The Best Carbon-Plated Running Shoes of 2023

For many marathoners these days, it's carbon-fiber plated or bust when it comes to which shoes to lace up on race day. In light of the growing popularity and demand for carbon-plated running shoes, most of the top running brands have responded by crafting their own carbon-plated race day shoes. With so many options out there, it can be hard to make a buying decision, especially given the high price tag that comes with these high-performance shoes. Our experts are here to help. Below is a comprehensive list of our favorite carbon-plated running shoes in an effort to help you pick the one that is going to work best for you.

Carbon-plated running shoes have a thin carbon-fiber plate (hence the name) embedded in the midsole foam of the shoe. The carbon-fiber plate works in tandem with the foam to act like a springboard at toe-off to propel the wearer forward. When that propulsion is combined with speed, runners experience an increase in running efficiency, which leads to faster times. And in a sport where every second counts, any advantage is going to be welcomed and sought after. Therefore, carbon-plated shoes have become immensely popular in the running community and can be widely seen at any given race.

You don't need to be a professional runner to experience the benefits of racing in carbon-plated shoes. While many of these shoes only display their full potential at speed, most super shoes provide efficiency gains that any runner can benefit from. Most carbon-plated shoes are best suited for serious runners who want to run fast and prioritise finishing times, but they can still provide a 3-4% energy gain to runners across a wide range of experience levels. Want to learn more? Read our article Are Super Shoes for Everyone?

With differing running styles and personal preferences, there is no one best marathon racing shoe for everyone. Some runners may prefer a softer underfoot experience or a specific rockered geometry, and thankfully, with carbon-plated super shoe options from almost every brand, there is a shoe to meet each individual's needs. Here are some of our top picks for some of the most elite carbon-fiber plated marathon racing shoes on the market. We hope this helps make finding the perfect marathon shoe for you a little bit easier.

The Endorphin Pro 3 is an elite marathon racing shoe designed to help runners slash time off their personal bests. The Endorphin Pro 3 features Saucony’s highly responsive and cushioned PWRRUNPB foam wrapped around an S-curve carbon-fiber plate for maximum energy return with each step. SPEEDROLL rocker technology promotes a fast and efficient transition through its curved design. A lightweight and breathable FORMFIT upper wraps around the foot for a personalized fit and an XT-900 rubber outsole provides solid traction and durability. The Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 is a racing shoe ready to take on the best from 5k to marathon.

The Supercomp v2 features a two-layer FuelCell foam midsole that is even lighter than the previous version, along with an EnergyArc carbon plate. The EnergyArc and the FuelCell foam work together to provide a highly propulsive ride that makes running faster and longer easier without sacrificing comfort. The midsole technology offers runners a unique blend of speed and comfort, which results in a fantastic underfoot experience regardless of the type of run you take it on. Whether it's a long progression run, or a tempo workout, the midsole of this shoe will give you the energy return to pick up the pace while still offering the protection needed to keep your legs feeling fresh the next day.

Get ready because the Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro is here to make its grand entrance into the elite-level marathon racing shoe party. Featuring one of the most eye-catching designs ever seen in a running shoe, with top-of-the-line technology to boot, this shoe may just be the belle of the ball. The midsole consists of two layers of Mizuno's best foams that work harmoniously together to deliver a resilient ride for any distance, from the 5k all the way up to the marathon.

If you're looking for a carbon-plated shoe for for faster training or race day but don't want to break the bank, the ASICS Magic Speed 3 is an excellent option. This shoe builds upon the successes of the previous two versions while making important improvements that add even more value to the franchise.

The carbon-plated marathon racing market now has a bouncy, 0mm drop option called the Altra Vanish Carbon. The Vanish Carbon packs Altra’s most energetic foam, an efficient rocker geometry, and a unique carbon fiber plate all into a race day package that features a roomy fit through the toebox in comparison to other carbon plated racing shoes.

Building upon the learnings of the previous models, the Endorphin Speed 3 has been refined to offer more support and increased versatility. The shape of the nylon plate in the Speed 3 has been updated to center your foot on landings and increase the energy return during the gait cycle. The same bouncy PWRRUN PB midsole foam is re-shaped to smooth out transitions and improve the spring felt underfoot. The upper of the Speed 3 has undergone changes, with a comfortable fit ready to tackle daily runs to races and everything in-between. The Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 is a fast and versatile running shoe packed with everything you need to pick up the pace in comfort.

The HOKA Tecton X 2 is poised to show the trail running world that there will be no sophomore slump with the next version of HOKA's fastest trail shoe. With the same ProflyX foam that made the original Tecton X a fan favorite from the start, the Tecton X 2's midsole boasts an Early Stage Meta-Rocker design that encourages a quick and efficient turnover, making long distances feel effortless. The lightweight and responsive foam is brought to life thanks to parallel carbon plates that add snappiness while still adapting to uneven terrain.