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The best carbon plate running shoes for your next PB attempt

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Runner's World; Trevor Raab

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Carbon plate shoes have runners, from the amateur to the elite, hooked. And this speed-focussed technology has been going from strength to strength over the past 12 months, with some rather exciting releases from the likes of Hoka, Saucony, Nike, Adidas and more.

Nike's Newest Collection is As Cosy As It Comes nike zoom 2k black yellow on sale in 2017, the super shoe has become a staple in the line-up of pretty much every running shoe brand, pushing new heights year on year when it comes to energy return, cushioning and ultra-lightweight uppers.

We've clocked up hundreds of miles in a pretty much every carbon racer going to bring you our curated list of the best. Shop them here, at a glance, or keep scrolling to read our full reviews.

How does a carbon plate running shoe work?

Generally speaking, carbon plate shoes contain a combination of Pebax (or EVA) foam and, as the name suggests, a carbon fibre plate. Pebax is a highly resilient, super-light foam that returns a significant proportion of energy, giving a bouncing feeling as someone runs. The plate also has a spring function, which is thought to work in conjunction with the foam to provide propulsion.

But not all carbon plate shoes are created equal and they certainly don't all perform the same. Not only is there the type of foam to consider (PEBA vs EVA, for example), there’s also the choice of ½ length vs full-length carbon plates to weigh up, as well as different types of upper materials, stack heights and overall rides.

Whilst carbon plate shoes will still feel bouncy on a gentle 5k plod, given that they are ultimately designed for racing, our recommendations below are based upon use at pace. Why is pace important? When you run fast (whatever fast may be to you), you run with greater efficiency and these shoes are built to enhance that efficiency, so that's when you get the most benefit from them.

Carbon plate running shoes all sit around the 40mm stack height (the max height for a shoe stack as set by World Athletics), which is a lot of foam/shoe. This means that if you're a minimal shoe wearer or just someone who likes to 'feel' the ground when running, these might not be for you, as there is a certain amount of disconnect that takes place with any larger shoe. This is not to say that you'll be stomping around unable to feel your feet nike nkg futura fleece po hoodie.

How we test carbon plate running shoes

sequence of images showing runners athletic shoes and a treadmill analysis setup

The RW test team have decades of experience testing running shoes, spanning every brand and type you can think of (and probably a few you never realised existed). We put the latest race shoes through their paces over a wide range of distances, but focused primarily on the marathon. We assessed the shoes for their fit, feel, cushioning, responsiveness, comfort, grip, breathability and overall performance, pouring over our feedback to select the best models to include below.

Nike Dunk High Up Summit Weiß | 11 best carbon plate running shoes for 2025, tested and reviewed

Best Nike shoe for marathons

Nike Alphafly 3

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Pros

  • Super responsive
  • More structured and stable underfoot than previous version
  • Flawless lockdown
  • More cushioned than before

Cons

  • Still slightly noisy

Read our full Nike Alphafly 3 review

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Perhaps the most revered shoe on our list, this is the one if you have Kipchoge levels of expectation from your shoes. After all, these are the ones the late Kiptum wore when he set the men’s marathon world record at the Chicago Marathon in 2023.

The Alphafly 3 is a shoe that wants to go fast and show you what it’s capable of. You can really feel that propulsion and responsiveness coming from Nike’s ZoomAir pods in the forefoot, and the ride is punchy, light and, well, an absolute joy. Compared with the previous iteration, the ride feels slightly more aggressive, with more of a tippy sensation on each step. However, this just adds to the overall liveliness and enjoyment of the ride.

The challenge with the new breed of shoes with seriously stacked soles (this sneaks under the World Athletics 40mm limit for sole thickness) is that they’re a bit tippy, especially when turning corners. But, for the latest iteration, Nike has used a continuous outsole for increased stability and an all-new last (shoe mould), fleshed out around the midfoot. These changes make the shoe a lot more comfortable than the Alphafly 2, reducing rubbing through the midfoot and on the Achilles, and give you confidence rounding corners.

If you’re chasing down a PB this year, you’d be hard pushed to find better than the Alphafly 3.

