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.
Updated with a new supercritical midsole foam, the Aero Blaze 3 is one of the most improved everyday training shoes of the year.
Have you ever run in a pair of shoes that you like so much that you can’t wait for the next year’s edition to come out, only to find out that it’s been updated in such a way that it’s not as good as the previous one?
Yep, me, too. It happens all the time, doesn’t it? Unless we’re talking about marathon racing super shoes or Jason Bourne movies, sequels rarely seem to live up to the original.
If you’re a shoe geek like me—or maybe just an avid runner who appreciates shoes that fit your feet well—you know what I’m talking about when I say there’s a bit of nervous anticipation every time a newly updated shoe model hits running stores. Often the next year’s edition is slightly heavier, a little bit stiffer, not as comfortable, or just plain wonky.
Well, good news, runners, the Salomon Aero Blaze 3 everyday training shoe is actually lighter, cushier, snappier, and smoother than last year’s Aero Blaze 2.
How’s that possible? Following the trend of mid-range trainers, Salomon replaced the midsole foam of last year’s model with a new supercritical midsole material, which is lighter and bouncier than the previous dual-density compressed EVA midsole. Other than that, it didn’t really mess with much. And that’s a good thing, because the new midsole and lighter makeup of this shoe—it’s only 8.1 oz. for a men’s size 9 and 6.8 oz. for a women’s size 8—give it a soft, lively, and downright fun shoe to run just about any pace or distance your heart desires—or that your training program calls for.
What’s New: Although there are not a lot of fancy features of the Aero Blaze 3, the new soft, bouncy, and durable supercritical OptiFoam midsole (aka Energy Foam Evo) made from 100 percent beaded TPU is extraordinary. Rounding out the shoe are a fairly basic engineered mesh upper that’s seamless, lightly reinforced, and very breathable, and sufficient outsole rubber that provides good traction and durability.
Fit/Feel/Ride: The Aero Blaze 3 fits true to size with a medium interior volume and a standard-sized toe box. It feels spot-on length-wise, but feels more snug in the midfoot/saddle and slightly more roomy in the heel. (It comes with a thin premium-level Ortholite sockliner that can be removed, but fitting an after-market insole could take some trimming.) The step-in feel is comfortable and compact, with a good, locke-down closure from the lightly padded (but not gusseted) tongue and basic flat laces, a firm interior heel cup, and moderate heel collar padding. It’s sparse, but comfortable, and offers very good ground feel, especially in the forefoot.
The ride gives off a light, smooth, and energizing sensation at all paces, but it feels especially snappy at faster paces. The midsole is the same (or very similar) to the maximally cushioned midsole of Salomon’s Aero Glide 3. The tradeoff is that the Aero Blaze 3 is not quite as bouncy, but it is lower to the ground, peppier, and much more agile. Most of all, the ride is extremely versatile, appropriately accommodating for any kind of workout or run you have on your schedule.
Price: $140
Approximate Weights: 6.8 oz. (women’s size 8), 8.1 oz. (men’s size 9)
Heel-Toe Offset: 8mm; 35mm (heel), 27mm (forefoot)
Why It’s Great: This is a no-frills, lightweight training shoe that won’t hold you back. It’s light and agile enough to be fast, and cushioned and comfortable enough to run long distances. The new midsole is soft and springy, but not at all mushy. It serves up a good amount of energy return (though obviously not as much as premium-level trainers or plated shoes) and has some inherent stability, in part because it’s lower to the ground.
What You’ll Love It: You’ll love the Aero Blaze 3 if you’re looking for one shoe to do just about everything. It’s an extremely versatile everyday trainer, one of the better do-everything shoes out on the market this year. I’ve run long runs in it (up to 11 miles), track sessions (4 x 400), fartlek runs, easy/recovery runs, and plenty of post-run strides. As an everyday trainer in the $140 price category, it’s one of the better ones I’ve tried lately, and I like it more than the Nike Pegasus 41 and the New Balance Fresh Foam X 860 v14.
While it might not be my first pick for any of those particular workouts, I’d rate it a strong B+ for its ability to do everything very well. (If I’m honest, I like it the most for being able to spin up my pace in spontaneous fartlek-style intervals on any given run.) Ultimately, it’s the sum of the parts of what it can do that make it so good.
Why You Might Not Like It: There aren’t many reasons not to like this shoe—while still acknowledging that it’s a $140 shoe and it’s limited to being pretty good at most things and not exceptional. If you’re looking for a cushier shoe, opt for the Salomon Aero Glide 3 ($160) or something like the ASICS Superblast 2 ($200). If you want a more energetic shoe, consider the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 ($175).
Pro: If you’re a new runner or a runner on a budget, this is an ideal shoe if it will be the only shoe in your quiver. If you’re training for a half marathon or a marathon, you can wear it every day for months on end and cover your full range of workouts. And while looks don’t count toward performance, both the two-tone and three-tone colorways look clean, fast, and on-point design-wise.
Con: As far as light and agile mid-range trainers go, the Aero Blaze 3 isn’t quite as energetic as the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 ($140), Hoka Mach 6 ($140) and a few other contemporary models.
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Senior editor Brian Metzler has wear-tested more than 2,500 running shoes and is the author of “Kicksology: The Hype, Science, Culture and Cool of Running Shoes” (2019) and “Trail Running Illustrated” (2019). 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.
