Best for race day
asics-megablast-1
Maximal cushioning (45/37mm stack) with bouncy supercritical EVA and rocker geometry—ideal for marathon pacing and the fatigue miles.
Picked for: I'm a first time marathoner. Looking for a comfortable shoe to do my race in. I'm a heavier runner, 85kg and am targeting ~4:30 time. What can you recommend me?
Plush all-rounder
brooks-glycerin-23
Soft, nitrogen-infused midsole with wide forefoot designed for marathon training and race-day comfort over the full distance.
Softer max-cushion option
asics-superblast-3
Maximal cushioning with a bouncier, softer feel than the Megablast—built specifically for marathons and long runs.
See how this conversation went →
user: I'm a first time marathoner. Looking for a comfortable shoe to do my race in. I'm a heavier runner, 85kg and am targeting ~4:30 time. What can you recommend me?
assistant: Great — a 4:30 marathon is a solid goal, and shoe choice matters a lot for race-day comfort at that distance. Before I recommend, I want to make sure I'm pointing you at the right type of shoe.
When you say "race in," are you looking for a **dedicated carbon-plated racing flat** (lightweight, aggressive, designed for pace), or a **cushioned trainer you can also use for training runs** — something that prioritizes comfort and protection over pure speed?
Also, one quick follow-up: **Do you know your foot strike?** (Heel striker, midfoot, or forefoot?) That'll help me dial in the right ride feel for your race-day comfort.
user: No carbon, I need something comfortable for the time I'll spend on foot for this distance. Yea, could be for training as well, but mostly I want something that will help me on this very long race. I think I land midfoot, though I'm not sure.
assistant: Perfect — you're looking for a cushioned, durable trainer that can handle both training and race day, not a racing flat. At 85 kg and targeting 4:30 over the marathon distance, you want protection and comfort over pure speed, and your midfoot strike is ideal for a shoe with a rocker and responsive foam.
I'd lead with the **ASICS Megablast v1** for race day. It's got maximal cushioning (45/37mm stack) with a supercritical EVA midsole that reviewers describe as extraordinarily bouncy and light — exactly what you need for the back half of a marathon when fatigue sets in. The 8.0mm drop suits midfoot strikers well, and it's rated for marathon racing. Run Moore notes it's "almost too bouncy" for some, but that energy return is your friend at mile 18+.
If you want a softer, more plush ride for both training and race day, the **Brooks Glycerin v23** is excellent. It's heavier (309g vs 221g) and sits in the recovery category, but it's explicitly used for marathon racing per the data. The DNA TUNED midsole is nitrogen-infused for a smooth, cushioned feel — FORDY RUNS calls it "a premium, plush, versatile mile-eater well suited for first half or full marathon training." The wide forefoot is a bonus if you swell during the race.
A third option: the **ASICS Superblast v3** splits the difference — maximal cushion like the Megablast but softer and bouncier, designed specifically for marathons and long runs. The Run Testers commend it as "ideal for long runs, steady efforts" and a softer evolution of the Superblast 2.
**One follow-up:** How many miles per week are you currently running in training? That'll help me gauge whether the Megablast's lighter weight (221g) or the Glycerin's plushness (309g) suits your training load better.