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No elite runners would toe the line today without their super shoes. Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
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Marathon racing super shoes have come a long way since their unofficial Olympic debut hidden in plain sight during the 2016 Olympic Games.
Eight years ago in Rio de Janeiro, a handful of top Nike-sponsored runners, including Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge and American Galen Rupp, wore thick-soled, fluorescent yellow and pink prototypes of the original Nike Vaporfly carbon-plated super shoes.
Kipchoge won that race in 2:08:44, while Rupp earned the bronze in 2:10:05 and the super shoe era was born.
In the ensuing four years, competitor brands scrambled to catch up while World Athletics debated if and how they should regulate the new technology. The ruling board announced its stack height and carbon-plated regulations in January 2020, and the super shoe revolution began in earnest as every brand released its own version of the newfangled shoe design paradigm.
Today, no elite runner would toe the line without their super shoes, which are readily available to amateur runners, too—at a price. With the men’s and women’s 2024 Paris Olympic marathons slated for August 10 and 11, respectively, we tracked down the shoes that top athletes are expected to wear on the challenging 26.2-mile course that winds from Paris to Versailles and back.
RELATED: Super Shoe Showdown: The Best Racers Head-to-Head
[Editor’s Note: We gathered this information before the races based on details provided by each brand. The actual shoes worn by athletes may vary. For brands that couldn’t supply shoe details, our selections for their athletes are based on their current top marathon racing model. When you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.]
Weight: 4.9 oz. (men’s size 9) (unisex sizing) Stack Heights: 39mm (heel), 33mm (forefoot) Heel-Toe Offset: 6mm
$500 at Adidas $500 at Running Warehouse
Adidas changed the game when it unveiled this featherweight shoe last fall, and it immediately created a buzz when Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa wore it while shattering the women’s marathon world record in an eye-popping 2:11:53 effort at the Berlin Marathon. Tipping the scales at a mere 4.9 ounces, it’s the lightest of the super shoes available on the market —weighing nearly 2 ounces less than the next lightest super shoe (Nike’s Vaporfly 3 at 6.5 ounces). Adidas says each pair is designed for optimal use in a singular race, but we put it to the test and were impressed with its durability. The Adidas has only produced the Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1 in very limited quantities so far, which has led to exorbitant after-market pricing of $750-$1200 on some sites.
Peres Jepchirchir, 30, Kenya: 2024 London Marathon champion (2:16:16), 2022 Boston Marathon champion (2:21:01), 2020 Olympic champion (2:27:20)
Tamirat Tola, 32, Ethiopia: 2023 New York City Marathon champion (2:04:58) ; 2022 World Athletics Championships winner (2:05:36)
Benson Kipruto, 33, Kenya: 2024 Tokyo Marathon champion (2:02:16), 2023 Chicago Marathon, 2nd (2:04:02), 2023 Boston Marathon, 3rd (2:06:06)
Tigst Assefa, 27, Ethiopia: World marathon record holder, 2023 Berlin Marathon champion (2:11:53), 2024 London Marathon, 2nd (2:16:23)
Alexander Munyao, 27, Kenya: 2024 London Marathon champion (2:04:01); 2023 Valencia Marathon, 2nd, (2:03:11)
Emile Cairess, 26, Great Britain: 2024 London Marathon, 3rd (2:06:46), 2024 Napoli Half Marathon, 4th (1:00:01)
Weight: 8.1 oz. Stack Heights: 39.5–33 mm Heel-Toe Offset: 6.5mm
$250 at Running Warehouse – Men’s $250 at REI – Women’s
The Adidas Adizero Adios Pro has been one of the top podium finishers (along with Nike’s Vaporfly models) since its debut in 2020. Combining a wider stance, a slightly firmer, responsive midsole, and a sharp, fast toe-off, the third edition of the Adizero Adios Pro, which came out in 2022, produces a smooth, stable, and fast ride for those who like a more supported feel underfoot. It has more lightweight TPU-based Lightstrike Pro foam in the forefoot than the previous version, which increases cushioning and bounce and contributes to the lower heel-toe drop from 8.5m to 6.5mm. The embedded carbon-fiber Energy Rods stretch the full length of the shoe, joined at heel before spreading out under the metatarsals, improving stability and heel-to-toe transition. Read full review
Tamirat Tola, 32, Ethiopia: 2023 New York City Marathon champion (2:04:58), 2023 London Marathon, 3rd (2:04:59)
RELATED: The 2024 Olympic Marathon May Be The Hardest in History
Weights: 5.3 oz. (women’s size 8), 6.5 oz. (men’s size 9) Stack Heights: 39.5mm (heel), 34.5mm (forefoot) Heel-Toe Offset: 5mm
$250 at Running Warehouse $250 at Asics
Asics has two super shoe models, each designed for a different stride pattern. In the Metaspeed Edge Paris, which is geared for high-cadence runners, the carbon-fiber plate is more curvy and situated lower within the shoe’s midsole (even more dramatically than the previous version), creating a softer feel and forward propulsion tuned to a quick roll off the toe. Running in the Metaspeed Edge Paris, you’ll feel a more snappy sensation under your forefoot as each stride transitions quickly to toe-off via the aggressive rocker shape that begins under the metatarsal heads. The geometry of the Metaspeed Edge Paris has changed from an 8mm offset (previously 39mm/31mm) to a 5mm offset (39.5mm/34.5mm). Read Full Review.
