The Most Exciting Road Running Shoes of 2026: Our Picks & Previews

The Future of Running

We’re still catching our breath on the heels of the busiest week of the year at The Running Event 2025. For those who don’t know, it’s essentially the trade show in the running industry, as every brand in the world remotely related to running shows up and shows out with their 2026 offerings. It’s a massive gathering of brands showing off the latest in footwear, apparel, gear, and nutrition. If you’re important, you’re there. On the show side, it’s product line managers, sales reps, founders, and designers. On the tell side, it’s run retail, shoe reviewers, journalists, podcasters, substackers, and more. 

There’s so much to see and a week isn’t enough time to cover it all. According to a post-event press release, TRE’s 2025 exhibit hall was the largest in show history, with more than 350 exhibiting brands set up in 100,000 sq. feet of space. More than 5,400 attendees represented all 50 states as well as 33 countries.

We represented 8 of those attendees, with a full team of road and trail reviewers, as well as nutritionist Meg Featherstun and our video crews. And we went hard, with over 40 meetings in two days, as well as a live podcast and morning group run with Kiprun. 

Some of that stuff is on the floor, while other things remain behind closed doors. We got to see almost all of it, and we have to say– there is plenty of stuff to be excited about for 2026. 

There are a ton of things we can’t talk about, but here’s what we will say: Adidas and Nike have some jaw-dropping stuff coming, and from what we were told, it’s just the beginning. 

The revival of the ACG brand and Nike’s multi-year sponsorship of the entire Broken Arrow series (with huge payout structures) means that trail running is certifiably on fire and worthy of massive investments.

Talking with Brooks about upcoming product in 2026

Speaking of the trail side, that entire segment is going crazy with all kinds of new models and innovations. Our trail team of Taylor and Reese met with about 20 different brands to see what’s coming and you can see their entire roundup here.

Mizuno is dropping some huge updates to their staple models, as well as their trifecta of elite race day shoes in the Hyperwarp line. Puma is polishing up its current offerings, simplifying its designs, and debuting a very interesting, reasonably priced model that should have people talking. 

We only saw a single Hoka model with minor updates (Mach 7), but if you play out their current offerings and past release dates, you can probably guess what’s coming in January. They also have an exciting new shoe coming later in the year.

Mount to Coast looks like they’re here to stay, as they were one of the more talked about brands, coming off the heels of their surprise sleeper hit in the H1. As always, Brooks is targeting the everyday runner by offering a slew of updates to their current models, as well as the launch of the much-promoted Glycerin Flex (coming at the end of January) and the all-new Ghost Amp.

Talking with Yeti, co-founder of Mount to Coast

And then there’s On, who brought in company co-founder Caspar Coppetti to set things straight going forward. Along with him was the new Chief Innovation Officer, Scott Maguire, who clearly cleaned house and started over from scratch when it came to manufacturing and design. I can tell you this– by all measures, it seems they are done f-ing around with whatever pendulum swing they were doing with their running shoes. The upcoming releases (including the Cloudsurfer 3) look and feel incredibly exciting. 

Aside from the big footwear brands, we also saw incredible innovation and forward thinking design in newcomers like R.A.D, boundary breakers like Satisfy, and niche makers like Tantrums and Courier.

Other brands were pretty quiet this year; New Balance didn’t have any product line managers available to discuss upcoming models and Asics only showed the Gel-Nimbus 28 (though we know the Superblast 3 is coming at some point). Under Armour didn’t even have a booth at the show.

In this wrap-up, we took what we saw and compiled a list of our favorite stuff coming in 2026. This isn’t a definitive list, of course. The most exciting stuff of all won’t be revealed until the time is right, as deemed by the respective marketing departments (or until redditors release it). 

For now, this should help whet your appetite and give you an idea of where we’re headed for the next year. We’re putting this list in alphabetical order, so scroll down if you’re looking for something specific.

For a full video recap of our time in Texas, you can head over to our YouTube channel, where we’ve published about 40 videos covering everything we saw. Thanks to Karl and Brady for going above and beyond to getting them out as soon as possible. 

