The Best PEBA Foam Running Shoes for Fall 2023 Marathon Training
PEBA was once reserved for carbon-plated super shoes, but in 2023 it's in all corners of the market. Here are the best PEBA running shoes available today.
Every so often, there's an innovation that changes the game. The aqueduct. The automobile. The iPhone. And, drumroll please… carbon-plated PEBA foam running shoes. While the societal impact may or may not be on the same level as the Modle-T (depending on who you ask), the implications for nerdy runners have been gargantuan. If you're looking to shave a few minutes off your marathon PR, here are the best PEBA foam racing shoes on the market today.
The Best PEBA Running Shoes
While Nike was first to market with PEBA in 2017 with the Vaporfly, other brands have caught up and pushed the category forward with not only race day options, but also PEBA shoes for daily training, recovery runs and even the trails. Some companies have developed their own compound in-house, while others like Tracksmith and Topo have sourced their PEBA from Arkema, the same manufacturer that supplies Nike's ZoomX.
At a high level, PEBA foam (polyether block amide) is superior to other running shoe foams like EVA and TPU because it returns more energy to the runner (this is experienced as "bounce" or "responsiveness") and is more resistant to temperature changes than other foams. For a full primer on what PEBA is and how it compares to those other foams, check out this running shoe foam comparison and deep dive. Otherwise, let's get into the best PEBA running shoes below.
1. Nike Vaporfly Next% 3 ($250): The Best PEBA Foam Race Day Super Shoe
The Nike Vaporfly 4% was the first PEBA-based running shoe to hit the market in 2017, and the third version continues on its legacy of lightweight raceday speed. The Nike Vaporfly Next% 3 uses a max stack of PEBA ZoomX foam paired with a full-length carbon fiber plate. The result is a cushioned and propulsive ride that skews to the soft and bouncy side of the PEBA running experience. While other great marathon racers have hit the market in the last few years, none have quite matched the inherent magic of the ZoomX. Until the next innovation is made, the Vaporfly is still what we're lacing up on race day.
Nike Vaporfly Next% 3
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2. Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 ($170): The Best PEBA Foam Running Shoe for Long Runs
The Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 is an uptempo running shoe with a bouncy ride. The Speed 3 uses a winged nylon plate in the midsole rather than a carbon plate, so the ride is friendlier and more approachable for everyday running efforts. The Speed 3 feels comfortable across the range of paces but shines around marathon pace. It's a great long run shoe as the PEBA-based PWRRUN PB foam feels fresh for the duration of a 2 hour long run and the nylon plate provides a bit of snap without making the ride feel harsh.
Saucony Endorphin Speed 3
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3. Tracksmith Eliot Runner ($200): The Best-Looking PEBA Foam Daily Trainer
If you're looking for a PEBA daily trainer, the Tracksmith Eliot Runner is the best in the game. Tracksmith takes a different approach to PEBA than some of the other companies here, opting for a firmer, more durable formulation that feels supportive and structured for everyday runs. The Eliot Runner still retains PEBA's responsiveness, as the shoe feels snappy and quick when picking up the pace. There's a supercritical PEBA (i.e., it's been injected with gas) sockliner that's around 10mm thick, triple the width of standard sockliners, which provides a soft step-in feel and a comfortable experience when walking—which is a great thing because you'll want to show off the swag of the impeccably-designed Eliot Runner around town.
Tracksmith Eliot Runner
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4. Topo Athletic Cyclone 2 ($150): The Best Non-Plated PEBA Foam Tempo Shoe
The Topo Athletic Cyclone 2 is a non-plated workout shoe from Topo, a brand that produces low-drop shoes with roomier toe-boxes. The ride experience is similar to what the Endorphin Speed might feel like without a plate—slightly soft, bouncy and responsive. Because of the Topo fit, this is a great option for runners with wider feet. This is also a great racing shoe if you're looking for a non-plated half-marathon or marathon option. Plus for the price, there's no better bang for your buck when it comes to PEBA-based shoes.
