Best Marathon Running Gear, Tested by Editors and Runners

Real runners know that you never have just one pair of running shoes in the closet. Finding a couple pairs that can distribute the workload can really help preserve both your race day shoes and your feet. When it comes to training shoes, you don’t need as much cushion and support as you might require for the actual 26.2 miles. The Brooks Hyperion 2s make for the perfect training companions.

First reaction to pulling them out of the box was a good one. These shoes look awesome, and in the hand you can really feel how lightweight they are. I actually like how the Brooks logo and name lays on the sides. I am also a big fan of open mesh uppers on shoes, since my feet are usually the first thing to get hot on a run, and I run warm. On the road, I could feel the breeze coming through the materials, which was a constant comfort.

The performance updates since previous editions are great, with a trimmed back outsole and grippy bottom. The DNA Flash EVA midsole is just the right amount of support, while allowing you to still feel the pavement. This is the kind of shoe that excels as a daily trainer, as well as a long-distance running option. They hold up great in that 5K and 10K range, but you probably will want to upgrade to more cushion (like our pick below) when going the full event distance.

Read More: Best Brooks Running Shoes, Tested by Us

The Adizero Adios Pro 4 is the upcoming addition to the Adidas marathon racing line. Our fitness editor Brett Williams was able to use these highly anticipated shoes ahead of their release, this year at the 50th Berlin marathon. “I was a bit disappointed at first, as the shoes didn’t have the bounciness I look for in racing shoes,” he says. “But then I wore them for a race and I got it, these shoes are made to go fast. I found myself feeling stronger as the race went on. The traction was surprisingly good. The Pro 4 is surprisingly stable for a high stack shoe.”

For these reasons, the Pro 4s will make a great race day option. Sadly, these Pro 4s don’t come out until January, but if you’re eager to get your running shoes now, the previous model is a great pick as well. I’ve used the Pro 3s quite a few times, finding them great at preserving my energy and almost as propulsive as this next edition promises to be. I am also a fan of the extra cushioning that these shoes have at the forefoot, something repeated in the 4s.

Over the years I’ve found Pros to be a little lacking when it comes to durability, likely a result of the special design features that these shoes boast. The Pros perform best when used exactly as we have them categorized, as a special pair that you put on during your biggest runs—that’s what race day shoes should be.