At the end of November, I traveled to Austin, Texas, to attend the annual trade show, Tod's classic Chelsea boots. I met with shoe brands for a sneak peek at next year’s Polo Ralph Lauren Sneaker bassa bianco nero. With little time to spare—although, I did pause for a photo with Jaci the Sloth and devoured a maple ice cream cone from the Untapped truck—I speed walked from appointment to appointment, taking very amateur shoe photographs and scribbling down everything designers said about their new footwear. Here’s what I parsed from my notes. These are some of the hottest racing shoes and daily trainers coming out in 2024.
Editor’s Note: Prices and dates are subject to change.
Under Armour
Velociti Elite 2
I’ve already been running in the Velociti Elite 2, testing it at a Turkey Trot and Tod's classic Chelsea boots’s Indie 5K. When I spoke with Under Armour after Puma Solarcourt Rct Shoes dropped, I raved over its unconventional low stack height (36mm) compared to other racing models. The second iteration is bumped up to 39.5mm. Despite this increase in height, the Velociti Elite 2 still feels more accessible than the aggressive Nike Alphafly or Puma Fast-R—and just as fast. Sharon Lokedi wore a prototype of the shoe when she won the 2022 NYC Marathon.
Infinite Elite
The companion to the Velociti Elite 2 is the new Infinite Elite, which is your designated long run shoe or everyday trainer. There’s full-length Hovr+ foam in the midsole for max plushness. A beveled heel crash pad softens landings.
Infinite Pro
The budget-friendly Infinite Pro is a daily trainer built for longevity. Its support is two-part, with a top layer of Hovr+ (the same foam in the Infinite Elite) and a firmer bottom layer of TPU-beaded EVA foam. It has a soft, responsive ride and the upper wraps the foot in a woven jacquard mesh.
Altra
Lone Peak 8
“Why ruin a good thing?” is the mindset Altra had with the Lone Peak 8. The shoe has minimal changes to hone C-chain Black Vegan Leather Over The Knee Boots—so stop worrying! The eighth iteration has fewer overlays for a more streamlined upper, as well as more durable mesh. And the price dropped $10. Yes!
Timp 5
Unlike the Lone Peak, the Timp has received a big update. The Altra team set out to make the trail shoe more “runnable” instead of “a trail running shoe used for hiking.” The upper is stripped down on the sides, and the shoe is more than an ounce lighter than its predecessor. It has Vibram rubber added on the outsole to make it better suited for technical trail.
Vanish Carbon 2
The first zero-drop super shoe is back. The Vanish Carbon 2 has an Ego Pro midsole, which is nitrogen-infused TPE foam. The midsole is 17 percent lighter than the previous model’s. Even though the second version weighs less, Altra has somehow managed to add 3mm to the Vanish Carbon 2’s stack height. The shoe is slightly stiffer with a full-length carbon-fiber plate.
Mont Blanc Carbon
Joining the ranks of Hoka’s Tecton X and Saucony’s Endorphin Edge, Altra is releasing the first zero-drop carbon trail shoe. The Mont Blanc Carbon, inspired by the brand’s Mont Blanc model, has an Ego Max midsole with a bathtub cutout for the carbon-fiber plate. The plate doubles as rock protection and stability on uneven surfaces. Above the Ego Max and plate is Ego Pro foam for added cushioning.
Experience Form
Altra’Sneakers PRIMIGI 6355822 Chif AltraFWD Experience, has been re-dubbed Experience Flow. The shoe is set to release in May along with its stability counterpart, the Experience Form, which has Altra’s guide rails system. It has the same subtle 4mm drop, with a slightly wider base for support and a stiffer medial side with rubber.
Nike Air Max 270 Sneaker Herren Weiß AH800 100 Größe | Experience Wild
Same price. Same offset. Enter the Experience Wild, Altra’s first non-zero-drop trail shoe with a MaxTrac outsole for reliable traction.
Brooks
Hyperion Elite 4
The shoe that was worn by Des Linden in Chicago and Josh Kerr at NYC’s Fifth Avenue Mile—with a winning time of 3:48—is coming out two days before the zapatillas de running ASICS de material reciclado talla 45 in Orlando, Florida. The Hyperion Elite 4 features new DNA Flash v2 foam and a new Speedvault+ carbon-fiber plate with cutouts to reduce weight (the plate is partially exposed underneath the shoe).