Topo Athletic Cyclone 2
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5. Hoka Rocket X 2 ($250): The Best PEBA Foam Marathon Racer from Hoka
Hoka fans were left wandering in the PEBA desert for years, served only various formulations of ProFly foam, mirages of hope that never quite satisfied the thirst for a real race-day foam like Nike's ZoomX or Saucony's PWWRUN PB. But that's no more—2023 saw the brand drop three PEBA-based shoes. The Rocket X 2 is a marathon racer that has a soft formulation of PEBA that feels both comfortable and fast when paired with the full-length carbon fiber plate. It also has a more robust rubber outsole covering than competitor race day options (looking at you, Vaporfly), so the durability may be above average depending on your footstrike.
Hoka Rocket X 2
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6. Saucony Kinvara Pro ($180): The Most Comfortable PEBA Foam Running Shoe
The Saucony Kinvara Pro is the first shoe listed here to use a dual-foam midsole construction. The top layer is Saucony's PEBA-based PWRRUN PB, which is soft and responsive, and the bottom layer is the brand's PWRRUN foam, a standard EVA that's firmer, stable and cushioned. In between the two foams, there's a three-quarter length carbon-fiber plate that stabilizes the platform and adds extra responsiveness. The Kinvara Pro has a comfortable and cushioned feel that make it a great option for longer distance relaxed runs and high-mileage weeks during marathon training. Despite the plate, it's not the snappiest or fastest shoe, so runners capable of a sub 3 marathon or sub-1:25 half marathon will benefit from a lighter, more propulsive shoe for race day.
Saucony Kinvara Pro
7. Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 ($225): The Most Versatile Carbon-Plated PEBA Foam Super Shoe
The Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 is a top-tier marathon racing shoe that has a cushioned and responsive ride. The Saucony Endorphin series of shoes all have an aggressive rockered platform, which help the shoes roll along and promotes an efficient stride at all paces. The PWRRUN PB PEBA foam used in the Pro 3 is soft and bouncy, so the shoe feels comfortable at slower paces even with the full-length carbon-fiber plate. Similar in feel to the Hoka Rocket X 2, the $225 Pro 3 also comes in $25 less—and $25 less than the $225 Vaporfly—so it's a good value buy as well.
Saucony Endorphin Pro 3
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8. Saucony Sinister ($160): The Best Non-Plated PEBA Foam Running Shoe for Track Workouts
The Saucony Sinister is a non-plated uptempo shoe that brings the track spike experience to the roads. With a full-length bed of PWRRUN PB, the sub–5 ounce featherweight Sinister has a fast and snappy ride that's unencumbered by a plate or excess tech. It's just super foam and a minimal upper, creating a platform that's perfect for efficient runners who want to build strength on speed day free of carbon plates. It's designed with 5k and 10k races in mind, so it's a great option for any shorter distance efforts.
Saucony Sinister
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9. Hoka Cielo Road ($160): The Best PEBA Foam Running Shoe for Short Races
The Hoka Cielo Road is a non-plated shoe designed for 5k and 10k races. Without the plate, Hoka uses a firmer formulation of PEBA in the Cielo versus the Rocket X 2, which allows the foam to still deliver a snappy toe-off (without a plate, PEBA alone can be overly squishy; see the Invincible 3 below). At $160, the Cielo Road is competitive with other shoes in the 5k racing segment (Nike Streakfly is $160; Saucony Sinister is $160; Adidas Takumi Sen is $180; New Balance SC Pacer is $180). At 7.2 ounces, the weight is a touch higher than the typical 6 ounce range for the segment, but the Cielo Road does provide more rubber coverage.
Hoka Cielo Road
10. Hoka Mach X ($180): Best High-Mileage Marathon Training Shoe with PEBA Foam
The Hoka Mach X is a dual-foam high mileage trainer that uses a top layer of PEBA, bottom layer of EVA and a full-length plastic plate. The PEBA combined with the plate adds responsiveness and energy return like in a racing shoe, with the EVA foam lower level stabilizes the platform and creates a friendlier ride for everyday runs. This shoe is great for helping you tackle big mileage weeks duing marathon training without overly taxing the legs. It's also a good option for beginner runners looking for a comfortable racing shoe.
