Best carbon-plate running shoes in 2025

Carbon-plate running shoes have become increasingly popular when it comes to choosing the best running shoes for race-day and fast efforts. They’ve proven their worth in slashing run times and encouraging a more energy-efficient stride, while their propulsion is often off the charts.

But with great speed comes great price tags to consider. More than any other shoe, you want bang for your buck in a carbon kicker, which is why we’ve laid out our favourites in this article and why we’d recommend them.

While the science and results sing the praises of these supershoes, not all are equal. When choosing your carbon shoe, it’s best to ask yourself what are your race goals and your ballpark budget?

If you’re unsure, scroll to the bottom for some sage buying advice. Otherwise, read on for our expert roundup of the best carbon-plate running shoes available right now…

Best carbon-plate running shoes in 2025

1. New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4

Price	$249.99 / £260
Weight	7.8oz (US 8) / 222g (UK 7)
Sizing	US 6.5-12.5 men’s / US 3-8 women’s / Standard and wide fit available
Features	Carbon plate, PEBAX foam, 40mm stack height, 4mm drop

Aided by the near 40mm stack height (the maximum allowed by governing body World Athletics) and the new FuelCell midsole now made with 100% PEBAX foam, the Elite v4s offer a bouncy run full of energy return.

The shoes felt cushioned, but also stable for such a maximal shoe, and our tester felt confident wearing on moderately twisty tri run courses.

The 4mm heel-to-toe drop and new, thinner and arched carbon plate also encourage race-day use for a wealth of distances and paces.

At $249.99 /£260 and 7.8oz / 222g (US 8 / UK 7), they are more expensive and heavier than the previous editions, however, and that extra weight anecdotally felt noticeable when compared to the sub-200g club of the Asics Metaspeed Edge+ and Nike Zoomx Vaporfly 3, for example.

Read our full review of New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4.

2. Saucony Endorphin Edge

Price	$200 / £200
Weight	11oz (US 12), 310g (UK 11)
Sizing	Women’s UK 3-10, US 5-12 / men’s US 7-15, UK 6-14
Features	Full-length carbon plate, toe guard, 35mm heel, 6mm drop, 29mm forefoot stack, 4mm lugs

The Saucony Endorphin Edge offers speed, responsiveness, and impressive trail performance. Priced at a sizeable £200, it features a carbon fibre plate, paired with PWRRUN PB foam for a smooth, propulsive ride, though initial stiffness may take adjustment.

With a 35mm heel, 29mm forefoot stack, and 6mm drop, it delivers a nimble, neutral ride. Weighing 310g (UK11), it feels light underfoot, while ankle cushioning and secure lacing enhance comfort.

The breathable upper sacrifices some support, but 4mm lugs provide excellent grip on varied terrain, except in extreme mud, up there with the best trail running shoes.

Bonus: gaiter compatibility, toe guard, and recycled materials. A top pick for fast trail running, perhaps not a go-to for slower runs, though.

Read our full review of the Saucony Endorphin Edge here.

3. Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2

Price	$315 / £240
Weight	7oz (US 8), 200g (UK 7)
Sizing	UK 3.5-13.5, US 4-14 (unisex)
Features	Carbon plate, bouncy foam mid-sole, 26mm stack,

The Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2 is a standout race-day running shoe, offering exceptional performance and comfort. Coming in light at just 7oz/200g (UK 7), its sleek design features a superbly constructed upper with a sock-like fit, seamless tongue, and secure lacing.

A semi-rigid heel counter and suede-like lining enhance comfort, even sockless. A subtle yet practical nod to triathlon race readiness.

The 37mm stack height is lower than counterparts, but still chunky if you’re not used to supershoe geometry. As promised, the PEBA midsole and carbon plate deliver responsive rebound and stability.

Meanwhile, the Contagrip outsole provides excellent traction, and the wider forefoot ensures confidence on corners.

While pricey, ok really pricey, the Phantasm 2 excels across all distances, making it a top choice for racers seeking a lightweight, stable, and high-performing shoe.

Read our full review of the Saucony S/Lab Phantasm 2 here.

4. Asics Metaspeed Edge +

Price	$250 / £225
Weight	6.8oz (US 8) / 194g (UK 7)
Sizing	US 6-13 / UK 5-12
Features	Carbon plate, lightweight mid-sole foam

The Metaspeed range comes in two different styles – the Edge +, on test here, which is tailored to athletes that increase cadence when running faster, and the Sky +, which is designed for runners that increase their stride.

