The running industry gathered in mass this week in San Antonio for The Running Event, where some 2026’s most innovative shoes were shown for the first time.
From road to trail and race-day to daily training, no type of run has been overlooked as the leaders in the sport rolled out next year’s slate of footwear. On is bringing its LightSpray uppers to mass market and Brooks is offering an entirely new experience with max-cushioning and road feel in one, as two just two of the examples of what’s in the pipeline.
Below, Footwear News takes you through all the top running shoes to look forward to in 2026.
Adidas Evo SL ATR
Release Date: Out now
Price: $160
One of several planned offshoots for the hit EVO SL model that debuted this year, the ATR is named for “all-terrain” and features updates specific to light trail running (i.e. gravel) and inclement weather. A rip-stop upper is both more durable and water-resistant while packing reinforcements for a more secure fit. Beneath the Lightstrike Pro midsole is a new Continental lugged outsole.
Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed-Ultra 2
Release Date: Out now for AdiClub members, wide release Feb. 26
Price: $225
The beefed-up trail super shoe brings a softer Lightstrike Pro foam midsole than its predecessor with an aggressive rocket shape and energy rods. Fit was prioritized on the upper, which combats wrinkles at the toe box and hosts a better lacing system and a new heel sling. Branding also borrows the more bold aesthetics of the Adizero line.
Altra Flow 3
Release Date: Spring 2026
Price: $145
The primary update on Altra’s high-cushioned everyday runner comes through an updated collar ensuring a no-fuss fit for a broad range of customers and a new engineered mesh upper that dials in its breathability zones. A super-plush tongue will then add additional comfort.
Altra Torin 9
Release Date: Fall 2026
Price: $160
A brand-new Vibram outsole compound for the road will debut on the Torin 9, and directly above sits a dual-density P35x midsole that will feel soft directly underfoot while delivering support with its lower layer.
Asics Gel-Nimbus 28
Release Date: Jan. 1
Price: $170
The newest entry in the Gel-Nimbus line has been completely revamped, including FF Blast Plus midsole that offers the same amount of cushioning as its predecessor while being reshaped to bring the total weight down by 24 grams. An outsole targeted at the forefoot and heel also eliminates weight, while the shoe appears less bulky without sacrificing its 43.5mm stack height.
Brooks Glycerin Flex
Release Date: Jan. 7 pre-order
Price: $170
As the running industry has almost universally shifted towards max-cushioning, the breakthroughs in comfort have come at the expense of ground-feel. Brooks has found a way to offer both sensations through innovative grooves and cut-outs on the sole unit led by a big S-shape at midfoot for what the company considers one of its biggest technological developments.
Brooks Ghost AMP
Release Date: Fall 2026
Price: $150
Brooks’ Ghost family is growing with the addition of the AMP model, which is intended as a daily runner and an entry point for the franchise. A PEBA-blend midsole is more dense and firm at the forefoot for a more explosive toe-off.
Craft Atmospar
Release Date: Aug. 1
Price: $190
Craft’s most-cushioned shoe to-date stands with a lofty 50mm of stack height on its dual-density midsole. A significant split runs down the middle of the heel to the forefoot but has been stabilized more than Craft’s race-day models.
Diadora Vigore V
Release Date: Spring 2026
Price: $185
Diadore zeroes in on stability without sacrificing speed through the Vigore V, which uses a dual-density midsole with Blueshield cushioning. Three layers of cushioning are used for the insole for a propulsive toe, supportive arch and absorbing heel.
Hoka Mach 7
Release Date: March 5
Price: $145
The newest iteration of Hoka’s speed trainer doesn’t feature as dramatic of technical changes as its direct predecessor, but it does carry a new TPU outsole to provide more traction on wet surfaces. Aesthetics bring the greater shift, as the upper’s jacquard pattern hints at its speed and hosts more aggressive branding.
Merrell MTL SpeedArc Peak
Release Date: August 2026
Price: $290
Coming out of Merrell’s Test Lab after five years of development is the MTL Speed ArcPeak, a trail super shoe that can go 100km with three layers for its midsole, one of which is the first-ever application of PEBA foam from the company. A forked plate mimics the bones of the foot as it delivers propulsion, and a Kevlar matrix upper offers high durability.
Nike ACG Zegama
Release Date: Summer 2026
The Zegama is moving to ACG for its third iteration and offering a new composition of ZoomX tailored to long-distance trail running. Because it’s durable, more of the foam can be exposed to allow it to compress and rebound. A new last has also been used for a more accommodating toe fit.
Norda 055
Release Date: February 2026
Price: $325
Norda’s 005 is its lightest and fastest race-day shoe for the trail, and the same supercritical foam carries over the 055 with a higher stack height as part of the changes made for longer and more extreme terrain. Also carrying over is the same Dyneema upper, now reinforced with a knit collar and more structured heel, and the traction pattern rendered in Vibram’s tackier Mega Grip Elite rubber.
The North Face Offtrail Ultra
Release Date: Fall 2026
Price: $190
The North Face is expanding on its Offtrail TR franchise introduced last year with the lighter and more breathable Ultra model. Its dual-density midsole was made in a single mold, and the Screeguard collar acts much like a gaiter as it wards off debris.
On Lightspray Cloudmonster 3 Hyper
Release Date: March 5
Price: $240
On will bring its LightSpray upper technology to the masses this spring through the Cloudmonster 3 Hyper, as hundreds of robots began spraying the shoes just last week. The super lightweight and form-fitting upper debuted on the Cloudboom Strike LS super shoe, which first hit stores last year and hasn’t been produced on nearly the same scale.
On Cloudsurfer 3
Release Date: Fall 2026
Price: $170
Development on the Cloudsurfer 3, On’s first-ever shoe to feature holes on a supercritical foam, began just four months ago. It’ll be ready to hit stores in the second half of 2026 with a smoother transition than any other On shoe, thanks to the proprietary technical development.
Puma Fast-Trac 4
Release Date: Jan. 15
Price:
Puma’s low-profile trail runner goes into its fourth iteration with 4mm chevron PumaGrip ATR lugs and a nitrogen-infused midsole with a stack height of 36mm. It’s built on a trail-oriented last that brings a wider fit at the toe, and the upper itself is rendered in a durable mesh with overlays reinforcing the toe and heel.
Saucony Endorphin Pro 5
Release Date: Feb. 1
Price: $240
Saucony’s most popular race-day shoe sees its carbon fiber plate switch from a spoon shape to fork in a bid to improve flex and propulsion. Fluting and corrugation have also been added to the plate for longitudinal stiffness, and better traction comes via a Pwrtrac rubber outsole.
Saucony Paramount Max
Release Date: June 2026
Price: $200
Saucony is taking max-cushioning to the highest level yet with the Paramount Max, which sits above the Hurricane with 46mm of stack height for its plush IncrediRun midsole. 10mm of that height comes in the sockliner to turn up the comfort.
Salomon Aero Glide 4 Grvl
Release Date: Spring 2026
Price: $160
Salomon is seeing a lot of momentum in gravel, both for its versatility and running and adoption for lifestyle wear. For the third Aero Glide specific to the surface, the company is offering a new one-handed quick-lacing system.
