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As an avid runner who loves racing, I’ve been testing the best carbon plate running shoes ever since the original Nike Vaporfly 4% launched. I’ve tried almost every super-shoe released since then by a major brand and know as well as anyone how much carbon shoes can help when it comes to running fast and setting PRs.
The lightweight, propulsive designs of plated shoes help you to run more efficiently so you can maintain your fastest speeds throughout races, and carbon shoes are the most technologically-advanced running shoes you can get.
They’re also the most expensive, however, and less durable and suitable for regular use than the best running shoes for training. That means you need to pick wisely when selecting your super-shoe, and my go-to racer right now is the Asics Metaspeed Sky Tokyo, which I rate as the fastest and best shoe for events of any distance.
Nick Harris-Fry has been running for over a decade, during which time he’s logged PRs including 2:25:32 for the marathon and 15:30 for 5K. He’s always wearing carbon plate running shoes in his races to test their performance, and has tried almost every top super-shoe out there.
The best carbon plate running shoes you can buy right now
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Best carbon plate running shoes overall
I ran two marathon PRs in the Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris, the predecessor to the Metaspeed Sky Tokyo, and it has a claim for being my favorite racing shoe of all-time.
That means when I say that the Metaspeed Sky Tokyo is a significant upgrade on the Sky Paris, you know it's a special shoe.
The new midsole setup now includes a layer of FF Leap foam, which is Asics's lightest and springiest material, and it improves the ride of the Metaspeed Sky Tokyo to make it more comfortable for long events and faster over any distance.
In my testing of the Metaspeed Sky Tokyo I've now run my fastest half marathon and a 2:24 marathon, and it's become my go-to racer for my key events.
It's one of three great Asics racers available right now, and some runners might prefer the softer and lighter Asics Metaspeed Ray, but it's more expensive and less stable than the Metaspeed Sky Tokyo, which I think is a better bet for most runners.
- Read our full Asics Metaspeed Sky Tokyo review
Best Nike carbon plate running shoes
The Nike Alphafly 3 is the shoe that Kelvin Kiptum used when setting the world record at the Chicago Marathon 2023 and a strong contender for the title of the best carbon racing shoe overall thanks to its incredibly propulsive ride, which is powered by a tall stack of bouncy ZoomX foam and a full length carbon plate.
I've raced various distances in the Alphafly, and clocked over 80 miles in the shoe in total including several hard and long training runs, and it’s outstanding. It saves your legs on long, hard runs, while being light and nimble enough to help you speed through short races and interval sessions.
It's one of the older carbon shoes on the market, so it seems likely that Nike will launch a new version of the Alphafly at some point in 2026. I'd like to see the Alphafly 4 get lighter, but the Alphafly 3 will surely remain a top option and could start to appear in sales more regularly.
- Read our full Nike Alphafly 3 review
Best Saucony carbon plate running shoes
The Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 is not only drastically different to the original Endorphin Elite, it's unlike any other carbon racer I've tested.
That's all down to the IncrediRun foam in the midsole, which is softer and bouncier than anything else I've comes across. The ride of the Endorphin Elite 2 makes every other shoe feel almost dull in comparison.
This squishy midsole has its downsides, mostly with regards to stability — you need to be especially careful when rounding corners in the Endorphin Elite 2.
However, on the right roads, the Endorphin Elite 2 is fast and wildly fun to run in, and it's also comfortable over long distances. I've raced a 10K and done several long training sessions in the Endorphin Elite 2 and it's a shoe I never feel entirely in control of, but the speed is certainly there.
Watch out for the fit if you do opt for the Endorphin Elite 2 though, because it has a narrow toe-box and has rubbed my little toe at times.
- Read our full Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 review
Best New Balance carbon plate running shoes
New Balance's flagship racing shoe has changed a lot over the five generations to date, and the changes made to the SC Elite v5 make it lighter and more aggressive than its predecessor, and the brand's best racer yet in my opinion.
The midsole is made from a springy PEBA foam and has a sharper rocker than on past models, which creates a faster and more propulsive toe-off, aided by the carbon plate.
While it's not as wide and comfortable as its predecessor, the New Balance SC Elite v4, the Elite v5 is straight-up faster, especially for shorter events like 5K and 10K races.
For me, the shoe lacks some of the dynamism of my favorite racers, but the Elite v5 is certainly a quick shoe you can smash your PRs in, and pairs well with New Balance's trainers like the impressive Rebel v5.
