The Best Running Shoes for Road Ultras: Top Shoes for races like the Comrades Marathon

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When you step up from marathon running into ultra running territory, selecting the right kit becomes even more mission critical. For a road ultra like the 85+ km Comrades Marathon, lacing up the right shoes is a big decision.

When you’re running for anywhere between 6 and 12 hours, little details matter. Small niggles can become big problems. So you need to choose running shoes you can rely on to be comfortable for the long haul and look after your feet and legs when you’re inevitably no longer moving at your best. 

Run Tester Kieran has run dozens of ultras, including three 100 milers, and is heading back to South Africa for his fourth stab at the Comrades Marathon. He’s been testing dozens of shoes from the best carbon race shoes, to the top cushioned daily trainers. And below his hand-picked list of the best running shoes for road ultras like the Comrades.

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What is the Comrades Marathon? 

The Comrades Marathon is a 55-mile road ultra through the Valley of a Thousand Hills in KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. One of the unique features of the Comrades Marathon is that it alternates between “up” years and “down” years. 

In an “up” year, the race starts in Durban and finishes in Pietermaritzburg. In a “down” year, it starts in Pietermaritzburg and finishes in Durban.

2026 is an Up year. So we’ve got around 87km to run. Starting with a 35km hill out of Durban. It starts it 5:00 AM in Durban and finishes at the Scottsville Racecourse in Pietermaritzburg. Runners have 12 hours to complete the course and there are various different medals depending on your finish time. 

I ran my first Down in 8:48, my first Up in 8:50 and then last year’s down in 8:49. Earning three Bill Rowan Medals. I think I deserve a special medal for that consistency!

This year, I think I’ll be moving slower so it’ll be a different experience. I won’t be red-lining it for time. That means I may well be on my feet for between 10 and 12 hours and in some ways that has influenced my shoe choice. But my priorities remain largely the same. 

How to choose a Comrades Marathon shoe

The Comrades covers the distance of an ultra but with the intensity and the tarmac of a road marathon. And one of the biggest conundrums is whether or not to lace up a carbon shoe.

For me, this depends. If you’ve got a carbon shoe that feels comfortable for you, that you’ve tested for long hours on feet, or you’re racing right up at the front, chasing 6-7 hours, then there’s no reason not to. Plenty of runners do. 

But my advice would be to be sure that you can hold the form required to get the best out of a pair carbon shoes for long enough. Make sure your shoe of choice won’t hang you out to dry if (and likely when) that form gets ragged. You don’t want to be slogging for four hours in an aggressive carbon shoe that’s left you exposed. 

It’s also worth bearing in mind that carbon shoes might not be as beneficial running up that first 35km hill. You’re going to batter down some steep hills too, so you need stability and protection.  

The key for me is to choose a shoe that helps spare tired legs but also protects your feet from the road and can accommodate more tired form. What I call a hedge your bets shoe. 

I think it’s crucial to choose something that’s not too aggressive, not to direct. It needs to be forgiving at slower paces. Or more importantly, it needs to look after you if and when your form goes ragged and you’re slogging it out, walking evebn.  

Shoot for a a shoe with protective cushioning, some energy, good consistency  and a reliable platform to run off. Nothing too bouncy or wobbly. Also not too heavy or bulky. 

I’ll also prioritise a mix of reliable comfort and a roomy toe box. Anything that’s mildly uncomfortable will become exaggerated over the long haul out there. 

The shoes need to be good on the inclines and descents as well. There’s a lot of hills in this race so I’d advise avoiding shoes where a plate might feel too prominent. Unsurprisingly a good Up run hangs a lot on how you feel on the ups and for that, 

I don’t see the value in going carbon or trading comfort for efficiency. That’s where super trainers come in. 

I’ve got the shortlist down to a bunch of good candidates. I think any of these shoes would do a job out there and I’ve added a couple of carbon race shoes that I think could be a safer bet if you’re wanting to run with a supershoe. 

The Best Running Shoes For Road Ultras (like the Comrades Marathon)

Best Running Shoes for Ultra: Speed and Comfort 

Asics Megablast

Price: £210/$225 | Weight: 241g/8.5oz (UK 9) | Drop: 8mm

The Asics Megablast is pricey. But it’s got that all-round versatility that makes it a good weapon for races like this. Road taming cushion, with plenty of energy from that FF Squared midsole. A wide platform to run off that’s bouncy but consistent and crucially delivers whether you’re hitting marathon pace or rocking back to 3 or 4 minutes below. 