Hoka Mach X
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11. Saucony Endorphin Edge ($200): Best Trail Running Shoe with PEBA Foam
The Saucony Endorphin Edge was one of the first shoes to bring PEBA to the trails. The Edge is an off-road version of the Pro 3, combining the brand's PWRRUN PB foam with a carbon-fiber plate designed for the trails. The ride is fast and bouncy, a bit like riding a charging stallion down a ski slope. If you run on mostly west coast–style trails with fire roads and gravel paths, the Edge is a great option. It excels at moderate, runnable terrain that's not overly technical. If you're in rougher terrain, check out the Endorphin Rift, which is a milder, non-plated version of the Edge.
Saucony Endorphin Edge
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12. Nike Invincible 3 ($180): Best PEBA-Based Recovery Running Shoe
The Nike Invincible 3 is a max-cushioned cruiser with a thick stack of Nike's PEBA-based ZoomX. The Invincble is the only shoe on the market to use such a large slab of PEBA without a plate or other foam to stabilize it. Because of this, while fun to drive, previous versions of the Invincible were unstable and squirrely. This current iteration still retains the squishy and bouncy ride, but it addresses some of those concerns with more sculpting in the midsole and heel clip around the back of the platform. The Invincble is a good PEBA foam option for a recovery running shoe, and it's a great pick for casual wear and walking.
Nike Invincible 3
13. On Cloudboom Echo 3 ($290): Best PEBA Racing Shoe from On
The On Cloudboom Echo 3 is the latest marathon racer from Swiss running brand On. It's the first shoe from On to have a PEBA midsole, and they opted to use the real-deal Pebax sourced directly from Arkema, the same manufacturer that makes ZoomX. The Cloudboom Echo 3 has a firm and snappy ride from the Pebax paired with a carbon-fiber plate. It's a competitive option in the competitive super shoe category, but at $290 it's priced $40+ higher than other racers on the market. If you're an On loyalist or you prefer a firmer ride, then the pricetag will be worth it.
On Cloudboom Echo 3
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14. Saucony Tempus ($160): Best Stability Shoe with PEBA Foam
The Saucony Tempus is the first stability shoe to have a PEBA foam midsole. It uses a unique dual-foam construction where the inner core of foam is PEBA-based soft and bouncy PWRRUN PB, helping create a fast platform for picking up the pace, and the outer layer of foam is EVA-based PWRRUN, which helps promote stable landings. The Tempus is a great shoe for both true stability runners and neutral runners who prefer extra support for some runs. If you're an overpronator who can't wear traditional PEBA-based super shoes, the Tempus is a great option for race day as well.
Saucony Tempus
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15. Puma Deviate Nitro 2 ($160): The Most Durable PEBA Running Shoe
The Puma Deviate Nitro 2 is a dual-foam midsole training shoe that combines PEBA with EVA and a carbon fiber plate to deliver a fast and versatile ride. One of the issues with PEBA-based shoes is that they tend to be designed for race day, so they have minimal rubber outsoles to save weight. The Deviate Nitro 2 is on the other end of the spectrum—it's designed for everyday running and has a resilient covering of PumaGrip outsole that's great for navigating wet weather and will help preserve the integrity of the midsole for hundreds of miles. The Deviate Nitro 2 is a great option for faster everyday runs and long runs where you'll be on your feet for 2 hours, as the carbon plate helps increase fatigue resistance.
Puma Deviate Nitro 2
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Final Thoughts
While PEBA was once reserved for the fastest shoes on race day, it's now trickled down to all corners of the market. There are fast and snappy workout shoes, reliable daily trainers and super-stacked max cushioned cruisers. There are so many great PEBA foam options on the market in 2023 that we couldn't include them all. Happy shopping, and here are a few other PEBA shoes we didn't include:
- Saucony Endorphin Elite ($275): Bouncy and rockered marathon racer
- Nike ZoomX Streakfly ($160): Short distance racer with soft, ground contact ride
- Speedland GS:TAM ($275): Max stack PEBA racer for the trails
- Under Armour UA Flow Velociti Elite ($250): Carbon plated racer for efficient runners
- Saucony Endorphin Rift ($170): Lightweight non-plated trail racer
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