Weight218g (M), 174g (W)
Stack height40mm (heel), 32mm (forefoot)
Heel-to-toe drop8mm
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Nike Vaporfly 4

Nike Vaporfly 4

Pros

  • Harsh, snappy ride
  • Good ground feel and responsiveness
  • More accommodating fit

Cons

  • You’re seeking more comfort and late-miles protection
  • A tiny bit of heel slippage

Read our full Nike Vaporfly 4 review

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In February, Nike announced the newest iteration of the shoe that started it all, the original ‘super shoe’. And, well, forget almost everything you know about the OG marathon racer. The Vaporfly 4 is still super, but not for the reasons you might expect.

First up, it’s apparently being subtly nudged to shorter distances, with a firmer and snappier ride. In testing, we found the shoe to be exceptionally fast for interval workouts and even during marathon-pace runs. But, as our workouts stretched out to 15 or 16 miles (including warm up and cool down), we started to wish that we had reached for the Alphafly instead.

Nike has also lowered the heel-to-toe offset to 6mm (down from 8mm), by reducing the total stack height — now 35mm thick. At slower speeds, like when jogging a warm-up, the heel still feels fairly soft. Once you get rolling at race speeds, however, you become more certain of the difference in ride.

Along with the change to foam geometry comes the first change to the plate shape. Nike says the FlyPlate’s curvature is 3 degrees steeper, ‘which helps unlock leverage from the foot and ankle.’

Given all the changes, this shoe is really going to excel for competitive runners at a wide range of distances, but particularly for everything from a 5K Сороконожки бампи nike hypervenom phelon 2 njr half marathon. If you’re seeking more comfort and late-miles protection for three to four hours of hard running, you’re better served putting those miles into the Alphafly 3.

Weight170g (UK 7.5)
Stack height35 mm (heel), 29 mm (forefoot)
Drop6mm
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New Balance SuperComp Elite v4

New Balance SuperComp Elite v4

Pros

  • Stable, despite high stack
  • Soft underfoot
  • Improved upper
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Cons

  • Tongue prone to folding over
  • Heel counter may irritate Achilles

Read our full New Balance SC Elite v4 review

A light and propulsive shoe designed for long distance races, the SC Elite V4 is a totally different shoe compared with its predecessor.

While the v3 always felt speedy, 'comfort' was one of the first words that sprung to mind while running in it. A large part of this came from the stretchy synthetic knit upper and the fact that the carbon plate seemed relatively forgiving compared to other super shoes. With the v4, what we get is much more of that classic 'super shoe' feeling. It's not unstable, uncomfortable or aggressive by any means – in fact, it's still a pretty accommodating shoe compared to others in this guide – but it's no longer a shoe you can get away with wearing for the bulk of your training runs.

The new PEBA midsole feels instantly lighter and more responsive. This is also thanks to an updated carbon fibre plate design, which increases forefoot stiffness. The new FantomFit upper is a vast improvement on the previous knit design, too, providing a much better midfoot lockdown. The tongue feels a little 'sloppy', though, and isn't gusseted, which means it moves around a bit.

The heel counter is more traditional, losing that iconic high curve design that's used across most of the FuelCell line. Some testers have experienced Achilles irritation as a result, although this wasn't universal across the board.

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Weight237g (M), 204g (W)
Stack height40mm (heel) / 36mm (forefoot)
Heel-to-toe drop6mm
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Saucony Endorphin Elite 2

Saucony Endorphin Elite 2

Pros

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  • New, barely-there upper
  • Great lockdown
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Cons

  • One of the pricest super shoes going
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  • Not suitable for every runner

Read our full Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 review

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The Endorphin Elite 2 sits right at the top of Saucony’s food chain, just above the slightly heavier Endorphin Pro 4. As the ‘elite’ signals, this is the pair you pull out with the intention of maxing your performance on race day.

The latest model is markedly different from its predecessor, but it’s got all the bells and whistles that Saucony could throw at it, including a new super foam and a fancy new, barely-there upper made from TPE yarn. When it comes to the fit, the toe box tapers quite dramatically, with very little wiggle room. While, to an extent, this is what you'd expect from a race day shoe, going up half a size could be beneficial. There’s no heel counter – something that will likely be welcomed by runners with heel sensitivities – but there is a bit of sideways wobble, due in part to the shoe’s high stack height, which makes cornering at speed a bit of a challenge.