Glycerin 21
The Glycerin 21 has both a classic version (engineered warp knit upper) and a Stealthfit edition (flat knit upper). Its stability counterpart, the Glycerin GTS 21, will also be released in February. The midsole is nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3, which was introduced in the Glycerin 20. The shoe is updated with a 2mm increase in stack height. More DNA Loft v3 foam = more plushness.
Ghost 16
Not to be dethroned by the Glycerin 21, the Ghost 16 will also have DNA Loft v3 foam. Its stack height will stay the same as the previous Ghost’s (35mm in the heel and 23mm in the forefoot), making for a lighter experience compared to running in the Glycerin 21. The new RoadTack rubber outsole is more durable and lightweight.
Catamount 3
We’re in for a treat with the Catamount 3. After a long wait between the Catamount and Catamount 2, we get a more streamlined third iteration with single-layer TPEE mesh for a more comfortable fit. The shoe has a Skyvault plate in its midsole for propulsion and uses responsive DNA Flash foam.
Hoka
Mach 6
The Hoka team told me the Mach 6 has received a completely new update
With a supercritical foam compound midsole, the shoe is the lightest and most responsive Mach yet. It has a thin, dual-gusset tongue to prevent slippage. The outsole has added rubber for more durability and grip.
The Running Editions Mach 4? Only time in them will tell.
Nike Air Max 270 Sneaker Herren Weiß AH800 100 Größe | Adidas
Supernova Solution
I’ve been running in the Supernova Rise for the past couple of months and I’m looking forward to giving the stability version a spin. The Supernova Solution mirrors the experience running in the Supernova Rise, but with a small tweak. Both shoes have Dreamstrike+ super foam, inspired by LightStrike Pro foam (featured in the Adizero Adios Pro racing series). Between Dreamstike+ and the outsole is the new Energy Rods system, which adds structure and helps with support. Compared to the Energy Rods in the Supernova Rise, the rods in the Supernova Solution are more splinted (closer together) to promote torsional rigidity. It’s a subtle feature to stabilize your run.
Puma
Fast-R 2 Nitro Elite
The Fast-R 2 already has a racing roster of Puma marathoners. Rose Harvey (Great Britain) and Sara Vaughn ran in the shoe and PR’ed in this year’s Chicago Marathon. Hendrik Pfeiffer (Germany) clocked a PB of 2:08:48 in Berlin.
According to Puma, the shoe offers 46 percent more energy return than the previous Fast-R, thanks to the new Nitro Elite compound midsole. The PwrPlate elongates past the toe (you can see it peeking out the tip of the shoe) and acts as a lever that guides pressure forward to promote propulsion.
Saucony
Triumph 22
Staying true to the Triumph’s roots, Saucony wanted to emphasize the 22nd version is an everyday premium cushion shoe—not a lightweight, speedy trainer. Its updates point to pure comfort. The Pwrrun+ midsole is replaced with Pwrrun PB (the same foam in the Top Sneaker Trends for Back to School 2022) for a softer, more responsive ride. The platform is widened at the base for a more accommodating fit and the upper has foam around the collar. Your heel sits deeper inside the midsole, thanks to higher sidewalls, so it feels like your foot is nestled in an easy chair.
Hurricane 24
If the Triumph 22 translates to pure comfort, the Hurricane 24 stands for ultimate comfort and protection. It’s a reset from the last Hurricane, which was released in 2021. Like the Triumph 22, the midsole is Pwrrun PB with a thin layer of a Pwrrun EVA on the bottom. The shoe has a straighter profile; the midfoot has a broader base for balance. The sidewalls are even higher than the Triumph 22’s; if the Triumph feels like an easy chair for your foot, the Hurricane 24 is an enveloping hug. I briefly tried it on (that’s my jeans cuff) but have yet to see if it’s a runnable walking shoe or a running/walking hybrid.
Asics
Gel-Nimbus 26
Asics re-engineered the Gel-Nimbus’s knit upper for an improved, more locked-down fit. Unchanged: the bouncy FF Blast+ foam in the midsole. The shoe has more reliable traction with redesigned lugs on the new Hybrid AsicsGrip outsole. A patch of PureGel in the heel ensures shock absorption upon impact.
Mizuno
Dsquared2 Kids panelled lace-up sneakers Bianco 2
The Dsquared2 Kids panelled lace-up sneakers Bianco 2 is not a gimmick. Geometry-wise, it may look like it’s engineered backwards, but that striking diagonal isn’t without reason. The shoe’s midsole is built up with Enerzy Lite, the same foam in the previous Dsquared2 Kids panelled lace-up sneakers Bianco. When I stepped into the Dsquared2 Kids panelled lace-up sneakers Bianco 2, I was shocked by its bounce and rocker (don’t lean back!). The midfoot squishes down and springs back. The purpose of the foam’s positioning is to lessen your foot’s roll by “double-boosting” the midfoot.