The Torin has long been the standard, zero-drop daily trainer in the Altra family. It has had many variations over the years– half numbering (my favorite version was the 4.5), Torin Plush, knit and mesh versions, half plush versions, and others in between. Some of them have been gems, others have been flops. This one though– it’s pretty exciting. Underfoot, we get a rim and core setup with an all-new P35X dual density foam with a softer section underfoot and a firmer foam surrounding it. Below that is an all-new Vibram XS Run AW (all weather) rubber outsole, the first-ever appearance of this rubber on a road shoe. Altra claims it’s 20% gripper than the Torin 8 outsole. I can’t recall seeing Vibram on a standard road shoe, so this is pretty exciting as we head into Winter 2026.

Truthfully, we’re on the fence about this one. But we appreciate any innovation or risks that someone takes in pushing the sport further, so we think it’s worth mentioning. If you’re not familiar with Avelo, they’re a new shoe company focused on integrative technologies that give real-time feedback within their footwear. The Avelo Supertrainer 1 is their debut model (with 1,000 presold pairs on Kickstarter). Inside the midsole is a slot for a Cheeze-It sized chip (as in computers, not snacks), that gives real time feedback on your footstrike, energy distribution, power, etc.

The idea is that it will use AI and algorithmic-based training structures to predict injuries before they happen, sensing abnormalities in your running and training. Conversely, it can give you feedback and recommendations to better your performance. Of course, none of that matters if the shoe sucks. On paper, it seems solid, featuring a TPEE foam, nylon plate, and a comfortable and secure upper. That said, it’s $250. And once you’re in that universe, you must remain in their orbit– the pod cannot be inserted into different models of shoes as its tuned specifically to Avelo’s design and construction. There’s also a $9/month subscription fee to keep the lights on. Is that worth it to the average runner? I guess we’ll find out. Either way, we’re interested to see how it shakes out.

An all-new model from Brooks, the Glycerin Flex builds on some of the fun stuff we’ve seen come out of the experimental BlueLine lab, while also giving a nod to past models like the Pureflow. This one is different, however, utilizing the brand’s DNA Tuned, a supercritical setup that features zonal densities of foam within the midsole structure. The midsole is then sliced up into a series of sections that offer insane flexibility– you can literally fold this shoe in half. We have had a chance to run in this shoe and it offers a smooth and– you guessed it– flexible ride, with just the right amount of cushion.

Another new shoe in the Brooks lineup, the Ghost Amp is exciting as a simple, lightweight, do-it-all trainer with an all-new midsole material. Consider this your update to the Hyperion, since that shoe is getting paused for the indefinite future. In the Ghost Amp, we get a DNA Hype midsole made from a blended foam with 25% PEBA. However, it’s tuned differently in the forefoot (what Brooks is calling a Springramp), with the idea of springing you through each toe-off and into the next step. They’ve also removed the strobel board so you get a direct contact feel with the midsole. This one is an ounce lighter than the standard Ghost and comes in at a $150 price point, so basically another shoe to go against the Evo SL.

Unfortunately we either weren’t allowed to talk about the exciting stuff that’s coming out as early as January, so we were pretty much relegated to looking at the Mach 7, which is merely an upper update. So if you loved the last version, you’ll probably love this one.

Another shoe coming later in the year, but also getting just an upper refresh, is the Clifton 11. Can’t say we’re that excited about it, but there’s a new model coming that Hoka fans will find to be very interesting.

The Skyward X was one of those really great super trainers that kind of fell under the radar for a lot of people. Not sure why because it was like a softer, cushier version of the Cielo X1. This new version will get a carbon fiber plate with an updated design, a jacquard mesh upper, and a slight weight reduction. The midsole will remain a PEBA/supercritical blend and the price will remain the same at $225. Definitely a “let’s make some minor tweaks” year for Hoka on the road side, for the most part.

