aren’t thinking about our landing as much.

Additionally, a super plush shoe like the Hoka Bondi can lead some to sink in a little bit as the run goes on and lead to lower back pain while running. Surprising, but not uncommon.

The flipside is going with minimal cushion can be really hard on the feet and joints with endurance events.

In general, we recommend moderate cushioning for everyone. Heavier runners or those with a larger frame (hello my very tall male friends) may want a more cushioned shoe.

Size Up from Regular Shoes

You’ll want to look for a shoe with ample space in the toe box and overall a bigger size. Remember what happens to your body when you run a marathon??? Your feet swell!

In general, the longest toe should have a thumb’s distance from the shoe box. This prevents the toe from repeatedly striking the toe box, which can cause problems like runner’s toes.

We also want to ensure there is plenty of room for our toes to move as our foot swells during the race. If you’re getting numb feet while running, then your shoe is too small.

However, a shoe that is too wide may also cause your foot to move about inside it and your toes to rub against the toe box, which could result in blisters or other issues.

How Long Before the Marathon To Buy New Shoes?

If you’ve found a pair of shoes that you love during training, then get a new pair about a month before the race.

This gives you a chance to wear them on a few shorter runs and one long run.

Remember the NOTHING NEW on race day mantra. You want to take your race day shoes out for a few runs just to make sure there are absolutely no issues with blisters or the shoe fitting slightly different.

However, if you’re not feeling good about the model you’ve been using then two months before the race I’d be on the hunt for something that feels good. This gives you a chance to take it on multiple long runs and the shoe will still have plenty of life left in it for race day.

What to read next?

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