Spring has sprung, the sun is out, and it’s time to swap those cushy winter trainers for something speedier. Whether you’re chasing PRs, podiums, or just the thrill of feeling like a carbon-powered superhero, the right shoes can make all the difference.
Enter carbon-plated super shoes: rocket-fuelled, energy-returning, ego-boosting wonders of modern running tech. But with so many options, how do you find the perfect pair for those warm-weather races and workouts? Don’t sweat it (okay, maybe just a little)—we’ve got you covered.
This guide will help you pick the best carbon-plated racers for spring and summer.
The long-awaited Vaporfly update is finally here, and it has been stripped down and streamlined. It comes in much lighter than the Vaporfly 3 (23 g), and it has a lower stack height, which makes it feel more stable, more agile and more nimble. While it has less cushioning than previous Vaporfly versions, it feels faster, and it is now more suited to 5K, 10K and half marathons rather than marathons.
The Vaporfly 4’s upper is also a significant improvement, providing better foot lockdown to ensure that there is no loss in power transfer from your feet to the midsole. The Nike Vaporfly 4, with its friendly ride character, remains an excellent choice for your first carbon-plated super racer. It retains its crown as the default super shoe.
The follow-up to the excellent Adios Pro 3 has been released, and it’s a completely different beast. The Adios Pro 4 is softer, smoother and most importantly, 14 grams lighter than its predecessor. It has an updated rocker which starts earlier, and it has a new formulation of Lightstrike Pro that feels noticeably plusher.
As a result of the softer ride, the Adios Pro 4 is less stable than its predecessors, but it makes up for it with more bounce and shock attenuation. It also has a new outsole compound made of polyurethane that provides softer landings and better traction on wet surfaces. The updated upper is softer and conforms to your foot better than the hard, scratchy upper of V3. If you crave a soft, energetic ride with a gentle rocker, the Adios Pro 4 is a great option for you.
HOKA’S top-of-the-range carbon racer gets lighter, softer and more aggressive in this new update. The Cielo X1 2.0 feels like a racer, unlike the V1, which was way too heavy to compete. In order to get the weight down, they’ve stripped down the upper and cut out more of the midsole.
The rocker has also been moved further back to create a more prominent forward-tipping sensation. These changes have made the ride a lot more unstable but a lot faster at the same time. The PEBA midsole has been improved; not only is it softer, but it also returns more energy with each footstrike.
The Endorphin Elite 2 from Saucony is unlike any other racer on the market. It has a super-soft, squishy ride that feels like you’re running on marshmallows. This a big departure from the first version of the Endorphin Elite, which felt firm and aggressive. The new IncrediRun midsole foam firms up when you speed up, providing a firmer platform to push off from.
The Endorphin Elite 2 is best suited to the marathon distance, but runners who use it need to have strong ankles with a perfectly neutral foot strike because of its lack of stability. If you want an incredibly fun ride with an unprecedented level of bounce, look no further than the Endorphin Elite 2.
The Cloudboom Strike is On Running’s latest, flagship, long-distance racer. What makes this super racer so unique is that its thick insole also forms the top part of its midsole. This means that your feet sit directly on top of the cushioning, and this makes the ride feel more engaging. Its midsole and insole are both made of Helion HF, On’s PEBA-based foam, which has been tweaked to be softer and more lively.
The Cloudboom Strike has enough cushioning for a marathon but is best suited to forefoot strikers due to its forefoot being more responsive than its rearfoot. The Cloudboom Strike runs big, so make sure you order a half-size down from your usual size.
For those seeking a cheaper carbon-plated option, the Magic Speed 4 is an excellent speed trainer that can double as a racer. It has an incredibly durable outsole, so you don’t have to save it for only race days. It also has a very stable ride for those who supinate or overpronate and require a more supportive ride.
The Magic Speed 4 has a stiff carbon plate with a midsole that doesn’t flex much, so you’re getting a similar ride to a super racer. There’s a block of FF Turbo+ housed in its forefoot so you get more lively toe-offs.
With so many incredible carbon-plated racers on the market, there’s a perfect shoe for every runner and race.
Whether you’re after the lightweight speed of the Nike Vaporfly 4, the plush bounce of the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4, the aggressive propulsion of the HOKA Cielo X1 2.0, the marshmallow-soft ride of the Saucony Endorphin Elite 2, or the unique feel of the On Cloudboom Strike, there’s no shortage of options to make your spring and summer races unforgettable.
Choose the one that suits your style and distance, lace up, and get ready to chase those PBs!
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