Fastest Racing Shoes That Won at Top Marathons Worldwide and the Olympics

You can see the running elites in photos and videos, flying through to break the finish line tape with some of the lightest and newest running shoes on their feet. Those shiny new shoes are attached to honed and highly trained legs and bodies, straining to win, and set course records and world records. Could those shoes also help you?

Here are some of the fastest shoes on some of the fleetest feet in 2024.

1. Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3

Also Available at
Adidas

Pros

This lightweight shoe, due to being designed for longer races may stand up better for recreational (non-elites) using it and, wear down slower than some shoes designed for shorter races.

Cons

Very light and soft cushioning that would not be good for any runner who needs stability or motion control in a shoe, or a firmer midsole or heel.

Did I mention that some of the racing shoes are expensive? I am not saying they are not worth it; they are just a pricey investment, so do your research. There may not be much weight to these shoes but there is usually a fair amount of science and thought put into them. This shoe is actually an updated version of what was worn by the runners in 2024 (updates also move fast!).

This is an example of the current trend in racing shoes, a thick midsole (heel: 39.5 mm / forefoot: 33 mm) but still very light and a rockered forefoot and minimal outsole.

Adidas describes the shoe as having a normal fit, and I have always found Adidas has a unique fit, especially around the arch area. Make sure to try this shoe on.

The cushioning is Lightstrike Pro cushioning, and it's designed for racing but is meant to endure some miles and it makes it a good choice for marathoners. Added to the midsole cushioning are carbon fibre ENERGYRODS 2.0 that help return energy to the foot/runner. The added rods also stiffen the shoe (harder to flex the shoe (bend the toe to touch the heel).

The upper and tongue that touch your foot is very thin and not as padded as a regular running shoe.

You get the bare minimum textile rubber for traction and just enough wear to complete the shoe.

2. Nike Alphafly 3

Also Available at
Running Warehouse

Pros

It’s a fast shoe to go fast on light, efficient feet and has all the new technology Nike has thrown at it.

Cons

It's expensive, does not come in widths and accommodates fewer recreational runners.

This is the shoe worn by the impressive Olympic marathoner winner Sifan Hassan and Abdi Nageeye who won the New York City Marathon. This shoe has been designed specifically for elite marathoners so it may not lend itself to the more recreational runner as well – you have to figure out what kind of runner you are.

This has the patented visible Air Zoom unit in the forefoot, a full-length carbon-fibre plate, and heel-to-toe ZoomX foam midsole. The third iteration of this model is the lightest, has a slightly wider carbon fibre plate and a new upper made from new Nike called AtomKnit.

Although lighter than the previous racing shoe, I would consider the Alphafly more of an elite shoe and you should try it on, to ensure you are the right build (light) and efficient enough to make use of this shoe. If you would love to wear it but consider it too light or soft – go looking for a lightweight Nike training shoe like the Nike Air Pegasus. If you are a heel-striker, then this shoe is not meant for you.

3. On Cloudboom Strike Prototype (now LS)

This is the secretive racing shoe that made its debut at the Boston marathon. This shoe is completely 3-D printed (upper and midsole) and I am betting it is designed for each specific runner. The shoe has a high-top, sock-like upper with no laces, uses Helion hyperfoam for midsole cushioning with a full-length carbon plate and has none of the trademark pods of most On running shoes. The On Cloudboom Strike LS shoe is also very elusive and not really anything most of us can wear or…heck find! The website says coming soon.

I am thus, profiling a shoe that does appear on the On running website and is also fast, light and somewhat related to the above super-elite race shoe, the On Cloudboom Strike.

4. On Cloudboom Strike

Also Available at
On Running

Pros

Lightweight and not chunky with low drop and from a newer company that can be used for the marathon.

Cons

Like all super racing shoes, its expensive, and it has a very thin upper.

So, we move from the mysterious to the attainable. The Cloudboom Strike has very small slits at the rear to at least show it has some sort of pods – to belong to the On family of shoes and looks fast. It can also be identified by its semi-transparent thin upper. Like the Cloudboom LS it has a 4mm drop (sort of unusual in racing shoes right now that are beefier and have a higher stack height generally).

