The 6 Best Carbon Plate Running Shoes of 2025

Written by Lauren Haislip

You’ll see them at your local 10K, usually on the feet of someone flying through the final mile like they’ve got rocket fuel. Carbon-plated shoes used to be reserved for elites, but not anymore. Today, they’re helping everyday runners conserve energy, run more efficiently, and finish stronger, especially when that last stretch really starts to burn.

With new models dropping constantly, the carbon shoe world is packed with options, some built for all-out speed, others prioritizing cushion, and plenty that sit somewhere in the middle. To make things easier, we put together this no-fluff guide to some of the best picks out there. These are shoes we’ve seen in action, heard about from customers, and stocked based on real-world performance. Whether you’re training for your first race or chasing a shiny new PR, there’s something here that’ll match your stride and style.

If you’re just getting started with carbon plates or curious about how they compare to neutral trainers or stability shoes, check out our article on choosing the best running shoes. You might also want to read our beginner’s guide on how to start running to better understand whether carbon shoes would suit your needs.

What Are Carbon Plate Running Shoes?

Think of them as a tag team: a lightweight, curved carbon plate paired with springy midsole foam (like PEBA, PWRRUNPB, or ZoomX). The plate adds structure and propulsion, while the foam brings the bounce. Together, they help you push off the ground faster, waste less energy, and hold form when your legs are begging you to stop.

That combo doesn’t just make you feel faster, it can help you stay efficient longer, especially during long runs or races. Some models feel snappy and firm, others soft and rolling. It just depends on how you like your ride.

Benefits of carbon-plated shoes:

Plated shoes aren’t for everyone, and not all plates feel the same. Some models feel bouncy and soft. Others feel aggressive and snappy. Knowing your stride and goals is key.

Want help picking the right style? Visit any of our PR Run & Walk locations for a free gait analysis.

The Top 6 Carbon Plate Running Shoes of 2025

Nike Vaporfly Next% 4

Why We Love It:
The Vaporfly Next% 4 is still the benchmark when it comes to carbon-plated speed. Built with racing in mind, it combines Nike’s super-light ZoomX foam with a full-length carbon plate to deliver serious energy return and quick ,smooth transitions. This version also gets a wider base through the midfoot for a bit more stability, something past models didn’t offer as much of.

The upper’s been refined too: it’s lighter, more breathable, and locks down better without feeling restrictive. And with a slightly lower stack than before, the ride feels more nimble and controlled, great when you’re running on fumes but still pushing for a strong finish.

Why It Stands Out:
The Vaporfly Next% 4 delivers top-tier propulsion in a lightweight, race-ready package. Every element is built to reduce drag, increase efficiency, and help runners maintain form under fatigue, all without sacrificing responsiveness.

Shop Women’s Nike Vaporfly Next% 4

Shop Men’s Nike Vaporfly Next% 4

Saucony Endorphin Pro 4

Why We Love It:
The Endorphin Pro 4 packs serious speed without feeling overly aggressive. Saucony’s PWRRUN HG foam gives it a lively, responsive feel underfoot, and the full-length carbon plate adds that extra snap to every stride. The rocker shape helps you roll through each step smoothly, which really comes in handy when your legs start to fade mid-race.

What sets this one apart is the fit. The platform’s a touch wider than most, and there’s some actual room up front, so your toes aren’t crammed in during longer efforts. The upper wraps your foot securely without feeling stiff or narrow, making it one of the few race-day shoes that balances performance with a bit of forgiveness.

Why It Stands Out:
This model blends high-performance race-day tech with a more versatile fit. With snappy turnover, lightweight construction, and a touch more room up front, the Endorphin Pro 4 delivers propulsion and comfort in equal measure.

Shop Women’s Saucony Endorphin Pro 4

Shop Men’s Saucony Endorphin Pro 4

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4

Why We Love It:
The SuperComp Elite v4 combines soft, responsive FuelCell foam with a strategically shaped Energy Arc carbon plate, offering a smooth and propulsive ride. Its geometry encourages efficient turnover, making it equally capable of handling high-effort workouts and faster long runs. Updates to this version include a lighter upper, improved breathability, and added midfoot support for better lockdown and stability.

