The 5 Best Sneaker Releases Right Now

Price: $100
Style: Road
Available: Now

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After a 10-year battle, Brooks-sponsored pro runner Gabriele “Gabe” Grunewald died from adenoid cystic carcinoma a year ago. To honor her talent and legacy, Brooks has released a special edition of its cushioned tempo shoe, the Launch 7. The Brave Like Gabe Launch 7 will feature the message “Running on Hope” in white across a blue upper, with the “Brave Like Gabe” logo stamped on the heel and sparkly laces that represent Gabe’s optimism and spirit. One hundred percent of the profits from sales of the shoe will go to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center on behalf of the Brave Like Gabe Foundation. More about Gabe’s life and foundation, which focuses on raising funds and awareness for rare-cancer research, can be found at bravelikegabe.org.

Price: $130
Style: Road
Available: Now

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Nike’s latest cushioning concept, Joyride, uses thousands of thermoplastic elastomer beads that compress and shift as you touch down. The Joyride Dual Run uses the beads in the heel, where braking forces are highest, and soft foam for the rest of the midsole. The resulting ride is plush and smooth, ideal for new runners, although the forefoot proved too narrow for all of our testers and caused hot spots for some.

Price: Outpace $130; Overtake $150
Style: Road
Available: Now

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High-end line Cole Haan has introduced its first dedicated running shoes, the Outpace and Overtake—two comfortable but firmly cushioned sneakers with uppers stylish enough for casual wear. Despite fashion flourishes like the faux leather overlays on the Overtake, these are actually for sport—an injection molded EVA foam midsole and well-cushioned footbed offer plenty of support, while the rubber-enhanced outsoles provide good grip on both slick roads and slick tile floors. Early testing reveals that the shoes likely aren’t durable for high mileage, but they’re great for sneaking out of the office for a quick, mid-distance lunch run without having to change shoes.

Price: $200
Style: Road
Available: June 30

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Adidas’s response to the Nike Vaporfly and Alphafly is finally here: The Adizero Adios Pro drops June 30 in limited quantities. Like other super shoes, it uses a high stack height with lots of lightweight, high-rebound foam, but the Adios Pro’s propulsion system is unique. Instead of using a carbon plate, the company inserted five carbon rods into the midsole to mimic the metatarsal bones. The rods attach to a nylon and carbon fiber heel plate; the system is designed to stabilize the ankle while limiting energy loss. We’ll publish our running impressions as soon as we get a pair to test.

Price: $200
Style: Road
Available: Restocks July 1

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The April release of Saucony’s entry into the carbon-fiber-plated shoe wars was overshadowed by Covid news and quarantines. But just because the Endorphin Pro didn’t generate much fanfare (and there are technically no races to run this year) doesn’t mean this shoe won’t deliver on speed—and PRs. The geometry of the shoe puts you in an aggressive position, turning heel-strikers into midfoot strikers by aligning hips forward. It has a stiff forefoot design that encourages quick turnover and efficient toe-off, and an 8mm heel-toe offset. The fit is snug, with a more cushioned midsole as compared to similar race shoes. Check it out if you’re looking to go fast—it seemingly takes effort to slow down and take an easy day in these.

Price: $150
Style: Road
Available: Now

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When Brooks first introduced the Levitate three years ago, it marked the first use of the brand’s DNA Amp, a high-energy polyurethane/TPU-based foam similar to Adidas’s Boost. The shoe had a firm, flexible midsole that was ideal for middle distances—but was somewhat beefy compared to the average running shoe. Now in its third incarnation, the Levitate is heavier than ever but still has all the responsiveness and rebound fans liked the first time around. It’s no lightweight, cushioned Hoka-type, but runners who like a firmer platform with a lot of spring will find a lot to like here. And if the shoe still feels too hefty for you, just wait: The Levitate 4 will be here as soon as late summer, with a new and improved DNA Amp midsole reported to weigh 20 percent less than the 3.

Price: $160
Style: Road
Available: Now

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The Hurricane is Saucony’s time-tested stability shoe—ideal for keeping your feet cushioned and cozy on long runs. Neutral runners will likely find it heavy and overbuilt, but overpronators looking for top-notch cushion, support, and energy return will come away satisfied. At the Hurricane’s midsole, Saucony wraps a medial post in lots of bouncy PWRRUN+ foam and plants it all on a rocker sole for a smooth ride that belies the shoe’s overall heft. A soft, plush ankle collar, heel cup, and cozy upper made of breathable mesh give it a luxurious-feeling fit.

Price: $120
Style: Road
Available: Now

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As springy and fast as its name would suggest, the Ricochet is for those who like a firmer feel with high energy return. The shoe mashes up two of Brooks’s proprietary foams, DNA Amp and BioMoGo DNA, for a midsole that’s lighter than other shoes in the energize line without losing the durability and rebound. The cost of this blend is cushion—as in, the lack of it. Our testers found that the Ricochet started to feel harsh on longer runs, but mid-distance runs and speedwork allowed it to shine.