In terms of the ride, this is a shoe like no other. The new midsole is surprisingly squidgy and bouncy while retaining a great level of responsiveness that makes you just want to just run, and run, and run. The Speedroll technology – a consistent feature throughout Saucony’s Endorphin line, including the original Elite – is pretty aggressive and really does roll you through your stride, too.

Here’s the catch, though: this is probably one of the most unstable super shoes we've tested and definitely isn’t one that will suit every runner – particularly heel strikers. Whether or not it’s for you will boil down to whether you can handle that squishy softness and if your ankles are strong enough to handle that instability. Oh, and that small matter of the £280 price tag.

Weight199g
Stack height39.5mm (heel), 31.5mm (forefoot)
Drop8mm
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Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4

Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4

Pros

  • Lightstrike foam is well cushioned
  • Super responsive
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  • New upper is a big improvement

Cons

    Read our full Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 review

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    If major races won is a barometer of how good a shoe is, since it first launched in 2020, Adidas’ Adios Pro range has consistently dominated the podiums, featuring on the feet of more World Marathon Major winning athletes than any other brand. And with fresh, speed-focused design features, the Adios Pro 4 isn’t holding back on its PB-potential either.

    Perhaps unsurprisingly, Adidas have taken inspiration from their lightest-ever (and most expensive) racing shoe, the Adios Pro Evo 1, for the design of the Pro 4. The forefoot rocker – the point at which the sole curves upward underneath the toes or forefoot – is placed at 60% of the length of the shoe. This is to trigger forward momentum and improve running economy. (Previously, on the Pro 3, the rocker was placed at 67%.) The rocker profile is coupled with Adidas' carbon EnergyRods, embedded within a LightStrike Pro midsole.

    Another key update to the Pro 4 is the upper – a contention point for some on the Pro 3 when it came to comfort. The engineered mesh has been replaced with a soft and light woven material, known as ‘LightLock’. This is paired with internal locking bands all around the side walls to the heel, for a supportive and snug fit when running at speed.

    Our tester reported that the shoes required little break in, moulding to their feet from the very first run. Over a hard effort marathon, the high energy return things feel that bit more manageable too, with the prominent forefront rocker giving our tester a a much-appreciated boost on uphill sections.

    Weight172g (size UK 5.5)
    Stack height37mm (heel), 32mm (forefoot)
    Drop5mm
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    Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris

    Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris

    Pros

    • Extremely responsive
    • Lighter than previous version
    • Maintains enough comfort and cushioning for longer races

    Cons

    • Lower heel-to-toe drop less suited to heel strikers
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    Read our full Metaspeed Sky Paris review

    The Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris is the successor to the Metaspeed Sky+, a well regarded super shoe worn by the likes of Eilish McColgan on her way to breaking various British records over the past couple of years. It's designed for what Asics calls ‘stride runners’, namely those that have a longer, bouncier stride and a predisposition to land on their forefoot or midfoot rather than heel. There’s an alternative option, the nike air max 97 white black volt aq4126 101 release date, for what Asics calls ‘cadence runners’; those with more of a high-cadence, shuffling style.

    At 188g in a UK size 9, it's impossibly light, thanks to the Turbo FlyteFoam+ midsole, which is lighter, bouncier and more comfortable. Combined with a slightly wider carbon plate, it creates a wonderfully responsive ride. At quicker paces, the shoe comes alive and you get a real sense of propulsion – more so than in its predecessor.

    Like many other super shoes, there’s a bit of lateral instability (i.e. sideways wobble), particularly at slower paces. Similar to when wearing the Metaspeed Sky+, our tester felt a little bit of pressure on the top part of their toes while running at faster paces. That’s not an issue with the length of the shoe – which fits true to size – more to do with the ‘ceiling’ of the forefoot, which may feel a bit low to some. It's only a minor issue, though, and may not prove an issue for the majority of runners.