Right from the very start we found the Edge + to look and feel amazing. The brand’s FFBlast Turbo foam makes up most of the midsole, which Asics says is 50% lighter than EVA foam. Total weight for this US 8 / UK 7 is an impressive 6.8oz / 194g.

We enjoyed the combination of bounce and ground feel, while the nimbleness and traction on offer were also welcome.

Despite being lithe in its construction, the tongue provided ample comfort for long efforts, while the upper proved breathable enough on balmy days.

One thing we would note, though, is that there are already signs of wear on the outsole.

See our full Asics Metaspeed Edge + review for more.

5. Kiprun KD900X

Price	£129.99 (UK / EU only)
Weight	8oz / 225g weight (US 8 / UK 7)
Sizing	Women’s US 5-9 / UK 4-8, men’s US 7.5-13 / UK 6.5-12
Features	Carbon plate, 8mm drop

Despite being half the price of pretty much every competitor on the market, the Kiprun KD900X from Decathlon has enough positives to make them a decent contender in the carbon run shoe sphere.

There’s a wide toe box and roomy upper, but we found the edges of the minimalist tongue tricky to line up. Though the latter does contribute to the shoe’s 8oz / 225g weight (US 8 / UK 7).

The sheer stiffness of the sole and full-length carbon plate offers little give and creates a slightly muted running experience.

That said, they do deliver a welcome dose of forward propulsion, which is helped by an 8mm heel-to-toe drop.

There’s a decent 600mi / 1,000km warranty and, while we wouldn’t call the upper top, top quality, they perform when navigating technical courses laced with corners.

6. Craft Nordlite Speed

Price	$220 / £180
Weight	9.7oz (US 9) / 275g (UK 8)
Sizing	men’s US 8-12 / UK 7-11; women’s US 5-8.5 / UK 4-7.5
Features	Carbon plate, 40mm heel/36mm forefoot stack, Ortholite insole

Craft’s Nordlite Speed carbon plated road shoe has a built-in Ortholite insole which gives the shoe a lovely initial soft feel, but our tester found that it quickly dissipated while running, leaving the Nordlite Speed’s ride feeling firm

The upper of the Nordlite Speed is completely unstructured. The material is a very thin, ventilated synthetic mesh, so it scores highly for breathability.

The lack of structure in the upper didn’t cause problems during testing, though, and the shoe felt very stable for its lack of upper and relatively high stack (40mm heel/32mm forefoot). 

Read our full review of the Craft Nordlite Speed.

7. Brooks Hyperion Max 2

Price	$180 / £160
Weight	9.3oz (US 9) / 264g (UK 8)
Sizing	men’s US 7-15 / UK 6-14; women’s US 5-9.5 / UK 4-8.5
Features	PEBAX SpeedVault plate midsole, 6mm drop, 36mm/30mm stack

Brooks Hyperion Max 2’s shine on faster-paced training efforts, with the shoe’s innovative SpeedVault plate offering the pop strangely absent in the Hyperion Elite 3, but with enough support and stability for mid-tempo efforts. 

Despite the ‘Max’ in the title and the 36mm heel height, there’s a firmness here that means these wouldn’t be our pick for easy recovery plods.

Overall, though, these are a brilliant neutral shoe that straddle the training and racing genres and a timely return to form for Brooks. 

Read our full review of Brooks Hyperion Max 2.

8. Saucony Kinvara Pro

Price	$250 / £200
Weight	8.5oz / 240g
Sizing	men’s US 7-15 / UK 6-14; women’s US 5-12 / UK 3-10
Features	three-quarter length carbon plate, 42mm stack, 8mm drop

Saucony continues to innovate with these chunky carbon-plated running shoes.

I found the Kinvara Pro a strange offering. It’s a carbon-plated trainer with a stack height of 42mm, which means it can’t be used in competition, if you had wanted to. It’s also $250 / £200, which is a hefty stack of money to pay for a shoe you can’t use for racing.

The upper hugged the feet nicely and felt breathable, while the cushioned ankle collar and tongue offered high levels of comfort.

The outsole also delivered good traction both on wet and dry pavement and doesn’t collect stones, but the treat pattern might not prove to be durable over the long term.

Read my full review of the Saucony Kinvara Pro.

9. On Cloudboom Echo 3

Price	$289.99 / £260
Weight	7.4oz (US 8) / 211g (UK 7)
Sizing	men’s US 7-14 / UK 65-13.5; women’s US 5-11 / UK 3-9
Features	10mm drop, 35mm stack, breathable upper, full-length carbon plate

One of the first things you notice about the Cloudboom Echo 3 is that it’s a pretty lightweight shoe, weighing 7.4oz / 211g per shoe in a US 8 / UK 7.