Again, we’re always interested in new brands, so it’s interesting to see Hylo Athletics coming into 2026 with an updated model and a new one in the Axis. To be honest, we did not love the first version of the Impact, but this one seems to have more potential with a supercritical, nitrogen-injected midsole and a comfortable and plush upper, all at just over 9 ounces in weight. Is that enough to separate them from other brands and shoes? We’re not sure, but they’re seeing a lot of traction in the younger crowd, especially as run footwear that can double down as a lifestyle shoe.

Five years ago, Mizuno didn’t even show up to TRE, which left us wondering if they even cared about running anymore. Fast forward to now, and they’re making some great waves (as well as wave plates).

We’ve been testing the Hyperwarp series here in the office over the past couple months and we can tell you that Mizuno is on the right track. The set is divided into three models: Hyperwarp Pure ($300, 100% PEBA, carbon plate, 4.9 oz), Hyperwarp Elite ($275, PEBA & TPEE, carbon plate, 5.8 oz.), and Hyperwarp Pro ($250, TPEE, nylon plate, 7.1 oz.). They are all excellent shoes in their own right, though it does seem a bit like overkill to have three race day options so close to each other in price and composition. You can’t say they didn’t give you enough options. If you’re sub-elite you get a shoe, if you’re looking for a marathon PB you get a shoe, if you’re looking for a more stable racer you also get a shoe. They’re all fast and fun and stack up against the competition in the race day category.

One of our favorite trainers from this past year, the Neo Zen 2 gets a few tweaks to even the ride out, including more foam in the forefoot with a focus on controlling the bounce with better directional positioning. In the past version, the bounce was off the charts, but it tended to throw the foot all over the place. The goal here is to keep everything more in line without losing that bouncy magic. They’ll also add a softer heel counter and a hybrid upper with a knit gusseted tongue. Of course, there’s always the risk of taming something down and ruining what was so special about it before; however, if it’s done right, this will be just the fine tuning this model needs to make it truly zen-like.

Coming off the heels of the much-talked-about H1, Mount to Coast is ready to release its newest model in the C1, a high stack cushion trainer with a dual-layer midsole. The top layer features the incredible CircleCell foam found in the H1, maybe our favorite midsole foam on the market for its comfort, bounce, and durability. The bottom layer is made of EVA for a bit more stability and structure over longer distances. Which is what this shoe is meant to do.

No, you’re not losing your mind– we skipped over the Cloudmonster 2 Hyper and went straight to version 3. There’s the standard version with a new upper, and then there’s the exquisite Lightspray version, featuring On’s cutting edge Lightspray technology, essentially a webbed bootie painted on by robot arms. In the past, this has been a niche technology for On, primarily used in limited runs of the Cloudboom Strike Lightspray. Now, we’re seeing it mass produced for the first time, a whole army of robots ready to spray away like Scarface swimming in a pile of white powder. We’re talking tens of thousands of pairs, ready to go. Underfoot, the midsole features a full-length top layer of Helion HF foam with a pronounced rocker. We tried this on at TRE, finagling our feet into the upper before bouncing around on the concrete show floor. It felt incredible, and really the first time ever where we thought: “Wow, On has finally gone all-in on making some high-level running shoes.”

As with the Lightspray version of the Cloudmonster Hyper, the standard Cloudmonster gets an all-new look and build. The upper has been reworked with a streamlined design and improved breathability. The midsole looks like it’s been taken to task by a termite colony, with a triple layer of CloudTec and Helion foam. The end goal is to provide the maximum cush found in v2, while bringing back some of the propulsive groundfeel that we first felt in v1. Those are all good things that we’re hoping come to life when this one hits the roads.

R.A.D shocked us all when they came out with one of the best max cushion daily trainers of 2025 with the UFO. We loved it, not just for its performance, but for its funky and out-there design, reminiscent of an early ’00s basketball shoe. For 2026, they have two new offerings coming to the run side, the Synth (uptempo) and the Mallow (max cushion), both priced at $145. The Mallow seems the most interesting to us, both for its design and purpose. Featuring an EVA/TPEE blend with a touch of stability in the midfoot, the shoe could be an interesting pick for those looking for something a bit different than the standard run shoe selections. The weight is a bit concerning, but we’ll see how it performs on the run before we deem it a brick. Hopefully it takes after its namesake: an ooey, gooey marshmallow.