Amanal Petros, 29, Germany: 2024 European Championships Half Marathon, 3rd (1:01:07); 2024 Hanover Marathon champion (2:06:05)
Richard Ringer, 35, Germany: 2022 European Championships Marathon winner (2:10:21), 2023 Hamburg Marathon, 6th (2:08:08), 2023 Valencia Marathon, 19th (2:07:05)
Mekdes Woldu, 31, France: 2024 European Championships Half Marathon, 8th (1:10:04), 2023 Valencia Marathon, 17th (2:24:44)
Weights: 5.2 oz. (women’s size 8), 6.4 oz. (men’s size 9) Stack Heights: 39.5mm (heel), 34.5mm (forefoot) Heel-Toe Offset: 5mm
$250 at Running Warehouse $250 at Asics
The Metaspeed Sky Paris is designed for runners with a long-striding gait, so the carbon plate is situated higher in the shoe’s midsole, directing the foam’s rebound in a slightly more vertical direction to extend stride length. The beveled shape of the rocker and upward curve of the toes—aka the toe spring—creates a smooth rolling sensation as the runner’s foot transitions to the toe-off phase at the end of a stride. The geometry of the Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris continues to have a 5mm heel-toe offset but has been tweaked slightly with an additional half-millimeter of foam throughout. Read Full Review.
Clayton Young, 30, U.S.: U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon runner-up (2:09:06); 2023 Chicago Marathon, 8th, 2:08:00
Felix Bour, 30, France: 2023 Valencia Marathon, 16th, 2:06:46, 2024 European Championships Half Marathon, 16th (1:02:23)
Cameron Levins, 35, Canada: 2023 Tokyo Marathon, 5th, 2:05:36, 2024 Istanbul Half Marathon, 8th (1:00:38) (Levins will likely wear a pair of Asics Metaspeed Sky+, the previous version)
RELATED: First Run Review: Asics Metaspeed Edge Paris and Metaspeed Sky Paris
Weight: 5.9 oz. (women’s); 6.9 oz. (men’s) Stack Heights: 32.8mm (heel); 24.8mm (forefoot) Heel-Toe Offset: 8mm
$200 at New Balance – Women’s $200 at Running Warehouse – Men’s
A sleeker, lighter, snappier—and $50 cheaper—racing super shoe than New Balance’s max-cushioned FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4, the FuelCell SuperComp Pacer v2 was designed with a lean, sub-maximal midsole for 5K and 10K races (for most runners). But it was also built with the input of American record holder and U.S. Olympian Emily Sisson to be her marathon racing shoe. The shoe has been updated with a more responsive 100 percent Peba midsole that’s 4mm thicker from heel to toe than the midsole in the original version. The embedded Energy Arc carbon-fiber propulsion plate has been tweaked slightly, too, creating a smooth but energetic ride.
Emily Sisson, 32, U.S.: American record holder (2:18:29), 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon runner-up (2:22:42), 2023 Chicago Marathon, 7th (2:22:09)
Weight: 6.2 oz (women’s), 7.7 oz (men’s) Stack Heights: 40mm (heel); 32 mm (forefoot) Heel-Toe Offset: 8mm
$300 at Dick’s – Women’s $300 at Running Warehouse – Men’s
Nike’s bright orange and white Alphafly will be well-represented throughout the pack in Paris. Blending the energizing bounce of responsive foam and springy compressed-air pods with a now continuous base, the Alphafly 3 delivers a powerful trampoline-like ride ideal for long-striding, forward-balanced runners in the half marathon and marathon. This latest edition is built with a wider overall shape and wider carbon fiber plate through the midfoot for better arch support and stability, while the placement of the Air Zoom units in the heel and forefoot have been adjusted to return more energy. The disjointed forefoot and heel on the previous two Alphafly models has been replaced with a full-length sole, for smoother heel-to-toe transitions, while the upper is made with softer and lighter yarns to improve fit and comfort. Nike says this version is 15 percent lighter than the Alphafly 2, and 4 percent lighter than the original Alphafly thanks to the lighter foam and outsole, plus reductive (cut away) midsole geometry. Read full review.