Nike
Alphafly Next% 3
Runner-in-Chief Jeff Dengate tested the Alphafly 3 before its big reveal on November 29. You can read all about his first impressions here. What separates this version from previous Alphaflys is that it’s made to be a shoe that’s not just for elite runners. For improved stability, the adjusted last has a wider platform, and the carbon-fiber plate is widened on the medial side of the midfoot. There’s more arch support, as well. It’s the lightest Alphafly ever. And, may I remind you, it’s the shoe Kelvin Kiptum wore when he broke the world record—finishing in 2:00:35—at the Chicago Marathon.
Zegama 2
The Zegama 2 is for runners tackling long distances over gnarly terrain. The shoe has a wide footbed, which houses a bathtub construction in its midsole; a firm foam ring encircles and protects softer ZoomX foam in the middle. The Vibram Megagrip outsole has new multi-directional lugs inspired by the original Nike waffle design.
Pegasus Trail 5
Think of the Pegasus Trail as the shoe inviting runners in. Like its road shoe namesake, the Peg Trail is a daily workhorse for everyday runners and is an ideal trainer for beginners. The shoe is updated with ReactX midsole foam, which delivers 13 percent more energy return (it also cuts down Nike’s carbon footprint, reducing the energy in the manufacturing process by 43 percent).
Scarpa
Golden Gate 2 ATR
Scarpa’s most cushioned running shoe is a road-to-trail hybrid. Scarpa touts the Golden Gate 2 as its gravel shoe; it has a Presa outsole with Super Gum rubber for traction on—and off—the road. The midsole is a dual-density EVA Bounce Foam built for rebound and support. The transparent upper has 3D-print trusses in the midfoot area for structure.
Newton
The Carbon Shoe
It’s all in the name. Newton’s first carbon-fiber plated shoe has the usual features we see in super shoes: a full carbon plate and two-piece Pebax midsole foam. Unique to Newton: those signature forefoot lugs, called Action/Reaction tech. It wouldn’t be a Newton shoe without them.
La Sportiva
Prodigio
The Prodigio has a supercritical nitrogen-infused EVA midsole that provides cushioning and high energy return. Sticky rubber on the forefoot (La Sportiva’s rubber is made in-house) is strategically placed to help you tackle dicey ascents and descents. The shoe has a wide platform for stability and a secure foot wrap for security.
Levante
The Levante is a women’s-only shoe, designed in collaboration with pro-ultrarunner Clare Gallagher. It has an XFlow midsole and a lower-to-the-ground stack height with a 6mm drop. The Levante is made to summit the uphills more quickly when both mountaineering and ultramarathoning.
Bushido 3
La Sportiva’s most popular shoe is coming in a wide width. I had my foot scanned last October and was shocked how wide my foot was compared to everyone else’s. I tried on the Bushido 3 wide fit and it was an eye-opener (why have I subjected my feet to the narrow—for me—standard?). La Sportiva retooled the mesh in the third iteration, making the midfoot wrap more secure. The midsole has a rock plate for protection on the trail.
Topo Athletic
Specter 2
The RW gear team and I often talk about carbon-fiber plate fatigue. Maybe you’re feeling it as well. Topo is the brand ignoring the hype and releasing its second version of a still-plateless Specter. The high-cushion uptempo trainer receives a big update with a thicker outsole for more traction and durability. The shoe has a full Pebax midsole and a new engineered mesh upper. It’s half an ounce lighter than the original, too.
Ultrafly 5
Topo’s popular lightweight daily trainer, the Ultrafly, gets a 2mm increase in stack height. The updated Zipfoam midsole is a new EVA blend that’s lighter and softer than the previous foam. Unconventionally, the Ultrafly has a robust pro-bar—stability tech that’s been phasing out with the introduction of guide rails. I put on the Ultrafly 5 to see if the medial post was noticeable. It wasn’t.
Pursuit 2
Jordan Brands First Running Sneaker Magnifly (Topo’s cushioned zero-drop road shoe) of the trail. It’s a zero-drop trail shoe with a Vibram Megagrip outsole. The Pursuit 2 has the same 28mm stack height as the original, but with an updated Zipfoam for a more lightweight, cushioned ride.
