Every year, right after Thanksgiving, running gear manufacturers and retail store staff descend on Austin, Texas, for The Running Event trade show to talk about the next year’s products. While TRE is technically designed as an opportunity for specialty retail to scout the cool new items they want to bring into their stores, we also attend to talk about upcoming shoe releases so we can bring you the latest info when we get models in for testing.
Many of the new shoes that we saw at the show are still under strict embargoes—mostly because they aren’t coming out until later next year—but we can share with you a few of the most exciting shoes that are launching in the first few months of 2023. Whether you’re looking for your next favorite trainer or the fastest model to deliver a PR, there’s never been such a strong selection of shoes that will help you hit your goals. Here’s a sampling.
Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit 3
This daily trainer features a thick slab of the bouncy, responsive ZoomX foam found in Nike’s racing shoes. The third version is even thicker, yet feels more controlled. It’s on the feet of our wear-testers now. Launches February 2, 2023. $180
Buy Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit 2 now
Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro
Mizuno has a super shoe, the Wave Rebellion Pro. That extreme heel bevel will catch a lot of attention, but it disappears when you get the shoe up to speed. Mizuno got World Athletics approval for use in competition, though it’s definitely measuring thicker than 40mm under the heel in our lab. Available January 2023. $250
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v3
A special New York City Marathon version of this shoe launched in November, but, if you didn’t snag that, you’ll have to wait a little longer. NB’s top marathon racer gets the “SuperComp” treatment—the bouncy midsole foam has a big void under the heel to boost cushioning power, while the carbon-fiber plate has an arc shape that flexes on landing to improve cushioning and energy return. Launches February 2023. $225
Hoka Rocket X2
Finally, a soft Hoka racer. The Rocket X2 has two layers of PEBA foam sandwiching a carbon fiber plate. The top layer is softer for comfort and the bottom delivers a responsive connection to the road. Launches March 2023. $250
Skechers Speed Beast
While the aggressive styling and thick sole may make you think this is Skechers’s super shoe for marathon racing, they’ve actually engineered it to be better suited for the competitive runners a corral behind the elites. It’s not a featherweight (estimate is 8.5 ounces for a men’s sample), because it uses a TPU-based midsole foam. That makes a shoe a little heavier but delivers better bounce and durability. A carbon-infused plate in the forefoot makes the shoe stiff for toeoff. Launches Spring 2023. Price is TBD.
Vimazi Z50
This new shoe brand is trying to differentiate itself by building shoes that are geared for specific running paces. That’s kind of an odd conceit, because typically heavier shoes are used for slower runs while lighter models are chosen for race day. That’s pretty much the formula Vimazi is taking, too, with its Z20 tuned for fast marathons, on down to the Z70 for runners needing a thick, stable model. The Z50 here is meant for runners who log their daily mileage anywhere from 7:15 to 8:45 per mile. We’ll see if runners embrace the idea, as the shoes have just launched. $175
Brooks Catamount 2
Want to run fast on the trail? Brooks hopes you’ll reach for the Catamount 2. The midsole uses the same DNA Flash as the first version, but has a new outsole with more aggressive lugs and wet traction rubber for grip when dashing uphill. Available February 2023. $170
Adidas Adizero SL
Adizero is a collection of the speediest shoes from the three stripes. But, the SL is a new, entry level addition to the line that brings the same styling and snappy feeling at just $120—rare territory for running shoes these days. The midsole is a ho-hum Lightstrike EVA with a drop-in piece of Lightstrike Pro, the same high-performance material used in the pricier racers. Available now. $120
Nike ZoomX Ultrafly Trail
I’ve been testing this trail shoe since last summer, but its official launch is pushed back into 2023. (A longer review is featured in the current issue of Runner’s World magazine.) It’s a super shoe built for fast-running trails like at the Western States Endurance Run 100-miler. ZoomX foam is wrapped in a fabric casing to boost durability and contain the highly squishy foam. Embedded inside is a 3/4-length carbon-fiber plate that gives you a propulsive feeling. Launch date TBD. $225
Saucony Kinvara Pro
Saucony showed us a bunch of great new shoes that they’ve asked us not to talk about. But the Kinvara Pro has leaked following TRE, so we can give you a glimpse. Fear not, Kinvara fans: The standard model isn’t going away. The Pro, though, is clearly thicker, with a top layer of Pwrrun PB (found in the Endorphin Pro 3) and a 3/4-length carbon-fiber plate. Launches August 1, 2023. $180
Altra Torin 7 / Rivera 3
These road training shoes are both getting a little thicker, with an extra 2mm of foam being added to the midsole. The Torin 7 uses Ego Max foam, for a lighter, softer ride. The Rivera works for runners who prefer a narrower fit with less volume inside the shoe. The Torin launches May 2023 and will cost $160. The Rivera 3 is available in February for $140.
Asics Superblast
This chunky trainer is another shoe that’s just launched and was featured at the show (alongside updates to the company’s “legends” that we can’t talk about quite yet). Despite its huge footprint, it’s remarkably lightweight thanks to a mix of FF Blast Turbo and FF Blast Plus foams. The Turbo lies inside a Plus carrier for a light and bouncy feel directly underfoot. It’s the latest in the new trend of “illegal” shoes—World Athletics rules limit a shoe’s sole thickness to 40mm, the Superblast heel is 45.5mm thick. Available now. $220
Reebok Floatzig
We’ve been fans of Reebok’s Floatride Energy shoe thanks to its bouncy sole and budget-friendly price. This concept looks a little wild, but uses that proven midsole foam in combination with the crazy geometric structure. We won’t know for a while how this shoe performs, because it’s not launching until October 2023. $130
VJ Speed Hiker
Hikers are learning what we runners already know: The right pair of trail running shoes can deliver comfort and performance on even the most rugged terrain. That’s why we’re now seeing a lot of manufacturers building burlier versions of their top trail models geared for hiking. In the case of the Speed Hiker, it’s built around the Ultra 2’s midsole and outsole—and that claw-like traction we love on the running shoe is the same in this boot. The upper is waterproof and offers more protection for those out on a fast hike. Launches March 1, 2023. $180
Jeff is Runner-in-Chief for Runner's World, guiding the brand's shoes and gear coverage. A true shoe dog, he's spent more than a decade testing and reviewing shoes. In 2017, he ran in 285 different pairs of shoes, including a streak of 257 days wearing a different model.