Eliud Kipchoge, 39, Kenya: Two-time defending Olympic gold medalist, 2024 Tokyo Marathon, 10th (2:06:50), 2023 Berlin Marathon champion (2:02:42)
Conner Mantz, 27, US: 2024 US Olympic Trials Marathon champion (2:09:05); 2023 Chicago Marathon, sixth, 2:07:47
Lenny Korir, 37, U.S.: 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon, 3rd (2:09:57), 2024 Rotterdam Marathon, 19th (2:12:47)
Deresa Geleta, 28, Ethiopia: 2024 Zurich Marathon champion (2:03:27), 2023 Beijing Marathon champion (2:07:41) Morhad Amdouni, 36, France: 2024 Zurich Marathon 2nd (2:03:47), 2023 Valencia Marathon, 17th (2:06:55)
Suguru Osako, 33, Japan: 2024 Boston Marathon, 13th (2:11:44), 2022 New York City Marathon, 5th (2:11:31) 2020 Tokyo Olympics, 6th (2:10:41)
Brett Robinson, 33, Australia: 2023 Fukuoka Marathon, 7th (2:08:29), 2022 Fukuoka Marathon, 4th (2:07:31)
Weight: 5.8 oz (women’s); 7.0 oz (men’s) Stack Heights: 40mm (heel); 32 mm (forefoot) Heel-Toe Offset: 8mm
$275 at Running Warehouse – Women’s $275 at Nike – Men’s
With additional soft, hyper-responsive, ZoomX Pebax foam underfoot, the third version of the Vaporfly retains its renowned high-energy ride, making it an ideal race choice for powerful, long-striding runners seeking a lightweight, cushioned shoe with an extra boost of energy. It features an updated geometry, now with an 8mm heel-toe offset and 2mm of additional ZoomX foam from heel to toe, and a new outsole design that is lighter and 2mm thinner. Read full review.
Victor Kiplangat, 24, Uganda: 2023 World Athletics Championships winner (2:08:53), 2022 Commonwealth Games champion (2:10:55)
Abdi Nageeye, 35, Netherlands: 2020 Tokyo Olympics, 2nd (2:09:58), 2022 New York City Marathon, 3rd (2:10:31)
Bashir Abdi, 35, Belgium: 2020 Tokyo Olympics, 3rd (2:10:00), 2022 World Athletics Championships, 2nd (2:06:48), 2022 London Marathon, 3rd (2:05:19)
Stephen Kissa, 35, Uganda: 2024 Osaka Marathon, 2nd (2:06:22), 2023 World Athletics Championships, 5th (2:10:22)
Weight: 7.4 oz (men’s 9); 5.9 oz (women’s 7.5) Stack Heights: 39.5 mm (heel); 35.5 mm (forefoot) Heel-to-toe Drop: 4mm
$280 at On – Men’s $280 at On – Women’s
To develop the Cloudboom Strike, On’s shoe design team took a reductive design approach, removing all non-essential materials—including the strobel and sockliner—to make the shoe as light and streamlined as possible. Instead of a runner’s foot landing on a low-grade foam insole and a stiff strobel, it sinks into a layer of On’s highest energy-returning Helium Hyperfoam material directly underfoot. This removable insert, that On calls the “bounceboard,” is much thicker than your typical sockliner, especially where the plate curves away in the forefoot. While the 39.5-millimeter stack height is similar to other super shoes, more of that stack is made up of top-quality foam with the Cloudboom Strike. Read full review.