Inside the shoe you’ll find a full-length carbon plate sandwiched between two layers of foam, which ultimately results in a snappy, propulsive ride.

That said, they do feel firmer than some other options here, while a 10mm heel-to-toe drop saw us switch to heel striking.

Fit is slightly narrower than some competitors also on test and, though nimble, they’re not the most supportive.

On the flip side, the upper is incredibly breathable, fits securely and contributes to a decent sockless running experience – key for many triathletes on race day.

The durability of the outsole is also impressive, as is its grip, however, I did experience some knee troubles during testing.

Read our full On Cloudboom Echo 3 review for more.

10. Hoka Rocket X 2

Price	$250 / £220
Weight	8oz / 236g
Sizing	Women’s US 6.5-14.5, UK 5-14, Men’s US 5-14, UK 4.5-13.5
Features	Carbon plate, PEBA midsole foam, 36mm stack height, elastic laces

The Rocket X 2 is a complete transformation of the previous Rocket X – considerably more expensive, propulsive and successful.

The stack height has increased by 6mm to 36mm (the heel-to-toe drop is 5mm) due to the PEBA midsole foam replacing the previous version’s compression-molded EVA foam.

The result is a bouncier, more propulsive ride, but with enough feel for the asphalt.

That foam adds some weight (8oz. /236g compared to 7.4oz /210g), but Hoka has helped reduce this via the limited outsole grip (wet cobbles beware!) and a paper-thin upper that’s tougher than it looks securely holding the foot and minimising rubbing from internal seams.

Even with elastic laces, though, the they suffer in T2, the lithe heel counter often collapsing and the gusset/tongue taking some fiddling to sit flush.

11. Saucony Endorphin Elite

Price	$275 / £280
Weight	6.7oz / 189g (US 9 / UK 8)
Sizing	US 7-14, UK 6-13
Features	Carbon plate, mesh upper, 36mm stack, 8mm drop

The Saucony Endorphin Elite’s 39.5mm wedge of PRRRUN HG foam, 6.7oz/189g weight and carbon plate all combine here to deliver a responsive, enjoyable and swift ride.

As you can see in the image above, the mesh upper is lightweight and barely there in places, which helps with breathability, however it’s not the most comfortable for running without socks in a triathlon.

They’re not the quickest to pull on either, with the heel counter occasionally collapsing when rushing to get your feet in them. When they are on, they aren’t quite as secure as we’d like them to be, either.

Worryingly given the $275/£280 price tag, there’s already signs of wear on the outsole. Otherwise, this is a quick, supportive shoe.

See our full Saucony Endorphin Elite review for more.

12. Under Armour Velociti Elite 2

Price	$296 / £225
Weight	9oz (US9) / 260g (UK8)
Sizing	US 3.5-14, UK 3-13
Features	Full-length carbon plate, 39.5mm stack, 22m drop

The Under Armour Flow Velociti Elite 2 improves on its predecessor with a higher 39.5mm stack, aggressive 2mm drop, and a new full-length carbon plate for enhanced propulsion.

The Warp 2.0 upper is breathable but coarse, making it less suited for sockless triathlon racing. At 260g (UK8), the shoe is heavier than competitors, with noticeable bottom heaviness due to the lightweight upper and dense midsole.

Lacking an outsole, grip is built into the midsole, which raises durability questions but reduces weight  (see also the original Flow Velociti Elite). While promising for middle and long-distance races, its performance feels incomplete.

Read our full review of the Under Armour Velociti Elite 2 here and see our list of the best cushioned run shoes for more options.

How we tested

Each of the carbon-plate running shoes featured here have been personally tested by our team of expert gear testers, who have been taking part in triathlon and running events for a combined total of 30 years.

Every shoe is rigorously tested over a series of runs, covering distances from 5k to long-distance runs, such as half-marathons and marathons.

Our testing took place against a set of criteria that includes comfort, propulsion, weight, support, grip and durability.

We typically take test shoes on the same routes, with similar levels of training readiness, so we can compare run times.

Any shoe that has scored above 90% is genuinely class-leading. Those that score between 80-90% are still among the best, while those from 70-80% are decent performers, but have one or two issues holding them back from top marks.

The history of carbon-plate running shoes

But first, you may be wondering just when and how the carbon trend first materialised. Pioneering tri brand Zoot made a carbon running shoe, the Ultra TT 4.0, back in 2014. But it wasn’t until Nike’s Breaking 2 project was launched in 2016 that the carbon super shoe revolution truly began.