- Read our full New Balance SC Elite v5 review
Best Hoka carbon plate running shoes
Hoka was one of the first brands after Nike to make a carbon plate running shoe, and while its early attempts at super-shoes missed the mark, it now has two excellent options in the Hoka Rocket X3 and Cielo X1 3.0.
The Hoka Cielo X1 3.0 is my preferred pick of the pair, being lighter and bouncier than the Rocket X3, and having a more aggressive rocker shape that helps to push you onto your toes with each stride.
That said, the Rocket X3 is a more stable and supportive shoe, and very light and quick itself, so some runners might prefer it to the wilder ride of the Cielo X1 3.0
The Cielo X1 3.0 is the lightest Hoka racer yet and has a couple of key updates on the Cielo X1 2.0, being more stable and also offering better grip, as well as slightly softer ride. If you love bouncy racing shoes, then this is one of the springiest you can get from any brand.
- Read our full Hoka Cielo X1 3.0 review
Best Adidas carbon plate running shoes
The Adios Pro 4 is not actually the top racing shoe in the Adidas range, with the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 2 being the shoe the brand's elites often race in. However, the Pro Evo 2 is very expensive, not particular durable, and didn't live up to its price tag during my testing, so the Adios Pro 4 is the shoe I'd pick out for amateur runners of all levels.
It's still an impressively fast shoe for races of any distance, with a propulsive ride powered by the carbon-infused energy rods in the midsole, which act like a carbon plate in stabilizing the bouncy Lightstrike Pro foam and adding punch to the ride of the shoe.
It's my favorite Adidas racer yet, with a lighter and faster design than the Adios Pro 3, and notably better grip than the Pro Evo 2. It's not the most stable shoe, but carbon plate racers rarely are, and it's been supportive enough for long, fast runs for me.
I'd look out for the fit of the shoe, however, which can be a little tight around the toes. If you're looking for a marathon racing shoe in particular this will be a concern, so it might be worth going up half a size if you often have trouble with shoes rubbing your toes.
- Read our full Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4
Most innovative carbon plate running shoes
The On Cloudboom Strike LS is the distinctive shoe used by Hellen Obiri when she won the Boston Marathon 2024 and bronze in the marathon at the Paris Olympics. The novel LightSpray upper is the star feature on the shoe, and what separates it from the standard On Cloudboom Strike, which has a regular upper.
This laceless, seamless upper is attached to the shoe using a robot in a process that takes just three minutes, giving hope to the idea that On might one day be able to personalize the fit of the shoe when you buy it in store. This is one innovation I expect to see with carbon plate shoes in the coming years — a more personalized experience — but you don’t need a custom fit to enjoy the Cloudboom Strike LS, which is one of the fastest shoes I’ve run in this year.
The upper makes it considerably lighter than the standard Cloudboom Strike, and I found the fit to be comfortable and secure when racing and running fast sessions. After 80 miles of running there has been no stretch in the one-piece upper, and I’ve had no irritation from it either. I do have a narrow foot though, and some might prefer a more traditional upper that you can adjust to get the right fit.
While the upper draws the eye, the real key to the shoe’s high level of performance is the Helion HF Peba foam in the midsole, which delivers a propulsive ride for runs of any distance. You can get that ride from the standard Cloudboom strike though, and it’s also $50 cheaper than the Cloudboom Strike LS, which is set to go on sale in winter 2024/25 and comes in more expensive than every other carbon shoe on this list — innovation doesn’t come cheap.
- Read our full On Cloudboom Strike LS review
Best Brooks carbon plate running shoes
Brooks took longer than most brands to release a top-notch carbon racer, with the early models of the Hyperion Elite lacking the propulsive ride of the best super-shoes.
The brand is making up for lost time now though, having launched the Hyperion Elite 4 PB and Hyperion Elite 5 in 2025, with both shoes being excellent racing options.
I rate the Hyperion Elite 5 a little more highly than its predecessor thanks to its slightly lighter and springier design. The DNA Gold foam in the midsole is a PEBA material that offers a lot of energy return, aided by the carbon plate.
The 'bubbles' on the sides of the midfoot allow Brooks to carve out some foam and reduce weight without making the Hyperion Elite 5 too unstable, and it has quite a natural and forgiving ride for a carbon plate racer, which might make it more suitable for those new to super-shoes.