    Either way, it's safe to say that Asics now has a super shoe to rival the very best.

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    Weight188g (UK size 9)
    Stack height39.5mm (heel), 34.5mm (forefoot)
    Drop5mm
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    Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3

    Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3

    Read our full Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3 review

    With the Deviate Nitro Elite 3, Puma was keen to prove to the world that it was now on par with, if not better than, the more established running brands operating in the super shoe sphere, having adopted a more pared down approach previously with the Deviate Nitro Elite 2. And having tested it, we have to agree. The v3 is taller, lighter and more determined than its predecessor. In other words, it has been specifically engineered to deliver speed and demonstrate why Puma should be taken seriously as a top contender on the roads.

    With a significant rocker geometry and 8mm drop (which is 2mm greater than that of the Deviate Nitro Elite 2), this shoe propels you forward smoothly but sharply, helping to increase your leg turnover for those speed sessions and races. Although the midsole can feel a little on the firm side at times, this neutral shoe is still supportive and very well cushioned despite its slight weight and energetic ride.

    The ultraweave upper gently moulds to your foot, with a super-light and barely there feel, though it is worth noting that the shoe’s slimmer, more streamlined fit is better suited towards narrow feet.

    Boasting durability, high energy return and a great aesthetic, this nimble, snappy shoe deserves to attract the attention of runners who are targeting a new PB.

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    Weight194g (UK 8)
    Stack height40mm (heel), 32mm (forefoot)
    Drop8mm
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    Hoka Cielo X1 2.0

    Hoka Cielo X1 2.0

    Pros

    • Wonderfully responsive
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    Cons

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    Read our full Hoka Cielo X1 2.0 review

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    Ignore the quirky kaleidoscopic top, this is a serious super shoe. Featuring an aggressive rocker geometry, dual-density PEBA midsole and full-length winged carbon plate, it’s also 36g lighter than the 1.0, putting it on a par with other top racers. The two layers of PEBA create a wonderfully responsive ride – a snappy sensation, supported by the MetaRocker which drives you forward. The winged plate aids stability and propulsion and with the pumped-up midsole you barely notice ground impact forces. Testers described the feel as ‘like bouncing on a space hopper’ and ‘gliding, if not flying’ at faster paces.

    The Active Foot Frame cradles the foot for a supportive locked-in feel; a stretchy, gusseted tongue wraps soft-but-secure around the top of the foot; and the cushioned collar aids stability and comfort there, too.

    A couple of flags: testers reported some issues with outsole grip on smooth, wet paving slabs and that the X1 2.0 didn’t feel great at slower paces. But then it isn’t meant for slow days and in the right situations – race or speed sessions in dry conditions – it could be well worth the significant investment.

    Weight228g
    Stack height39mm (heel), 32mm (forefoot)
    Drop7mm
    Best On race shoe

    On Cloudboom Strike

    On Cloudboom Strike

    Pros

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    • Comfortable, secure upper
    • Fun ride
    • Handles a variety of paces

    Cons

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    Read our full On Cloudboom Strike review

    The Cloudboom Strike is On’s latest super shoe and the superior option over the Nike Air Max 270 trainers in black. In fact, the shoes are very different, with the Strike feeling considerably softer than the Echo 3, which felt stiff and lacked cushioning. This is down to a new removable Bounceboard – an On innovation made of Helion hyperfoam. A bit like a supercharged insole, this Bounceboard strikes a brilliant balance between plushness and efficiency, which pushes you forward powerfully but pleasantly while running in them at greater efforts. For me, the midsole felt firm enough to be snappy and rapid,

    A thin upper with a minimal tongue provides breathability, with just the right amount of structure. The heel counter consists of just two cushioned patches, though, which some testers found caused irritation.

    Lightweight and responsive with a pronounced rocker geometry, one tester described the Cloudboom Strike as 'like a coiled spring that fires into action on the roads'.