In attempting to break the mythical two-hour men’s marathon record, the brand delivered one of the world’s best examples of combining pioneering sporting technological advancements with a marketing bonanza. Adidas, Asics, New Balance, Saucony and more all followed suit, resulting in marathon times plummeting.

Elite triathlon is no different today, with athletes tending to opt for their triathlon running shoes to be carbon-plated shoes to pack the most propulsive punch when it comes to the run leg.

How do carbon plate running shoes work?

The major aim of carbon run shoes is to improve the running economy of an athlete, allowing you to move faster and more efficiently, while at the same time using less energy.

The trainer’s carbon plate should produce a spring-like effect that minimises the energy needed to propel from the tarmac with each stride.

If having a carbon plate in the shoe sounds like it could produce a harsh and rigid runner akin to running in bike shoes, the slab of midsole foam softens the ride and reduces the metabolic cost to the runner, while also increasing the responsiveness and energy return of a shoe.

This increase in cushioning should increase the shock-absorbing aspects of the shoe, which in turn should lower the chance of muscular damage, especially handy for long-distance triathletes facing the demands of a half or full marathon after the swim and bike legs, and also anyone wanting to train day after day.

What technology is used in carbon running shoes?

Whereas a decade ago racing shoes were once stripped-back flats with minimal midsoles, now oversized (or maximal) footwear reigns supreme.

The influence of Hoka and, more latterly, Nike looms large in the carbon shoe world, with the stack height limit of 40mm (see right) meaning a lot of foam is being utilised.

A feature of the Nike Alphafly and Vaporfly, Asics Metaspeed Sky and more, PEBAX is the poster child of the foam world, and has proven to be the foam with the most energy return.

It’s also reported to be the lightest, allowing brands to create those 40mm-deep wedges of foam without adding huge weight, while it doesn’t adjust to temperature changes like some TPU-based midsoles can.

Do carbon running shoes make a difference?

The Nike Vaporfly 4% proudly states the benefits to runners in its title, with studies showing that running economy improved by 4% when wearing the carbon-plated shoe.

And it’s not just elite runners who’ll benefit from the propulsion gains, with runners in the 3:30 to 4hr range seeing marathon times cut by around five minutes, potentially a decisive amount if you’re chasing PBs or age-group honours.

Those gains, of course, come at a cost, with just one shoe on test here below $250 / £200.

There’s also the argument that the level playing field of running has evaporated in this technological revolution, the purity trampled by a taut carbon strip wrapped in a chunky wedge of PEBAX. But that’s an argument for another time…

Are carbon-plate running shoes allowed in races?

Carbon-plate running shoes all sit around the 30-40mm stack height, which is a lot of foam/shoe.

While the heel-to-toe drop is usually fairly minimal (around 5mm), if you’ve become used to wearing minimal shoes or like to feel the ground when road running, there’s a certain amount of numbness when striding out in carbon super shoes.

The maximum height for a shoe stack, as set by World Athletics (and inherited by World Triathlon), is that 40mm mark. Any higher and stability issues will be heightened to excessive levels.

How long do carbon running shoes last for?

The research on the longevity of carbon super shoes isn’t conclusive, but anecdotally we have worries.

Our doubts stem from how long that carbon plate maintains its taut propulsiveness and, moving to the outsole, how long the minimal tread lasts before wearing away.

The latter is where brands look to reduce weight, meaning that some of these shoes lack wet weather grip, too.

Are there any disadvantages of carbon shoes?

Besides the concerns around durability, the carbon plate is rigid and can lead to a lack of bend in the shoe and an unforgiving ride, resulting in added strain and the chance of injury.

That being said, the current crop have largely improved this via the forgiving midsole foam.

Are carbon running shoes good for triathlon?

While many of the carbon shoes here have proven themselves on marathon road-running courses, the unique nature of tri place additional and myriad demands on them.

The performance in the bike-to-run transition is one of the biggest variables to consider, with many shoes boasting featherweight tongues and lithe heel counters, which are ideal for lowering the shoe’s weight, but can take plenty of time to align with the foot or can crumble on impact with the heel, respectively.

You’re also likely to be putting sweaty post-bike feet into the shoe as well, so look at how efficient the aeration is, and take their ability to be worn sockless into account if you prefer to run without socks.

Triathlon running courses, especially short-course city-centre ones, can also be tight and twisting multi-lap affairs instead of the point-to-point nature of standalone marathons, so look at how well the shoe can navigate changes in direction.

Value and aesthetics, weight and durability have also been considered here; the top pumps being those that tick the boxes for the all-important tri race day.

Shopping on a budget for running shoes? Head to our guide to the cheap running shoes.