5 Emerging Running Trends for 2026
Here is a quick look at five key running trends that will emerge in 2026 based on what we saw at The Running Event trade show.
In the modern age of carbon-plated racing super shoes, Nike, Adidas, ASICS, Saucony, and lately, On and Puma, have been the leaders of the pack. Proof is in the podium results, course records, world records, and age-group personal bests.
New Balance, despite having American record-holder Emily Sisson running in its shoes, is one of the big brands still trying to catch up and make its mark. (Sisson, a 2024 U.S. Olympic marathoner, races in the FuelCell SuperComp Pacer v2.) But the recent launch of its vastly updated SuperComp Elite v5 seems to be a step in the right direction for the brand, at least putting it in the discussion of top shoes for marathoners to consider. (And perhaps especially so for age-groupers who are aiming for the 2:45 to 4:15 range.)
The New Balance SuperComp v4 was a very cushy shoe that didn’t have the energetic pop for racing marathons at fast paces, but it became known as a solid model for long runs, tempo runs, and race simulations from 10K to half marathon in length. New Balance overhauled the previous edition of its SuperComp Elite and made it lighter, narrower, and more aggressive with a higher heel-toe offset, a stiffer carbon-fiber propulsion plate, and a new outsole configuration for optimal grip and traction.
As fall marathon season approaches, there’s a whole new crop of speedy shoes about to drop, and the New Balance SuperComp Elite v5 is definitely one to consider. If you’ve run in a previous version, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the new, more energetic vibe. If you’ve never run in it before, you could be inspired by its speedy demeanor, either as a race-day shoe or as your speed-day workout shoe.
What’s New: The New Balance shoe development team took steps to make the SuperComp Elite v5 a lighter and leaner shoe (nearly 1.5 ounces lighter!), creating a more compact platform with less foam volume, a more aggressive shape (including a new 8mm heel-toe drop), and a more rigid and aggressively shaped carbon-fiber plate, plus a new outsole with very low-profile lugs.
It retains the same 100 percent PEBA FuelCell midsole (and not an even more responsive A-TPU foam found in some new racing shoes), but the new materials around it help re-frame that midsole in this updated version of the shoe.
FIt/Feel/Ride: The New Balance SuperComp Elite v5 fits true to size, but it is much narrower than the previous edition with a narrow interior volume from heel to toe—and just enough wiggle room in the toe box. It’s one of the rare racing shoes that comes in two widths (Regular, D, and Wide, 2E), so that will give runners with wider feet another option.
The step-in feel is sparse, compact, and secure. When I lace them up, the gusseted, thinly padded tongue feels like a comfortable and secure cockpit that really cinches around my feet. The thin sockliner provides a touch of softness, but it otherwise feels semi-firm as most race-day shoes do.
Built on a 100 percent Peba FuelCell midsole foam, the ride gives off a lively rolling sensation with a little bit of extra pop of energy through the toe-off phase—in the form of a toe-spring plunge at the end of a stride. It’s not vibrantly bouncy or soft like some super shoes, but it does feel agile and sprightly—and much more so than the previous edition.
Price: $250
Approximate Weights: 6.0 oz. (women’s size 8); 7.2 oz. (men’s size 9),
Heel-Toe Offset: 8mm; 40mm (heel); 32mm (forefoot)
Why It’s Great: No doubt, this is a fast, light, and energetic shoe. I haven’t raced in it, but I’ve run several tempo runs and fartlek runs in it, and two long-ish training runs, and, I like it a lot—enough to keep it in my rotation. Compared to the New Balance SuperComp Elite v4, it’s a much spicier shoe. It feels sleek, streamlined, and responsive running at faster paces, but it also feels pretty lively at moderate paces (aka 8- to 9-minute mile pace).
Why You’ll Love It: The SuperComp Elite V5 stands as New Balance’s most streamlined and performance-oriented carbon racer to date—lighter, stiffer, and built to attack race day with purpose for new PRs. It won’t suit everyone, particularly runners who prefer plush cushioning or a softer or bouncier ride, but for those seeking a sharper edge with a locked-in fit will love the ride. Whether or not you choose this for your race-day model, it could be a good light and fast shoe for speedy workouts, tempo runs, and long runs—if you run with a clean, neutral-oriented gait.
And remember, all high-performance super shoes fit, feel, and ride much differently, so be sure to try them on before you buy them!
Why You Might Not Like It: From a tip-of-the-spear elite racing point of view, this shoe might or might not produce podium results—that, of course, requires top-tier athletes racing in it—even though it could produce a new personal best for you. As much as New Balance has upped its game with this model, so, too, have several other brands, and there are several next-gen shoes that have launched (or are launching) this summer from ASICS, Brooks, CEP, and Skechers.The tradeoff making this shoe lighter and more aggressive is greater instability. While the New Balance SuperComp v4 was wider and very stable, this one is narrower with a higher heel perch, meaning if you have any imbalances in your stride they will be accentuated, especially late in a race or tempo run when fatigue sets in and compromises your ability to hold form.
Pro: The new graphics and color motif are bolder than previous New Balance racing shoes. And while that doesn’t count on race day, they definitely look and feel fast when you pick them up and try them on.
Con: The tradeoff making this shoe lighter and more aggressive is stability. While the New Balance SuperComp v4 was wider and very stable, this one is narrower with a higher heel perch, meaning if you have any imbalances in your stride they will be accentuated, especially late in a race or tempo run when fatigue sets in and compromises your ability to hold form.
Senior editor Brian Metzler has wear-tested more than 2,000 running shoes and is the author of “Kicksology: The Hype, Science, Culture and Cool of Running Shoes” (2019) and “Trail Running Illustrated” (2021). He has raced just about every distance from 100 meters to 100 miles, but he’s most eager to share stories about his experiences pack burro racing in Colorado.
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