The Best Non-Plated Marathon Shoes for Fall 2023 Races
There are still great shoes outside the world of plated-everything madness. Here are the best non-plated options for your next marathon.
Plates dominate the running scene. There's carbon plates for race day, plastic plates for training, and paper plates for post-run donuts (was that too much of dad joke?). But outside the metropolis of plated madness, there are still some diamonds in the rough of the non-plated jungle. While plates add stability and pop to race day shoes, they also provide a harsher, rougher ride that forces a specific stride and gait pattern. For those runners who want a more comfortable, natural race day ride for their marathon, we've rounded up the best non-plated shoes for your next 26.2. Happy miles.
The Best Non-Plated Marathon Racing Shoes
Race day shoes with carbon fiber plates tend to have 40mm stack heights—the maximum legally allowed limit—and bouncy and responsive PEBA foams. While there's a range of plated racers, they generally provide a similar experience: lightweight construction (sub 8 oz for US mens 9 sample size), snug upper, slightly firm but cushioned underfoot sensation and a rockered forefoot for fast toe-offs. There's much more variation in the world of non-plated shoes, since there isn't a standardized template for a marathon racer without a carbon plate.
To find the best non-plated shoes for your marathon, we looked for options that were relatively lightweight (under 9 oz, with a few exceptions), provided at least a moderate degree of cushioning (30mm heel stack or greater) and used either a bouncy super foam (PEBA or supercritical) or had a strong forefoot rocker. From the lightweight and snappy for 2:40 and below finishers to the cushioned and comfortable for 4-hour athletes, here are the best non-plated marathon racing shoes.
1. Asics Superblast ($200): Best All-Around Non-Plated Marathon Racing Shoe
The Superblast is a running shoe unicorn: it's max-cushioned, non-plated, relatively lightweight, stable and fast. That's a rare combination. It uses a dual-foam construction to provide that peppy, planted and protective experience. On top is Asics' FF Turbo foam, the same compound found in the Metaspeed Ege+ and Sky+ plated racers, and below is FF Blast Plus. The firmer Turbo foam is what allows the Superblast to be responsive and stable without a plate. Good for faster runners, slower runners and everyone in between, the Superblast is comfortable at a range of paces—which makes it a great choice for a race where you'll be on your feet for a few hours, no matter your finish time.
The trade-off of going with a non-plated shoe for your marathon is that many of the lightweight and fast options on the market aren't as cushioned as their carbon counterparts. Consider a race day shoe like the Nike Vaporfly Next% 3, where the plate allows the designers to stuff 40mm of foam into a squishy and malleable foam midsole. The Superblast defies those conventions, delivering a 45mm non-plated midsole while remaining stable and spry at 8.4 ounces.
Pros
- Bouncy and responsive without a plate
- Is cushioned but lightweight; feels good at range of paces
Cons
- Price
- High 45.5mm stack of foam isn't for everyone
ASICS Superblast
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2. Hoka Cielo Road ($160): Best Marathon Racing Shoes for Efficient Runners
The Hoka Cielo Road is a modern update to the racing flats of yesteryear. In place of the old flimsy midsoles that were slapped on a paper-thin upper is a full-PEBA midsole on the Cielo. While many of the PEBA midsoles used in plated shoes have a soft and squishy feel—e.g., Saucony's PWRRUN PB in the Endorphin Pro 3—Hoka's PEBA formulation in the Cielo Road is firmer, which adds structure and stability to the platform without a plate. On the ride, the Cielo Road is slightly firm and highly responsive, providing great energy return from the propulsive PEBA. Due to its lower stack compared to some of the other options on this list (31mm heel, 28mm forefoot, 3mm drop), it's best for efficient sub-3 hour marathon runners who are light on their feet.
Pros
- Responsive PEBA midsole
- Generous rubber outsole will increase durability
Cons
- May be a touch firm for some runners
- Not the most cushion
Hoka Cielo Road
3. Saucony Triumph 21 ($160): Best Non-Plated Marathon Shoe for a Soft & Bouncy Ride
If you're looking to cruise in comfort on race day and aren't aiming for a fast PR, consider the Saucony Triumph 21. It uses a soft and bouncy midsole called PWRRUN+, a beaded TPU compound whose inherent lightweight enables a towering 37mm stack of foam underfoot. The ride is smooth and comfortable, and the responsiveness provided by the PWRRUN+ is a gentle rolling rather than the aggressive kick of carbon plated shoes. While it's not the fastest option on this list, it may be the kindest to your feet and legs.