Samuel Fitwi, 28, Germany: 2024 Dubai Marathon, 5th (2:06:27), 2024 European Championships Half Marathon, 5th (1:01:17) Kibrom Weldenmicael, 37, Eritrea: 2024 Geneva Marathon champion (2:09:57), 2024 Castellón Marathon champion (2:07:25)
Tadesse Abraham, 41, Switzerland: 2024 Zurich Marathon champion (2:05:01), 2023 Berlin Marathon, 5th (2:05:10)
Zerei Kbrom Mezngi, 38, Norway: 2024 European Championships Half Marathon, 26th (1:03:32), 2022 Valencia Marathon, 14th (2:07:10)
Yohanes Chiappinelli, 26, Italy: 2024 European Championships Half Marathon, 10th (1:01:42), 2023 World Athletics Championships 10th (2:11:12)
Ibrahim Hassan, 27, Djibouti: 2024 Belgian Half Marathon Championships, 3rd (1:00:42), 2023 Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon champion (2:06:43)
RELATED: Super Shoe Evolved: On Cloudboom Strike First Run Review
Weight: 5.5 oz. (women’s); 6.0 oz. (men’s) Stack Heights: 37mm (heel); 28mm (forefoot) Heel-Toe Offset: 4mm
When Kenyan runner Hellen Obiri won her second consecutive Boston title in April, she was wearing a pair of World Athletics-approved prototype shoes called the Cloudboom Strike LS. In July, On released details about its unique LightSpray technology, which entails spraying (not mechanically building) the thin, seamless, form-fitting, and lace-free upper of these shoes in a fast one-step automated process at the brand’s lab in Zurich, Switzerland. On says the process reduces CO2 emissions, paving the way for a circular future and faster, localized manufacturing. The uppers are heat-infused to the Cloudboom Strike chassis, creating a fit that’s adaptable to the precise shape and volume of a runner’s foot. The Olympics will be the shoe’s global debut, but it won’t be widely on sale until the fall.
RELATED: Spray-on Shoes Are Real. Watch How On’s Cloudboom Strike LS Super Shoes are Made
Hellen Obiri, 34, Kenya: 2024 Boston Marathon champion (2:22:7), 2023 New York City Marathon champion (2:27:23), 2023 Boston Marathon champion (2:21:38)
Helen Bekele Tola, 29, Switzerland: 2024 Osaka Marathon, 4th (2:25:25), 2023 Berlin Marathon, 8th (2:19:44)
Nicolas Navarro, 33, France: 2023 Valencia Marathon, 14th (2:05:53), 2024 European Championships Half Marathon, 46th (1:06:02)
Weight: 5.5 oz. (women’s); 6.0 oz. (men’s) Stack Heights: 40mm (heel); 32mm (forefoot) Heel-Toe Offset: 8mm
$230 at Puma – Women’s $230 at Running Warehouse – Men’s
Puma’s Deviate Nitro Elite 3 was the showstopper in the U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon in February, where five of the top 30 women’s finishers—including winner Fiona O’Keeffe—wore the prototype model. It’s a vastly upgraded model over the previous edition with a thicker, bouncier, and more responsive nitrogen-infused aliphatic TPU midsole, a stiffer carbon-infused plate, and a new lightweight and breathable monomesh upper.
Fiona O’Keeffe, 26, U.S.: 2024 Olympic Trials Marathon champion (2:22:10), 2023 B.A.A. Half Marathon, 13th (1:10:45)
Dakotah Lindwurm, 29, U.S.: 2024 Olympic Trials Marathon, 3rd (2:25:31), 2023 Chicago Marathon, 12th (2:24:40)
Rory Linkletter, 27, Canada: 2024 Zurich Marathon, 13th, (2:08:01), 2023 World Athletics Championships, 18th (2:12:16)
RELATED: Don’t Underestimate the Underdog: Dakotah Lindwurm is Ready for Paris
Weight: 8.2 oz. (men’s size 9) (unisex sizing) Stack Heights: 39.5mm (heel); 37.5 mm (forefoot) Heel-Toe Offset: 2mm
$150 at Running Warehouse $250 at Under Armour
With added stack height underfoot and a lower heel-toe drop than the original version, the Velociti Elite 2 boasts a well-fitting upper and firmer midsole aimed at a diverse range of runners. While the original version had more of a traditional low-to-the-ground racing shoe sensation, the second edition is a maximally cushioned super shoe, offering a cushy but stable platform and a smooth-rolling ride that encourages a quick turnover and shines at fast paces. The shoe’s new carbon fiber plate geometry has a more aggressive scoop in the forefoot for more roll at toe-off. Read full review.
Sharon Lokedi, 30, Kenya: 2024 Boston Marathon, 2nd (2:22:45), 2022 New York City Marathon champion (2:23:23)
RELATED: 5 Marathon Lessons from the Team USA Runners Competing in the Paris Olympics
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