It’s only been two months, but 2026 is already shaping up to be a pivotal year for running shoes. Brands are trampling over each other to launch new models, debut fresh tech and put a new spin on their core franchises.
I’ve been reporting on running shoes for the past seven years and tested hundreds of pairs, so I’d like to think I have a decent sense of where performance footwear is heading. This will show my age more than I’d like, but I started racing when “racing flats” meant less than 20mm of foam underfoot.
