Racing a half marathon in March planning on about 1:17:00... How much will spending $250 on racing shoes really help?

I'd guess at least a minute, maybe more. YMMV

My results haven't been much different pre/post supershoes and despite trying 3 different brand's version (Brooks, Nike, Saucony). All my PRs are in Adios 4 and Streak LT4. I mostly race in the Sen Takumi these days but for a race with steep downhills I've worn my Endorphin Pros and think they help a lot with the downhill pounding and don't slow me down that much compared to my preferred Sen Takumi 8s. You could just get whatever pair of supershoes you can find on sale that are not trash.

Same as above.

I have run almost the same times in light trainers and super-shoes. My 5k best is within ten seconds and half within 30-seconds. They do make a difference but some of it is in your head. Expect maybe a min-or so for a half but no more in my opinion.

For supershoes,... I like what Adidas makes. Takumi Sen, Adios series...

Yeah, all other things being equal, about 90 seconds?

90 seconds for a half. It's my opinion that people that say they are equal to trainers simply dont want to believe the effect that super shoes have on them and think they are running like they always have when this is indeed not the case and the race results across the board continue to prove this out.

Just so we're clear here, to get any benefit, you'll need to not only spend $250 on the shoes, but also race in them.

If you have the $$$ and a time goal in a race, they're worth it. I went into my first race in Vaporflies hoping to break 1:20 and instead dipped under 1:18. Call me a high responder, but for me they're worth every cent.

If money isn’t a concern, definitely. None of us are professional runners. If they help your time, great! Only you will care. But damn, they are fun!

People swear by the Takumi Sen line that has historically been 180. Supershoes certainly help but you probably don’t have to go full freight marathon supershoe for $250+.

There have been data studies showing that elite marathoners are going 60-90 seconds faster and the benefit is greater for lesser runners. Different people respond differently due to their own running efficiency and how the shoes react to that.

Anecdotally, I know multiple people who dropped 5+ minutes in the marathon. These are masters guys, so they aren't getting physically better and their training schedule isn't really different either. They just are not as beat up from long tempos and the shoes are giving them a few seconds per mile on top of being fresher.

So if your race time matters and you can afford them: YES, they are worth the money.

Yes. Even if you don't run any faster (you probably will), the reduced pounding/increased recovery versus wearing old school flats would be worth it. The super shoes are incredibly light but have the cushion of a trainer.

Are you a man or a woman? How much do you weigh? How competitive is the field going to be, and would gaining a minute or two in your result have the potential to gain you enough in earnings to get ROI? What's your financial situation? Are you comfortable taking risks with your money or with slight increased potential for injury? Do you feel regretful and beat yourself up for not trying something new when you had the opportunity?

These are things to think about.

I'd say there's a minute difference.

However, the experience of running will be significantly improved. Super shoes just feel good - especially at the 18k mark of a half marathon.

get some endo pros off ebay-mercari-poshmark for like 40, or vaporfly 2s for like 90

This was a benefit I didn't realize how much I'd appreciate. It's to the point where my daily trainers need to at least have the super shoe foam. The fact that I can wear a sub 9oz shoe that is still cushioned while responsive makes the grind of marathon training that much easier, or at least less taxing. Not that I need a full carbon plate for this purpose. But the days of the relatively minimal daily trainer might be gone.

just a WAG, but about 4%

It`s no need to pay $ 250 for shoes when you can hire my services.Pay me the $ 250 , and you are guaranteed get faster !! And for that money I give you free magic Swedish BJ . 👋🧙‍♂️🇸🇪

This is really helpful. Thanks.

Someone else mentioned your feet and legs take much less of a pounding with super shoes, and that's really attractive to me too because last year I ran basically all out at this half marathon and could barely walk afterwards. Actually injured my calf and couldn't run at all for about 6 weeks, so being able to avoid that would be great.

I think I will go ahead and buy a pair and will report back here after my race to share the results.

Thanks, everyone.