Pros
- Delivers massive comfort for runners seeking a smooth race-day experience
- Resilient PWRRUN+ TPU foam will feel as fresh at the 17th mile as it does the 7th
Cons
- Isn't a speed-oriented shoe
- Heel lacks some stability so may not work for some runners
Saucony Triumph 21
4. Altra Vanish Tempo ($170): Best Zero Drop Non-Plated Marathon Racing Shoe
The Altra Vanish Tempo is a zero drop speed shoe that's the non-plated version of the brand's marathon racer, the Vanish Carbon. Both versions of the shoe use Altra's supercritical Ego Pro foam, a soft and bouncy compound that's both energetic and comfortable underfoot. If you prefer the zero drop platform but don't like the harsh feeling of plates, the Vanish Tempo is a good option that blends speed and comfort. The Ego Pro foam can feel a bit soft for some runners without the plate, but it shouldn't be an issue if you're finishing your marathon in 3 hours or more.
Pros
- Bouncy and soft Ego Pro midsole foam
- Comfortable and roomy fit
Cons
- Foam may be too soft for some runners
- Zero drop platform takes some adjustment for runners to it
Altra Vanish Tempo
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5. Saucony Tempus ($160): Best Non-Plated Racing Shoe for Stability Runners
The Saucony Tempus is a speedy stability shoe designed to give overpronaters a steady platform while also offering the benefits of a bouncy race day foam. The only dedicated stabiltiy shoe on the market to use PEBA, the Tempus has a unique dual-foam construction where an outer layer of firmer EVA-based PWRRUN cradles an inner core of soft and bouncy PWRRUN PB. The result is a lively ride that's great for everything from daily runs around the neighborhood to fast training and race day efforts. While some plated race shoes like the Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 offer a good degree of support, the Tempus is a great option if you don't want to run with a plate.
Pros
- PEBA foam experience in a stability shoe
- Highly versatile shoe
Cons
- Firmer EVA foam takes some breaking in
- Not the best option for runners with major overpronation (try a more corrective stability shoe)
Saucony Tempus
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6. Craft Nordlite Ultra ($160): Most Versatile Non-Plated Marathon Racing Shoe
The Craft Nordlite Ultra is a hybrid road-trail shoe with an energetic midsole foam and a cushioned ride. Designed to excel on gravel roads and light trails, the Nordlite Ultra has a durable, lugged outsole that can help you cruise through any terrain with ease. The midsole here is a supercritical foam that's bouncy and cushioned with a great level of energy return. While the weight is higher than some of the other options in this list, the Nordlite Ultra is a good option if you're doing an ultramarathon, a trail race or you're looking for a shoe that will get use beyond the marathon race day. At $160, it's great value for a max cushioned do-it-all shoe that can handle roads and trails—and will likely last well over 500 miles due to the beefed-up outsole.
Pros
- Bouncy and comfortable midsole foam
- Versatile shoe that works on roads and trails
Cons
- Heavier than other options on this list
- Max stack of foam won't work for runners who like more minimal platform
7. New Balance FuelCell Rebel v3 ($130): Best Non-Plated Marathon Shoe with a Lightweight & Bouncy Ride
The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v3 is a no-nonense speed shoe with a fast ride and lightweight construction. The Rebel series is a cult favorite with runners who like simple shoes. In today's market, the Rebel is part of a dying breed with its modest 27.5mm heel stack height, plate-free midsole and ride that provides a touch of ground feel at toe-off. The FuelCell foam is bouncy and responsive without dominating your run, providing a flexible platform that let your legs do the work. If you've put in the training and want to test the true limits of your fitness without the artificially fast feeling of a plate or aggressive rocker, the Rebel v3 is the race day option for you.
Pros
- Simple and natural feeling ride
- Airy upper and lightweight construction
Cons
- May not be enough cushion for later miles of marathon
- Some runners may benefit from a rockered platform
New Balance Rebel v3
Final Thoughts
While the plated shoes get all the shine, there are great non-plated options on the market for your next marathon. There's the Superblast for a maximally cushioned marathon, the Cielo Road for a speedy PR, the Triumph for a comfortable cruise and many other great shoes for your specialized use case. If you'd like to evaluate more options, head to the running shoe database to see the tech and specs of all the top performance running shoe on the market today.
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