It’s a shade soft for me at the slowest paces, I prefer something with a touch more firmness. But I know this shoe’s cushioned profile will suit a lot of runners. With plenty of stack under the forefoot for those battering downhills and lots of protection under the heels for the heavier landings deep into the race. It’s not too wobbly so you’re not battling it when your hips tighten up. It’s also got a nice roomy toe box with breathable uppers.  

Saucony Endorphin Speed 5

Price: £180/$175 | Weight: 256g/9oz (men’s UK 9 / US 10) | Drop: 8mm

I love the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5. For me it’s another excellent all-rounder that feels really natural.

It’s more direct and snappy than the Asics Megablast and some might find too much of the road comes back up, But I think if you’re looking for a shoe that’s a step down from a carbon plated shoe but still feels light and fast it’s great.

Really agile and unburdened with a good level of cushion and a great rolling rockered ride that really works well if you’re moving with a fast turnover 

The fit works really well for me and it’s got that disappearing comfort which means I can lace it up and forget I’m wearing it. Exactly what I’d want in a road ultra shoe. I think you’ll have to be a fan of  more ground feel than  bouncy comfort. But if that’s what you like, the Speed 5 could be an option.

HOKA Mach 7

Price: £140/$145 | Weight: 225g/7.9oz (UK 9) | Drop: 5mm

With only minor updates to this latest-gen, the Mach 7 still has excellent versatility. It’s got a cushioned but responsive ride with a bit of cushioning and it’s very happy clipping along at easier paces.

There’s decent disappearing fit, maybe just about enough room to cope with those long hours – and long miles on feet – though they’re perhaps a little more snug than I’d ideally like and I’d definitely consider sizing up for an ultra. 

This is a shoe that moves with agility and freedom and a reliable platform. It’s great on hills too – up and down. I find this a really easy shoe to run in and forget it’s on my feet. And there’s a lot to be said for sticking with that when you’re tackling long road distances.  

Cushioned Comfort with a Bit of Energy

ASICS Novabast 5

Price: £135/$140 | Weight: 274g/9.7oz (UK 9) | Drop: 8mm

With the new Flytefoam Blast Max foam I think the Novablast 5 is back to being slightly softer again. Though with a touch more bounce. It offers a nice smooth ride 

that responds well on toe-off and feels springy but controlled. Particularly when you’re feeling good, running with good form. 

It’s energetic but also cushioned enough to accommodate slower paces. Though sometimes on heavier legs it can feel a bit soggy. 

There’s decent wiggle room in the toe box which is a big a plus here. But you’ll have to get on well with oversized,  maximal shoes that offer a softer edge. There’s a big stack and at times I still find them a bit clomping. 

But this is another shoeI think has the range to cope with a race like the Comrades and definitely won’t leave you wanting when it comes to protection from the road pounding. 

Kiprun Kipride Max 

Price: £120/$160 | Weight: 300g/10.6oz (men’s UK 9.5 / US 10.5) | Drop: 8mm

The Kiprun Kirpide Max is one of the best shoes I’ve run in so far this year. Straight out of the box, the comfort is excellent. The midsole deploys a combination of foams 

and a big rocker for a soft and protective ride that’s cushy, cradling and soft but not soggy or laboured. 

Where some max cushioned shoes prioritise marshmallowy impact protection over pace the Kipride remains pleasantly energetic while smoothing out the road underfoot. It’s also relatively stable and reliable underfoot, though there is some wobble in the softer heel. So if you’re landing further back that may not be ideal 

But I think the Kipride Max has a good balance to the midsole: a mix of cushioning and energy with good control and consistency. It’s not far off the 1080v15 but comes in a good chunk cheaper. 

New Balance 1080 v15

Price: £170/$170 | Weight: 262g/9.2oz (UK 9) | Drop: 6mm

The New Balance 1080 v15  is built for big mileage comfort with a big-stack of soft, mildly springy Infinion supercritical foam that delivers high levels of cushion in a relatively reliable platform. 

It avoids being too unstable for the height and also now comes in lighter and more energetic than the past 1080s. It’s protective but it’s not lifeless. It gives a bit back, too.  It’s a bit more nimble than the Kipride Max and offers good overall comfort. 