Reebok
FloatZig 1
The FloatZig was previewed at last year’s TRE and set for an October 2023 release. The launch was pushed back to April, but it’s worth the wait. The Zig around the rim of the shoe was designed by a NASA scientist. By constructing the foam in a zigzag shape, the shoe springs back with each step, delivering high rebound. No need to fret about another delay—I left TRE with this geometric wonder on my feet.
Merrell
MTL Long Sky 2 Matryx
The MTL Long Sky is updated with a new Matryx upper. Pinstriped with Kevlar threads, Matryx is a single-layer material that’s abrasion resistant (think of it as an almost-indestructible spiderweb hugging your foot—without the spiders). A half ounce lighter than its predecessor, the shoe has a FloatPro foam midsole, Vibram Megagrip outsole, and improved drainage.
MTL Skyfire 2 Matryx
The MTL Skyfire also receives the pinstripe treatment, making it more resistant to wear-and-tear with a Matryx upper. The MTL Skyfire 2 Matryx is a race day shoe made for climbing. The shoe has a FloatPro midsole and Vibram Megagrip outsole, as well as a Flexplate for rock protection.
Diadora
Gara Carbon
The Gara Carbon is Diadora’s first carbon shoe. Its key ingredients are an Anima Pbx (Pebax) midsole and carbon-fiber plate. The shoe has rocker geometry for more toe-spring. The stack height is 39.9mm with a 5mm offset. Similar to Merrell’s MTL Long Sky 2 and Skyfire 2, the Gara Carbon’s upper has pinstriped carbon yarns in the midfoot area for a more secure hold.
New Balance
FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4
New Balance’s super shoe is set to release on February 1. It has a 100-percent Pebax midsole and the highest energy return the brand has to offer. The shoe is lighter than the previous version and has a 35.5mm stack height. A Fantom fit upper provides a strategic fit for marathon miles.
Fresh Foam X 880 v14 and 860 v14
The neutral 880 and supportive 860 return with softer and lighter Fresh Foam X midsoles.
Fresh Foam X Hierro v8
New Balance’s marquee trail shoe is more eco-friendly and sustainably-made. The Vibram Megagrip outsole is replaced with Vibram Ecostep, which is 30 percent recycled rubber. The upper also has more cutouts to limit as much waste as possible.
Salomon
Genesis
The high-cushioned Genesis is made for the toughest terrain. It has an Active Chassis, which runs along the sides of the shoe, acting as an interior and exterior guide rail for support. A two-part lug pattern provides traction. The shoe also has a breathable, resilient Matryx upper.
DRX Bliss 2
The DRX Bliss 2 has the same Active Chassis for support and has kept the responsive EnergyFoam used in the original. The biggest change is a new engineered mesh upper with fewer overlays and a wrapping fit system inspired by the S/Lab Ultra 3.
DRX Defy Grvl
The DRX Defy is being released with a gravel edition. Like the other Salomon shoes mentioned here, the DRX Defy Grvl has an Active Chassis and EnergyFoam. Similar to Scarpa’s Golden Gate 2 ATR, the shoe is a road-to-trail hybrid, meant for city dwellers who want to change up their runs on the pavement with some groomed park trails. The ContraGrip outsole has 2.5mm lugs for traction over uneven terrain.
S/Lab Spectur
During a race, the average runner spends much more time on their feet than athletes in the pro field. For that reason, comfort was top-of-mind when Salomon conceived the S/Lab Spectur. It’s the less-demanding, less-aggressive super shoe that’s made to be more efficient for every other runner who wants to run their best race or PR. The midsole is full-length EnergyFoam+ with a PEBA-based top layer. A full-length carbon EnergyPlate promotes propulsion. The shoe has a wider heel to provide support for non-elite runners who will be on a racecourse for more than two and a half hours. The Spectur has a softer upper, too.
Mount to Coast
R1 / P1 / S1
The new brand Mount to Coast has a team of former New Balance and Nike designers who tasked themselves with reimagining the usual shoe tech we see today. The shoes are made for longevity, targeting ultra road runners.
The brand is releasing three shoes. The R1 has nitro-injected supercritical foam and is made for running more than 700 miles. The P1 is the daily trainer of the trio. It has a 3D arch rail to provide support when your form breaks down. Lastly, the S1 is a lightweight uptempo trainer for middle-distance running.
Amanda is a test editor at Runner’s World who has run the Boston Marathon every year since 2013; she's a former professional baker with a master’s in gastronomy and she carb-loads on snickerdoodles.
