Marathon Handbook Podcast

The Best Super Shoes of 2026: Carbon-Plated Power Rankings (Nike vs Adidas vs ASICS vs Puma)

Jan 1, 2026
A lively breakdown of which carbon‑plated marathon shoes are ruling the roads in 2026. They count down the top 10 super shoes and compare brand podium shares from major races. Expect debate over the Alphafly 3, deep dives on Adidas, Puma and ASICS models, and predictions for where super shoe tech is headed next.
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INSIGHT

AlphaFly 3 Became The Most Worn Model

  • Nike held the largest brand share in Chicago (27.4%) with AlphaFly 3 as the single most-worn model.
  • AlphaFly 3's accessibility (wide availability) explains its cross-field ubiquity from elites to recreational runners.
ANECDOTE

Using A Responsive Treadmill For Hard Workouts

  • Alex used a Wahoo KICKR RUN treadmill before a winter workout to get realistic kick segments and lateral tilt simulation.
  • The treadmill's Run Free mode let him accelerate naturally during intervals without fiddling with controls.
ADVICE

Choose A Super Shoe Using Podium And Ubiquity Criteria

  • Consider both elite success and ubiquity when choosing a super shoe for racing or training.
  • Use podium performance, broad runner trust, tech (foam/plate), and exclusivity as decision factors, per Michael Doyle and Alex Cyr.
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