The Best Carbon Plated Running Shoes, According to Shoe Experts and Coaches

Nike has led the way in carbon plate technology, and the brand’s latest addition to its road racing line, the Alphafly 3, is built for speed. In addition to an embedded carbon plate that runs the length of the footbed, these shoes have a generous amount of light-as-air foam (which the brand calls ZoomX foam) for a surprisingly springy step. The shoes also have two Air Zoom units, which, according to the Nike website, are small air capsules “with strong, tensile threads inside. These spring-like threads contract and pop up instantly, giving the sensation of jumping off a trampoline.” At 6.1 ounces, these are also some of the lightest carbon-plated shoes around. 

I can attest that these are some seriously bouncy shoes. I wore them for a 5-mile race and felt speedy and light on my feet. I also love that the flat, notched laces stay securely tied–the last thing any runner wants is a loose lace mid-race. The shoes fit snugly, which I prefer in a racing shoe, but some reviewers say they run small. Small rocks also tend to get stuck in the deep crevices on the soles of the shoes, which defeats the purpose of wearing light shoes during a race.

Sizes: 5–12 | Width: Standard | Stack Height: 40 mm | Drop: 8 mm | Weight: 6.1 oz

The Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 is a great shoe to start with if you want to feel like a speed racer during your first 5k or half marathon. They have a sturdier footbed than other carbon-plated options, which better supports your arch, and the upper mesh material is super thin and lightweight, making these some of the most breathable and cool shoes we tried.  

These unisex shoes have one of the highest heel-to-toe drops of any carbon-plated running shoe, at 8 mm. “Heel-to-toe drop can affect the way you run as well as the forces exerted onto your body,” says Bermel. “It’s been theorized that lower heel-to-toe drop shoes encourage a more midfoot strike, taking pressure off your knees and hips. Higher heel-to-toe drop shoes can alleviate pressure on your calves and Achilles.” We tend to use our lower leg muscles more during shorter, faster races than during a typical easy run, so the higher stack on the Hyperion Elites can make them a better choice for 10k races and below.

“I took these out of the box and wore them for a half marathon and felt great,” says Summer Cartwright, Shape’s senior commerce editor. “The mesh upper is incredibly breathable and molds to the foot well — though, like most super shoes out there, there isn’t a ton of stability features included in the design — and I enjoyed that the sole and heel felt wider and less wobbly than other

Sizes: 6.5 – 14.5 | Width: Standard | Stack Height: 40 mm | Drop: 8 mm | Weight: 7.8 oz

Hoka running shoes are known for producing some of the airiest, most cushioned running shoes on the market. With the carbon-plated Cielo racing shoes, Hoka found a sweet spot between roominess and speed, which is ideal for racers with wider feet. These cushy sneaks have a winged carbon plate that provides race-ready speed plus slightly more narrow rubber outsoles that reduce unnecessary weight (Hoka shoes tend to be bulkier than other brands, but at 9.3 ounces, these shoes are reasonable for racing).

The Cielos have a tall stack, with a 7 mm heel-to-toe drop, though this is not the tallest on this list. Despite their cushioned height, they feel stable and supportive. These aren’t the lightest shoes for long-distance races, but they feel resilient and full of momentum.

“These are one of the few pairs of running shoes I can wear comfortably doing intervals on a treadmill,” says Cartwright. “The wider base makes me feel much more balanced compared to other thinner models, and the springy foam makes up for the heavier weight, in my opinion.” She says they’re a solid option for marathons and half marathons, and notes that they hold up on slippery surfaces. “My first go in these included a rain storm, so it was a solid way to test their anti-slip features.”

It’s worth noting that the sock-like upper takes some time to get your feet into, but once they’re in the feet feel nice and hugged.

