5 Thoughts on Running Shoe Culture in 2026
Running shoes and running shoe culture are at an all time high. We are seeing race foams in daily trainers, very cushioned and protective stacks of foam, and very light weight options for both daily miles and race day. Below we are breaking down what we think are the 5 most relevant shifts in running shoe culture in 2026.
Running shoes have never been better, but the trends shaping the space are changing fast. Saucony has quietly worked its way back to the top with one of the strongest lineups in the industry, elevated daily trainers still don’t get the attention they deserve, and non-plated Evo SL competitors are becoming some of the most hyped releases on the market. At the same time, plastic-plated trainers seem to be losing relevance as foams improve, and France’s biggest running brands have struggled to keep pace with the excitement coming from the rest of the industry this year.
1. Saucony is Back at the Top of Their Game
After a mediocre 2024 and 2025, we’re happy to report that Saucony has turned things around this year. IncrediLUX, their new ATPU foam found in the Triumph 24 and Hurricane 26, is one of the bounciest, most versatile training compounds we’ve tested in 2026. The IncrediRun foam in the Endorphin Elite 3 is an incredibly bouncy, fun race foam. While not the fastest or most stable of race shoes, we love using it for the long run. The Endorphin Azura has also been a hit amongst many runners in the Hobby Jogger community for its light weight, aggressive geometry, and protective high stack of PEBA foam.
Saucony Hurricane 26
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Saucony Triumph 24
2. Elevated Daily Trainers are being Slept-On
Gone are the days when shoes like the Aero Glide 3 dominated the hype cycle. In 2026, interest in the $160-$170 daily trainer category has fallen off dramatically. Shoes like the Gel-Nimbus 28, Salomon Aero Glide 4, and New Balance 1080v15 are seeing less traction in the era of the super trainer.
Salomon Aero Glide 4
New Balance 1080 v15
3. Non-Plated Evo SL Competitors are the New Hype King
Speaking of hype, attention has shifted to the “Evo SL Killer” category, with shoes like the Deviate Pure NITRO and Dynafish Xiaonian generating significant buzz in 2026. Runners are demanding more from their daily trainers, and non-plated, affordable shoes with 100% race foam are becoming the new benchmark.
Puma Deviate Pure Nitro
Dynafish Xiaonian
4. Plastic-Plated Shoes Might be Dying
The Evo SL proved that a lightweight shoe built around 100% race foam could be just as exciting as many plated alternatives. Combined with the rise of EVA carriers in non-plated super trainers like the ASICS Superblast 3, plates are no longer seen as necessary to stabilize soft race foams. Plastic-plated trainers such as the Mizuno Neo Vista 3, Hoka Mach X3, Saucony Endorphin Speed 5, and Brooks Hyperion Max 4, are losing the clear value proposition that once set them apart.
Mizuno Neo Vista 3
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5. France is Down Bad in 2026
Both pinnacle racers from French brands we’ve tried in 2026—the Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 3 and the Kiprun Kipstorm Lab—have been failed to deliver competitive ride experiences. We might need a new Geneva convention to limit European race shoe design to Switzerland and Germany only.
Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 3
Kiprun Kipstorm Lab
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