We loved the last version of this shoe and we’re feeling good about this version. The midsole still retains the IncrediRun foam for max energy return, but it now features a little more structure around the midfoot and lateral side thanks to a bit more foam underfoot. It also gets a newly designed carbon fiber plate and a racing fit upper. We’re not sure we’re totally sold on the look and design of the whole thing, but it still manages to keep it light at 7.2 oz., which is good enough for us when we’re trying to run fast.

IncrediLux TPEE midsole foam. They promise a plush ride without losing energy return, which is all we really want in a max cushion trainer. The weight is incredible as well, coming in at under 9 ounces for a standard Men’s 9. Consider this the standard max cushion trainer when put beside the all-new Paramount Max, which will also have a 43 mm stack height. That one seems to offer that superfoam ride, utilizing the IncrediRun foam found in the Endorphin Elite 3 and coming in at a $200 price point.

We loved last year’s version of this shoe, which was– without a doubt– the best Salomon road shoe we’ve ever tested. The reason this one is on the list is because they haven’t done much to mess it up. The midsole is the exact same, featuring a supercritical foam. The changes come in the upper, which needed a few tweaks to make it a little more secure. That appears to be in place, so we’re ready for this to be another top pick for 2026.

In a world of rising shoe prices, Skechers knows how to keep the other brands honest. They only had one shoe to show at TRE, but it was a good one– the Skechers Aero Razor. The Razor name has a surprisingly long and rich heritage dating back to the mid-2010s. It was the first shoe to do supercritical foam and it was lightweight, fast, and extremely fun. They’ve taken that legacy and put it into an updated tempo shoe in the Aero line and kept the price point at a bargain-level $140. The midsole consists of a Hyper Burst Pro ATPU with more air in the compound for a more pronounced bounce. An embedded H-wing plate structure sits in the foam while a nice upper finishes off the top with a premium microfiber tongue. We also get sawtooth laces, which are typically reserved for race day models. Consider us intrigued, maybe even excited.

Call me crazy, but one of the most exciting shoes at TRE was one of the last shoes we saw at the show: the Topo Athletic Specter 3. The first version of this shoe was a dud, but the last version was pretty spectacular with a PEBAX midsole and a ride that felt lively and fun. In fact, it was our most favorite Topo road shoe to date. Version 3 should take that to the next level, with an increased overall stack height (+3 mm), and an entirely new ATPU formula for the midsole, which should increase its resiliency and lifespan without losing its luster. It also lost almost a half ounce of weight, dropping down to 7.7 oz for a US M9. Finally– and this may be the most important aspect of all– this shoe is absolutely beautiful. We bashed the last version as maybe the most boring shoe of all time, and apparently they listened. Because this shoe looks fantastic. More of that, please, throughout the Topo family tree. 

Hate on Tracksmith all you want, haters. But people are buying their shoes and with each successive model, they keep proving you all wrong. The Eliot Racer was one of our favorite shoes of 2025 and the Eliot Ryder builds on that with a max stack of ATPU foam complemented by its drop-in midsole. The result is 45 mm of cushion on the inside, with a standard stack look on the outside. This aesthetic is something only Tracksmith is doing, and they’re doing it right. Underneath it all is a full coverage outsole for plenty of grip and durability, while a woven upper with clean details give Stan Smith vibes. Roll up to your local run crew in style, or show up to Wimbledon in white, whichever you prefer.

What’s Coming But What We Can’t Talk About

Okay, so if we’re being honest, the real heavy hitters are not on this list. The best stuff is still under embargo, including new models and some crazy updates to existing ones. One thing we noticed: everyone is trying to make an EVO SL killer. We can’t tell you how many brands are dropping an all-new, versatile, $150 trainer this year. Best of luck to you all, your best hope at this point is hoping Adidas messes it up with version 2.