Sizes: 6 – 15 | Width: Standard | Stack Height: 32 mm | Drop: 7 mm | Weight: 9.3 oz

It can be a challenge for flat-footed runners to find comfortable and appropriately supportive running shoes, let alone racing shoes. The Endorphin Elites from Saucony check those boxes, plus they’re fast. The lightweight midsole foam is highly responsive and cushiony, easily absorbing the shock of each step to spare your knees and ankles. They’re embedded with a slotted carbon plate, rather than a full-length plate, so these shoes have less of that springy tension of other racing shoes. This can help prevent that jolted-joint feeling that some other options might produce if you take a weird step.

The toe box on the Saucony Endorphin Elites is extremely up-angled, which gives these shoes more of a rocking motion than others. This can take some getting used to, but the heel feels solid and stable, so the shoes don’t feel as taxing on your ankles or balance.

Sizes: 5-12 | Width: Standard | Stack Height: 39.5 mm | Drop: 8 mm | Weight: 6.5 oz

Notably, the Supercomp Elite V4s from New Balance don’t have the sky-high stack of foam that many other carbon-plated shoes do. The lower 4 mm drop can feel more comfortable if you have ankle stability or balance issues. And still, these are some seriously fast race shoes. 

“I plopped these out of the box and took them for 12 miles without any break-in trials and they didn’t cause any blistering or irritation,” says Cartwright. “The rocker doesn’t feel intimidatingly present, but still propels you forward. The shoe itself gives great energy back to every stride, even when you’re into the double digits and feel like crap — speaking from experience. After testing a bunch of carbon-plated options, these are my marathon go-to running shoes, easy.”

The soles are gently curved to encourage a naturally rocking gait that pushes you forward but doesn’t feel too different from your natural running stride. This is also easier on your lower leg joints and tendons (which you’ll be grateful for if you experience knee pain or plan to wear them during a marathon). The Supercomp Elites also come in a wider width, making them one of the more inclusive carbon-plate shoe options.

Sizes: 5–12 | Width: Standard, wide | Stack Height: 40 mm | Drop: 4 mm | Weight: 6.6 oz

Due to their lightweight materials, especially the foam used to surround the carbon plate, many racing shoes aren’t built to last as long as your typical pair of trainers. The Fast-R Nitro Elite 2’s (say that five times fast) from Puma, however, have a few design features that make them a great choice for training runs as you build up to a goal race. These shoes have a full-length stiff carbon plate surrounded by light foam similar to other shoes on this list. However, the midsole foam is reinforced by a grippier rubber outsole that provides better traction and staying power. 

These shoes are among the tallest I’ve tried, with an 8 mm drop and 40 mm stack height. They have a dramatic-looking gap between the heel and the forefoot, which makes them look a bit like high heels, which is kinda fun if you’re into that. The stretchy and soft mesh upper is highly breathable and the shoes are easy enough to get on. They cling to your foot like a pair of comfortable socks, so there’s no friction when you move, so I had no issues with hot spots or blisters — but Cartwright experienced some blistering on her first go. “I wore them for a treadmill speed session, so partially blame the tread, but who knows,” she says. “For what it’s worth, the rocker goes crazy on these. It’s hard to jog you just wanna sprint from the get-go.”

These shoes also felt sturdier than others, thanks to better traction on soft surfaces like gravel and trails.

Sizes: 5.5 – 11 | Width: Standard | Stack Height: 40mm | Drop: 8 mm | Weight: 8.46 oz

On’s Cloudbloom Echo 3s look the least like a high-stacked, race-specific shoe of any on this list. They have a more minimalist design and a flatter profile, but they don’t sacrifice speed. These shoes are light and lightning-fast, especially on roads. They weigh about 6.6 ounces and have firm, grippy soles that push off and propel you forward with less effort. The light upper is made from a single piece of fabric, so there are no seams or threads to cause irritation or chafing. 

I’d recommend these shoes for any race distance on the roads, from a 5k on up. They’re snappy and quick-feeling without quite as much bouncing and rocking as some of the more dramaticly-shaped supershoes.

Sizes: 5 – 11 | Width: Standard | Stack Height: 37 mm | Drop: 9.5 mm | Weight: 6.6 oz