The On shoe does not have carbon-fibre but uses something similar that they call a Bounceboard/SpeedBoard that propels you forward, with Ultra-responsive Helion™ HF hyper foam for the midsole. If you want a race shoe that is not as chunky as some on the market these days and with a lower drop, this may be the shoe for you.

5. Under Armour Velociti Elite 2

Also Available at
Amazon

Pros

If you like lo drop and more traditional style of racing shoe, try this one. Light and very breathable.

Cons

May not be enough shoe for a heavier traditional runner and if you need a thicker or more supportive upper, this is not it.

Under Armour has really been pushing into the running scene over the last decade and this is their racing shoe that made it onto fast feet in 2024. With an aggressive rocker at the front, a moderate drop and a more traditional look to the shoe, it’s a contender.

Under Armour describes the shoe as best for long & mid-distance races, like marathons. The upper is almost see-through like the On shoe and very breathable. Like its fellow super shoes, it has a full-length carbon fibre plate and what it calls Flow technology that eliminates the rubber outsole, “creating a more lightweight & seamless ride on any surface” (their words).

6. Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3 prototype

Also Available at
Running Warehouse

Pros

It's under $300 and one of the lightest racing shoes!

Cons

Make sure this shoe is in stock when you order, and it may be a bit snug in the forefoot.

It was a prototype but now it's available to everyone (who can afford it). Despite being one of the lightest racing shoes out there, it does look chunkier than some of the others. Puma is less prominent a running shoe company than it used to be although still ranked as the third largest sportswear manufacturer in the world. Puma was founded in 1948 by Rudolf Dassler, his brother formed the running shoe company Adidas.

I have not tried a lot of Puma shoes and wish I could get my hands on more to review. The Deviate Nitro Elite uses NITROFOAM™ ELITE CUSHIONING.

A carbon fibre plate that they call a PWRPLATE, PUMAGRIP, a durable performance rubber for the outsole and ULTRAWEAVE for their very light stretchy upper. Caution as reviews say they have had some issues with ordering, but when people did receive their shoes, they really liked them!

7. Asics Metaspeed Edge Paris

Also Available at
Running Warehouse

Pros

It’s a well-known shoe brand with a number of race shoes very similar to try if this one is not quite right.

Cons

Can’t think of one – other than it may not be for you?

I have worn several Asics running shoes for running and racewalking and when they have worked, they have worked well for me. This race from the Japanese company has an unusual drop of 5mm (most times it is 0, 4, 8 or 12mm) is super light and has a similar build to several Asics models currently out. The Paris shoe is of course named for the 2024 Paris Olympics. The shoe was not on a winning foot, but it did earn a silver medal.

The METASPEED™ EDGE 3 racing shoes are said to be designed for fast-cadence runners. They (Asics) say the shoe will help you increase your leg speed by increasing and conserving energy with each step – especially in longer events like the marathon.

It is another carbon fibre-filled shoe (now the thing) that is embedded in their FF TURBO™ PLUS cushioning, MOTION WRAP™ 2.0 upper and ASICSGRIP™ outsole rubber. All work to make a super light race show with just enough of everything.

This shoe seems to fit true to size and people find it a relatively stable race shoe.

Who Should Not Wear a Racing Shoe

You may be better off or be helped more by a lightweight running shoe or even a regular training shoe if.

Always try out a new shoe, whether a race shoe or a regular training shoe before you use it in a race. Get familiar with the feel and try a few runs in the shoe you plan to race in.

Things to Be Aware of Before Buying a Race Shoe

Make sure any shoe, including a race shoe, fits well. It should be snug but not tight and not sloppy. Make sure there is good toe room, and nothing rubs anywhere. Walk or run around the running shop (if you do not buy online) to get a feel for the shoe.

You may get a real boost from having a race shoe for that 5k or marathon you plan to run. It may give you a sense of being lighter on your feet and help you physically and mentally – and it can at the same time be the wrong choice for some.

Choose wisely.

Racing shoes are generally made for lean, light efficient runners who run on their forefoot and can run faster than most of us are capable.

Fitting Tips

Make sure any shoe, including a race shoe, fits well. It should be snug but not tight and not sloppy. Make sure there is good toe room, and nothing rubs anywhere. Walk or run around the running shop (if you do not buy online) to get a feel for the shoe.

Remember your feet is different than other feet and what you like and works for you – may not work for others and vice versa!