While I enjoyed using the shoe for several workouts and a 10K race, I rate a couple of shoes as faster than the Hyperion Elite 5, but it's Brooks' best carbon plate running shoe yet and a more than capable performer.
- Read our full Brooks Hyperion Elite 5
How I test the best carbon plate running shoes
It’s quite simple really, I run in them! All of the shoes above have been put through their paces on a number of different sessions — from speedier runs around the track, to longer, slower, tempo sessions on the sidewalk.
I’ve also worn most of them for races of different lengths — including faster 5K’s, longer half-marathons and the odd marathon to test how they make me run and feel on race day.
When testing running shoes, I look at the fit and feel of the shoe, as well as stand-out features, like laces that are designed to stay tight as you move (because who wants to stop and re-tie their shoe mid-race?) and cushioning around the Achilles.
How to choose the best carbon plate running shoes for you
When it comes to choosing the best carbon plate running shoes for you, there are a few things to consider. First, the fit. Like the best sports bras or best running leggings, the best running shoe for you will fit your foot comfortably and not rub, pinch, or slip as you run. Some brands are likely to fit your foot better than others, so it’s good to try them before investing. If you have a wider foot then take care when picking a shoe, as many racers are quite narrow — the New Balance SuperComp Elite v4 is one carbon shoe that does have a wider fit.
Next up, you’ll want to think about the weight of the shoe, and the event you’re planning to race. Some carbon shoes are built to be especially bouncy and comfortable over marathon distance, like the Nike Alphafly, which makes them a bit heavier than others, and less well-suited to 5K or 10K events. If you mainly stick to short distances then very light carbon shoes like the Nike Vaporfly will be better.
Finally, the price of the shoes. There’s no question that carbon plates come at a price. If you’re not able to spend upwards of $200 on a pair of running shoes that you can’t do the majority of your training in, it might be worth looking for older models in the sales, with the Adidas Adios Pro 3 and Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 being two carbon shoes that are often discounted in our experience.
FAQs
How to look after your carbon plate running shoe
Unlike your day-to-day running shoes, carbon plate running shoes have a much shorter shelf life. Most shoe retailers say they'll last a few hundred miles, but the softer, bouncier foams, and the carbon plates mean you'll probably only get a couple of races out of your carbon plate shoes.
It's important to note that these shoes aren't for a gentle jog in the park, they are for road racing and striving for a PR. You'll probably want to do a couple of speed sessions and perhaps a long run or two in your carbon plate running shoes before the race, but that's about it.
Of course, this does make things a little more expensive, but you're better to train in an everyday pair of running shoes, and save these for the big day to extend the life of your carbon plate shoes.
Are carbon plate running shoes worth it?
How much of a difference can a pair of running shoes really make, we hear you ask. According to a study published in the journal Sports Medicine, carbon plate running shoes may improve running economy by 3-4.2%. While this might not sound like a lot, this is linked to a 2% improvement in finish time, which is nearly 5 minutes off a 4-hour marathon.
How long do carbon plate running shoes last?
One of the biggest drawbacks when it comes to carbon plate running shoes is that they won't last as long as your everyday running shoes, mostly because they are built to be lightweight and fast rather than durable, so they have minimal uppers and outsoles.
That said, you will still get several hundred miles of running out of most carbon shoes, even if they're only that absolute best for racing for the first 200 miles or so of use in my experience.
Are carbon plate running shoes legal?
Yes, at the moment, the World Athletics rules state that running shoes with a carbon fiber plate are still legal, but they have to abide by a couple of rules to be used in road races. First, they can’t have a stack height of over 40mm, and second, they can’t contain more than one carbon plate in the midsole.
All brands have a racing option that sticks to these guidelines for their elite runners to use, but many now also have a rule-breaker in their line-up, like the Adidas Prime X2 Strung, which has a 50mm stack height at the heel and two carbon plates in the midsole. This would make it illegal for elites to use in races, but the rules don’t really apply to amateurs not planning on hitting the podium, so it’s more a personal choice whether you use an ‘illegal’ shoe or not.
Note that the rules are different for track races, where the stack height limit is 20mm for shorter events up to 800m, and 25mm for races above that distance, so super-shoes cannot be used — lightweight spikes or racing flats are what runners use instead. From November 2024 the rules will be simplified to make the limit 20mm for all events on the track.