It comes up a little narrow and for this long race, I’d recommend going half a size up to give your feet more room and to avoid any toe nails butting up against the uppers , or the end of the shoe, on those downhills. 

If I wanted guaranteed cushioned comfort from mile 1 to mile 55, thje 1080 would be high on the list. 

Brooks Glycerin Max (First Gen)

The original Brooks Glycerin Max was Brooks’s first step into max cushioning territory and although it’s been superseded by the Glycerin Max 2, the first gen would still be one of my top picks for a max cushion running shoe that delivers soft landings, stability and a bit of bounce. 

If you don’t want to feel any of that South African tarmac coming back, this offers bucket loads of road protection. Its smooth while also managing to be fairly responsive. 

They are a bit heavy but they’re delightfully comfortable right out the box, with roomy mesh uppers, plush padding, and an unfussy fit. And for such a big stack shoe they’re remarkably stable, too. 

Accessible Carbon Race Shoes

Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 4

Price: £210/$250 Weight: 177g/6.2oz (UK 8.5) | Drop: 8mm

If I was going to lace up a carbon racer, I think the Deviate Nitro Elite 4 would be a contender as a faster shoe that’s going to look after you a bit more on fresh or tired legs.

It’s still packing punch and moves with energy, offering a fun, assistive ride.

But it’s all a bit more natural and accommodating. I can walk around in the Nitro Elite 4 without feeling weird. That’s not true of many carbon shoes. 

And that kind of easy feel underfoot translates into the run, making this a shoe that 

I think I could rely on, to work with me, whether I was on top of the world or taking a seat on the struggle bus. 

You get the energy of carbon but without feeling like you’re lacing up an all or nothing shoe. 

You are still feeling the ground under that forefoot and the return is all quite immediate but without being exposed and too much road impact coming up from beneath.

It’s also quite a narrow platform so that may not work for everyone. But consistency is the watchword with what is one of the best Puma running shoes. 

Hoka Carbon Rocket X 3

Price: £220/$250 | Weight: 208g/7.3oz (UK 9) | Drop: 7mm

The HOKA Rocket X3 is another more accommodating carbon race shoe. 

I like the smooth clip-along transition from the combination of the rocker and the plate. The landings are soft but not too spongy and wobbly. There’s some reliability underfoot and a consistency in the platform that gives you the confidence to run more freely. 

Unlike some carbon race shoes where I have to focus on foot strike, the Rocket X3 fades into the background. That’s exactly what you want on a 87km run. 

There’s good protection for a carbon race shoe from the dual-density stack, followed by a kind of easy rolling propulsion that helps you out of each footstrike with some energy. That all makes the Rocket X3  feel smooth and fast. But controlled. 

I also still find the Rocket X 3 quite accommodating at my slower paces. Or for my slightly more loose and ragged easy-run form. Which is an inevitability at some point on the roads of the Comrades or any long road ultra. . 

And the winner…

Saucony Endorphin Azura

Price: £140/$150 | Weight: 248g/8.7oz (men’s UK 9 / US 10) | Drop: 8mm

At the time I’m recording this, my shoe of choice for the Comrades is the Saucony Endorphin Azura. But I reserve the right to change my mind at any point between now and race day! 

The first thing I love about this shoe is the fit. It’s roomy, airy, natural and it disappears on my foot. So I can run with freedom.

It’s a little less stiff than the Speed 5, so if you liked the energy of that shoe but wanted a touch more softness, this is a good option.

What I think you get is balance. It’s not as bouncy as an Asics Megablast but I still found it light, poppy, propulsive, natural and smooth.There’s a lot of rebound energy coming back from the midsole but there’s also enough impact protection to handle slower miles without feeling soggy. 

You’re still benefitting from Saucony’s speedroll rockering and there’s a good reliable base to run off. I also think there’s a bit more agility than you get from a wider, bulkier Megablast. 

It’s a lively, fun and free-flowing running shoe that I know can cope with the physical and metaphorical Ups and downs I’ll face at the Comrades Marathon. 

And now this… Best Running Shoes for the Marathon

We’ve run over 100 marathons between us, and we’ve been testing the best running shoes for over a decade, so we’re confident we can help you pick out the best marathon running shoes for you. Hit play on the video below to find our top picks in a number of categories below, plus our round-up video that covers them all.