Why It Stands Out:
With a balance of comfort and speed, this model bridges the gap between race-day intensity and day-to-day durability. The ride feels energetic yet forgiving, ideal for runners who want plated performance across a variety of paces and workouts.

Shop Women’s NB SuperComp Elite v4

Shop Men’s NB SuperComp Elite v4

ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris

Why We Love It:
The Metaspeed Sky Paris is built for rhythm. Its firmer FF Turbo+ midsole foam and responsive carbon plate encourage a quick cadence and forward drive, especially for runners who generate speed through turnover. ASICS fine-tuned the rocker geometry to complement an efficient stride, while cutting weight and boosting breathability for race-day performance without distractions.

Why It Stands Out:
Unlike soft or bouncy super shoes, this one keeps you grounded, literally. The platform feels stable under pressure, offering a locked-in ride that responds best when you’re dialed in and pushing the pace. It’s streamlined, snappy, and surgically focused on efficiency through control.

Shop Unisex ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris

On Cloudboom Strike

Why We Love It:
The Cloudboom Strike ditches the fluff and gets straight to the point. Designed with a carbon-infused Speedboard and ultralight Helion HF foam, this shoe delivers firm, no-nonsense propulsion with a ride that feels close to the ground. It favors precision over plushness and rewards an efficient, aggressive stride.

Why It Stands Out:
This isn’t your typical high-stack super shoe. The Cloudboom Strike is low-profile, fast-reacting, and unapologetically firm, ideal for runners who want to feel the road and stay fully connected to every step. It’s sleek, stripped down, and built to go hard.

Best For: Short-distance racers, forefoot strikers, and minimalist fans

Shop Women’s On Cloudboom Strike

Shop Men’s On Cloudboom Strike

Altra Vanish Carbon 2

Why We Love It:
The Vanish Carbon 2 brings carbon-plated performance to Altra’s signature zero-drop, foot-shaped design, something few competitors even attempt. A flexible Carbitex plate works with your natural stride rather than forcing a fixed path, while the lightweight EGO PRO midsole adds responsive cushioning without muting ground feel. It’s fast, but it still feels like you.

Why It Stands Out:
Zero-drop shoes with a carbon plate are rare. This one proves you don’t have to sacrifice foot shape or running form to go fast.

Shop Women’s Altra Vanish Carbon 2

Shop Men’s Altra Vanish Carbon 2

Comparison Table

Shoe

Design Focus

Key Benefit

Nike Vaporfly Next% 4

Lightweight race-day build

Max propulsion, minimal weight

Saucony Endorphin Pro 4

Spacious, high-speed geometry

Roomy toe box + race-ready turnover

NB SuperComp Elite v4

Tempo-to-race versatility

Smooth, stable ride with soft rebound

ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris

Precision and control

Efficient transitions with structure

On Cloudboom Strike

Low-profile speed

Snappy, firm feel with ground contact

Altra Vanish Carbon 2

Natural movement + tech

Zero-drop design with plated propulsion

Final Thoughts: Which Carbon-Plated Shoe Is Right for You?

Carbon-plated running shoes were once the domain of elites and Olympic hopefuls. Now, they’re showing up at weekend 10Ks and local training runs… and for good reason. Whether you're aiming to podium or simply want to hold form through the final miles, carbon plate tech is more available (and more useful) than ever.

From featherweight rockets like the Nike Vaporfly Next% 4, to versatile workhorses like the New Balance SuperComp Elite v4, to natural-ride builds like the Altra Vanish Carbon 2, today’s options span every stride and preference. The right pick comes down to your goals, your gait, and how you like your ride, be it stacked and soft or low and firm.

If you're not sure which model aligns with your stride or race plans, don’t guess. Get expert help! Stop by one of our PR Run & Walk locations for a free gait analysis and personalized shoe fitting. Our team will walk you through the pros and cons of each model and help you find the pair that matches your training, your biomechanics, and your performance goals.

Still comparing models? Check out our related resources:

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