Carbon theory - a look at some of the latest carbon running shoes
We take a look at a selection of some of the latest carbon-plated running shoes on the market in spring 2025
Saucony – Endorphin Elite 2 - £280.00
The next generation of supershoe, this model features what feels like the most responsive and ‘springiest’ foam ever! The new IncrediRun midsole is very soft and with a deep, 40mm stack, it’s one of the softest-feeling race shoes on the market right now.
A full-length carbon plate helps maximise the return from the foam and adds to the toe-off, which thanks to the rocker toe design, gives the shoe an aggressive pop.
Unlike some carbon racers, which I often feel can be too aggressive for the marathon distance, this model feels better the more miles you cover. Over 5k, it felt a little too soft, but over a 20-mile tempo run, the shoe came into its own, with a highly responsive and cushioned feel that was smooth throughout the run.
This really could be the next shoe to take the marathon race day market by storm!
HOKA – Cielo X1 2.0 - £250.00
Although technically an update to an existing model, the X1 2.0 could easily be a new shoe, such are the changes. Now we have a shoe with great cushioning and a carbon plate but in a lightweight package that feels fast from the word go.
A combination of aggressive forefoot rocker, carbon plate and PEBA midsole foam make this shoe a super snappy race that propels the foot forward.
Despite the soft foam, the winged carbon plate keeps the shoe stable enough at speed to maximise energy return, while the Metarocker positively flicks the foot forward into toe-off much like a track spike.
Ultimately the result is a fast-feeling race shoe that’s versatile enough for a wide range of distances and the brand’s best racing shoe to date.
Mizuno – Wave Rebellion Pro 3 - £210.00
Being a little less aggressive than the previous model, the new Rebellion Pro 3 should allow a wider range of runners to experience the brand’s ‘Smooth Speed Assist design.
While the new models look familiar, the tweaked heel design adds a little more stability and maximises the effect of the deep cushioning and propulsive geometry of the shoe.
It’s still a shoe that demands a more efficient, neutral gait but for those that suit the shoe it really does return every bit of energy you put into it. With this in mind, Mizuno is aiming the Pro 3 at runners covering the ground at around 6-minute mile pace and at this speed, it comes into its own.
The sole design is another great, often overlooked element. Here the low profile ‘G3’ material acts like miniature teeth that manage to ‘bite’ into the road for exceptional, non-slip traction.
The Rebellion Pro 3 is a great choice for faster, efficient athletes looking to maximise performance on the roads.
Puma – Deviate Nitro Elite 3 - £195.00
One of the most versatile carbon race shoes on the market, the Nitro Elite manages to provide a highly responsive ride at any pace thanks to the smooth, nitrogen-injected foam and carbon PWRPLATE.
It’s a very stable feeling shoe too which again adds to its versatility for a wide range of runners regardless of gait or pace.
The PUMAGRIP outsole has now become established as a byword for great traction and, alongside a lightweight upper, completes the all-around high-performance fit and feel of this race day model.
Brooks – Hyperion Elite 4 PB - £200.00
A ‘mid-season’ update to the Elite 4, the PB edition adds PEBA foam to make the shoe softer and ultimately faster. While the previous version was a great model for shorter distances, the softer feel of this version makes the shoe smoother riding and ultimately more capable of handling longer distances.
The PEBA midsole features the same carbon fibre plate, so has great toe-off at speed and the shoe feels softer, lighter and naturally quicker from the outset.
A super-breathable mesh upper keeps weight down further and gives the shoe a track spike feel and a high-performance fit. Built for speed, this is the best-ever racing shoe from Brooks!
ASICS – Metaspeed Sky Paris - £220.00
With the brand’s fastest and lightest FF Turbo Plus foam midsole and a carbon plate tuned to help you make the most out of your stride, the Metaspeed Sky is a real long-distance performer.
At the marathon distance, the shoe has great credentials and road-proven form thanks to the highly responsive foam and plate combination.
The shoe takes advantage of the brand’s long history and experience and manages to get the most out of a minimal package with the shoe weighing in at under 200g. It almost disappears on the foot and yet gives great energy return for a fast and highly efficient ride that’s perfect over the marathon distance.
ENA – Proto Runner 1 - €230.00
A new brand, born of Greek heritage, the Proto Runner 1 is their first model and a carbon-plated racer designed to offer a natural ride that works for any gait type.
Every element of the shoe has been designed with sustainability in mind, with a bio-based midsole and recycled, sustainable materials in the upper. The unusual design with cutaway elements gives the shoe a striking look, but the ride is great. The geometry rolls the foot into toe-off and the carbon plate gives it a highly propulsive feel.
It would be perhaps more accurate to describe the shoe as a racer-trainer as it’s not as light as the majority of race shoes but does feel much more supportive, durable and able to handle more regular use than most race-specific models. It’s certainly a shoe to look out for as it becomes more widely available.
New Balance – FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 - £260.00
Perhaps the most stable of supershoes, the Elite v4 is a great choice for those wanting a high-performance racer but are conscious of rearfoot stability.
Here the FuelCell foam and sculpted carbon plate combine to give all the benefits of the supershoe components but in a stable and durable package. At the same time, the stability doesn’t detract from the shoe one bit and it remains fast, smooth and responsive for the marathon distance.
The light, breathable upper gives a minimal but supportive fit and good rubber coverage of the sole offers great, durable traction. The Elite v4 is an elite-level shoe with versatile performance and durability for the masses.
Decathlon – Kiprun KD900X LD2 - £159.99
Certainly the least expensive of carbon-plated race shoes, this second-generation model from Kiprun, Decathlon’s in-house running brand is feature-packed for high performance.
The shaped carbon plate and cut-away arch helps enhance energy return which, combined with the highly responsive VFOAM PLUS midsole gives this shoe a propulsive feel that matches models costing a hundred pounds more!
The slim fit and single-layer breathable mesh upper enhance the racer design and fit, meaning the shoe shows its intentions from the moment you pull it on: to move quickly. For those wanting to experience a great value carbon plated racer, this is a great option to try.
Puma – Fast RB Nitro Elite - £300.00
Okay, so like the name says, RB is for rule breaker and this shoe certainly doesn’t comply with World Athletics 40mm stack height limit, but it does give us a glimpse of what goes on with the minds of footwear designers when there are no limits!
With a nearly 50mm heel stack and triple plates combined in the midsole, this shoe breaks all the rules, but it does create a unique running experience. For mid and forefoot strikers, the ride is nothing short of extraordinary and does help appreciate the ‘assistance’ modern technologies can offer.
A good shoe for some runners for fast training sessions, but for most a conceptual glimpse of potential footwear design.
