You’re standing in the middle of a Costco warehouse. It’s loud. There’s a guy sample-testing a tiny cup of spanakopita to your left, and to your right, a stack of paper products that reaches the ceiling. Most people instinctively grab the blue Kirkland Signature pack. It’s the default. But then you see it: the Marathon toilet paper at Costco. It looks professional. It looks massive. It looks like something you’d find in a high-end hotel or a very busy office building.
But should you actually put it in your cart? Honestly, the answer depends entirely on whether you value "plushness" or "persistence."
Marathon is a brand manufactured by Georgia-Pacific. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because they are the same giants behind Angel Soft and Quilted Northern. However, Marathon isn't marketed as a luxury spa experience for your bathroom. It’s designed for high-traffic endurance. It’s the workhorse of the paper world. While the Kirkland brand is a 2-ply residential staple, Marathon often bridges the gap between commercial efficiency and home comfort.
The Reality of Marathon Toilet Paper at Costco
If you’ve ever used the restroom in a Starbucks or a mid-sized medical office, you’ve likely encountered Georgia-Pacific products. Marathon is their "prosumer" line. At Costco, you’ll usually find the Marathon 2-Ply Bath Tissue in a 48-roll configuration. That is a lot of paper. We are talking about roughly 470 sheets per roll. Compare that to the standard rolls you find at a grocery store, which might hover around 200 to 250 sheets, and you start to see why people get excited.
It lasts forever.
Seriously, one of the biggest complaints about modern "ultra-soft" toilet paper is that the rolls are so fluffy they run out in two days. Marathon is wound tight. It’s dense. It’s designed so you aren't changing the roll every single morning. For a large family or someone running a small business out of their home, this is a logistical godsend.
But there is a trade-off. Marathon is not "pillowy." If you are someone who needs your toilet paper to feel like a cloud, you’re probably going to hate this. It’s soft enough—don't get me wrong, it’s not sandpaper—but it’s functional. It’s strong. It doesn't lint or leave "dust" behind as much as the super-premium brands do, which is a huge plus for anyone tired of cleaning white fuzz off the bathroom floor.
Breaking Down the Specs
Let's look at what you’re actually getting. A typical pack of Marathon at Costco features:
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- 48 rolls per case.
- 2-ply thickness.
- Enclosed individual wrapping (usually).
- Septic-safe certification.
That individual wrapping is a polarizing feature. Some people find it incredibly annoying to unwrap a roll every time they need a refill. It feels like extra waste. Others love it. If you store your extra TP in a dusty garage or a damp basement cabinet, that paper wrap keeps the roll pristine. Plus, if you’re actually using this for a business, the individual wrapping is a health code and professional standard must-have.
Is it Better than Kirkland Signature?
This is the ultimate Costco showdown. Kirkland Signature 2-Ply is the undisputed king of the warehouse. It’s famous for being the "just right" Goldilocks of toilet paper. It’s soft, it’s thick, and it’s cheap.
However, over the last couple of years, some Costco die-hards have started complaining that Kirkland’s quality has dipped. People mention more lint, or rolls that seem slightly narrower. This is where Marathon toilet paper at Costco starts to win people over. Marathon feels more consistent. Because it’s a commercial-grade product, the specifications don't fluctuate as much. Georgia-Pacific knows that business owners will lose their minds if the roll size changes by half an inch, so they keep it tight.
Marathon is often slightly thinner than Kirkland. If you do a side-by-side "squish test," Kirkland feels bulkier. But Marathon has better "wet strength." It doesn't fall apart mid-use. For parents of toddlers who tend to use way too much paper, Marathon is often safer for the plumbing because it’s designed to break down quickly in sewer systems despite its strength.
The Septic System Factor
If you live in a house with a septic tank, you know the anxiety of "the clog." Not all toilet papers are created equal in the eyes of a septic pump. Brands like Charmin Ultra Strong are notorious for being a nightmare for septic systems because they take forever to dissolve.
Marathon is specifically engineered to be septic-safe. Since it’s used in large-scale commercial buildings with complex plumbing, it has to dissolve efficiently. You get the peace of mind of a 2-ply sheet without the looming threat of a $500 plumber visit.
Why Do People Keep Buying It?
It’s the convenience of the bulk buy. You buy one case of Marathon toilet paper at Costco, and if you live alone or with one other person, you might not need to buy toilet paper again for six months. It’s one less thing to think about.
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There’s also the price-per-sheet metric. While the upfront cost of a 48-roll pack might seem high (usually hovering between $28 and $35 depending on regional pricing and sales), the price per square foot is often lower than the "premium" brands at a regular grocery store.
Let's talk about the "lint" factor again. It sounds like a small thing, but it’s a major point of contention in the world of bathroom hygiene. High-end, "lotion-infused" or "ultra-plush" papers are basically just compressed lint. As soon as they rub against a surface, they shed. Marathon is "tight-knit." If you use it to wipe a mirror in a pinch (we’ve all done it), it won't leave a trail of white streaks.
The Downsides Nobody Mentions
It’s not all sunshine and giant rolls.
First, the storage. A 48-roll pack is the size of a small refrigerator. If you live in a tiny apartment, you’re basically committing a corner of your living room to Marathon.
Second, the core size. Sometimes commercial-style rolls have slightly different core diameters. While Marathon usually fits a standard home dispenser, it can be a bit snug at first. Because the rolls are wound so tightly, they are heavy. If you have one of those flimsy, spring-loaded plastic holders, it might groan under the weight of a fresh Marathon roll.
Third, the "feel." Again, I cannot stress this enough: it is not "soft." It is "fine." It’s the difference between a high-thread-count cotton sheet and a crisp hotel sheet. One is for lounging, one is for durability.
Final Verdict on Marathon Toilet Paper at Costco
If you are a "folder" rather than a "wadder," you will appreciate Marathon. It holds its shape. It does the job.
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If you are looking for the most economical way to keep your household running without frequent trips to the store, this is your winner. It beats out the grocery store brands on price and beats out the ultra-premium brands on longevity.
However, if you have sensitive skin or you view the bathroom as your personal sanctuary of luxury, you might find Marathon a bit too utilitarian. It’s a "business" paper. It’s there to work, not to pamper.
Next Steps for the Savvy Shopper
Check your local Costco’s "Business Center" if you have one nearby. While regular Costco warehouses carry Marathon, the Business Centers often have even larger bulk options or different variations of the Marathon line that might suit a home office or workshop better.
Before you commit to the 48-roll haul, check the "price per sheet" on the shelf tag. Costco is great about labeling this. Compare the Marathon price per 100 sheets against the Kirkland Signature. If Marathon is on sale—which happens roughly twice a year—the value is unbeatable.
Finally, consider the wrapping. If you plan on splitting the pack with a neighbor or a family member (the classic Costco "divide and conquer" strategy), the individual wrapping makes Marathon much easier to share than the giant plastic-wrapped blocks of Kirkland. Stick a few rolls in your guest bathroom, and you won't have to worry about them getting "stale" or dusty before a visitor arrives.
Once you buy it, make sure you have the vertical clearance in your pantry. You’re going to be looking at that box for a long, long time.