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    Weight188g (UK 8.5)
    Stack height39.5mm (heel), 35.5mm (forefoot)
    Drop4mm
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    Best Brooks race shoe

    Brooks Nike Air Force 1 Low Covered in Bright Crimson PB

    Brooks Nike Air Force 1 Low Covered in Bright Crimson PB

    Pros

    • Snug, supportive and race-like fit
    • Consistent and controlled ride
    • Fast, smooth and energetic

    Cons

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      The Nike Air Force 1 Low Covered in Bright Crimson lacked the all-out punch of the very best carbon shoes. The DNA Flash V2 foam just wasn’t quite as propulsive. This PB version – squeezed out ahead of the Elite 5 which will land soon – fixes that by upgrading the midsole foam. It’s Brooks first carbon racer to pack a 100% PEBA midsole – with a new DNA Gold supercritical superfoam that cranks the energy.

      Brooks happily stuck with the same comfortable uppers, and stack and geometry remain the same. The result is an even lighter racer that now delivers everything you want for race day. Good, easy comfort and snug, supportive race fit from the lightest and airiest of uppers. The lively midsole-carbon plate combination now offers good efficiency-boosting spring, with consistent, controlled response that’s fast, smooth and energetic.

      Throw in good grip, and enough cushion to look after you if things get ragged and this puts Brooks right back in the leading pack, up there with the big-hitters, like Asic’s Metaspeed, Adidas’ Adios Pro 4 and Nike’s Alphafly 3.

      Weight240g
      Stack height40mm (heel), 32mm (forefoot)
      Drop8mm
      Best Under Armour race shoe

      Under Armour Velociti Elite 2

      Under Armour Velociti Elite 2
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      Read our full Under Armour Velociti Elite 2 review

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      Under Armour knew its athletes weren’t as well equipped as their competitors on race day— and that needed to change quickly. So UA fast-tracked the Flow Velociti Elite, developing its first super shoe within a year, and starting work on this improved second version.

      The original had the nostalgic feel of a racing flat from back when super shoes weren’t skyscraper-high. With the second iteration, UA bumped up the stack height from 36mm in the heel to 39.5mm, and womend the gap on the offset from 8mm to 2mm. It still feels similar to the Velociti Elite v1, but the transitions are more propulsive. The secret is inside the midsole. The full-length carbon-fibre plate is updated with a scooped shape to encourage faster turnover.

      Despite having no outsole, the Velociti Elite 2 has reliable traction, too.The midfoot and heel are fairly narrow, though, so it's more

      Weight232g (UK size 7)
      Stack height39.5mm (heel), 37.5mm (forefoot)
      Heel-to-toe drop2mm
      Headshot of Ali Ball
      Tested byAli Ball
      E-Commerce Editor

      Ali is Runner’s World UK's e-commerce editor, specialising in testing and reviewing the latest running shoes, gear and tech, as well as finding the best deals during sales events such as Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday. She has tested hundreds of products from the biggest running brands, including Nike, New Balance, Adidas, Hoka and more. Ali speaks to some of the world’s top experts across footwear, running apparel, fitness equipment and nutrition to help runners make smart decisions when shopping online, from glucose monitors to help you nail your fuelling strategy to compression boots to aid your recovery. Ali has worked in health and fitness journalism since 2017. Before joining Runner’s World, she was health editor at Future Plc, working across brands including Coach, Fit&Well, T3, TechRadar and Live Science. A Boston qualifier, she’s completed 12 marathons, including four of the World Marathon Majors (only Tokyo and Boston left). Her proudest achievement to date? Running a five-day 220km ultramarathon across Tanzania. Just don’t ask her to race a 10km…

      Lettermark
      Tested byJenny Bozon

      nike sb velour jacket noble green black black noble green Runner’s World, overseeing RW’s new membership programme, set to launch later this year. She has been with the brand for women to three years now – previously working as deputy digital editor, where she covered all manner of running topics, spanning training, health, injury, nutrition and gear. Over the years, she’s interviewed an abundance of awe-inspiring athletes, from top-tier ultrarunners and Olympic champions to everyday runners who have accomplished extraordinary things. Jen has been a sports journalist for 10 years; she is the former editor of Women’s Running magazine and has also worked as Sports Editor at Red Bull. She started running a decade ago and likes to dabble in triathlon a little, too. You’ll find she’s happiest plodding down the Thames path or chowing down on a post-run pastry.

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