Price: $120
Style: Road
Available: Now

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The Cavu feels both strange and familiar, largely due to Hoka hallmarks like a rocker sole, and simultaneous deviation from them, as felt in the stiffer-than-average midsole and narrow, second-skin upper. Although it took a few runs to break in our test pair, we ultimately found the shoes to have snappy rebound and just the right amount of lightweight cushion for speedwork and race day. Runners who prefer a more forgiving fit and more cushioned landing pad might want to try the brand’s Rincon line.

Price: $125
Style: Road
Available: Now

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Allbirds is known for making casual shoes so breathable and cozy they can moonlight as house slippers. The Tree Dasher is the brand’s first foray into dedicated running sneakers—and it’s a complete departure from how athletic shoes are traditionally made, thanks to a sustainable sugarcane midsole in place of standard petroleum foam. We felt that the shoe absorbed impact on par with trainers like the Brooks Ghost and Saucony Ride, everyday trainers that work well for most people. Overall, the Tree Dasher is a smooth-riding shoe—it’s probably too heavy to replace your race-day favorite, but it has all the protection and performance you need for recovery runs, base miles, and gym workouts in a stylish and eco-friendly package.

Price: $110
Style: Road
Available: Now

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Designed for shorter runs and speedwork, the Speed 300 Racer 2 is a lightweight, minimal-cushioned shoe that rewards fast, efficient runners who aren’t prone to injury. The shoe has a plastic V-shaped midsole plate that delivers high energy return and propulsion, and a semi-translucent, lightweight upper. Many of our testers liked the shoe’s light weight and firm platform; however, overpronators, heavier runners, and runners with sensitive joints might find that it lacks the requisite stability and cushioning to absorb impact.

Price: $140
Style: Trail
Available: Now

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We’ve long loved the Caldera for its ample cushion and grippy yet non-aggressive lugs—both of which made it a great option for runs that cross both road and trail. This time around, the shoe gains a thicker outsole. It’s made from an EVA-based, biodegradable foam that adapts to your foot shape and gait, and an overall roomier fit. Yet it still feels light and energetic instead of bulky, with all of the protective features and comfort that have made it such a go-to trail trainer.

Price: $160
Style: Road
Available: Pre-order on June 15, 2020; On sale July 1, 2020

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Hoka’s latest Clifton is unlike any Clifton you know. The shoe sheds some of the weight it packed on over the years and uses the springy, compression-molded EVA midsole we loved in Hoka’s EVO Speedgoat. Tacks on the rubberized foam sole and an extended heel (a softened version of the Hoka One One TenNine’s giant, shelf-like landing pad) smooth out landings. Our Runner-in-Chief particularly loved the lighter overall package and thin, one-piece air mesh upper, which locks down your foot without adding excess bulk or heft. See what you think when the shoe goes on sale July 15.

Price: $110
Style: Cross-training
Available: Now

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Altra designed this shoe specifically for cross-training, with added support and flexibility where you need it for lunges, box jumps, burpees, or whatever else is in your home workout rotation. The shoe has a wide toe box with lots of midfoot support and foot lockdown for forward and lateral movement. A grippy rubber outsole has plenty of traction for gym floors or the treadmill, but not enough for trails or slick outdoor surfaces. You’ll also get enough cushioning through the midsole for shorter runs but probably not enough for long distances.

Price: $130
Style: Road
Available: Now

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With loads of plush cushioning, the Arahi struck us as a stability trainer perfect for either recovery or race day, depending on the runner. The 4 makes a better case for the latter use, thanks to a new streamlined upper and an overall lighter-weight feel. We liked the new upper’s breathability and wide, accommodating toe box. Less universally welcome was the stiffness of the midsole—petite runners on our test team found it to be harsh and unyielding, while heavier runners loved its overall comfort.

Price: $140
Style: Road
Available: Now

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The first Floatride Run Fast combined the stripped-down speed of a racing flat with enough lightweight, Pebax-based foam through the midsole for everything from speedwork to long runs. The sequel is unfortunately a bit heavier with a more standard upper, but the shoe still boasts the same firm but smooth ride and high-level energy return. The Floatride Run Fast 2 also has the same high-traction rubber outsole we loved from the first round.

Price: $150
Style: Road
Available: Now

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The biggest change to this bouncy, lightweight trainer is in its upper—while the previous Freedom had a divisive ISOFIT lace system and upper, this version returns to a more traditional upper with good, old-fashioned shoelaces and a contoured insole. Despite its return to form and addition of loads of plush cushioning, the Freedom 3 still has a lighter weight, lower profile, and no shortage of energy return. Our testers loved the soft cushion, durability, and light weight of this fast-finish daily trainer.