5 Different Types of Carbon-Plated Racing Shoes in 2026
In 2026, running shoe brands are offering multiple race day options aimed at different types of runners with different foot strikes, paces, stability needs, geometry preferences, and budgets. Each race shoe offers different foam compounds, plate orientations, geometries, rocker profiles, and combinations of foam and other new tech. Here we are looking at the most popular race day models, and categorizing them based on their performance in terms of speed assistance and comfort.
Welcome to Carbon County, land of TPEE and home of the plates. While you’re here, we thought it would be fun to show you around. Just don’t stay too long in the Valley of Mid or you might never get out.
Aggressive Alley
This region of Carbon County is home to the fastest shoes on the market, each of which utilize distinct speed assistive tech, from low-drop, streamlined constructions in the Nike Streakfly 2 and Mizuno Hyperwarp Pure, to aggressively-rockered geometries in the Puma Fast-R 3 and Adidas Adios Pro Evo 2.
Mizuno Hyperwarp Pure
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Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3
Carbon Heritage District
In the Carbon Heritage District reside older racers that are still getting play in runners’ rotations in 2026. The Nike Alphafly 3, Puma Deviate NITRO Elite 3, and On Cloudboom Strike remain popular marathon picks despite their age, and the Hoka Cielo X1 2.0 is still a fun, highly-rockered option.
On Cloudboom Strike LS
The Marshmallow Region
The Southwest corner of Carbon County is home to marshmallow soft, yet energetic racers, which aim to provide a wild, springy, and more fun alternative to traditional firm race day foams. The Metaspeed Ray and Adidas Adios Pro 4 are the fastest of this new wave of ultra-soft race shoes, with the Tracksmith Eliot Racer and Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 serving as fun long run companions.
ASICS Metaspeed Ray
The Goldilocks Zone
These are the carbon-plated racers that deliver the optimal blend of speed assistance, comfort, stability and bounce, making them our go-to recommendations for the majority of runners. Whether you’re seeking stability and reliability (Puma Deviate Elite 4), tall cushioning in a highly-rockered package (Hoka Cielo X1 3.0), or soft comfort (New Balance SC Elite v5), there’s something here for everyone.
Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 4
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Hoka Cielo X1 3.0
The Valley of Mid
Unfortunately, some Carbon racers just aren’t it. These shoes, ranging from outright bad to uninspiring, are banished to the Valley of Mid. The On Cloudboom Max and Adidas Takumi Sen 11 were complete misses for us, delivering lackluster, lifeless ride experiences. The Nike Vaporfly 4 and Hoka Rocket X3 aren’t necessarily bad, but they don’t live up to the pedigree of their respective nameplates.
Hoka Rocket X 3
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