As for the other embargoed stuff, we wish we could share it all right here and right now, but alas, we cannot. However, we won’t stop you from reading between the lines and/or searching rumors and hunting down leaks on Reddit. Maybe they’re real, maybe they’re not, we’ll find out soon enough. Anyway, here’s what we know.

Adidas

Truth be told, despite not showing up on this list earlier, Adidas may be doing some of the most exciting things in running for 2026. Things that will defy the imagination. Hyperbole or not, you be the judge. Obviously, the Evo SL was a smash hit, so you’ll see variations on that shoe (as we’ve already seen with the woven upper version and trail-ready Evo SL ATR). More on the way. Beyond that, there are some major overhauls to existing lines, as well as updates in the racing category. Point being– Adidas is relentless in pushing the boundaries of running and they’re not going anywhere but up anytime soon.

Asics

The Megablast was a huge release in 2025, and honestly felt like a successor to the Superblast 2. The Superblast 2 came out almost a year and a half ago. So yes, an update is on the way.

Hoka

The coolest stuff from Hoka right now is on the trail side, so look for the brand to keep pushing boundaries out in the wild. The road side looks a little ho-hum, though we will see at least one new model that looks very promising. To be honest, what Hoka does this year and into next is going to define the future of the brand. Everyone has copied their look so they’re no longer unique in the world of chonky and max cushion shoes. Everyone has copied them, and a lot of them are doing it better (see: the entire Nike Vomero line). On has struck gold on the lifestyle and apparel line, Adidas and Nike have fully awoken from their Covid naps. It’s a tough world out there and the grind never ends. Let’s see if Hoka can keep flying.

New Balance

Again, we did not have a meeting with anyone at New Balance at The Running Event, so while we got to see a preview of some shoes at the New York City Marathon in November, we did not get a chance to talk with anyone last week. More updates to come, but for right now we don’t have much to cover.

Nike

The Elliot Hill revival is in full swing at Nike. The Swoosh is finally back to doing what it does best– creating innovative footwear for runners and leading the cutting edge of sport in both performance and culture. ACG on the trail side is a prime example of that, so expect a ton of Nike orange in your future if you’re a dirtbag. Then there’s the road side. Everything in the standard trio of training siloes (Structure, Pegasus, Vomero) has been released, with the exception of the Structure Premium (which we still cannot get a bead on). We’ve seen some updates to some of those siloed models that have been on the market for awhile, and man– it’s exciting. Like, some really cool stuff. If you tease stuff out on the racing side you can probably guess there are some big things coming there as well. All that to say, Nike is back and out for blood.

On

Look, we covered On enough in this roundup, but we didn’t even get to the racing stuff we saw since it’s still embargoed. It’s gonna be good. The Cloudsurfer 3 also got a total overhaul, really starting from scratch on that one. With a new CIO in place, On is taking this thing seriously and it shows. Expect more good things from them.

Puma

Arguably the best all-around brand in running for 2025, Puma is polishing up the line with updates to a bunch of existing models. They also have a versatile trainer coming that seems super intriguing, though we can’t say much else about it at the moment.

Final Thoughts

And that’s about it for this year’s preview. If we could make a bold prediction in one sentence, we think this will be the year of On, the return of Nike, the vice grip of Adidas, the rapid rise of Mount to Coast, the pivot point for Hoka, the steady swing of Mizuno, the consistent product improvement of Puma seesawed by ongoing issues with product availability, the steady left hand of New Balance and right hand of Asics, with other newer brands playing in the surf and hopefully catching the wave, if only for a short ride. Altra and Topo will keep cage fighting for the lower drop audiences. Brooks will either jump forward or backwards on the product innovation, but either way they’ll end up breaking revenue records because that’s just what they do. Saucony will win over the hardcore runners with its legacy colorways and heritage designs, all while offering continual improvements that fly under the radar.

That’s a take, probably hot, let’s see if it cools off by the end of the year. Either way, enjoy your miles in 2026, and we hope you get to run in some of these shoes.