An exceptionally soft carbon racer built for marathon and half-marathon pacing on flat, predictable courses, though its bouncy, unstable ride demands strong neutral mechanics and careful foot placement. Best suited to runners who prioritize cushioning and impact protection over stability, with a notably narrow toe box that may trouble wider feet.
No-brainer winner over the Endorphin Pro 5 — the Pro 5 foam isn't great, heavier, doesn't have race-day dynamic feel. Elite 2 foam is bouncy, spongy, fun — Thomas's favorite from last year. Can be squirly under foot but very fun.
An ultra-soft, bouncy super shoe that requires very good ankle and hip stability; better suited to longer efforts than short fast racing, and not stable enough for the reviewer to race in.
Best for: Runners with stable mechanics and narrower feet who want the softest possible shoe for longer distance workouts and races
Dr. Salus picks Elite 2 over Elite 1 for its better outsole, improved traction and extra bounce; Dr. Klein prefers Elite 1 because v2's narrower platform creates too much heel instability for him.
An outrageously bouncy racer that is better for longer steady efforts than short intervals and is only suitable for runners with strong neutral mechanics due to its instability.
Best for: Longer-distance racing (half marathon and above) for runners with truly neutral mechanics who want maximum bounce
One of David's two favorite current racing shoes; particularly strong at half marathon and marathon paces where its predictable rocker lets you fall into rhythm.
Best for: Marathon and half marathon racers who want to lock into rhythm with a predictable, rockered ride.
#6. Swap the stretchy socky laces for serrated and it'd crack #5.
#3. Softest midsole EDDBUD has ever tested, but durability shocked him — no wear, rubber still firmly adhered. Rewards heavier/powerful runners. Underrated soft marathon cruiser. Consider stocking up before the Elite 3 launches in 2026.
An incredibly soft, forgiving long-run and marathon shoe with surprisingly solid durability and wet-weather traction, but beaten by the Puma for 5K/10K speed and upper quality.
Best for: Marathon distance and long runs where forgiving cushion reduces fatigue
An incredibly soft, cushioned marathon race shoe with great grip improvements — scored 11/12 overall, but at £280 its cost and niche softness make the Adios Pro 4 a compelling alternative.
Best for: Marathon and half-marathon racing for neutral lighter runners who want maximum cushioning and impact protection
Works well for some runners and has delivered top marathon times, but the limited outsole rubber is an Achilles heel in the wet and the foam feels outpaced by the newer, softer super-shoe generation.
Best for: Runners who prefer a firmer rebound and a more expansive heel width
A wildly soft, forgiving max-cushion racer with standout impact protection and surprising durability — a top-five shoe of the year, especially at discount.
Best for: Half and full marathon racing and long training runs for neutral mid/forefoot strikers, especially heavier runners wanting max cushion without max weight
A phenomenal, game-changing race shoe with unmatched bounce-back and speed, held back only by the narrow toe box that causes rubbing — reviewer leans toward the Adios Pro 4 as the more complete marathon package.
Best for: Fast racing up to half-marathon for runners who can tolerate the narrow toe box
#3 long-run pick (not used as a race shoe). Mushy — great compression but slow decompression. Ideal for 20-mile steady with marathon-effort miles.
A bold, very soft update that sacrifices top-end race performance for comfort; fun to run in but missing the aggressive pop Kofuzi wants in a racer, making the original Elite 1 his preferred version.
Best for: Forefoot-striking neutral runners at marathon and submarathon paces who want maximum softness for racing
A wild, soft and very bouncy carbon racer that delivered a PB-level race experience for Kieran on the twisty London 10K — fast and energetic, but still not for runners who need stability.
Best for: Fast racing on flat, even courses for runners with stable mechanics who can handle a soft bouncy ride
An impressively fast and springy carbon racer with a highly unique soft/slingshot ride, but demands focus and stable form — the reviewers enjoyed it but still prefer the Metaspeed Sky Paris as a more natural, accomplished all-round racer.
Best for: Big urban marathons with straight-line running on even surfaces (Chicago, Berlin, New York) for runners who can control a soft, bouncy ride
The faster and more fun racer of Saucony's carbon duo — a wild, bouncy, untamed shoe that trades stability for top-end speed, best for confident runners on straight courses.
Best for: Fast racing on straight urban marathon courses (Chicago, Berlin, NYC) for runners chasing PBs with good form control
A uniquely soft, bouncy, fun carbon racer that delivers huge energy return but demands taming due to its lack of stability; one of the testers' favorite race shoes despite the premium price.
Best for: Runners who love soft, bouncy carbon racers for distances from 5K up to marathon on good, flat surfaces.
Compared to other road racing in the same lane.
